Folke Ohlsson pioneered the “knock-down” revolution of furniture, making the innovative flat-pack means of manufacturing and shipping common practice. Credited with playing a significant part in bringing Scandinavian modern forms to the United States, he was an international designer who created attractive pieces that are highly coveted by today’s collectors.
In Sweden, Studio Ljungs Industrier AB is the large family-owned parent company of Duxiana (in America, DUX). While leading the design team for Studio Ljungs Industrier in his native Malmö, Ohlsson visited the West Coast of the United States in 1950 and opened DUX Inc., to expand the company’s global footprint. DUX put into practice an idea that Ohlsson patented for the so-called “knock-down,” or “KD,” chair, a term referencing easy, flat-pack assembly. It saved DUX space in warehouses and money on transportation and was a concept that would inspire hundreds of subsequent companies — most notably fellow Swedish brand IKEA.
Integrating American upholstery with Swedish knock-down hardware and wooden frames, Ohlsson and DUX revolutionized the furniture industry. The manufacturer consistently worked with brilliant mid-century modern designers — among them Bruno Mathsson, Edward Wormley and Alf Svensson — expanding the brand’s portfolio and establishing credibility as a design source. Today vintage DUX sofas and dining chairs are valuable collector’s items, and the space-saving attributes and efficiency associated with the company’s modular designs continue to influence manufacturers all over the world.
Partly because of the affordability of DUX’s furniture — as well as an understandable affinity for the simplicity, warmth and coziness of Scandinavian modern design — postwar America embraced Ohlsson’s vision. One of Ohlsson’s best-known designs is the Profil lounge chair, built on a teak frame that can rock or recline with the push of a lever, while the wool bouclé upholstery is sumptuous and stylish. Another iconic collection is the clean, minimal Pasadena set of sofas, footstools and armchairs, fashioned from solid walnut with brass sabots.
The Milano Triennale and the “Good Design” exhibition series at New York City’s Museum of Modern Art distinguished Ohlsson with more than 30 awards. In 1964, he was honored with Sweden’s Royal Order of Vasa decoration by King Gustav VI Adolf because of his role in exporting modern Scandinavian aesthetics to America. Ohlsson’s designs were also produced by Bodafors and Fritz Hansen.
On 1stDibs, find a selection of Folke Ohlsson seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets.
Danish armchair FD118 by Grete Jalk for France & Søn, 1960s
By Grete Jalk, France & Søn
Located in Brescia, IT
Poltrona danese modello FD118 di Grete Jalk per France & Søn, struttura in teak e cuscini rifoderati in lana melange grigia. Refined Danish armchair model FD118 designed by Grete Ja...
Fabric, Teak
Danish armchair model "118" by Grete Jalk
By Grete Jalk, France & Daverkosen
Located in Brescia, IT
Elegant Danish 1960s teak armchair, an expression of Grete Jalk's organic modernism, with original frame and refined proportions. Iconic armchair model "118" designed by Grete Jalk ...
Teak
"Model 83" armchair by Nanna and Jørgen Ditzel, Denmark 1960s
By Nanna and Jørgen Ditzel
Located in Brescia, IT
S.W. Production. Møbler (Denmark), design Nanna and Jørgen Ditzel, 1960s. "Model 83" armchair with wooden frame and upholstered seat and back covered in bouclé fabric. Brand present....
Bouclé, Wood
Scandinavian oak armchair, 1960s
Located in Brescia, IT
Oak frame with a cotton-blend fabric covering. Scandinavian production, 1960s. Reupholstered. Scandinavian armchair with an oak frame, featuring sides where the front and rear posts...
Fabric, Oak
Vintage Scandinavian armchair from the Studio line
By Ljungs Industrier Sweden
Located in Brescia, IT
1960s armchair by Ljungs Industrier AB, solid wood frame and original burgundy-colored upholstery with Studio label. Vintage Scandinavian armchair produced by Ljungs Industrier AB M...
Fabric, Teak
Swedish teak armchair by Folke Ohlsson for DUX
By Dux of Sweden, Folke Ohlsson
Located in Brescia, IT
Vintage Scandinavian armchair by Folke Ohlsson for DUX in teak with Vienna straw back and ice gray fabric cushions. Scandinavian teak armchair with Vienna straw back designed by Fol...
Teak, Fabric
Easy chair by Juul Kristensen for JK Denmark, Denmark 1960s
By Juul Kristensen
Located in Ranst, VAN
Danish vintage easy chair designed by Juul Kristensen for JK Denmark 1960s. The frame of the armchair is in solid teak and the cushions are in beige wool. Very good condition and mar...
Wool, Teak
Folke Ohlsson armchair model USA for DUX Sweden 1960
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Paris, IDF
Timeless Scandinavian design with this Folke Ohlsson armchair, Model USA, made by DUX of Sweden n in the 1960s. The chair features a beautifully crafted teak wood frame paired with...
Teak
1960s, Danish design by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia Stolefabrik.
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia Stolefabrik
Located in Tarm, 82
1960s, Danish design by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia Stolefabrik. Completely reupholstered armchair in quality furniture wool, renewed solid oak. Brand new upholstery and brand new ...
Wool, Oak
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen "FD144" Easy Chair, Denmark, 1953
By Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
Located in Utrecht, NL
This is a beautiful Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen designed model “FD 144” easy chair, made in Denmark in 1953. It was produced by France & Daverkosen Denmark. This solid oak FD-144 Easy Chair by the designer duo, has distinctive, wide and imposing bent armrests. The darker teak wood on the armrests and legs emphasises the elegant lines of this chair. The back is supported with a series of slender spindles that stand out as the main design element of this model. The chair comes with two loose cushions that have been recently reupholstered in a premium bouclé fabric. Both cushions feature button tufting, giving a classic look. This chair is a Danish mid-century piece to its core, uniting functionality with and understated, yet interesting and elegant design. Condition: In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Re-upholstered in premium bouclé fabric. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information. Dimensions: 25.4 in W x 28.55 in D x 33.08 in H; seat height 16.93 in 64.5 cm W x 72.5 cm D x 84 cm H; seat height 43 cm About the designer: Hvidt & Mølgaard were the founders of the Copenhagen-based, Danish design and architectural firm which existed from 1944 until 2009. Founded by Peter Hvidt (1916-1986) and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen (1907-1993), the company was a pioneering force in Danish furniture design and industrialized production in the 1950s, creating furniture that was easy to mass-produce and economic to transport. Danish architect-designer Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen was born in 1907. His formative years were spent in Copenhagen, studying at the Aalborg Technical School and at the Art and Crafts School of the Design Museum. From 1931 until 1934, he continued his studies in furniture design at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts under the instruction of Kaare Klint. Peter Hvidt was born in Copenhagen in 1916. He studied architecture and cabinetry at the School of Arts and Crafts in Copenhagen. Subsequently, he worked at various design firms before establishing his own studio in 1942. In 1944, Hvidt designed the Portex Chair...
Fabric, Wood
80s, Danish design by Børge Mogensen, completely reupholstered armchair
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Tarm, 82
Danish design by Børge Mogensen, armchair model 2257. Completely renovated-reupholstered in quality limon-yellow furniture wool fabric. Solid oak, loo...
Wool, Oak
Danish Modern Lounge Chair by Folke Ohlsson for DUX
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Atlanta, GA
Danish modern lounge chair, designed by Folke Ohlsson for DUX, Denmark, circa 1960s. It has been reupholstered in an ivory color herringbone upholstery. The teak frame has been clean...
Upholstery, Wood, Teak
