Carl Malmsten, a prominent furniture designer and educator associated with Swedish modernism, enjoyed immense popularity for his shapely sofas and armchairs in luscious color palettes. Malmsten believed that light — much like our eyes and bodies — doesn’t like to bump into sharp objects. Smooth edges, on the other hand, are kinder to the eye and and to our touch, and allow light to softly bounce off surfaces. Malmsten felt that if his furniture didn’t “serve well” in the home, it had no business being there.
Malmsten’s career essentially began in 1915, when his submissions for a competition to furnish the new Stockholm City Hall were first- and second-place prize winners. In the 1920s, his profile soared. He won a prize at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts — the show that brought the Art Deco style to worldwide attention — and quickly became one of the most sought-after designers of commercial seating in Sweden.
Malmsten was soon contracted to design chairs, tables and other furniture for the Stockholm Concert Hall, the Swedish Institute in Rome and the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York. His famous Art Nouveau-influenced Stadshusstolen chair, designed for Stockholm City Hall in 1916, is a highlight of the city’s recently opened Museum of Furniture Studies. Malmsten expanded into interior design and created a luxurious, well-appointed living room in the palace of then-Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf and his bride, Crown Princess Louise.
In the 1930s, Malmsten clashed with critics when he voiced his opposition to functionalism. Like Danish modernist Kaare Klint, he favored using quality local materials and prized traditional craftsmanship. Malmsten’s furniture draws on graceful neoclassical influences, and he said that extreme functionalism contributed to “sterile” interiors — while the curving contours of his work may share ground with furniture designed by Alvar Aalto or Bruno Mathsson, Malmsten differed with Bauhaus eminences and some Scandinavian modernists on their prioritization of functionalism.
For an exhibition in 1956 at the Röhsska Museum in Gothenburg, Malmsten designed furniture that was intended for mass production — and his striking designs began to make their way into middle-class Swedish homes owing to Malmsten’s partnerships with manufacturers such as O.H. Sjögren. Until then, he had built his pieces at the school he founded in the 1930s or had them made by artisans at several small local workshops.
Malmsten founded a number of schools for design and collaborated with other designers who shared his philosophy of “hand and mind in creative collaboration.” These included the esteemed textile artist Märta Måås Fjetterström, whose pieces he included in exhibits and even his own home.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Carl Malmsten seating, tables, cabinets and more.
Carl Malmsten Seating Group Produced by Svensk Fur in Sweden
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare set of 6 easy chairs and coffee table designed by Carl Malmsten. Produced by Svensk fur in Sweden. Dimensions easy chairs (W x D x H): 45 x 52 x 74.5 cm, SH: 34.5 cm. Dimensio...
Pine
Stamped Carl Malmsten Sculpted Round Table
By Carl Malmsten
Located in New York, NY
Carl Malmsten (1888-1972) designed round table. Table has three tripod legs and is branded with designers initials, "CM" (see photos). Diameter is approximately 40 inches and the hei...
Wood
Teak "Sladen" “The Sled” Nesting Table by Carl Malmsten, Sweden
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful “The Sled” nesting table by Carl Malmsten, made from teak. Light, graceful design with sled shaped legs and a discreet decor of inlaid spheres at the edges of the table tops.
Teak
Coffee table by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1960s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Chorzów, PL
Teak coffee table designed by Swedish designer Carl Malmsten. Made in Sweden in the 1960s. Very good condition, after renovation. The wood has been cleaned and finished with a dura...
Teak
Carl Malmsten Coffee Table Produced by Svensk Fur in Sweden
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare coffee table designed by Carl Malmsten. Produced by Svensk Fur in Sweden.
Pine
Midcentury Pine Coffee Table by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1940s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Wonderful pine coffetable by Swedish designer Carl Malmsten. The table is produced in the time when the pine furniture of quality were made in Sweden. This one is no exaption. Th...
Pine
Coffee table "Ovalen" in teak by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Brescia, IT
Coffee table model "Ovalen" in teak, designed by Carl Malmsten, with original manufacturer's label. Coffee table model "Ovalen" in teak, designed by Carl Malmsten and accompanied by...
Teak
Scandinavian modern pine coffee table by Carl Malmsten, 1950s, Sweden
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Rare coffee table in pine designed by Carl Malmsten during the 1950s. Goes perfectly together with other so called sports cabin furniture.
