Westnofa Furniture Wardrobes and Armoires
While Norway comprises something of an unsung chapter in the history of Scandinavian modernism, an export company called Westnofa shouldn’t be overlooked. It represented a collective of the country’s leading manufacturers to promote and export their furniture worldwide. Westnofa was key to the success of Norway’s mid-century designers and furniture brands, and fostered the growth of entities that might otherwise be unknown to today’s design aficionados.
Norway’s furniture factories were largely destroyed during World War II, and while the country’s sophisticated works — designed in teak, pine and other prized woods — had earned a place in Scandinavian modernism, its output was overshadowed by big names such as Alvar Aalto and Arne Jacobsen who’d earned icon status in Finland and Denmark, respectively. Westnofa, a name derived from “West Norway Factories,” took shape in the late 1950s in order to circumvent the limitations that the country’s furniture industry had faced in the areas of marketing and production. Some of the manufacturers connected to Westnofa were P.I. Langlo Møbelfabrikk, Ekornes, Stokke and Vestlandske.
Westnofa took great pains to devise the most cost-effective and efficient method of packing and shipping worldwide. Flat-pack assembly for lightweight shipping was the result. In neighboring Sweden during the late 1940s, DUX president and furniture designer Folke Ohlsson put the same idea into practice. Flat-pack assembly saved space in warehouses and money on transportation. It’s a breakthrough that survives today — namely at popular Swedish brand IKEA.
While it’s unclear if Westnofa also produced furniture in addition to exporting the goods of a group of manufacturers, some of the more well-known designers that are today mentioned alongside the company include Ingmar Relling, Torstein Nilsen and Jens Nielsen. Relling is best known for seating and his most famous piece associated with Westnofa is his high-backed Siesta chair, which features supple leather cushions atop a bentwood frame. Torstein Nilsen designed an elegant glass-topped bentwood dining table that is also commonly linked with Westnofa. Jens Nielsen created minimalist, sculptural lounge chairs in birch and plywood that are connected with the Westnofa name.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Westnofa seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets.
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Westnofa Furniture Wardrobes and Armoires
Rosewood
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Westnofa Furniture Wardrobes and Armoires
Rosewood
1960s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Westnofa Furniture Wardrobes and Armoires
Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Westnofa Furniture Wardrobes and Armoires
Teak
1960s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Westnofa Furniture Wardrobes and Armoires
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Westnofa Furniture Wardrobes and Armoires
Teak
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Westnofa Furniture Wardrobes and Armoires
Chrome
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Westnofa Furniture Wardrobes and Armoires
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Westnofa Furniture Wardrobes and Armoires
Walnut
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Westnofa Furniture Wardrobes and Armoires
Oak
1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Westnofa Furniture Wardrobes and Armoires
Oak
Late 19th Century Danish Country Antique Westnofa Furniture Wardrobes and Armoires
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Westnofa Furniture Wardrobes and Armoires
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Westnofa Furniture Wardrobes and Armoires
Mahogany, Rosewood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Westnofa Furniture Wardrobes and Armoires
Teak
1970s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Westnofa Furniture Wardrobes and Armoires
Teak
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Westnofa Furniture Wardrobes and Armoires
Wood, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Westnofa Furniture Wardrobes and Armoires
Oak, Teak
1970s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Westnofa Furniture Wardrobes and Armoires
Rosewood
Westnofa Furniture wardrobes and armoires for sale on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No, the Westnofa furniture company is out of business. Westnofa was a Norwegian furniture company that was best known for the Siesta chair by Ingmar Relling. This chair won awards for its design and became highly desirable in the 60s and 70s, prompting the growth of more Westnofa designs. Unfortunately, the brand's popularity did not last. Shop a collection of vintage Westnofa furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.