Elsa Stackelberg was a Norwegian-Swedish designer and landscape architect, known for her innovative and functional design solutions in outdoor furniture and garden decor. Her work has inspired generations of designers and garden enthusiasts with its focus on aesthetics, sustainability, and practical usability. 

Elsa Stackelberg 1929 - 2014 

Elsa Stackelberg was born in 1929 in Oslo, Norway. During World War II, her family fled from German-occupied Norway to Sweden, where Elsa began attending the Norwegian School in Uppsala. After the war, she studied at the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry in Oslo. Upon completing her studies, she embarked on a successful career as a landscape architect and designer, with her work quickly gaining recognition for its unique combination of functionality and aesthetics. 

The Founding of Fri Form 

In the early 1960s, Elsa Stackelberg, together with her husband Benny Stackelberg, founded the company Fri Form. With Elsa's creativity and aesthetic sense as the foundation, they ran their production on the family estate, Stensnäs Manor, outside Västervik. Their work captured the attention of many, and it was at the Norrköping Exhibition NU64 that Prince Bertil discovered her first lounger, marking the start of her career as a furniture designer. 

Stackelberg is perhaps best known for her contributions to outdoor furniture design, where her creativity and precision led to the creation of iconic outdoor tables and other furniture. Her design philosophy was characterized by a pursuit of creating products that were not only beautiful to look at but also practical and durable. By using materials that could withstand the test of time and the elements, she created furniture that has become beloved classics in many gardens and outdoor environments. 

Stackelberg's ability to understand and utilize natural surroundings in her designs made her a pioneer in landscape architecture. Her outdoor tables and flower boxes are not only functional but also an extension of the natural beauty in gardens and outdoor spaces. By integrating plants and furniture harmoniously, she created environments that invite relaxation and enjoyment. 

The Legacy Lives On

Elsa Stackelberg remained active in the design world until her death in 2014. Her legacy lives on through the many gardens and outdoor environments that still bear her mark, as well as through the products that continue to inspire new generations of designers. Her work reminds us of the importance of creating beauty and functionality in our outdoor spaces, and her influence is evident in today's design world.