Carl Malmsten (1888 – 1972), Swedish furniture maker

Advertisements
Ulriksdals slott. Vardagsrummet.
Ulriksdals slott. Vardagsrummet.

Carl Malmsten was a Swedish furniture designer. Inspired by Italian Renaissance and Swedish 18th-century forms, his work is typical of the new trends of the 1920s. He furnished the Stockholm Stadhus (city hall, 1916–23), the Stockholm Konserthus (concert hall, 1924–5) and Ulriksdal Castle (early 1920s), eschewing Functionalism in favour of crafted furniture in light or blackened birch decorated with intarsia ornament.

Education

Carl Malmsten studied at the Pahlmanns Handelsinstitut and Hogskolan, Stockholm, in 1910. Between 1910 and 1912, he trained under the cabinetmaker Per Jönsson in Stockholm. Between 1912 and 1915, he furthered his studies in handicrafts and architecture under Carl Bersten in Stockholm. Malmsten said his teachers were two; Mother Nature and traditional Swedish furniture and interiors he saw in Museums.

Competition winner

Malmsten’s career took off when in 1916, he won first and second prize in a competition to supply furniture for the ongoing city hall construction in Stockholm, hosted by the Swedish Society of Crafts and Design. The commission enabled him to open a workshop, and in the following years, he delivered many prized furniture suites to the Swedish Society of Crafts and Design exhibitions.

Cabinet with realistic inlay floral designs by Carl Malmsten
Cabinet with realistic inlay floral designs by Carl Malmsten. In The Decorative Arts of Sweden

He also wrote about beauty and comfort in the home in Ellen Keys’ spirit and co-operated with textile artists. In particular, with Märta Måås-Fjetterström, whose carpets and fabrics in saturated earthy tones harmonised with Malmsteen’s interiors.

Style

Malmsten is most famous for his unique handcrafted pieces influenced by the Swedish Gustavian and “rural rococo” style with modern, simplified elegance and function. 

He pushed back against the extreme Functionalism of the rest of Europe, believing in the value of traditional craftsmanship in the spirit of Kaare Klint. Like Klint, Malmsten founded several schools as an influential educator and mentor. His furniture was well made and durable and functional but exhibited a neoclassicism and less restrained expressiveness more typical of the Swedes rather than the Danes.

Recognition

Malmsten, in his later writings, had been recognised for his extensive luxury furniture and educational efforts. He started Malmsten’s Verkstadsskola (Malmsten’s Workshop School) in 1930 to train furniture architects and qualified cabinet makers.  

He was awarded and recognised for the following;

  • 1926 Litteris et Artibus Medal
  • 1945 Prince Eugen Medal
  • 1917 work shown at Blanchs Konstsalon exhibition in Stockholm
  • 1923 and 1956 exhibitions in Gothenburg
  • Swedish pavilion at the 1925 Paris ‘Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes’
  • 1939 ‘New York World Fair.’

His work has been a subject of a retrospective at the Stockholm Museum.

Sources

Brunnström, L. (2018). Swedish Design: A History. United Kingdom: Bloomsbury Publishing.

Byars, M., & Riley, T. (2004). The design encyclopedia. Laurence King Publishing.

Hollingsworth, A. (2009). Danish Modern. (n.p.): Gibbs Smith, Publisher.

Mang, K. (1979). History of modern furniture. Harry N. Abrams.

Plath, I. (1966). The Decorative Arts of Sweden. New York.

