Carl Malmsten Sofas
Swedish, 1888-1972
Carl Malmsten, a prominent furniture designer and educator associated with Swedish modernism, enjoyed immense popularity for his shapely sofas and armchairs in luscious color palettes. Malmsten believed that light — much like our eyes and bodies — doesn’t like to bump into sharp objects. Smooth edges, on the other hand, are kinder to the eye and and to our touch, and allow light to softly bounce off surfaces. Malmsten felt that if his furniture didn’t “serve well” in the home, it had no business being there.
Malmsten’s career essentially began in 1915, when his submissions for a competition to furnish the new Stockholm City Hall were first- and second-place prize winners. In the 1920s, his profile soared. He won a prize at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts — the show that brought the Art Deco style to worldwide attention — and quickly became one of the most sought-after designers of commercial seating in Sweden.
Malmsten was soon contracted to design chairs, tables and other furniture for the Stockholm Concert Hall, the Swedish Institute in Rome and the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York. His famous Art Nouveau-influenced Stadshusstolen chair, designed for Stockholm City Hall in 1916, is a highlight of the city’s recently opened Museum of Furniture Studies. Malmsten expanded into interior design and created a luxurious, well-appointed living room in the palace of then-Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf and his bride, Crown Princess Louise.
In the 1930s, Malmsten clashed with critics when he voiced his opposition to functionalism. Like Danish modernist Kaare Klint, he favored using quality local materials and prized traditional craftsmanship. Malmsten’s furniture draws on graceful neoclassical influences, and he said that extreme functionalism contributed to “sterile” interiors — while the curving contours of his work may share ground with furniture designed by Alvar Aalto or Bruno Mathsson, Malmsten differed with Bauhaus eminences and some Scandinavian modernists on their prioritization of functionalism.
For an exhibition in 1956 at the Röhsska Museum in Gothenburg, Malmsten designed furniture that was intended for mass production — and his striking designs began to make their way into middle-class Swedish homes owing to Malmsten’s partnerships with manufacturers such as O.H. Sjögren. Until then, he had built his pieces at the school he founded in the 1930s or had them made by artisans at several small local workshops.
Malmsten founded a number of schools for design and collaborated with other designers who shared his philosophy of “hand and mind in creative collaboration.” These included the esteemed textile artist Märta Måås Fjetterström, whose pieces he included in exhibits and even his own home.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Carl Malmsten seating, tables, cabinets and more.
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Creator: Carl Malmsten
Sofa 'Värend' by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1940s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Sofa designed by Carl Malmsten in Sweden during the 1940s.
Model 'Värend' with an elegant design made in elm.
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Elm
Midcentury Modern Rare Carl Malmsten Velvet "Samsas" Sofa Sweden, 1960s
By O.H. Sjögren, Carl Malmsten
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This midcentury icon sofa was designed by Carl Malmsten and this one was produced by O.H Sjögren. The sofa has a rare fabric in shifting red/pink velvet.
It’s in good vintage conditi...
Category
1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Velvet, Birch
Swedish Modern Sheepskin/Shearling Sofa and two lounge chairs 'Samspel"
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Set of Sofa and 2 chairs.
Item Reference
LU4154138829682
LU4154138829492
This model” Samspel” sofa was designed by Carl Malmsten in 1956 and manufactured during that time at AB...
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Sheepskin
1950’s Swedish “Samspel” Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Turners Falls, MA
1950’s “Samspel” Sofa designed by renowned Swedish designer Carl Malmsten. Beautiful organic design. Beech legs. Vintage upholstery.
Produced by AB Record
Category
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Upholstery, Beech
Midcentury Modern Sheepskin/Shearling Sofa Model 'Samspel" Carl Malmsten, 1956
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This model” Samspel” sofa was designed by Carl Malmsten in 1956 and manufactured during that time at AB Record Bollnäs Sweden. The sofa has been fully reupholstered and now have its ...
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Sheepskin
Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Sofa Model "Värend" Carl Malmsten, 1942
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This Rare model” Värend” sofa was designed by Carl Malmsten in the 1940s. The sofa has been reupholstered. Stained elm, back with ribs, loose back cushions and upholstered seat, cove...
