With a passion for math and engineering, Kai Kristiansen has created high-quality wood furniture for decades. Beginning in the 1950s, his coffee tables, chairs, modular shelving and other furnishings were made in the style that would become internationally renowned as Danish modern and boasted clean lines, perfected functionality and exacting craftsmanship.
Born in Denmark, Kristiansen trained in cabinetmaking before studying with Kaare Klint, often cited as the “father of modern Danish design,” at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. At just 26 years old, Kristiansen opened his own studio.
Kristiansen had his mid-century breakthrough in 1956 with the Chair #42, which he made with Schou Andersen. Unlike most other chairs at the time, Chair #42’s armrests, with their wealth of radical angles, were connected to the back rather than the front legs. This unconventional flourish makes the backrest appear as though it is floating in midair above the seat.
Kristiansen’s next innovation was a modular wall system in 1957 — three years ahead of Dieter Rams’s more famous 606 Universal Shelving System. Called the Reolsystem Wall Unit, produced by SB Feldballes Møbelfabrik, it’s also known as the FM Wall Unit as FM/Fornem Møbelkunst began producing it in the 1960s.
Kristiansen would go on to work with other leading Danish furniture manufacturers such as Magnus Olesen, Fritz Hansen and Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik, designing everything from chairs and desks to sideboards and cabinets, frequently in rosewood and teak. (The latter was a sought-after wood by Scandinavian modern designers.)
While many of Kristiansen’s timeless designs remain in production, such as his Paper Knife sofa, which was reintroduced by Miyazaki Chair Factory in 2008, and his 1950s Entré collection, which was relaunched with Great Dane Furniture in 2016, others are prized as vintage mid-century pieces.
Today, Kristiansen is still at work on new furniture with an expert eye to thoughtfully functional designs that are made to last.
Find a collection of vintage Kai Kristiansen furniture on 1stDibs.
Kai Kristiansen for Tørring Møbelfabrik Mid Century Danish Teak Secretary Desk
By Torring Mobelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Kai Kristiansen for Tørring Møbelfabrik Mid Century Danish Teak Secretary Desk This secretary desk measures: 35.25 wide x 17.25 deep x 42.5 inches high, with a chair clearance of 24...
Teak
Kai Kristiansen for Torring / HJN Mobler Model 63 Danish Modern Teak Secretary
By Torring Mobelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Beautiful sculptural Danish modern secretary. Design by Kai Kristiansen for Torring / HJN Mobler. Model 63 in teakwood. A beautiful minimalistic sculptural secretary in excellent design and craftmanship. It was build without using keys. The desk surface drops down to expose three small drawers and paper dividers. Pullout desk...
Teak
Danish Teak Secretary Desk with Hidden Vanity Mirror
Located in Oakland, CA
Danish teak secretary desk crafted of teak with book-matched grain across the drawers. The secretary features a pull-out writing surface over three drawers. A pair of sliding glass c...
Glass, Teak
$1,045
H 39.77 in W 31.5 in D 17.72 in
Midcentury Danish Modern Teak Wood Secretary Desk, Chest of Drawers, 1960s
Located in The Hague, NL
This midcentury Danish modern teak secretary desk was made in Denmark, circa 1960. The Classic Scandinavian Modern design has clean Minimalist lines and elegant curves. The upper cab...
Teak
Mid-Century Danish Modern Teak Secretary Desk Cabinet 1960s
By H.P. Hansen
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage mid-century Danish modern teak secretary desk attributed to H.P. Hansen was made in Denmark in the 1960s. It exemplifies classic Scandinavian modern styling with clean g...
Brass
Kai Kristiansen Wall Unit for FM Møbler, 1960s
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Puslinch, ON
Condition: Great Vintage Condition Dimensions: 68.75” L x 11” D x 79.5” H Description: A vintage oak wall unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler. Freshly imported from Denmark. Comp...
