Carl Malmsten - naive idealist or misunderstood genius?

Carl Malmsten is perhaps Sweden's most prominent designers. In Malmsten design, we see a mix of tradition and modernity in the simplicity of the Swedish peasant furniture as a starting point. Malmsten forms came to have a major influence on future generations of designers and the development of modern Swedish furniture.

Malmsten was raised in a middle-class family in Stockholm at the end of the 1800s, but was as a young man not interested in either education or status. He was considered controversial and outspoken back then and he took employment as an apprentice carpenter. He quickly became a highly skilled craftsman and in combination with a strong interest in art, this was the beginning of a great career. Malmsten was recognized designer at age 28 in 1916 when he won both the first and second prize in a furniture competition under the auspices of the Stockholm City Hall.

Malmsten was very intrigued and inspired by contemporary Swedish culture. The artist Carl Larsson, whose art reflects Swedish traditions and rural culture was a great inspiration. Malmsten was based on man and nature in their designs. He preferred the soft curves and used the colors that he found in nature.

Malmsten's love of nature and art was the opposite of functionalism foray into Sweden in the 1930th He was a great opponent and made clear his criticism in connection with the Stockholm Exhibition in 1930. Malmsten was in turn criticized for being a reactionary who did not see the benefits of industry. In time, even Malmsten influenced by the new ideals and go to great lengths to find shops and artisans who are good enough to produce his designs - Key workshops. He wanted to reach out with their designs to the people and it was to that end he accepted the series, but pointed out that it was important that the quality for the sake of it not suffered.

In the fifties reaches Malmsten out to a wider audience when he shows off a series of Rhösska Museum in Gothenburg. Home last night was the first series of his paintings he created for the family, which was followed by several armchairs and sofas in the style which became popular, but they produced still in limited editions.

In the 1960s, designing Malmsten the classic couch Samsas perhaps the furniture we most associate him with. Sofas sofa, I think personally. The form provides a simple but elegant appearance, which only a few other soffdesigner has manages to accomplish.

Malmsten has been described as headstrong and controversial, a man who was hard on their positions and ideals. He was not bigoted and reactionary. I see him as a man who wanted to preserve the beauty of our culture and nature and share it through their furniture. He was a wonderful designer and his philosophy of life is clearly reflected in his design. In Malmsten world would a furniture evoke emotions and create the impression - not only furniture.

Some useful links:

• Basic colors
• Old furniture gets new life
• Details that lifts the standard furniture
• Design hostel in Stockholm
• Swedish form rebels

Other Blogs about: Carl Malmsten , armchair , functionalist , ikea , furniture , intermingled , sofa , chair , Swedish furniture