Category
1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Elm
Scandinavian Swedish Modern Sofa “Samsas” by Carl Malmsten for O.H Sjögren
By O.H. Sjögren, Carl Malmsten
Located in Kramfors, SE
Scandinavian modern sofa “Samsas” by Carl Malmsten for O.H Sjögren in Tranås. The sofa is a mid-century modern classic with a solid pine frame and red toned upholstery. The sofa, oft...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Pine
Scandinavian Midcentury Carl Malmsten Boucle "Samsas" Sofa, Sweden, 1960s
By O.H. Sjögren, Carl Malmsten
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This mid century icon sofa was designed by Carl Malmsten and this one was produced by O.H Sjögren. The sofa has a have new high quality off white boucle fabric and reupholstered by o...
Category
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Fabric
Sheepskin Samspel Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten - Samspel Sofa
This iconic piece of Swedish furniture was designed in 1956 by master-designer Carl Malmsten. It was originally produced by ...
Category
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Sheepskin, Beech
Sheepskin Samspel Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten - Samspel Sofa
This iconic piece of Swedish furniture was designed in 1956 by master-designer Carl Malmsten. It was originally produced by ...
Category
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Sheepskin, Beech
Carl Malmsten Vintage Samspel Sofa in Mohair Velvet 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten - Samspel Sofa, 1956
Malmsten's iconic curved sofa was designed in 1956 and produced by Swedish cabinetmakers AB Record in Bollnas. It is considered one the finest exa...
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Mohair, Velvet, Beech
1950s Swedish Velvet Samspel Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten 'Samspel' Sofa, circa 1950s
First designed in 1956 and produced by AB Record in Bollnas, Sweden, the 'Samspel' sofa is one of the finest pieces to be drawn by Sweden...
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Wool, Cotton, Beech
Sofa in Pine and White Bouclé Fabric by Carl Malmsten, 1936
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Sofa in Pine and Newly Reupholstered in White Bouclé Fabric by Carl Malmsten, 1936
Additional Information:
Material: Pine and newly reupholstered in white Bouclé fabric
Style: Mid c...
Category
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Pine, Fabric
Sheepskin Samspel Sofa by Carl Malmsten, 1956
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten 'Samspel' sofa
This iconic piece of Swedish furniture was designed in 1956 by master cabinetmaker Carl Malmsten. It was produced by AB Record in Bollnas, Sweden. Thi...
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Sheepskin, Beech
Midcentury Carl Malmsten "Samsas" Sofa, Sweden, 1960s
By O.H. Sjögren, Carl Malmsten
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This midcentury icon sofa was designed by Carl Malmsten and this one was produced by O.H Sjögren. The sofa have a have new fabric and rehopulstred by proffesinol with original Malmst...
Category
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Fabric
Carl Malmsten 1950s Cirkus Sofa in Boucle Fabric
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten - Cirkus Sofa, c1950s
Model 'Cirkus' love-seat sofa, designed in the 1950s by Swedish Master designer Carl Malmsten and produced by OH Sjögren in Tranås, Sweden. The sofa has restored and re-finsiehd stained elm wood legs and has been reupholstered in off-white boucle fabric.
H 80cm / D 80cm / W 151cm / SH 41cm.
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Bouclé, Elm
Carl Malmsten "Samsas" Sofa
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Malmsten "Samsas" sofa produced by O. H. Sjogren. Store formerly known as ARTFUL DODGER INC
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Birch, Fabric
Carl Malmsten Sofa
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Chicago, IL
Made in: Sweden, c. 1950.
Material: faux shagreen upholstery, beech.
Size: 63 W × 32 D × 33.25 H in seat height 16.5 inches.
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Upholstery, Beech
Vintage Swedish Samsas Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, GB
A stunning and extremely comfortable vintage Swedish Samsas sofa by Carl Malmsten. This was recently imported from Sweden, it dates from the 1960’s.
This is of extremely high qualit...
Category
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Bouclé, Beech
Mid 20th century samsa rund triple sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 20th century samsa rund triple sofa by carl malmsten circa 1960.
Well known model of sofa designed by carl malmsten, this sofa is a 3 seater.
Shaped back and arms, with tufted ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Teak
Carl Malmsten Oak "Visingsö" Sofa for O.H. Sjögren, Sweden, 1960s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Utrecht, NL
The famous “Visingsö” series demonstrates Carl Malmsten’s fine sense of proportion, line tension and balance between the surfaces, and how skilfully he carried in the heritage of tra...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Bouclé, Oak
Scandinavian Pine Bench by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Dronten, NL
Mid-Century Scandinavian Modern solid pine bench by Swedish company Karl Andersson and Söner, designed by Carl Malmsten. Nice woodworking details that are also present in the designs...