Pine
Mid Century Modern Swedish Teak Coffee Table by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Atlanta, GA
Mid-Century Modern teak coffee table by renowned Swedish furniture designer Carl Malmsten (1888-1972). Detailed corners and rounded butterfly legs. A w...
Teak
“Alltid Redo” Coffee Table by Carl Malmsten, Sweden 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Utrecht, NL
“All edges must be thoroughly broken”, Carl Malmsten often wrote in his drawings. It was nature that was his great source of inspiration, and in nature there are hardly any sharp edg...
Wood
Scandinavian birch coffee tables signed Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Brescia, IT
Pair of birch wood bedside tables designed in the 1960s by Carl Malmsten, as noted by the stamp of authenticity. The soft lines of the top and legs make these elegant nightstands tim...
Birch
$26,109 / set
H 18.9 in W 83.08 in D 73.63 in
Modern Bordeira Nesting Coffee Table, Set/3, Marble, Handmade by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern Bordeira Nesting Coffee Table, Set/3, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Bordeira nesting coffee table was designed to bring the ess...
Travertine, Granite, Marble, Carrara Marble, Onyx, Quartz, Brass, Stainl...
Midcentury Italian Design Coffee Table, 1940s
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Midcentury Italian design coffee table, 1940s.
Glass, Wood
$4,229 / item
H 16.93 in W 16.54 in D 25.99 in
Cosmos Nesting Coffee Table Shagreen & Bronze-Patina Brass by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The Cosmos nesting coffee...
Brass
$8,500 / set
H 17.5 in W 60 in D 32 in
Parchment Modern Sculptural Nesting Coffee Tables by Costantini, Cadenza
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
Cadenza Parchment Modern Sculptural Nesting Coffee Tables. The Cadenza Nesting tables are handcrafted out of wood wrapped with geniune Argentine Goatskin, shown here in a natural fi...
Goatskin, Wood
$11,023 / set
H 14.97 in W 60.24 in D 40.16 in
Modern Bordeira Nesting Coffee Table, Set/2, Marble, Handmade by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern Bordeira Nesting Coffee Table, Set/2, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Bordeira nesting coffee table was designed to bring the ess...
Travertine, Granite, Marble, Carrara Marble, Brass, Stainless Steel
Round sculpted steel brutalist coffee table, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Hand made brutalist steel frame coffee table with a round black inserted glass. Gorgeous and suclptural tripod coffee table. 1970s - Belgium Dimensions: Height: 35cm Diameter: 70...
Cut Steel
$6,034
H 22.64 in W 33.27 in D 33.27 in
Bertil Söderberg Coffee/ Side Table in Burl Wood, Svensk Hemslöjd, Sweden, 1930s
By Bertil Söderberg 1, Svensk Hemslöjd
Located in The Hague, NL
This elegant coffee table was designed by Bertil Söderberg in the mid 1930s. It was produced by the Swedish company Svensk Hemslöjd. The design is marked by the sculptural four legg...
Elm, Burl
$9,381
H 29.93 in W 78.75 in D 31.11 in
Functionalist Pine dining table by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1930s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Striking dining table by Carl Malmsten, in a rustic design. Made from stained pine with clean lines and a folkloristic decorative detail under the table top.
Pine
$21,649
H 29.53 in W 55.12 in D 28.94 in
Functionalist "Sketching Table" desk by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1930s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Striking desk by Carl Malmsten, in a rustic design, model called “Skissbordet” (“The Sketching Table”). Made from pine with clean lines, discreet drawer under the table top.
Pine
Yngve Ekström, Coffee Table, Teak, Oak, Sweden, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A teak and oak coffee table or side tables designed by Yngve Ekström and produced by Westbergs Möbler, Sweden, c. 1960s. Dimensions: 24.25” H x 51” W x 34.75” D
Oak, Teak
$3,000 / set
H 18.25 in W 43.25 in D 12.5 in
Severin Hansen Coffee Table with Nesting Tables for Haslev Brazilian Rosewood
By Severin Hansen
Located in Dallas, TX
A trio of rosewood tables by Scandinavian master Severin Hansen. The large table could serve as a coffee table and the smaller tables as drink or tv tables. The smaller tables have a...
