Carl Malmsten

The architect Carl Malmsten was born in 1888 in Stockholm. With a doctor as a father and a mother whose family founded the Grand Hôtel, he grew up in the upper-class society of the time. In 1909, Malmsten started as a carpenter apprentice, and between 1911 and 1916, he worked at an architecture office while studying on his own. 

Carl Malmsten 1888 – 1972 

His breakthrough came as early as 1916 when he won both first and second prize in a competition to furnish Stockholm City Hall, where he designed the furniture for the Council Chamber. These were, according to him, the first pieces of furniture he ever designed. Throughout his career, he combined Swedish tradition with functional and aesthetically pleasing design, making him a leading figure in the Swedish Grace movement of the 1920s. Other prominent figures of the movement include Gunnar Asplund, Axel Einar Hjorth, and Sven Markelius, all of whom contributed to defining this era with their restrained yet elegant designs. 

In the 1920s, Carl Malmsten received several prestigious design commissions. Among other things, he had the honor of furnishing the grand living room at Ulriksdal Palace, the Stockholm Concert Hall, and the Matchstick Palace, which was updated with the designer's furniture. In the 1930s, he traveled to New York to furnish the Waldorf Astoria Hotel and to participate in the World's Fair in the same city. 

Carl Malmsten's Iconic Furniture 

Malmsten is the creator of iconic upholstered furniture such as Samsas, Jättepaddan, and Häggbom, furniture beloved for its unique ability to convey emotions and atmospheres. The names of the furniture often reflect the character they exude, and each piece tells its own story. This deep connection to Swedish craftsmanship traditions makes his furniture timeless and sought after both nationally and internationally. Since 1956, the Swedish furniture manufacturer O.H. Sjögren has been producing Carl Malmsten's upholstered furniture. With over four generations of craftsmanship expertise, these pieces are made with the same care and precision as always, ensuring their quality and durability. 

Timeless Design Classics by Carl Malmsten 

During his career, Carl Malmsten designed a series of design classics. The Lilla Åland chair is one of his most famous pieces, loved today by both young and old for its Scandinavian minimalist and delicate style, in line with the 1920s' expression of "beautiful everyday items." The inspiration for this chair came from Finström's Church in Åland, where Malmsten held a crafts course in 1938. From the village carpenter's hand-turned chair, he distilled the essence, then adapted the drawing for production at Stolfabriks AB in Smålandsstenar, now known as Stolab. In 1942, the Lilla Åland chair received its now-iconic design, which remains unchanged to this day.