1940s, Model “Laila” Lounge Chair by Ilmari Lappalainen for Asko, Finland

This is a chair manufactured by Sternells in Virserum, Sweden, during the 1940s. The chair feature its original luxurious velour upholstery in a deep red tone, beautifully complement...

This is a Swedish Art Nouveau armchair from the 1940s, featuring a padded backrest and curved wooden armrests, adding an elegant and timeless design. The chair offer exceptional comf...

This is a chair manufactured by Sternells in Virserum, Sweden, during the 1940s. The chair feature its original luxurious velour upholstery in a deep red tone, beautifully complement...

A charming 1960s lounge chair produced by Trensums in Sweden, upholstered in a richly textured jacquard fabric. The pattern features soft, earthy tones and an elegant botanical motif...

“Schulz” Lounge Chair by Otto Schulz for Jio Möbler Jönköping, Sweden, circa 1950 Birch wood and green velvet fabric Upholstery. G...

Throughout the Nordic countries, there's a long history of pride in the craftsmanship of using natural materials like wood. This beautiful armchair is a great representation of the q...

In the mid-1950s, Carl Malmsten awarded ten small furniture companies, mainly in Småland, the honour of making a series of some of his products. Among the first pieces was Farmor, wh...

The “Laila” model by the Finnish designer Ilmari Lappalainen originates from 1948, with the earliest original drawings kept in the Lahti City Museum in their Lappalainen Collection. This pair of “nr. 238” armchairs are from the Finnish designer’s most famous series called “Laila”. The design became sought after by collectors even in its production time, which is quite rare in the case of Nordic mid-century modern furniture. Lappalainen was a renowned designer, famous for his designs’ comfort. Some of his designs even received medical approval because they had such a good seating that it prevented back problems. These armchairs have a cosy modern style, modelled on the Swedish and Danish furniture of the time, including the round edges and generous seat cushion and back with tufted buttons. The bodies have the classic Nordic look, which explains the contemporary popularity of these armchairs both among the public and museums. The modern aesthetic is further elevated by the textured, premium upholstery that complements the shape and the wooden, tapered legs as well. Sheepskin is the ultimate material for comfort, warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It elevates the sheer size and shape of the chair, especially its back. Wood is omnipresent in the Nordics, and Finnish woodworking is world-famous for its traditions. These chairs were created for Asko, the Finnish furniture manufacturing company founded in 1918 by Aukusti Asko Avonius, known for the production of high-quality furniture. By 1930 the company had developed into the largest furniture chain in Finland and the largest supplier of furniture in the Scandinavian countries. After the war, the damage it caused and the new homes of Karelian migrants concentrated production on essential furniture, which the Finnish Ministry of Public Affairs ordered to sell at an affordable price. Favourites of this time included Ilmari Lappalainen’s Laila...