0 Manufacturers
The way of thinking and working of Danish designers, furniture makers and the entire furniture industry allowed for a tremendous development push in furniture construction, aesthetics and material selection. Mid-century ‘masters in manufacturing’ embraced technological advancements and raised the bar in furniture making and bled craftsmanship. Their drive was fed through getting it right, solid designs, perfect designs, perfect construction. Good was not good enough. To this day we still reap the fruits of their mantra by enjoying their furniture for the years to come.
Design classics vanaf > Founded in 1874, Louis Poulsen became the Danish design lighting manufacturer.
Furniture focus > Ludvig R. Poulsen starts the endeavour in 1874 setting up a wine importing business. This is however not tremendously succesful and the company closes shop late 1878. In 1892 Ludvig initiates his second company, selling tools, electra and lamp fittings. At that point light fittings and armatures are already a key part of the product mix and become more and more an essential part of sales. From there a sequence of influential designers build the brand and the company.
MAin designers > Poul Henningsen (1923 - 1958 lead design) introduced the PH collections. Arne Jacobsen (1957-1959) guest designer with the AJ Lampen. Verner Panton (1960-1973) designed several lamps for Louis Poulsen, among those designs are the Flower pot, Panthella and the Lampetit.
CLASSIC > PH5 (Henningsen), Flower pot (Panton), AJ-Lamp (Jacobsen)
SIGNATURE > Louis Poulsen is truly a Global design lighting powerhouse. Design lighting such as the PH5 lamp, the PH Artichoke, the AJ pendant and AJ table lamps, the Charlottenborg PH6 1/2, the PH Contrast lamp and the Lampetit are with no exception globally recognized iconic lighting designs.
BACKGROUND > Today, many of the historic Louis Poulsen design lamps are still in production. This is an easy choice for those designs and series that are no longer produced like the PH Kontrast lamp from 1962 that was in the day already too expensive to produce. Even for the models that are still in production collectors and designista cherish the vintage models.
Check it out! Louis Poulsen @ Furnip
‘Rolls Royce of furniture’
Founded in 1948 by the British businessman Charles France and his Danish partner Eric Daverkosen. In the early years the company was called France & Daverkosen, Charles’s son James joined the company in 1957 which resulted in the name change to France & Son. At the very beginning the company produced mattresses. They then developed the idea to use two simple loose sprung cushions on their first chairs which would pave the way for a whole new generation of minimalist framed modernist chairs. High quality was the standard at France & Son. As an example when asked to comment on the introduction of the association for quality control for Danish Furniture (the little black sticker you often see on furniture of the period) Charles said ‘France & Son would have little interest in joining such an association as no matter how elaborately this quality control was organised it would never reach the standard of control we have in our factory’. The furniture factory still produces today!
Design classics from > 1948 -
Main designers > The company was at the very vanguard of modern design and came to epitomise the Danish modern aesthetic. They had an incredible rostra of designers producing work for them which reads like a who’s who of design at the time, they included Arne Vodder, Grete Jalk, Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen, Inger Klingenberg, Finn Juhl, Ole Wanscher, Greve Sigvard Bernadotte and Edvard & Tove Kindt Larsen.
Furniture focus > seating
Known for > Finn Juhl was desperate to find a way to machine teak his favourite timber on an industrial scale. Teak has a very high gum content, previous attempts to machine it industrially had failed as the saw would be dull after a dozen uses. In 1953 Charles France introduced an industrial technique that revolutionised the Danish furniture industry. He developed the use of a tungsten-carbide alloy saw which did not dull when sawing teak wood. With this new method Charles France worked with Finn Juhl to launch the first industrially manufactured furniture produced from teak, the Model 133 Spadestolen chair. Teak furniture became synonymous with the Danish Modern style and the furniture industry would never be the same again. France & Daverkosen/Son would be the biggest importer of teak timber from Thailand for a number of years.
Background > In 1952 France & Son was one of the first Danish furniture manufacturers to have a purpose built factory specifically designed for their needs, most other companies had evolved from very humble cabinet makers premises. Although this was mass produced furniture it was always forefront in Charles Frances mind from the very beginning that quality would not suffer as a consequence of the manufacturing process.
