I occasionally hear from readers who want to learn more about interior design and decor from the 1920s, 1930s, and early 1940s, before mid century modern took hold main stream. So, how about this gorgeous classic sofa still made today: the Liljevalch sofa designed by Josef Frank in 1934 for Svenskt Tenn.
Josef Frank’s Liljevalch sofa was the first of 2,000+ furniture sketches and textile prints for Svenskt Tenn
This famous sofa was the first piece of furniture that Frank designed for Svenkst Tenn, and it proved to be an auspicious start. Today, the company says, “… there are over 2,000 furniture sketches and 160 textile prints signed Frank in Svenskt Tenn’s archives.” This sofa has such romantic, inviting lines — be still my gluttonous heart.
Today, Svenkst Tenn makes the Liljevalch sofa to order in Sweden, and they ship all over the world. Poking around online, I also see the most daring (by today’s standards — not by Frank’s 1930’s standards) interior designers choose to cover the sofa in one of his colorful botanical prints. While the mocha-colored mohair (?) upholstery is super yummy, just imagine this sofa in a historical, whimsical print!
“A colourful brand of modernism”
I hope to write more about Josef Frank and his products still available today. Frank was a 20th Century architect, artist, and design luminary who “developed his colourful brand of modernism” via his furniture and fabrics for Svenstk Tenn. I love Frank’s ethos — but then, I am a pattern lover and believe we are creatures who, fundamentally, crave ornament.
Svenskt Tenn’s biography of Frank spotlights his work and longtime relationship with the company. His symbiotic relationship with store owner Estrid Ericson is essential to the story. Ericson was an art teacher, who, at age 30, opened Svenkst Tenn. The company underscores the importance of Frank and Ericson’s lifelong collaboration on the about page:
THE COOPERATION BETWEEN Estrid Ericson and Josef Frank remained not only lifelong but also one of Swedish design history’s most interesting partnerships. It is soon revealed that Estrid Ericson’s artistry and entrepreneurship in combination with Josef Frank’s vision of human modernism was a recipe for success. He designs the furniture and textiles and she has the eye for detail and presentation.
Svenskt Tenn today also has many of Frank’s other designs still available for sale — oh my, see the collection of Josef Frank wallpapers! — living history that you can live with every day… heirloom pieces.
Frank’s Liljevalch sofa: Protesting the prevailing functionalism
Meanwhile, here’s what the company says about the Liljevalch sofa:
The Liljevalch sofa from 1934 was the first piece of furniture that Josef Frank designed for Svenskt Tenn. It was shown for the first time at the Liljevalch Art Gallery in Stockholm and hence the name “Liljevalch Sofa”. In a letter to Estrid Ericson, Josef Frank wrote that he had designed this large and generous sofa in protest over the prevailing functionalism and boring Swedish handicrafts.
P.S. Are you noticing that I am starting to write more about longtime classic designs by luminary designers (yes, including some items that are high-end in terms of cost)? This is something I see doing more of in the future, in particular to spotlight original, early- and mid-2oth Century designers and designs that shaped and, in great part, continue to shape how we live today.
Link love:
- Sofa Liljevachs by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
- All of Josef Frank’s design in Svenst Tenn’s current lineup
- Svenskt Tenn
Images courtesy Svenskt Tenn.
Joel Shapiro says
The 14k price tag includes VAT. So more like $11.3k for US customers. Probably not a big enough discount, but still.
Judy says
If I could design the sofa of my dreams, this would be it! I would love to have this in a not too bright emerald green velvet. Ahhh…
Pam Kueber says
oooooh, yes, a not too bright emerald green velvet — or mohair!
Midge Brock says
Emerald Green is such a beautiful color that goes with pretty much everything! I did my Duncan Phyfe loveseat in an emerald green velvet many years ago, and I am going to have it re-done in the same. The emerald looks so rich against the wood.
Chris says
Thank you SO MUCH, Pam! The 20s to the 40s are my favorite decades to work with, since our house was built in the 30s. I appreciate every little nugget of info you have to share!
Kathy says
Looked at the website some more and there are a number of books about Josef Frank in English from $24 to $102. https://www.svenskttenn.se/en/range/accessories/litterature/book-josef-frank-english/106241/
I find books an affordable substitute for what I can’t afford or don’t have room for!
