Byflou Journal

A GUIDE TO THE GREATEST DANISH DESIGNER CHAIRS


Denmark is known for having a proud tradition of furniture design, and many of the most iconic furniture pieces in the world originate from Danish designers. Some of the most famous names in Danish design include Arne Jacobsen, Børge Mogensen and Hans J. Wegner, whose furniture has been celebrated for its simplicity and elegance. These designers have made a significant mark on the furniture industry and their timeless works are still popular and sought after today.

Series 7 by Arne Jacobsen at Fritz Hansen | Byflou.com

The Spanish Chair


The Spanish Chair is an iconic piece of furniture designed by the beloved Danish architect, Børge Mogensen. It is one of the most outstanding representatives of Danish design and is a cherished feature in luxurious homes around the world. The furniture has placed Børge Mogensen and Danish design on the world map.

In 1950, the chair was introduced to the public at the Cabinetmakers' Guild Furniture Exhibition as part of a collection called Jagthytten. Here Mogensen experimented with combining a sturdy wooden frame and stretched core leather, inspired by traditional Spanish Moorish chairs. This was a fusion of the Spanish tradition and Mogensen's own Danish design, which led to an adjustment of the chair and its proportions, resulting in The Spanish Chair.

The Spanish Chair is made of carefully selected materials, from quartered oak wood parts to brass buckles and vegetable tanned core leather. Over time, each piece acquires a personal patina that adds a unique character and personality. Created with a focus on the quality of the materials, this furniture is an investment for life that can be passed down for generations.

The Spanish Chair by Børge Mogensen | Byflou.com

J39 People's Chair


The J39 Mogensen chair is a true gem of Danish furniture architecture, and its iconic status is due to its versatility and simple design, which still inspires modern Danish design today. Børge Mogensen has created a timeless classic with this piece of furniture, known today as the 'people's chair'. It is a chair that can be used in all kinds of homes and interiors and is perfect for all generations.

The material chosen for the chair has been carefully selected to ensure that the design will last beautifully and age gracefully over decades without going out of fashion. Fredericia Furniture has managed to recreate the superb carpentry craftsmanship in the frame's solid woods, beautiful lacquers and visible joints. The natural paper wicker seat is a classic in Børge Mogensen's design universe, contrasting beautifully with the solid wood and ensuring a great seating experience.

This chair is more than just a piece of furniture - it represents an era of Danish design and craftsmanship. It is a chair that has proven its timeless appeal and is still being passed down for generations and sold at auctions around the world.

J39 Folkestolen by Børge Mogensen | Byflou.com

Series 7 Chair


The Series 7 chair, designed by the renowned Arne Jacobsen in 1955, is one of the most landmark and sought-after pieces of Danish furniture design. Its elegant, soft forms and minimalist design have made it a symbol of Nordic minimalism and a fixture in modern homes for over 60 years.

Arne Jacobsen, a visionary architect and designer, was dedicated to combining comfort and aesthetics in his furniture. With the Series 7 chair, he wanted to create a timeless chair that would become a classic for many years to come - a wish that became a reality and ultimately characterised his design style.

Arne Jacobsen was one of the most prominent figures in modern design in the 20th century. His work was characterised by purity and simplicity, and his designs had a great influence on the development of Scandinavian design. The Series 7 chair is one of Jacobsen's best-known works, and it continues to be a sought-after and valued part of contemporary interior design.

Series 7 by Arne Jacobsen at Fritz Hansen | Byflou.com

The Egg


Designed by renowned Danish architect and designer Arne Jacobsen in 1958, The Egg is a masterpiece of modern furniture design. With its distinctive egg shape, the chair provides a unique and comfortable seating experience that has earned it great popularity and acclaim.

Inspired by curves and shapes found in nature, Jacobsen sought to create a chair that was both stylish and functional. The result was The Egg, a lounge chair that is as aesthetically pleasing as it is comfortable. The chair's smooth and flowing lines are designed to provide ergonomic support, testifying to a certain genius in Arne Jacobsen's creation of The Egg.

Since its introduction, the Egg has become one of the most recognisable pieces of furniture in the world, appearing in museums, galleries and private collections across the globe. Its popularity is due in part to Jacobsen's reputation as one of the leading designers of the 20th century, but also to the chair's timeless design and enduring appeal. Whether used in a contemporary or traditional setting, The Egg always manages to make a statement and gracefully occupy any space.

The Egg by Arne Jacobsen at Fritz Hansen | Byflou.com

The Swan


Designed by Danish designer Arne Jacobsen in 1958, The Swan is a timeless piece of furniture that has proven itself over the years as one of the great icons of the furniture industry. Jacobsen was inspired by modern lines and natural human forms when he designed the chair. The result is a beautifully sculpted chair that is both ergonomic and extremely stylish.