Metal
Sold|$3,950
H 69.25 in W 45.625 in D 15.75 in
Mid Century Danish Rosewood Bookcase with Drop-Down Secretary Desk
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage mid century Danish modern tall rosewood bookcase with secretary desk made in Denmark circa 1960 features a unique format with drop-down writing surface that converts the...
Brass
$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 29 in W 72 in D 20 in
Mid century danish modern low teak dresser by Nils Jonsson Torring mobler
By Torring Mobelfabrik, Nils Jonsson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century danish modern low teak dresser by Nils Jonsson. Beautiful low 6 drawer teak dresser with high quality woodworking. Drawers have Dovetail joints very nice high constructio...
Birch, Teak
$7,941
H 98.43 in W 103.15 in D 18.12 in
Large Kai Kristiansen FM Møbler Danish Teak Modular Wall System, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
Located in Berlin, DE
Designed by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, this impressive large-scale modular wall system is an outstanding example of Danish Modern design from the 1960s. Executed in beautifully f...
Metal
$2,147
H 33.75 in W 33.75 in D 15.75 in
Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik MCM Danish Teak 4 Drawers Dresser
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik Mid Century Danish Teak 4 Drawers Dresser This dresser measures: 33.75 wide x 15.75 deep x 33.75 high We take our photos in a controlled ...
Teak
$2,290
H 30.32 in W 23.63 in D 12.6 in
Kai Kristiansen teak chest of drawers by Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Bern, CH
Kai Kristiansen teak chest of drawers. With five drawers. Produced by Feldballes Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Denmark ca. 1960. Lovely detailing to handles. In beautiful original conditio...
Teak
$1,580Sale Price|20% Off
H 38 in W 35.5 in D 18.5 in
Mid Century Modern Scandinavian Teak Secretary Desk
By Egon Ostergaard
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage secretary desk in teak circa 1970's, made in Sweden. This piece is equipped with three deep storage drawers accessorized with sculpted wood handles. Features a roll top door ...
Birch, Teak
Mid-century Torbjorn Afdal Danish Rosewood Secretary Desk
By Nesjestranda Møbelfabrik, Torbjørn Afdal
Located in Oakland, CA
Danish secretary desk designed by Torbjørn Afdal for Nesjestranda Møbelfabrik, Norway, 1965. Crafted from Brazilian rosewood, the secretary desk ...
Rosewood
Beautiful Danish Teak Roll Top Secretary Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elegant Danish secretary desk crafted in teak, featuring a roll-top design with a sleek, streamlined silhouette. The piece offers ample storage with drawers and compartments, combini...
Teak
Sold
H 42.52 in W 35.04 in D 17.33 in
Kai Kristiansen model 63 desk teak secretaire with vanity mirror, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Torring Mobelfabrik
Located in Zevenaar, NL
A secretary in teak, named Model 63, designed by Kai Kristiansen for Tørring Møbelfabrik. Produced in Denmark in the 1960s. A beautiful minimalistic sculptural secretary in excellen...
Teak
Sold
H 42.52 in W 35.44 in D 17.72 in
Danish Teak Secretary Desk by Kai Kristiansen for HJN Mobler 1960.
By Kai Kristiansen, HJN Møbler
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Superb Scandinavian secretary with straight shapes. A clever tray that opens by sliding onto 3 small drawers and 2 small interior shelves. On the lower part 3 large drawers. High-en...
Teak
Sold
H 42.52 in W 35.04 in D 17.33 in
Secretary by Kai Kristiansen for Torring / Hjn Møbler, Denmark, 1960’s
By Kai Kristiansen, Torring Mobelfabrik
Located in Antwerp, BE
Lovely secretary ‘Model No. 63’ designed by Kai Kristiansen for Torring / HJN Møbler, Denmark, 1960’s. This cabinet is made out of teak and features a drop-down desk top revealing th...
Teak
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Secretary with Aluminum Inlaid Pulls
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Oakland, CA
1960s rosewood secretary desk with drop-front desk over three drawers with aluminum inlay pulls, raised on square legs with aluminum caps, designed by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes ...
Rosewood