There’s so much to love about Scandinavian design, from the peacefulness of airy, minimal forms and light-colored woods to the softness and warmth of hygge. These seating options from top Danish brands reflect the accessible approach that the region is famous for.
Hyg Shell Chair from Normann Copenhagen
This chair by designer Simon Legald was inspired by hygge, and its soft curves exude comfort. The design is incredibly versatile: On a base with wheels, the Hyg is a desk chair; upholstered, with wood legs, it’s an elegant dining chair. Versions with high-quality plastic seats and powder-coated steel legs not only look cool but also withstand the wear-and-tear of daily life.
From $865. Available in a variety of fabric, leather and wood finish options, at Morlen Sinoway, in Chicago, 312-432-0100.
Sibast No 7 Lounge Chair
This shaggy-glam chair is all about the hygge coziness: it comes upholstered in sheepskin— either long-haired Icelandic or short-haired Australian. You’ll feel like you’re getting cuddled by a furry friend. The oak wood frame, shown here with a sexy, dark-oil finish, adds to the appeal. The chair is manufactured in Denmark by Sibast Furniture, a family-owned business dating back to 1908.
From $2,745. Find a showroom.
MR01 Initial Chair
Danish woodworker Mathias Steen Rasmussen originally designed this sleek, low-slung chair for lounging and meditating in his own home. He often pairs organic materials—in this case, wood and rope. The seat and backrest are hand-woven, using a technique Rasmussen developed himself and nearly 300 feet of rope.
$3,575. Find a store.
Croissant Lounge Chair
If a croissant and the Chesterfield club chair had a baby, it would be this playful design by the midcentury Danish architect Illum Wikkelsø. Complex curves are achieved through meticulous hand stitching. The horseshoe shape of the backrest makes this chair a pleasure to relax into, and the soft, commodious armrests means you won’t want to get up.
From $4,475. Find a store.
MG501 Cuba Chair with Paper Cord
This folding chair by Morten Gøttler, originally designed 25 years ago, is built to last. It features lightweight paper cord that’s super-strong; it takes a skilled craftsman nearly 8 hours of weaving to create the seat and back. The piece is manufactured by Carl Hansen & Søn, the 113-year old family-owned Danish furniture company that first produced the iconic Wishbone chair.
$1,135, nationally at Design Within Reach and Bulthaup; in Chicago at Luminaire and Morlen Sinoway; in San Francisco at Arkitektura, Norden Living and Carl Hansen & Søn Flagship Store.
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Lisa Boquiren is an architecture and design aficionada who provides brand strategy for creative businesses. She has overseen rebranding initiatives at EHDD Architects and the San Francisco Design Center, and she creates convergent conversations on A+D, and presents, at the American Institute of Architects’ San Francisco and Los Angeles chapters. Photo by Thomas Heinser