The chair's shape is inspired by the elegant movement and beauty of the swan, and since its creation it has been a symbol of elegance and modernity. The Swan chair is made with a beautiful, organic shape that is designed to provide maximum comfort and support the body's natural proportions. The chair's seat hugs the body and its backrest is created at the ideal height to provide back support.

The history of The Swan dates back to the 1950s, when it was introduced as part of the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen. Jacobsen was commissioned to design every aspect of the hotel, from the building to the furniture, lighting and textiles. Today, The Swan remains a popular choice among interior designers and architects for its timeless design and versatility. It is often used in modern living rooms, offices as well as foyers and can be found in homes and businesses all over the world. With its elegant design and unparalleled comfort, it goes without saying that, The Swan has become one of the most distinctive and popular pieces of furniture from Arne Jacobsen's portfolio.

The Swan by Arne Jacobsen at Fritz Hansen | Byflou.com

SHOP DESIGNER CLASSICS FROM THE GREATEST BRANDS AT BYFLOU.COM

The Wishbone Chair


The Wishbone Chair is a masterpiece of design and comfort, created by the legendary Danish designer Hans J. Wegner in 1949. With its unique 'Y' shaped backrest, the chair was ahead of its time and remains a timeless icon of modern furniture design.

Wegner was inspired by the traditional Windsor chair and wanted to create a chair that was both elegant and functional, while incorporating his signature style of organic shapes and clean lines. The result was the Wishbone Chair - a chair that was both stylish and comfortable with a smooth and flowing design.

The story of the Wishbone Chair is a testament to Wegner's talent as a designer. At first, the chair was met with scepticism, as many doubted its ability to support the human form. Wegner's belief in his design and the quality of his craftsmanship, however, meant that the chair exuded authenticity and a progressive path in furniture architecture that ultimately kick-started the Wishbone Chair's popularity.

Today, the Wishbone Chair is considered a true design classic and is highly sought after by furniture enthusiasts and collectors alike. The chair flourishes today in several markets and is especially popular in the late second-hand furniture market. It has been featured in museums and exhibitions all over the world and its popularity shows no signs of abating.

Y-stolen by Hans J. Wegner | Byflou.com

Corona Chair


Poul M. Volther's Corona chair is a distinctive example of Nordic furniture architecture that challenges traditional armchair standards, plays with visual dimensions and embraces functionalism. With its groundbreaking design introduced in 1964, the chair achieved iconic status both nationally and internationally, being featured in some of the world's most luxurious hotels, music videos and by furniture enthusiasts worldwide.

Poul M. Volther's unique sense of sculptural design and contemporary aesthetic shines through in Corona, which despite its controversial design has become a classic. The chair's distinctive elliptical backrest was the result of a textile shortage after WWII. World War II, and splitting the backrest was an ideal solution to reduce textile use. Corona invites an experimental approach to geometry with its signature shape, the ellipse.

Poul M. Volther was one of the most renowned Danish designers of the 20th century and a pioneer of Nordic furniture design. He was known for his love of geometric shapes and sculptural lines, which he integrated into his designs. His collaboration with some of Denmark's most famous designers also contributed to his development as a designer, and his work inspired later generations of furniture designers. Volther's Corona chair is a perfect manifestation of his philosophy, combining functionality with a sculptural and modern aesthetic that is still admired by many today.

Corona Chair by Poul M. Volther | Byflou.com

Trinidad Chair


Nanna Ditzel's Trinidad chair marks a postmodern turning point in Danish design history by challenging the usual minimalist approach to material use that characterised many furniture designers in the 1990s. The chair's name and design draw inspiration from the Victorian building facades on Trinidad Island, which were decorated with the distinctive 'gingerbread' technique. The elegant interplay of these facades with the sunlight formed the basis of the chair, which today is an icon in some of the world's most prestigious museums and homes.

The chair's distinctive design is expressed in the milled seat, created using a CNC milling technology that was, at the time, a new and pioneering tool in furniture architecture. Like Trinidad's building facades, the chair challenges light and shadow, which change depending on the viewer's angle of vision. Although the unique carved design was the focus of the chair's development, Nanna Ditzel has not compromised on seating comfort.

Nanna Ditzel was a Danish designer known for her innovative approach to furniture design and her use of organic forms. She was one of the few female designers in an industry dominated by men at the time, and her work was recognised both nationally and internationally. Her design philosophy was to create furniture that was not only functional but also aesthetically beautiful. She was also one of the pioneers of sustainable design, often using recyclable materials in her work.

Trinidad Chair by Nanna Ditzel | Byflou.com