Abroad > The biggest market of France & Son was in the USA.
Check it out! France & Son @ Furnip
Giving wood function and shape!
Design classics made from > 1952 - Kjersgaard A/S is now run by his son and continues to produce furniture under the name Naver Collection.
Main designers > In the 50s and 60s Kai Kristiansen and from the 70s on Ebbe Gehl and Søren Nissen
Classic > As designer and a manufacturer, Kjersgaard’s contribution to the Danish (and Scandinavian) design history is undoubtedly important.
Background > The furniture factory was founded in 1952 by master cabinetmaker Aksel Kjersgaard. He had been working for more than 3 years as a travelling craftsman all over Europe and Morocco and wanted to try out some of his own ideas. In 1955 the production of furniture started. In the subsequent years Aksel Kjersgaard got the first international customers and today the factory exports to most parts of the world.
Goal > To manufacture furniture that through function and design fit into a contemporary home combined with craftsmanship that can provide the user with joy for many years.
Check it out! Aksel Kjersgaard @ Furnip
Lasting perfection!
Design classics made from > 1968 - now, seat of the factory in Slagelse
Furniture focus > Custom made high-end design furniture!
Main designer > Henning Kjaernulf
Classic > Specialised in furniture for those buildings with prestige and pizzazz, like the operahouse in Copenhagen and the Åarhus concerthall.
Background > Furnituremaker Bruno Hansen founded the company in 1968. A small workshop of 35 square meter at the beginning grew into a 3000 square meter factory in 2003. Acquired Sorø Stolefabrik in 2007 to further grow production capacity. After the take over of Sorø the company moved all activities to Sorø.
Check it out! Bruno Hansen @ Furnip
An eye for......
Design classics from > 1950’s
Furniture focus > Chairs and sideboards
Main designer > Ejvind A. Johansson
Classic > Eye chair (model 84) features a dramatic curved back in the form of an eye, which is handcrafted to join the back, then doweled in the front.
Check it out! Ivan Gern Mobelfabrik @ Furnip
Cabinet cabaret!
Design classics vanaf > Founded in Ulfborg in 1935 as a cooperative of cabinetmakers. The company merged in 1990 and operates from there as Jesper Office.
Furniture focus > Case goods
Main designer > Carlo Jensen, Kay Ingemann Iversen, Harald Plum, Mogens Plum and Kaj Winding.
Signature > Craftmanship, eye for detail
Background > A significant portion of sales came through sales cooperation Domus Danica
Check it out! Hundevad&Co @ Furnip
Cornerstone of Danish Design
or like they say...
A single piece of furniture can beautify an entire room or building -
and heighten the well-being of the people who inhabit these spaces!
Design classics made from > 1872 - now
It all begins with Nakskov based furniture maker Fritz Hansen receiving a trade licence for Copenhagen in 1872. Years later in 1885 Hansen starts his furniture studio. Forced by illness he hands over the realm of the studio to his son Christian E. Hansen in 1899 and dies a few years later in 1902 at the age of 55.
Furniture focus > Early on in the 20th century Christian E. Hansen sets out with experimenting to steam bend beach wood. In the years that follow he refines the steam bending technique and evolves it into being a pioneer in furniture made from steam bended wood laminates. The company gradually transforms into a furniture giant with several succesfull designs using steam bended laminates. This evolution fits with the Scandinavian furniture fashion at the time allowing designers to use the purer lines and lighter designs the laminates allow for.
Main designers > Klaare Klint, Hans J. Wegner, Børge Mogensen, Arne Jacobsen (leading in the 50s) and Poul Kjaerholm
Classics! > Church chair (1936, Klaare Klint), China Chair (1944, Hans J. Wegner), Ant chair (Arne Jacobsen), Tremmesofa (1945, Børge Mogensen), The Egg chair and the Swan (late 50s design by Arne Jacobsen for the SAS Royal hotel in Copenhagen), Serie 7 chair also referred to as the ‘butterfly chair’ (1955, Arne Jacobsen) and the PK22 chair (1956, Poul Kjaerholm)
Signature > A company culture feeding on strategic partnerships with visionary designers. Fueled by coveting sound craftmanship without losing focus on the value of fitting design with industrial scale manufacturing. Every single detail is part of a thorough thought process, allowing a high quality and a look that is unique, but for all clearly recognizable. Overall this is what it means, when talking about international standard. To this day the Fritz Hansen way, is key to its commercial succes.