Kathy says
Wow, thanks for this link. I love his clean designs and vibrant patterns. The photo of the living room decorated with his furniture and patterns is just yummy, and unfortunately, very pricey.
The linen fabric runs $200 – $260 a meter (39.5 inches) and is very large scaled. This is comparable to other designer fabrics and could make some nice pillows if you can’t afford the rugs or the $14,000 couch or $4,000 chaise or $3,500 armchair. They also have a booklet of his designs for $8 and a coffee-table book of his watercolors (which appears to be translated into English in small print) for $42. Lovely work!
Retroski says
Boy, that sofa is nice! Just want to curl up on it and the neutral is a great play for the elegant patterns! Sooo pricey.
I think you could get a similar look by starting with a sofa with good lines, traditional elegant coffee table and furniture from the 40s or that style, and some Marimekko print curtains and pillows, and a Persian rug, a nice mix of eclectic and traditional, inspired by the 30s-40s
Jay says
Wow, anything I ever sat on as a kid that came out of the 30s and covered in mohair never looked this sexy.
Kristine says
Thank you! We are in the midst of redecorating our 1938 colonial and I’ve been trying to research period light fixtures. We have some original details left in the house like French doors and door hard ware that lends itself to an art deco feel…and it’s been so difficult to find info on things during this period! Thanks for exploring this time!
Kathy says
Try watching the Poirot mystery series on BBC. It showcases the best Art Deco/Art Moderne buildings and decor in England, which is fairly restrained compared to similar buildings in the US. Just watching old movies of the period can give you some ideas too.
It is common for homes of the period to mix styles and I think with a colonial, it is period appropiate to keep it fairly restrained and elegant and with mostly a light color palette. Dens and rec rooms and perhaps dining rooms used mostly at night were an exception. Colors of the 30’s – 40’s tended to be slightly off the primary hue and slightly subdued–coral rather than orange, maroon rather than red, turquoise or jadite rather than green. Intense pastels were also popular.
The Greenbriar Hotel in West Virginia is a Colonial Revival building that was decorated by Dorothy Draper in an unorthodox style that later became known as Hollywood Regency. This style juxaposes the classic with bright colors, oversized patterns and detailling, and mirrored surfaces. It takes daring and a sense of proportion and restraint to pull off or it can go Liberace in a hurry. But it too could be a source of inspiration, and her designs are still available. Jonathan Adler and a number of contemporary designers were very influenced by her.
A lot of 30s – 40s furniture, light fixtures and accessories for the home tend to be relatively small scale, homey or cottagey, and may incorporate a bit of Art Deco influence or simplified stenciling and ornament. A lot is being snapped up for peanuts and chalk painted. You can still find it in flea markets, yard sales and such. It is not as pure or as trendy as the MCM stuff, so it is still affordable if you look, especially in rural areas.
Kristine says
Kathy,
Thanks for the helpful hints! I’m glad you mentioned Hollywood Regency…because as I think about it, that’s probably more towards the direction I’m headed in with the living room? We have an existing Chesterfield sofa and club chair in leather–I found a great wallpaper from York Wallpapers called Harlowe for an accent wall. https://www.yorkwallcoverings.com/harlowe-unpasted-wallpaper
and I believe I’ve found some reasonable slipper shade sconces for over our fireplace mantle and I found a couple of potential options for the sconces on the soon to be wallpapered accent wall (of course, those need manual switches…because it’s an older quirky house!). I am restraining myself…a little sparkle is fun, but I don’t want an all-out Liberace (as fabulous as that may be!)
Hoping in the next few weeks it all comes together! Then onto the kitchen (with our peach tile walls…which I love!)
Pam Kueber says
That’s awesome looking wallpaper! Let me know when the room comes all together and maybe I can do a story!
Kristine says
Thank you! Here’s hoping it looks as good on the wall as it does in the book–will definitely keep you posted!
Tarquin says
This time period is my favorite for fashion & decor. This sofa is sharp looking & well designed. The slanted sides & big pillows with one cushion make it very comfortable to read a book or take a nap. Love the color as well.
Katharine Carroll says
I agree it’s a beautiful design. It would be a nice choice for my family since my husband prefers a plain fabric & I appreciate the shape. It’s quite elegant in my opinion. ?
LOUISE says
So gorgeous, I think I would have to put one of his wonderful patterns on it.
Pam Kueber says
Yes, me too: Pattern!