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 Model 54 Kidney Desk in Teak with Bar Cabinet
By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Lejre, DK
Model 54 Kidney desk designed by Kai Kristiansen and manufactured by Feldballes Møbelfabrik in the 1960s. The desk is crafted in teak with drawers on one side, a tambour-door bar cab...
Teak
Freestanding Teak Desk by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Mid century danish freestanding teak desk. Designed by Kai Kristiansen. Manufactured by FM. Model FM60. With 3 drawers on each side and forward with open shelves.
Teak
$2,190
H 28.5 in W 59 in D 30 in
Mid century Danish teak executive size desk with cubby hole bookshelf back
Located in Liberty, NY
Beautiful mid century 1960's Danish teak executive size desk, has three drawers on each side, pull out tray in middle, and back has cubby hole bookshelves. Nice vintage condition wit...
Teak
Scandinavian Danish desk in teak
By Arne Vodder
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Danish desk from the 60s in the taste of Arne Vodder's work. Structure in solid wood and veneer. This Scandinavian desk features two columns of drawers suspended from the front and b...
Wood
Danish Modern Teak Executive Desk with Bookcase, 1960s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This Danish modern teak executive desk embodies the thoughtful craftsmanship and functionality that made Scandinavian furniture of the 1960s so enduring. Beautifully constructed in D...
Brass
$4,157
H 28.35 in W 64.97 in D 33.47 in
1960s Vintage Danish Design Teak Executive Writing Desk by Ib Kofod-Larsen
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Wesseling, DE
Elegant vintage executive desk designed by Ib Kofod-Larsen and crafted in teak. The design combines clean Scandinavian lines with refined detailing, including sculpted drawer fronts,...
Teak
Mid-Century Danish Teak Desk with Bookcase Back, 1960s
Located in BERKEL EN RODENRIJS, NL
Elegant Danish mid-century desk crafted in warm teak, showcasing clean lines and a highly functional design typical of Scandinavian modernism. The front features four smooth-running ...
Teak
Danish Mid-Century Modern Asymmetrical Teak Desk, 1950s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Mid-Century Modern Asymmetrical Teak Desk, 1950s. Rare and early freestanding Scandinavian Modern boomerang teak writing desk made in Denmark in the early 1950s. Asymmetrical...
Oak, Teak
Teak Desk, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Teak desk made in Denmark in the 1960s. There are 6 spacious drawers at the front, and at the back of the bar. Very good condition, after professional renovation. Dimensions: H 73...
Teak
$2,138
H 28.55 in W 52.56 in D 29.14 in
Danish Teak Desk, Vintage 1960s, Good Condition, 72.5" Height, Denmark
Located in Lemmer, NL
vintage desk 1960s teak Danish period 1960s design unknown Denmark condition good light signs of use key missing size 72.5 x 133.5 x 74 (hxwxd) details teak; item numbe...
Teak
Classic Scandinavian Kidney Shape Desk in Teak attrib Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage Danish teak kidney desk, 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern freestanding organically shaped writing desk. Kidney shaped table top in teak veneer. Drawer section with three drawe...
Teak
Scarce Teak Secretary Desk attrib. to Torbjorn Afdal / Denmark / Modernist
By Torbjørn Afdal
Located in Buffalo, NY
Scarce Teak Secretary Desk attrib. to Torbjorn Afdal / Denmark / Modernist . Elegant , architectural design.. Amazing original condition, BRASS DETAILING. 6 Dovetail joinery drawers,...
Brass
Classic Teak and Oak Modernist Desk att to Hans Wegner , made in Denmark
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Teak and Oak Modernist Desk att to Hans Wegner , made in Denmark..Superior quality and construction, 3 drawers and pull out shelf.. Locking top drawer (original key). Doveta...
Oak, Teak
Swedish Modern Rosewood & Mahogany Rolltop Desk by Egon Ostergaard for SMI
By Egon Ostergaard
Located in Buffalo, NY
A refined example of Swedish Modern design, this rosewood and mahogany cylinder rolltop desk by Egon Ostergaard for Sven Mobelindustri was crafted in Sweden during the 1960s. The bea...
Birch, Mahogany, Rosewood
Hans Wegner Style x-base four drawer Teak Desk / Denmark
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Buffalo, NY
Hans Wegner Style x-base four drawer Teak Desk / Denmark.. Classic design. 3 dove-tail drawers. Locking top drawer.. also slide out tray. Retains original finish / patina,Hand delive...
Teak
Large Danish Modern Teak Credenza by Axel Christensen Odder
By Aco Møbler, Axel Christensen
Located in Buffalo, NY
beautiful teak sideboard / CREDENZA by Axel Christensen for ACO Møbler. The sideboard has four sliding doors and three drawers and right / left open shelving.. Superior quality and...
Teak