Category
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Pine
Carl Malmsten "Hemmakväll" Sofa for O.H. Sjögren, Sweden 1956
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
Located in Utrecht, NL
Carl Malmsten devoted his life to the renewal of Swedish craftsmanship, inspired to create furniture endowed with a creative simplicity, with functionality in mind and a high technic...
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Pine
Swedish Grace Sofa Designed by Carl Malmsten, Mahogany Frame, Sweden, 1929
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Stockholm, SE
Swedish Grace sofa designed by Carl Malmsten, Sweden. 1929.
Mahogany frame with exotic wood inlay. Fabric upholstery.
Provenance: Commissioned by ...
Category
1920s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Scandinavian Modern Samsas Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By O.H. Sjögren, Carl Malmsten
Located in Madrid, ES
Elegant three seat "Samsas" sofa by Carl Malmsten manufactured by O.H Sjögren in Sweden during the 1960s. The sofa was originally designed by Mal...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Beech
Carl Malmsten "Ulla" Three-Seater Birch Sofa, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Utrecht, NL
Carl Malmsten wanted to express a feeling or a characteristic with his designs. Thanks to its generous format and enveloping shapes, Carl Malmsten's upholstered pieces offer seating ...
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Birch
Swedish Leather Samsas Round Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, GB
This is an absolutely stunning and iconic design. It’s the Swedish Leather Samsas Round Sofa designed by Carl Malmsten in the 1920’s. This model was made in Sweden in the late 20th c...
Category
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Leather, Wood
Two-Seat Sofa in New Grey Wool Upholstery Named 'Samas' by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
A beautifully reupholstered quality grey wool two-seat sofa by Carl Malmsten for O.H. Sjogren of Sweden.
A Classic comfortable scandy cool sofa.
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Carl Malmsten Sofas
Carl Malmsten Model "Gustavianus" Sofa in Birch for O.H. Sjögren, Sweden, 1960s
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
Located in Karis, Nyland
Carl Malmsten "Gustavianus" mid-century sofa with birch frame and original red/yellow/green striped upholstery. By celebrated Scandinavian mid-century designer, the Carl Malmsten "Gu...
Category
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Birch
1956 'Sampsel' Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
The 1956 'Sampsel' Sofa by Carl Malmsten is a timeless design steeped in history. Its classic lines and minimalist aesthetic make for a comfortable yet modern experience. This mid-ce...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Wood
Carl Malmsten, Sofa, Velvet, Birch, Sweden, 1940s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in High Point, NC
A purple velvet and birch sofa, designed and produced by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category
1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Velvet, Birch
Oak "Visingsö" Sofa by Carl Malmsten for O.H. Sjögren, Sweden, 1960s
By O.H. Sjögren, Carl Malmsten
Located in Karis, Nyland
This three-seater "Visingsö" sofa is an elegant and comfortable evidence of the mastery and artistry of Carl Malmsten, who defined mid-20th century Swedish modern seating. The manufa...
Category
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Oak
Swedish Modern Sofa by Carl Malmsten 1940's
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Örebro, SE
Rare Swedish modern sofa with lovely shape, by Carl Malmsten ca -1940's.
Good vintage condition, wear and patina consistent with age, some light stains.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Birch
Scandinavian Modern Original "Samsas rund" Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
Located in Madrid, ES
Sofa "Samsas rund" by Carl Malmsten in beech and upholstery for O.H. Sjögren, Sweden, 1950s.
This sofa was first designed in 1923 by Carl Malmsten for the Stockholm concert hall and...
Category
1920s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Upholstery
vintage sofa sofa Carl Malmsten Sweden
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
Located in Lemmer, NL
vintage sofa sofa Carl Malmsten Sweden
period 1950s
design Carl Malmsten OH. Sjogren's Sweden
condition good light signs of use
size 77 x...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Carl Malmsten Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Oak
Carl Malmsten sofas for sale on 1stDibs.
Carl Malmsten sofas are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Carl Malmsten sofas, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 42 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 5 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original sofas by Carl Malmsten were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in scandinavia during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider sofas by Arne Norell, Norell Möbel AB, and NK (Nordiska Kompaniet). Prices for Carl Malmsten sofas can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,250 and can go as high as $33,276, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,699.