More Furniture Designers

  • Embodying the Art of Catalan Modernisme: Gaudí’s Sillón Calvet

    Embodying the Art of Catalan Modernisme: Gaudí’s Sillón Calvet

    Trace the Sillón Calvet’s journey from its original location in Calvet House to its current residence in the Inter-American Development Bank. Uncover the reasons behind its enduring appeal and its contribution to the ongoing relevance of Catalan Modernisme.Read More →


    Learn More →


  • Eclipse Minimalist Lighting from Lee Broom

    Eclipse Minimalist Lighting from Lee Broom

    Eclipse Minimalist Lighting from Lee Broom. One of four new lighting collections to be launched during Salone del Mobile (2018). Read MORERead More →


    Learn More →


  • Experimental Acrylic Side Tables from Nortstudio

    Experimental Acrylic Side Tables from Nortstudio

    These side tables are the outcome of an acrylic resin experiment. Acrylic is a two-part substance made up of mineral powder and water-based acrylic resin.Read More →


    Learn More →


  • Distinctly retro furniture by Masquespacio

    Distinctly retro furniture by Masquespacio

    Because of the studio’s trademark lively aesthetic, its hospitality and retail fit-outs are the stuff of design bloggers and Instagrammers’ dreams.Read More →


    Learn More →


  • Interlübke: A Legacy of German Furniture Craftsmanship

    Interlübke: A Legacy of German Furniture Craftsmanship

    Discover Interlübke, a renowned German furniture manufacturer known for its craftsmanship and innovative designs. From the revolutionary ‘endless cupboard’ storage unit to the internally illuminated EO system, Interlübke continues to redefine space utilization. Collaborating with top designers, their modern furniture solutions offer versatility and functionality. With a recent acquisition by Domovari, Interlübke remains a trusted…


    Learn More →


  • Angaraib: An Avant-Garde Masterpiece by Danny Lane

    Angaraib: An Avant-Garde Masterpiece by Danny Lane

    Discover the ‘Angaraib’ chaise longue, an avant-garde masterpiece by Danny Lane. This extraordinary piece of furniture blends glass and tree branches in a visually stunning composition. Explore Lane’s unique creative process and his commitment to pushing design boundaries. ‘Angaraib’ transcends traditional notions of furniture, functioning as both a captivating art object and a comfortable seating…


    Learn More →


  • Pedestal Table inspired by 🏛️ classical architecture

    Pedestal Table inspired by 🏛️ classical architecture

    A pedestable table is originally the base support of a column, in classical architecture. A pedestal in furniture may have one of four definitions: Read More →


    Learn More →


  • Kaare Klint’s “KK47000” Safari Chair: A Refined and Iconic Design

    Kaare Klint’s “KK47000” Safari Chair: A Refined and Iconic Design

    Kaare Klint’s “KK47000” Safari Chair is a refined and iconic design that combines historical influences with modern sensibilities. Inspired by British campaign furniture, the chair features a simple ash wood frame, exquisite leather components, and visible joinery. Read More →


    Learn More →


  • No. 22 Diamond Chair by Harry Bertoia

    No. 22 Diamond Chair by Harry Bertoia

    No. 22 Diamond Chair by Harry Bertoia. Many would argue that this is more of a sculpture than a chair. READ MORERead More →


    Learn More →


  • Introducing the Lexicon Elle Accent Chair: Elevate Your Living Room with Style and Comfort

    Introducing the Lexicon Elle Accent Chair: Elevate Your Living Room with Style and Comfort

    Discover the Lexicon Elle Accent Chair in Blue. This rustic-style chair combines elegance and comfort, with its cushioned back, armrests, and solid pattern. Crafted with high-quality materials, including wood, foam, and polyester upholstery, this chair offers durability and easy maintenance. Perfectly sized and designed for relaxation, it’s an ideal addition to any living room. Order…


    Learn More →


  • Gottlieb Eliel Saarinen: Shaping 20th Century Architecture

    Gottlieb Eliel Saarinen: Shaping 20th Century Architecture

    Gottlieb Eliel Saarinen (1873-1950), a Finnish-born architect and city planner, significantly shaped 20th-century architecture with his distinctive blend of national Romanticism and modernism. Known for his holistic approach to design, Saarinen made major contributions to both European and American architecture, including the iconic Helsinki Central Railway Station and the masterful campus plan for the University…


    Learn More →


  • Elevate Your Space with the Edenbrook Carlton Exposed Wooden Arm Accent Chair

    Elevate Your Space with the Edenbrook Carlton Exposed Wooden Arm Accent Chair

    Are you searching for the perfect accent chair to bring style and comfort to your living room? Look no furtherRead More →