Background > In 1979 Fritz Hansen is acquired by Skandinavisk Holding. This ends 107 years of family ownership, but it is a natural continuation of the company’s desire to expand internationally. Enfant terrible Verner Panton, is allowed a prominent role at Fritz Hansen.
Today > Fritz Hansen Republic is part of the exclusive few brands among the Prada's and Louis Vuitton's in the world. One can admire Fritz Hansen designs as ambassadors of design virtually everywhere, inside the Guggenheim Museum in New York, the Japanese Embassy in Mongolia and the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi, near the Arctic Circle.
Check it out! Fritz Hansen @ Furnip
Let there be Light!
Design classics from > 1919 - now
Jacob L. Jørgensen a young businessman swiftly picked up on the industrialization and electrification induced new consumer needs and founded his wholesale firm Nordisk Solar Compagni. Nordisk specialized in all kinds of electrical components and expanded operation where chances presented themselves. Nordisk thus evolved into producing metering radio and lighting. To day, Solar is an international stock market listed producer of electrical, ventillation and sani apparell.
Furniture focus > Nordisk Solar produced lighting fixtures from the 50s - to late 90s. In the 1950s, sales of radio sets fell as television became increasingly accessible and affordable. From then on, Nordisk Solar Compagni—or simply Solar (as seen in adverts and catalogues from the era)—focused entirely on manufacturing high-quality lighting. It was in the 1960s that most lamps were produced en advertized, the golden age of Scandinavian lightning.
Main designers > Eva & Nils Koppel, Jørn Utzon, Christian Hvidt (Hvidt & Mølgaard), Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius and Sven Middelboe
Classic > Verona Pendant Lamp (Sven Middelboe, 1960s); Tivoli Pendant P254, 1960s) and Sovaernspendel (Jørn Utzon, 1956) which was created for the Royal Danish Navy offices, Preben Fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm’s P376 (1964)
Signature > Modern mid-century lighting by prominent lighting designers!
Background > Nordisk Solar used its expertise in using plastic for the production of radio sets, to create many colorful plastic lighting fixtures in the late-1950s and 1960s.
Check it out! NordiskSolar @ Furnip
On the short list of any MCM fanatic!
Design classics from > ? - 1978
Background > Furniture from Slagelse Møbelvaerk should not, and typically will not often, be absent in any good collection of Danish mid century furniture. Slagelse collaborated with an array of renewing Danish designers and used them to bring new and daring designs. The Slagelse Møbelvaerk allowed them to work with a team of very skilled craftsmen that allowed their designs to comprise complex shapes and joints.
Furniture focus > Chairs, sideboards, sofas and easy chairs.
Main designers > Kai Winding, Knud Faerch, IB Kofod-Larsen, Arne vodder, Kurt Olsen, Peter Karpf and Kurt Østervig
Classic > Sofa No. 15 Banana formed (Viggo Boesen), Armchair No. 810 (Arne Vodder)
Check it out! SlagelseMøbelvaerk @ Furnip
Design for life!
Design classics made from > 1916 - now. Founded by furniture maker ICA Jensen. Origin in traditional carpentry, over the years evolving into a company focussing on design furniture. Still active so have a look at their current designs if you're interested. Go to www.brdr-andersen.dk
Furniture focus > Design furniture
Main designers > Johannes Andersen
Classic > Chair BA113
Signature > To this day, the used wood is handpicked to guarantee color and texture.
Background > Largest volume geographies for newly made Andersen furniture are Denmark and Norway, but they export also to several other European countries and Asia. To this day Andersen produces quality design furniture out of way of current and often short term furniture fashion.
So do you have room for design?
Check it out! BrdrAndersenMøbler @ Furnip
Kold as ice!
