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.
$740 / set
H 39.5 in W 31.5 in D 26 in
Scandinavian Ekornes Stressless Recliner White Lounge Chair + Ottoman
By Ekornes Stressless
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration Scandinavian modern Ekornes Stressless lounge chair white + ottoman. White leather in wood base. Dimensions: Chair 39.5" H x 31.5" W x 26" D. Seat arm 21.5" ...
Leather, Wood
$3,250 / set
H 35.5 in W 29.5 in D 36.5 in
A Pair of French White Leather Cantilevered Lounge Chairs, C. 1970, Labeled Roch
By Roche Bobois
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This pair of sleek cantilevered lounge chairs features creamy white leather upholstery and a minimalist steel frame, exemplifying the modern design ethos of the 1970s. Labeled by Roc...
Steel
Vintage Stressless Ekornes Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Ekornes
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This iconic Stressless lounge chair and matching ottoman by Ekornes represent the pinnacle of Norwegian ergonomic design and Scandinavian Modern luxury. Upholstered in a supple, crea...
Metal
$4,800 / set
H 33.5 in W 31.3 in D 30.7 in
1970s Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs in Ivory Bouclé and Pine
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A pair of Scandinavian Modern lounge chairs crafted in solid pine and newly upholstered in textured ivory bouclé. The chairs feature substantial geometric frames, wide armrests, and ...
Pine
$2,419Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 34.26 in W 27.17 in D 33.47 in
1960 Set of Retro White Leather Minimalistic Teak Lounge Chairs
Located in Markington, GB
Lovely chairs newly upholstered in white Italian leather, clean minimal 1960s lines make for that Classic retro look. Lovely set of two of these minimalistic lounge chairs frame and ...
Leather, Teak
$3,400 / set
H 32 in W 26 in D 22 in
Modernist White Leather Lounge chair & ottoman by T.H.Robsjohn- Gibbings
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist White Leather Lounge chair & ottoman by T.H.Robsjohn- Gibbings.. Classic design, extremely comfortable, Ottoman measures 24" x 26" x 16" H.. Hand delivery avail to n...
Leather, Wood
$12,760 / item
H 37.01 in W 25.99 in D 31.5 in
Martin Eisler & Carlo Hauner Midcentury Brazilian Armchairs White Fabric Metal
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
Located in Barcelona, ES
Martin Eisler (1913-1977) & Carlo Hauner (1927-1997) Pair of armchairs Manufactured by Forma Moveis Brazil, 1950s Black painted metal, fabric upholstery Measurements 66 cm x 80 cm x 94h cm. 26 in x 35 in x 37h in. Literature Brazil Modern, the rediscovery of 20th century Brazilian furniture – Aric Chen, 2016. Martin Eisler (Vienna, Austria, 1913 - São Paulo, Brazil, 1977), was an architect and furniture designer. He was part of a group of European architects and designers who left Europe during the chaos of the Second World War and went to live and work in Brazil. Eisler stood out amongst this group of creatives, his work was at the forefront of modern furniture design in Brazil which flourished through the 1950s and 1960s in the region. The work of Martin Eisler in partnership with Carlo Hauner (1927-1996) was of particular significance. Eisler left Europe in 1938 due to the rise of fascist regimes. He first lived in Argentina, where he was settled and worked as an architect, set designer and interior designer, he opened up an interior design firm Interieur Forma. In 1940, he married Rosl Wolf, the daughter of German immigrants. Born in Brescia in 1927, Carlo Hauner studied technical drawing and drawing at the Brera Academy in Milan, Italy. In 1948 he successfully participated in the Venice Biennale after which he moved to Brazil, where he dedicated himself to the design of textile, ceramics, furniture and architecture. In only a very short time he founded a furniture production company and purchased a factory from Lina Bo Bardi and her husband Pietro Bardi, renaming it Móveis Artesanal. In 1953 Hauner met Martin Eisler, who was looking for help to produce furniture for the home of his brother-in-law, Ernesto Wolf. Eisler reached out to Hauner and the rest is history. The two men connected and with Wolf’s financial backing, they opened Galeria Artesanal (a store for their company Móveis Artesenal) on a busy street in São Paulo. Being highly ambitious and with an eye on the international market as well as the upcoming office market, Móvies Artesanal later changed into Forma. Along with Oca, Forma became one of the biggest names in Brazilian furniture production. Even managing to attract an exclusive license to sell Knoll furniture, bringing big names in international design such as Mies Van Der Rohe, Charles Eames and Harry Bertoia to the Brazilian furniture market. Hauner and Eisler’s designs are characterized by the use of Brazilian woods, thin tubular frames and a range from furniture, to ceramics and textiles. Some of their most famous designs are the “rib” lounge chair...