    Learn More →


  • Fibreglass exciting early design medium

    Fibreglass exciting early design medium

    Known as glass-enhanced plastic (GRP) in Britain, fibre-enhanced plastic (FRP) in the USA or by the trade name fibreglass (after the manufacturer Fibreglass Ltd.), GRP has been used for a wide range of applications from car body panels and boat hulls to furniture and tennis rackets. Read More →


    Learn More →


  • Exploring the Enigmatic Beauty of the Dantesca Chair

    Exploring the Enigmatic Beauty of the Dantesca Chair

    The Dantesca Chair is a remarkable piece of furniture inspired by Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. Its intricate design, featuring ornate carvings depicting scenes from the epic poem, pays homage to Dante’s imaginative journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the chair incorporates symbolic motifs and materials like fine woods and…


    Learn More →


  • The Curious History of the Writing Desk

    The Curious History of the Writing Desk

    The writing desk or bureaux originated in the early seventeenth century from old fashioned Bible boxes. They were flat boxes just large enough to hold the family Bible, which was the most treasured possession. These boxes were almost always kept upon a shelf in the living room. The boxes flat surface and conveniently high form,…


    Learn More →


  • Grethe Meyer (1918 – 2008) Danish architect, & designer of furniture & glassware

    Grethe Meyer (1918 – 2008) Danish architect, & designer of furniture & glassware

    She worked on the editorial staff of The Building Manual from 1944 to 1955. She was a crucial figure in Borge Mogensen’s research on the standardisation of consumer product sizes, and she collaborated with him frequently. They created the Boligens Byggeskabe (BB) and resund cabinet-storage systems in 1957.Read More →


    Learn More →


  • The Influence of the Square in Furniture Design

    The Influence of the Square in Furniture Design

    Squares have influenced furniture design, enhancing aesthetics and functionality, with their roots in ancient Greek architecture and modernist furniture. The square shape is a timeless influence in furniture design, offering versatility, modularity, and sustainability through its equal sides and right angles.Read More →


    Learn More →


  • Metal Desk Lamp – with Adjustable Gooseneck

    Metal Desk Lamp – with Adjustable Gooseneck

    This lamp features a high-quality metal lampshade and base that is heavy-duty, long-lasting, and attractive, brightening your living space, bedroom, or study room.Read More →


    Learn More →


  • Hille Modernist British Furniture Manufacturer

    Hille Modernist British Furniture Manufacturer

    Hille, a British furniture manufacturer, is known for its Modernist chairs and has collaborated with renowned designers like Robin Day and Fred Scott. The Poly Side chair, introduced in 1963, is renowned for its innovative use of materials and functional, minimalist design. Made from molded polypropylene, it is durable, lightweight, and easy to clean. The…


    Learn More →


  • Nightstand with Charging Station

    Nightstand with Charging Station

    The OKD square nightstand features a rustic & industrial combination of beauty and functionality with a distressed rustic finish and dark iron-tone metal accents. It is equipped with 2 smooth-gliding 2 drawers and strong powder-coated metal pulls to get essentials quickly. It can be used as an end table, office supplies storage, or in the…


    Learn More →


You may also be interested in

Orrefors Glasbruk a Swedish glassware manufacturer. – Encyclopedia of Design

Orrefors Glasbruk is a Swedish glassware manufacturer. An ironworks was established in 1726 on the property of Halleberg ( the Orrefors estate), Socken, Småland. It started production of ink bottles in 1898. In 1913, Johan Ekman purchased the estate and placed forester Albert Ahlin in charge.

Ergonomidesign – Swedish design consultancy – Encyclopedia of Design

Ergonomidesign a Swedish design consultancy was founded in Stockholm in 1969, it has since established an international reputation for elegant yet efficient designs for the disabled, employing 27 industrial designers, engineers and ergonomists in 2003. Maria Benktzon (born 1946) and Sven-Eric Juhlin (born 1940) were crucial members who joined Ergonomidesign in 1973 and 1976.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.