Clean, functional, and timeless: say hej to Danish Modern design. Mid-Century Modern design, and in particular Danish and Scandinavian design, is often lauded for a deep understanding of materials, proportions, and a clean aesthetic. This magic modernist recipe - the intersection of function and elegance - is having its moment again (thanks, Mad Men), as design lovers continually seek to refresh their spaces with pieces that can both anchor a room and play nicely with other styles (think: mixing with a killer kilim rug or a bold piece of contemporary art).
An updated Finn Juhl style chair adds a pop of pink. {Photo via New York Spaces Mag}
Countless classic architectural and furniture designs were born in Scandinavia during the 40s, 50s, and 60s, and their lasting influence is apparent in many of today’s design trends: think Hans Wegner’s classic Wishbone chair, or Arne Jacobsen’s egg chair.
Hans Wegner Wishbone chair. {via Design Sponge}
{Original Hans Wegner Wishbone chairs available on Chairish}
Pioneers of the Danish modern movement focused on form meeting function: they sought out design that would both look elegant and improve the day-to-day life of citizens in the postwar years, and look elegant. In the beginning, designers constructed these pieces by hand, but soon gave into mass furniture production. The product was a focus on minimal design that lasted.
Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair {photo via Nordic Design by Elle Decor}
Danish Modern pieces are often able to both stand out in a crowd, as well as make a bold statement. Influential designers like Hans Wegner, Grete Jalk, and Børge Mogensen, coupled a streamlined design with organic materials, like plywood (teak in particular) and metal.
Finn Juhl chairs {via Midcentury Home}
{Hans Wegner Peacock Chair, available on Chairish}
The use of plastic - in both neutral and pops of color - were popular as well. Arne Jacobsen created the egg chair and the swan chair following like aesthetics. Other influential designs include Kaare Klint’s safari chair, Finn Juhl’s 46 chair, and the propeller stools by Poul Kjaerholm and Jørgen Gamerlaard.
{Borge Mogensen ‘2257’ Series Chairs available on Chairish}
Ib Kofod Larsen chairs coupled with renowned Japanese-American designer George Nakashima chairs {via Architectural Digest}
What we especially admire about Danish Modern and Scandinavian design is its rare ability to recall another era, while the attention to craftsmanship and design allow it to remain fresh for our busy, present day lifestyles.
{Ib Kofod Larsen purple sculptural chair available on Chairish}
A pair of Poul Kjærholm steel-and-rope chairs by Fritz Hansen {via Architectural Digest}
Can clean lines and streamlined functional design ever go out of style? We think not.
Check out our collection of Mid-Century pieces, including many by influential Danish makers, here.