Design classics from > 1914 - early 90's in Copenhagen
Furniture focus > Chairs, sofas and tables
Main designer > Arne Hovmand Olsen, Ib Kofod Larsen, Nanna Ditzel, Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sørensen
Signature > Mogens Kold collaborated with famous designers to yield high end progressive design furniture still much coveted today. Mogens Kold always allowed him a front seat in the design process and was closely involved by the creation of one of the first design centers.
Background > Martin Kold founded the company and grew it into one of the largest lumber mills of the country. In 1950 Martins son, Mogens, established the Mogens Kold møbelfabrik. In the aftermath of a fire in 1958 the company moved to a much larger plot and started to focus on producing furniture for European and US export. After several years of declining sales Mogens Kold was forced to close shop in 1990.
Check it out! MogensKold @ Furnip
Luxurious Lighting Licks
Design classics from > 1934 - now
Luxo is a lighting company from Norway. Seated in Oslo Norway with manufacturing also in Sweden and The United States.
Furniture focus > Lighting
Main designer > Jacob (Jac) Jacobsen was a trained textile and fabric engineer. In 1934 he founded his own company importing textile making machinery. Later this became an international focussing on lighting.
Classic > Luxo L-1
Signature > The story behind Luxo L-1. In 1936 Jacobsen received amid the shipment of a batch of sowing machines from England two crane like balanced lighting armatures. These what were Anglepoise lamps designed by George Carwadine startled his interest. Jacobsen reached out to the designer and producer to become it's distributor in Norway. He was allowed the distribution on the premisses that Jacobsen would purchase a stock of 500 lighting fixtures and that Jacobsen would see that the Anglepoise would receive Norwegian NEMKO safety approvals. The orginal design although ingenious was a little rough on the edges and Jacobsen had to make some modifications to obtain the approval from NEMKO. Jacobsen designed a variation on the Anglepoise lamp and refined the auto balancing system of the lamp by modelling it according to human limbs with rods and springs. He renamed to lighting fixture Luxo L-1, Latin for ‘I shine light’. Now 80 jears later this original design of the L-1 is still in production and worldwide more than 25 million units have been sold!
Background > The Luxo L-1 lamp, was the inspiration for the short animation classic Luxo Jr. by Jobs's Pixar (1986).
Check it out! Luxo @ Furnip
Exhibitionists!
Design classics from > 1890 - now, Copenhagen.
Furniture focus > Chests, chairs, tables
Main designer > Børge Mogensen, Bernt Petersen, Mogens Lassen, Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard
Classic > Model 302 Cabinet and Chair No. 316 and No. 317 (Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard, 1950s)
Background > Søborg Møbelfabrik was founded in 1890 by cabinetmaker Jacob E. Jacobsen. Dedicated to producing consistently high-quality furniture that showcased the Danish design tradition, Søborg Møbelfabrik—which was managed by generation after generation of the Jacobsen family—has worked with some of Denmark’s most celebrated mid-century furniture designers.
Exhibition > Through the 1950s and 1960s, the company worked with Danish furniture designers to experiment with, manufacture and display furniture at the annual exhibitions of the Copenhagen Guild of Joiners - exhibitions that laid the foundations for the fairytale of Danish furniture and the internationally recognised concept of Danish Design.
Check it out! SøborgMøbler @ Furnip
Dutch Scandinavian style?
Design classics from > Dutch furniture manufacturer WéBé was founded in 1938 in Beneden-Leeuwen. Originally called Walraven and Bevers after its two founders, the company’s name was later shortened to the abbreviated WéBé.
Main designer > Louis van Teeffelen, head of design from 1955.
Furniture focus > Chairs, tables and modular wall systems out of teak with chests and shelves
Classics > De Koehoornstoel (Cow horn chair) the Scissor Chair (1950’s) and the Pelican Fauteuil (1960's)
Meest kenmerkend > Van Teeffelen introduced a classic mid-century Scandinavian aesthetic and a number of popular designs in a similar style to the work of his contemporary, Poul Cadovius. Casegoods and tables with anthropomorphic, “smiling” handles along with sculptural structures became van Teeffelen’s signature.
