While Norway comprises something of an unsung chapter in the history of Scandinavian modernism, an export company called Westnofa shouldn’t be overlooked. It represented a collective of the country’s leading manufacturers to promote and export their furniture worldwide. Westnofa was key to the success of Norway’s mid-century designers and furniture brands, and fostered the growth of entities that might otherwise be unknown to today’s design aficionados.
Norway’s furniture factories were largely destroyed during World War II, and while the country’s sophisticated works — designed in teak, pine and other prized woods — had earned a place in Scandinavian modernism, its output was overshadowed by big names such as Alvar Aalto and Arne Jacobsen who’d earned icon status in Finland and Denmark, respectively. Westnofa, a name derived from “West Norway Factories,” took shape in the late 1950s in order to circumvent the limitations that the country’s furniture industry had faced in the areas of marketing and production. Some of the manufacturers connected to Westnofa were P.I. Langlo Møbelfabrikk, Ekornes, Stokke and Vestlandske.
Westnofa took great pains to devise the most cost-effective and efficient method of packing and shipping worldwide. Flat-pack assembly for lightweight shipping was the result. In neighboring Sweden during the late 1940s, DUX president and furniture designer Folke Ohlsson put the same idea into practice. Flat-pack assembly saved space in warehouses and money on transportation. It’s a breakthrough that survives today — namely at popular Swedish brand IKEA.
While it’s unclear if Westnofa also produced furniture in addition to exporting the goods of a group of manufacturers, some of the more well-known designers that are today mentioned alongside the company include Ingmar Relling, Torstein Nilsen and Jens Nielsen. Relling is best known for seating and his most famous piece associated with Westnofa is his high-backed Siesta chair, which features supple leather cushions atop a bentwood frame. Torstein Nilsen designed an elegant glass-topped bentwood dining table that is also commonly linked with Westnofa. Jens Nielsen created minimalist, sculptural lounge chairs in birch and plywood that are connected with the Westnofa name.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Westnofa seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets.
1970s, Norwegian design by Ingmar Relling, lounge chair, model "Siesta".
By Ingmar Relling, Westnofa Furniture
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Norwegian design by Ingmar Relling. Lounge chair, model "Siesta". Original brown furniture leather, canvas, bent wood. Original good condition: no smells, no stains and stable...
Leather, Canvas, Beech
1970s, Norwegian design by Ingmar Relling, lounge chair model "Siesta".
By Ingmar Relling, Westnofa Furniture
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Norwegian design by Ingmar Relling. Lounge chair model "Siesta". Original black furniture leather with nice patina. Bent beech wood, canvas. Original good condition: no smells...
Leather, Canvas, Beech, Bentwood
1970s, Norwegian design by Ingmar Relling, model "Siesta", furniture leather.
By Westnofa Furniture, Ingmar Relling
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Norwegian design by Ingmar Relling, model "Siesta". Original brown furniture leather, bent beech wood, canvas. Original good condition: no smells, no stains and stable constru...
Leather, Canvas, Bentwood
1970s, Norwegian design by Ingmar Relling, lounge chair, model "Siesta".
By Westnofa Furniture, Ingmar Relling
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Norwegian design by Ingmar Relling. Lounge chair, model "Siesta". Original brown furniture leather, canvas, bent wood. Original good condition: no smells, no stains and stable...
Leather, Canvas, Beech
1970s, Norwegian design by Ingmar Relling, model "Siesta" for Westnofa, original
By Westnofa Furniture, Ingmar Relling
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Norwegian design by Ingmar Relling for Westnofa, model "Siesta". Original good condition: no smells, no stains and stable construction. Original brown furniture leather, bent ...
Leather, Canvas, Beech
1970s, Norwegian design by Ingmar Relling, model "Siesta", furniture leather.
By Ingmar Relling, Westnofa Furniture
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Norwegian design by Ingmar Relling, model "Siesta". Original brown furniture leather, bent dark beech wood, canvas. Original good condition: no smells, no stains and stable co...
Leather, Canvas, Bentwood
Midcentury "Siesta" Lounge Chair by Ingmar Relling for Westnofa, Norway, 1970s
By Ingmar Relling, Westnofa Furniture
Located in Praha, CZ
- iconic model - very confortable
Leather, Fabric, Wood
Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Ingmar Relling Siesta Lounge Chair for Westnofa
By Westnofa Furniture, Ingmar Relling
Located in München, BY
Siesta armchair with high backrest and armrests in black leather and black bentwood frame. Designed by Norwegian design icon Ingmar Relling in the late 1960s and manufactured by West...
Leather, Linen, Wood
Siesta Lounge Chair attributed to Ingmar Relling for Westnofa
By Ingmar Relling, Westnofa Furniture
Located in Rødekro, DK
A masterpiece of mid-century Scandinavian design, the iconic "Siesta" lounge chair was designed in 1965 by acclaimed Norwegian designer Ingmar Relling (1920–2002) for Westnofa — one ...
Leather, Bentwood, Plywood
Norwegian "Siesta" Lounge Chair and Ottoman Designed by Ingmar Relling
By Ingmar Relling, Westnofa Furniture
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Genuine black leather and bentwood that gives an aesthetic definition with the typical Scandinavian narrative. Both pieces are in excellent condition, having been used very little an...
Leather, Wood, Bentwood
Very Rare Midcentury Lounge Chair Siesta, Westnofa, Norway, 1960s
By Ingmar Relling, Westnofa Furniture
Located in Praha, CZ
- very rare type - early model - faux leather with patina
Faux Leather, Wood
Scandinavian Lounge Chair Designed by Ingmar RELLING for WESTNOFA Vestlandske
By Ingmar Relling
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Scandinavian lounge chair designed by Ingmar RELLING for WESTNOFA Vestlandske, 1960-1970 This is a synonym of comfort seating chair . US Continental in home delivery $350 delive...
Leather, Bentwood