Rosewood
Swedish designer coffee table by Bodafors, 1960s
By Bodafors
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Swedish modern coffee table by unknown designer, produced by Bodafors during the 1950s.
Wood
Midcentury Pine Coffee Table by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1940s
By Svensk Fur, Carl Malmsten
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Sleek round coffee table by Carl Malmsten, made from pine. Tripod base, table top with slightly upturned edge.
Pine
Sold
H 23.63 in W 43.31 in D 22.45 in
Midcentury Pine Occasional Table by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1940s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful occasional table by Carl Malmsten, made from pine with lovely woodgrain. Smooth, rounded forms.
Pine
Midcentury Pine Console by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1930s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Neat Swedish Modern pine console or bedside table by Carl Malmsten, with a rustic touch. Very nice woodgrain.
Mahogany
Vintage Coffee-Table by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Brescia, IT
Scandinavian oval coffee-table made of birch wood. Elegant vintage wooden sofa table designed by Swedish designer Carl Malmsten in the 1960s. ...
Birch
Sold
H 25.75 in Dm 39.5 in
20th Century Swedish Modern Teakwood Berg Coffee, Sofa Table by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern Swedish Berg coffee table made of hand crafted polished, partly veneered Teakwood, designed by Carl Malmsten in good con...
Teak
“Berg” Coffee Table with Floral Inlay by Carl Malmsten, Sweden 1950s
By Carl-Erik Johansson, Carl Malmsten
Located in Utrecht, NL
All edges are thoroughly broken, Carl Malmsten often wrote in his drawings. It was nature that was his great source of inspiration and in nature there are hardly any sharp edges or corners. This “Berg” table, designed in 1936, is one of the greatest examples of this sentiment. This elegant table was designed as part of the 'Berg' series of three-legged tables. Neither the light, the eye nor the person likes to turn against sharp corners, Malmsten explained once. Therefore, edges should be rounded so that they become friendlier to touch and look at. Carl Malmsten was not only one of Sweden's most famous furniture designers, he was also one of the last century's great cultural personalities with a strong influence on the home environment, public environment and the contemporary public debate. His personality shines through the design of this Berg coffee table...
Wood
“Berg” Coffee Table by Carl Malmsten for Erik Johansson, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl-Erik Johansson, Carl Malmsten
Located in Utrecht, NL
All edges are thoroughly broken, Carl Malmsten often wrote in his drawings. It was nature that was his great source of inspiration and in nature there are hardly any sharp edges or corners. This “Berg” table, designed in 1936, is one of the greatest examples of this sentiment. Neither the light, the eye nor the person likes to turn against sharp corners, he explained. Therefore, edges should be rounded so that they become friendlier to touch and look at. Carl Malmsten was not only one of Sweden's most famous furniture designers, he was also one of the last century's great cultural personalities with a strong influence on the home environment, public environment and the contemporary public debate. His personality shines through the design of this Berg coffee table...
Wood
Occasional Table Designed by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1940s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Stockholm, SE
Solid teak and Belgian granite. Very rare model, hardly ever seen with a stone top. Measures: H 61 cm/ 24” L 75 cm/ 29 ½” D 57 cm/ 22 ½”.
Granite
Sold
H 22.05 in W 27.56 in D 16.15 in
Nest of Tables ‘Släden’ Designed by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1980s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Stockholm, SE
Jubileum model 1988. Numbered 139. Mahogany. Measures: H 56 cm/ 22'' L 70 cm/ 2' 4'' W 41 cm/ 1' 4 1/2''.
Mahogany
Sold
H 14.97 in W 18.51 in
Pair of Side Tables Designed by Carl Malmsten for Carl Löfving & Söner, Sweden
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of side tables, 1950s. Mahogany.
Mahogany
"Visingso" Bench by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in San Francisco, CA
Visingso bench by Carl Malmsten A bench or coffee table in pine by Carl Malmsten called the "Visingso" bench. Top of table has upcurved ends and rests ...
Pine
Sold
H 19.69 in Dm 39.38 in
Rare Coffee Table Designed by Carl Malmsten Produced by Svensk Fur in Sweden
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare coffee table designed by Carl Malmsten. Produced by Svensk Fur in Sweden.
Pine