Achtergrond > In the 50s and 60s the company was at its height with over 150 employees and their own distribution network. When Louis van Teeffelen left the company and fiercer compettition in the 70s and 80s was indured it led slowly but gradually to the demise of the company. Eventually in the early 90s Wébé had to close shop. Today, their mid century furniture is growing rapidly in popularity also beyond the borders of Holland.
Check it out! Wébé @ Furnip
Chair Galore!
Design classics made from > 1911 - 1997
History > Founded in 1911 by the Christensen brothers in Høng Denmark. They sided for Høng apparently because of the trainstation there. In 1921 the company already filed for bankruptcy. Poul Blomhøj, a carpenter in the factory was still owed some wages and traded it for the company. Blomhøj headed by train to Copenhagen to buy wood without any money and ran into his brother in the train who was heading in the same direction. Starting out borrowing money from his brother for the wood, the company flourished with three generations Blomhøj at the realm until 1997.
Furniture focus > Chairs designed by Erik Kirkegaard until the 80s.
Main designer > Erik Kirkegaard and Jens Blomhøj developing design furniture in addition to furniture for daycare homes and hospitals
Classic > Chair #43 by Erik Kirkegaard
Check it out! Høng Stolefabrik @ Furnip
Burning teak
Design classics made from > 1950 to mid 60s, Brande Møbelindustri was a Danish producer with factory set in the town of Brande and was founded by Henri Rosengren Hansen
Furniture focus > Credenza’s, dining tables and chairs made out of rosewood or teak. Often heavy in weight and aimed for the higher quality market segment
Main designers > a.o. owner Henri Rosengren Hansen, Kurt Østervig, Hans Olsen and Ib Kofod Larsen
Classic > Model 38 series by Rosengren Hansen and chair model 26 designed by Kurt Østervig
Signature > Stylish designs with subtle details in rosewood
Background > Brande Møbelindustri exported late 50s much of its designs to France and the US
Check it out! BrandeMøbelindustri @ Furnip
Outstandingly high quality in timeless chair designs!
Design classics from > 1944 - now
Background > J.L Møllers Møbelfabrik was founded by furniture maker Niels Otto Møller.
Starting out as a small operation Møller was already in full swing exporting Germany and the USA. To facilitate the growing demand Møller expanded the operation and purchased in 1961 a plot of land in Højbjerg. At the new location that was close to his birth place he build a larger factory. To this day the factory is owned by the Møller family.
Furniture focus > Superb high quality chairs in timeless design.
Main designer > Niels O. Møller
Classic > Chair No. 78 and chair No. 79
Signature > Production without assembly line. Chairs from J.L. Møller are assembled using the old craft traditions. Each employee is a specialist in specific work processes for creating the chair, giving it a unique quality and elegance. At J.L. Møller tenons, mortices and dowels are all glued by hand. Polishing machines are not used for the final polish, as they treat all wood alike. Instead the chairs are polished by hand. This is J.L. Møller's policy in all production phases. If the latest technology does not give a better and more satisfactory result than the well-knowncraft methods, it is quite simply not employed in the factory.
Check it out! J.L. Moller @ Furnip
Books, Books, Books
Design classics made from > 1942 - 1988, Nexø
Furniture focus > Cabinets and shelves
Main designer > Johannes Sorth, designer/owner of Bornholm Møbelfabrik
Classic > The ‘Bornholm book cabinet’
Signature > (Book) Cabinets and shelves, writing desks and writing desk/cabinet/shelve combo designs
Background > Nexø is situated on Bornholm an island in the Ostsee in Denmark. Here high quality furniture was produced for the rich and famous around the globe, among others some of the sjeiks of Arabian peninsula! Bornholms Møbelfabrik is also referred to as Nexø Møbelfabrik.
Check it out! BornholmMøbelfabrik @ Furnip
The tree is our spine...
Design classics made from > 1950s - now
Furniture focus > Coffee table, dining tables, desks predominantly in palisander and beechwood.
Main designer > Severin Hansen Jr.
Classic > Haslev Møbelsnedkeri was one of the first furniture manufacturers in Denmark to produce massive beechwood tables with flaps to enlarge the tables.
