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.
$5,946
H 74.81 in W 102.37 in D 18.9 in
Modular Teak shelving system by Kai kristansen for FH Möbel , Denmark, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Danish modern modular Teak shelving system by Kai kristansen for FH Möbel , Denmark, 1960 Danish design by F.H Møbler Design year: 1960s Dimensions: : 48 D x 260 W x 190 H cm ...
Glass, Teak
$6,640
H 69 in W 102.5 in D 16.25 in
Danish Modern Wall Unit of Shelving System by Kai Kristiansen for FM Mobler
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Kai Kristiansen for FM Mobler 3-bay wall unit. 102.5w 16.25d 69 rail length
Smoked Glass, Wood
$1,736Sale Price|26% Off
H 74.41 in W 47.25 in D 17.13 in
Shelving system Model 9 Made In Rosewood By Omann Juniors Møbelfabrik From 1960s
By Omann Jun Møbelfabrik
Located in Lejre, DK
The Model 9 shelving system with secretary, crafted from luxurious rosewood, is a prime example of Danish design from the 1960s. Manufactured by Omann Junior...
Rosewood
Mid century modern scandinavian wall system in rosewood
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid century modern scandinavian wall system in rosewwod by Thygesen & Sørensen. - 4 wall-mounted uprights: H: 247 cm - 1 shelf: W 90 cm, D 22 cm - 4 units with 2 sliding doors ...
Rosewood
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
$8,087
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
Danish Vintage Royal Shelving System by Poul Cadovius
By Cado, Heal's, Poul Cadovius
Located in London, GB
An outstanding Danish vintage royal shelving system by Poul Cadovius, made in Denmark by Cado. This dates from the 1960’s and was originally purchased in Heal’s. It is a very versat...
Wood
$20,100
H 78.75 in W 203.94 in D 18.12 in
Large Rosewood Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, Denmark 1960s 1
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Rosendahl, DE
An impressive and highly functional modular wall unit designed by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, Denmark, in the 1960s. Executed in beautifully figured Brazilian rosewood, this extensive shelving system exemplifies the clean lines and exceptional craftsmanship of Danish Modern design. Its flexible construction allows the arrangement of shelves and cabinets to be adapted to a variety of interiors while offering generous display and storage space. The composition includes four lower storage cabinets, a glazed display cabinet with sliding glass doors, and two rare Hi-Fi cabinets with lift-up doors, originally designed to accommodate a turntable, amplifier, and other audio equipment. Numerous adjustable shelves complete the system, making it equally suitable as a library, media wall, or living room storage solution. Large, complete Kai Kristiansen wall units...
Glass, Rosewood
$4,587
H 96.86 in W 65.36 in D 18.12 in
Midcentury George Nelson Omni Herman Miller Modular Shelving System Walnut 1950s
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
This is a rare American ‘Omni’ modular freestanding shelving system in walnut and aluminium, designed by George Nelson in 1952 and manufactured by Herman Miller, America. The shelvi...
Metal, Aluminum
Wall System by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, 1960s, Set of 9
By Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
Located in Rødekro, DK
A commanding and complete three-bay teak wall shelving system by Kai Kristiansen, produced by Feldballes Møbelfabrik (FM Møbler), Denmark, in the 19...
Teak
Vintage Danish Mid-Century Rosewood Corner Bar Cabinet
Located in Emeryville, CA
A stylish 1960s Danish rosewood corner cabinet with beautifully figured rosewood grain throughout. The upper section is configured as a bar with an adjustable curved bottle shelf and...
Rosewood
Danish Mid-Century Modern Teak Bar Hutch Vintage Scandinavian Cocktail Cabinet
Located in Emeryville, CA
A beautiful example of Danish Mid-Century Modern craftsmanship, this vintage teak bar/hutch features richly figured teak grain and exceptional functionality. The upper section inclu...
Mirror, Teak
Vintage Danish Mid-Century Five-Drawer Rosewood Tallboy Dresser 1960s
Located in Emeryville, CA
This stunning 1960s Danish Mid-Century rosewood tallboy dresser is a timeless piece of craftsmanship. Featuring exquisite wood grain and hand-carved drawer pulls, this tall chest of ...
Rosewood
Vintage Danish Mid-Century Six-Drawer Teak Tallboy Dresser 1960s
Located in Emeryville, CA
This stunning 1960s Danish Mid-Century teak tallboy dresser is a timeless piece of craftsmanship. Featuring exquisite wood grain and hand-carved teak drawer pulls, this tall chest of...
Teak
Danish Mid-Century 7 Drawer Rosewood Tallboy Dresser 1960s
Located in Emeryville, CA
This handsome rosewood tallboy dresser, crafted in Denmark during the 1960s, epitomizes the superior craftsmanship of the Danish mid-century modern movement. Its bold design features...
Rosewood
Danish Mid-Century Modern Six-Drawer Teak Tallboy Dresser 1960s
Located in Emeryville, CA
This beautiful Danish Modern Mid-Century six-drawer teak tallboy was made in Denmark in the 1960s. With handsome wood-grain detail, this chest has six drawers with hand-carved teak d...
Teak