Metal
$20,043
H 31.11 in W 22.84 in D 22.84 in
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Barcelona Lounge Chairs by Knoll, White Leather, Pair
Located in Nottingham, GB
An icon of 20th-century modernism, the Barcelona Chair represents the timeless union of architectural precision, luxurious materials and exceptional craftsmanship. Originally designe...
Steel
$11,400 / item
H 30 in W 30 in D 30 in
Poul Kjaerlohm for Fritz Hansen PK 31 Easy Armchair in Ivory White Leather 1958
By Fritz Hansen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fritz Hansen PK 31 armchair ivory white leather, Scandinavian Modern Icon. Poul Kjaerholm, 1958 Matt chromed spring steel, leather, down Made in Den...
Stainless Steel
$20,734 / set
H 28.75 in W 78.75 in D 31.89 in
Ekornes 1970s Three-Piece Suite in White Fabric, Norwegian A Bespoke Design
By Ekornes
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Mid 20th Century Norwegian Ekornes Prototype Three Piece Suite. Comprising Of A Three Seater Sofa & Two Armchairs. The previous owners of the Ekornes suite ran a furniture shop i...
Brass
George Mulhauser Mr. Chair & Ottoman by Plycraft
By Charles and Ray Eames, Plycraft, George Mulhauser, Arne Jacobsen
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This listing is for ONE chair with ottoman. The second chair has been sold. Beautifully restored Mid-Century Modern white lounge chair with ottomans designed in the manner of George...
Metal
Restored Vintage Poul Jensen for Selig Z Chair, New Leather, Denmark, 1950s
By Poul Jensen
Located in Chattanooga, TN
An iconic example of Danish Modern design, this Z Chair was designed by Poul Jensen and produced by Selig in Denmark during the late 1950s. Celebrated for its sculptural form and arc...
Leather, Hardwood
Danish Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs by Moreddi, 1950s
By Moreddi 1, Ib Kofod-Larsen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Chattanooga, TN
These Moreddi rocking chairs are very hard to find, so don't pass of this rare opportunity to own a beautifully restored pair. Our team restored these Danish solid teak gems from t...
Leather, Teak
Walnut Tufted George Mulhauser Style Mr. Chair & Ottoman
By George Mulhauser, Charles and Ray Eames, Arne Jacobsen, Plycraft
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This listing is for ONE chair with ottoman. The second chair has been sold. Beautifully restored Mid-Century Modern white lounge chair with ottomans designed in the manner of George...
Metal
Pair of Restored John Wisner for Ficks Reed Far Horizons Rattan Lounge Chairs
By John Wisner, Ficks Reed
Located in Chattanooga, TN
A tasteful fusion of modern, Eastern and boho-chic style. Luxurious bamboo seating group by John B. Wisner for Ficks Reed. Wisner’s “Far Horizons” collection was first introduced in ...
Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan, Formica
Brazilian Rosewood & Leather Sling Chair and Ottoman by Sergio Rodrigues for ISA
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This Sergio Rodriguez Sheriff Chair and Ottoman were completely disassembled and each piece of rosewood was stripped, sanded and refinished in multiple coats of hand-buffed finishing...
Leather, Rosewood