Signature > According to their own pr page they assign the most important role in furniture making to the tree from which the furniture is produced. This has always been key at Haslev Møbelsnedskeri, then and now. They utilize only the best part of the tree stem and this procedure is part of their Danish design DNA. Sounds really exciting but we have to apreciate that it has allowed them to do this for the last 60 years and with great succes. Another point tickling their pride is the fact that they have always designed and produced their furniture in Denmark. Something that in our opinion could see some improvement are the stickers that Haslev uses to mark their furniture. These clearly have not the same level of quality as the furniture itself and frequently have fallen off in use.
Check it out! Haslev Møbelsnedskeri @ Furnip
Let there be modern light!! Pioneers of Danish modern lighting
Design classics vanaf > On the 22nd of February 1904 to be exact two friends, Ansgar Fog and Erik Mørup, bought a trading company responding to an advert in the Danish newspaper Jyllandsposten. The trading company needed an energetic owner and featured an established metal apparel shop and it's consignment warehouse.
Furniture focus > After a couple years they started to focus on trading lighting fixtures and started their own production facility for lamps, galleries and chandeliers.
Main designers > Johannes Hammerborg (1957 - 1980 chief of design) introduced the mid century modern designs to Fog & Mørup. Aero shaped, well lined pendula designs by Hammerborg and also other designers like Jørgen Bo, Sophus Frandsen en Torsten Thorup.
Classic > Iconic Semi, also referred to as the witch hat (Thorup en Bonderup) and the Nova lamp (Hammerborg)
Signature > The company excelled early sixties with new and innovative designs and led it to the most creative and commercially succesful era of Fog en Mørup. Hammerborg's innovative modernistic designs became the trademark for Fog & Mørup. It propelled Fog & Mørup in the lead with respect to lighting in Danish mid century modern.
Background > After the retirement of Hammerborg in 1980 the succes of the company declined rapidly. Eventually Fog & Mørup was acquired by Lyskaer in 1989, the Fog & Mørup brand name was lost forever.
Check it out! Fog & Mørup @ Furnip
Enjoy an Eilersen!
Design classics from > 1895 - now
Furniture focus > It all began with a horse-drawn carriages. This was young Niels Eilersens core busines, coachbuilding. To make his wheels, he was one of the first persons in Denmark to use steam to bend wood. And when cars eventually ran horse-drawn carriages off the road, Eilersen started making handmade bodies for cars and busses. In 1934 the factory burned to the ground. Yet this marked the start of an entirely different production process. From that time on, Eilersen focused on producing high-quality upholstered furniture and dining chairs made from steam bend solid wood.
Main designer > Illum Wikkelsø, Eric Wørts and from the late 60s Jens Juuel Eilersen
Classic > Capella armchair, Rocking chair and the Ring chair 23 (1957) by Illum Wikkelsø. The Safari chair by Eric Wørts (not to be confused for Klaare Klint's Safari chair)
Signature > Use of high quality materials focussing on lasting quality and comfort.
Background > The forth generation Eilersen now leads the Eilersen firm.
Check it out! N. Eilersen @ Furnip
Sleek-lined
Design classics from > 1922 - in 1990 bought up by Tvilum. The Hallas family founded Faarrup, named after the town where the factory was
Furniture focus > Desks, writing desks, dressers, wardrobes
Main designer > Ib Kofod Larsen, other designers Svend Åge Larsen, Jørgen Linde and Kurt Løvig
Classic > Ib Kofod Larsen's credenza model FA-66 from the 50s / 60s is an 'alltime' favorite. Made of Brazilian rosewood and very rare and precious
Most typically > Sleek-lined and minimalist sideboards are the pearls of collaboration between Ib Kofod Larsen and Faarup
Background > Faarup Møbler haydays culminated shortly after the Second World War. Faarup was an international furniture and house best known for the cabinets. Faarup remained independent until 1990. After that it merged unnamed into furniture conglomerates. The clean lines and minimalist designs have now become popular again. Faarup factory lives yet again.
Check it out! Faarup @ Furnip
Versatile functionality!
