Skip to main content

Carl Malmsten Rugs and Carpets

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.

3
to
1
2
1
3
3
3
3
3
3
1
Width
to
Length
to
3
3
3
3
3
182
4,934
3,937
1,428
1,197
Creator: Carl Malmsten
Vintage Swedish Kilim Rollakan Rug by Carl Malmsten, Capellagården
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Dallas, TX
78609 Vintage Swedish Rollakan Kilim Rug, 06'02 x 09'07. Designed for a lifestyle of simplicity and minimalism, this handwoven vintage Swedish rollakan rug cultivates a desire for ba...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Carl Malmsten Rugs and Carpets

Materials

Wool

Carl Malmsten Swedish Flat Weave “Capellagården” Runner, Sweden 1960's
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Malmsten Swedish Flat Weave rug “Capellagården” Runner - Sweden 1960's Excellent runner made by Carl Malmsten. Named after the place of study ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Carl Malmsten Rugs and Carpets

Materials

Wool

Carl Malmsten, Swedish Geometric Pattern Wool Rug, Blue/Grey, Handcrafted, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish elegant blue and grey with geometric patterns. Made of wool. It is very soft and in excellent condition for its age. Designed and produced in the 1950s. It would be a good ad...
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Rugs and Carpets

Materials

Wool

Related Items
Grey Blue brown geometrical Wool Rug by Cecilia Setterdahl for Carpets CC
By Carpets CC
Located in Dubai, Dubai
Design Title: "Interior Blue" Hand-knotted from New Zealand wool in geometrical shapes. The carpet is embossed to create a modern feeling. Carpets CC is t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Carl Malmsten Rugs and Carpets

Materials

Wool

Bauhaus Memphis Art Architectural Geometric Wool Carpet/Rug, Blue Yellow Grey
Located in Halle, DE
Modern high quality rug with abstract geometric design in bauhaus or memphis manner. Unique piece of german designer Friedrich W. Fritsch. Only used before in exhibition/showroom.
Category

1980s German International Style Vintage Carl Malmsten Rugs and Carpets

Materials

Wool

Vintage Swedish Handmade Sunflower Rya Shag Rug
Located in Atlanta, GA
Put some sunshine on the floor! You can't help but smile when you see this bright and cheerful rug, yet the colors are just subdued enough not to jump out at you. Hand-hooked of wool...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Carl Malmsten Rugs and Carpets

Materials

Yarn

Scandinavian Rollakan Swedish Rug
Located in Ferrara, IT
This is an interesting Scandinavian Rollakan Swedish rug in a captivating combination of beige and pink colors. This exquisite piece stands out f...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Carl Malmsten Rugs and Carpets

Materials

Wool

Scandinavian Rollakan Swedish Rug
Scandinavian Rollakan Swedish Rug
W 70.87 in L 103.15 in
Swedish Flat-Weave Rug
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Swedish collection is primarily inspired by vintage Swedish flat-weave rugs, whose geometric designs are relevant as ever in the 21st century. The collection utilizes a number of...
Category

2010s Scandinavian Modern Carl Malmsten Rugs and Carpets

Materials

Wool

Swedish Flat-Weave Rug
W 96 in L 122 in
Swedish Rug Rollakan Earthy Tones
Located in Ferrara, IT
Immerse yourself in the allure of Swedish Rug Rollakan Earthy Tones with this exquisite mid-20th century rug, a true treasure that encapsulates the artistry and craftsmanship of a by...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Carl Malmsten Rugs and Carpets

Materials

Wool

Rug Plain Grey - Wool Modern Geometric Flatweave Black Grey Cream Beige Boxes
By Carpets CC
Located in Dubai, Dubai
Design Title: "Plain Grey" This carpet is woven on a hand/loom in a technique called 'tip shear' which gives a beautiful texture and a soft feeling on the surface. This surfaces is ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Carl Malmsten Rugs and Carpets

Materials

Wool

Vintage Scandinavian Rollakan Swedish Rug
Located in Ferrara, IT
This is an amazing Vintage Scandinavian Rollakan Swedish Rug with an Abstract Design in Soft Colors—Beige with an IR Signature. This rug is a tru...
Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Carl Malmsten Rugs and Carpets

Materials

Wool

Swedish Style Flat-Weave Rug
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Swedish collection is primarily inspired by vintage Swedish flat-weave rugs, whose geometric designs are relevant as ever in the 21st century. The collection utilizes a number of...
Category

2010s Indian Scandinavian Modern Carl Malmsten Rugs and Carpets

Materials

Wool

Rug Water Garden - Modern Geometric Carpet Handloom Blue Brown Light Grey Wool
By Cecilia Setterdahl
Located in Dubai, Dubai
Design Title: "Water Garden" from Garden Collection Water garden is made in tip shear technique that gives a shimmer to the carpet. "Water Garden is from the garden collection...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Carl Malmsten Rugs and Carpets

Materials

Wool

1950s Vintage Ege Rya Rug Brown Midcentury Geometric Pattern by Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
Hand knotted in lush wool pile originating from Denmark circa 1950-1960, this midcentury rug hails from the celebrated Ege Rya rug lineage of renown, a collectible piece connoting the preference of high pile and the eccentric geometric pattern. Rich notes of brown move into tones of beige and gray with a natural complement to the texture, an iconic look idealizing the venerated traits of this Danish rug...
Category

1950s Danish Rustic Vintage Carl Malmsten Rugs and Carpets

Materials

Wool

Vintage Swedish Flat-Weave Kilim by Anna Joanna Angstrom
Located in Ferrara, IT
This is a semi-antique Swedish kilim woven during the mid-20th century circa 1950 and measures 282 x 194CM in size. This piece has a highly modern geometric design with complete and ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Carl Malmsten Rugs and Carpets

Materials

Wool

Previously Available Items
Rug “Capellagården” Designed by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1960s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Stockholm, SE
Wool. Named after the place of study of Carl Malmsten. L: 480 cm/ 15' 9" W: 245 cm/ 8' 1/2"
Category

1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Rugs and Carpets

Materials

Wool

Midcentury Swedish Gray, Blue and Ivory Flat-Weave Wool Rug by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury Swedish gray, blue and ivory flat-weave wool rug by Carl Malmsten Size: 6'2" × 9'4" (187 × 284 cm) This carpet was designed by a brilliant architect and artist, Carl Mal...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Carl Malmsten Rugs and Carpets

Materials

Wool

Pair of Rugs Capella Designed by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Stockholm, SE
Handwoven wool.  
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Rugs and Carpets

Materials

Wool

Vintage Swedish Rug Signed CM (Carl Malmsten)
By Carl Malmsten
Located in New York, NY
This circa 1950 vintage Swedish flat-weave rug by Carl Malmsten, signed CM, features an all-over design of intersecting multicolored lines in soft pastel sha...
Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Carl Malmsten Rugs and Carpets

Materials

Wool

Carl Malmsten rugs and carpets for sale on 1stDibs.

Carl Malmsten rugs and carpets are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wool and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Carl Malmsten rugs and carpets, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original rugs and carpets by Carl Malmsten were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in sweden during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider rugs and carpets by Gunilla Lagerhem Ullberg, Anna-Greta Sjöqvist, and Rakel Callander. Prices for Carl Malmsten rugs and carpets can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $4,993 and can go as high as $10,350, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $7,850.

Recently Viewed

View All