Design classics from > 1933 - now
Founded by Thorvald Rasmussen growing rapidly in the first years. It did not take much time before furniture was produced in series. Skovby has produced a wide variety of furniture that can feature in all prominent spaces of a house.
Furniture focus > Sideboards, credenzas and tables
Signature > Craftmanship, natural material en lasting quality. In mid century times and still today wood stems are hand picked and used.
Background > The company features all relevant steps in house that come into play from a cut tree to furniture.
Check it out! SkovbyMøbler @ Furnip
‘By the people, for the people’
Design classics made from > In 1942 FDB Møbler was founded and the aim of founder Frederik Nielsen was to produce high quality affordable modern and functional furniture. Design furniture for the masses! The company ceased operations in 1980 but since 2014 Coop reproduces the most iconic FDB designs.
Furniture focus > Distinctive from it's compettitors FDB Møbler was not focussed on making profit. A more collectivistic mantra 'by the people for the people' reigned FDB Møbler. In essence the Danish furniture culture needed to be reinforced above all! Away with the old heavy and unpractical furniture of the past. FDB would bring you the modern Danish design with the conviction, it would contribute to the overall quality of life for the average Dane and Danish society as a whole.
Main designers > Børge Mogensen (head of design from 1942 -1950), Hans J. Wegner, Poul M. Volther, Eyvind A. Johansson and Jørgen Baekmark
Classics > Chair J48 (Poul M. Volther), rocking chair J52G (Børge Mogensen) and chair J67 (Ejvind A. Johansson)
Signature > Modern furniture made and sold in large quantities. Almost every Danish house had a FDB Møbler in it. Possibly because of it's outspoken mission FDB produced an impressive amount of design classics, most of those from Børge Mogensen and his team.
Background > The first series were shaped up in 1945 by a 35 minute commercial named ‘A clear and happy future for the young couple’. The commercial features a young couple shopping for traditional furniture. Eventually they stumble on the simplistic and modern FDB furniture, buy it and seal their happy future with it ! This vivid imagination and distinct marketing for it's time was later build on with the glossy MS. FDB Møbler maybe unknowingly reached an iconic stature by changing the game!
Check it out! FDB Møbler @ Furnip
Heavy stuff!!
Design classics made from > 1957, Bramin Møbelfabrik (emerged from N.A. Jørgensens Møbelfabrik) The name refers to the town of the factory, Bramming in Jutland Denmark.
Furniture focus > Bramin Møbelfabrik has always aimed for the higher quality segment, solid rosewood, teak or oak were prominently used in their products.
Main designers > a.o. Henry W. Klein, Hans Olsen, Kurt Østervig and Frank Reenskaug.
Classic > Model 473 by Henry W. Klein, using his joint technique signature style and the rocking chair No. 182 by Frank Reenskaug.
Signature > Henry W. Klein, made Bramin signature series encompassing all governing furniture types one can find in a living room. Often with high quality solid wood ribbing and joint design owing to the recognition of the Bramin brand.
Bramin was in the 50s, 60s and 70s one of the top five furniture producers in Denmark. Still Bramin had to close shop in the crisis of the 80s.
Check it out! Bramin @ Furnip
Design classics from > 1908 - 1984
Peder Olsen Sibast opened a small furniture factory in the country side. The very same year Helge, his son was born and grew into the business tought by his father. Helge expanded Sibast and in the 60s Sibast was in its heydays, an international with over 120 employees.
Region > Kolding, South-Denmark
Designers > a.o. Arne Vodder, Johannes Andersen, Peter Hvidt and Helge Sibast
Signature > Crossover designs by Arne Vodder. Vodder deviated as one of the first from the ‘wood only’ principle and experimented with drawers doors and table tops.
Classic > Chair Sibast No 8 (Helge Sibast, 1953), Chair Sibast no. 7 (Helge Sibast, 1953) and Cabinet 29 (Arne Vodder)
Background > Sibast and Vodder are undoubtably connected. Although Sibast had house designers it was mostly Vodder that made Sibast to what it was. The eye shaped grips for drawers, to use of other materials than wood, the use of bright colours in cabinets are all items that made Sibast. Vodder and Sibast bended the rules for others to follow.
Check it out! Sibast @ Furnip
