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Westnofa Furniture

Norwegian

While Norway comprises something of an unsung chapter in the history of Scandinavian modernism, an export company called Westnofa shouldn’t be overlooked. It represented a collective of the country’s leading manufacturers to promote and export their furniture worldwide. Westnofa was key to the success of Norway’s mid-century designers and furniture brands, and fostered the growth of entities that might otherwise be unknown to today’s design aficionados.

Norway’s furniture factories were largely destroyed during World War II, and while the country’s sophisticated works — designed in teak, pine and other prized woods — had earned a place in Scandinavian modernism, its output was overshadowed by big names such as Alvar Aalto and Arne Jacobsen who’d earned icon status in Finland and Denmark, respectively. Westnofa, a name derived from “West Norway Factories,” took shape in the late 1950s in order to circumvent the limitations that the country’s furniture industry had faced in the areas of marketing and production. Some of the manufacturers connected to Westnofa were P.I. Langlo Møbelfabrikk, Ekornes, Stokke and Vestlandske.

Westnofa took great pains to devise the most cost-effective and efficient method of packing and shipping worldwide. Flat-pack assembly for lightweight shipping was the result. In neighboring Sweden during the late 1940s, DUX president and furniture designer Folke Ohlsson put the same idea into practice. Flat-pack assembly saved space in warehouses and money on transportation. It’s a breakthrough that survives today — namely at popular Swedish brand IKEA.

While it’s unclear if Westnofa also produced furniture in addition to exporting the goods of a group of manufacturers, some of the more well-known designers that are today mentioned alongside the company include Ingmar Relling, Torstein Nilsen and Jens Nielsen. Relling is best known for seating and his most famous piece associated with Westnofa is his high-backed Siesta chair, which features supple leather cushions atop a bentwood frame. Torstein Nilsen designed an elegant glass-topped bentwood dining table that is also commonly linked with Westnofa. Jens Nielsen created minimalist, sculptural lounge chairs in birch and plywood that are connected with the Westnofa name.

On 1stDibs, find vintage Westnofa seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets.

Mid Century Modern Scandinavian Rosewood Lowboy Dresser by Westnofa, c1960s
By Westnofa Furniture
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Step into a world of timeless elegance with this exquisite Mid Century 8-Drawer Lowboy Dresser by Westnofa, dating back to the captivating 1960s era. Masterfully crafted with an exot...
Category

1960s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Westnofa Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

Siesta armchair by Ingmar Relling for Westnofa 1980s with puff
By Ingmar Relling, Westnofa Furniture
Located in Milano, IT
Armchair with lacquered wood footrest, foam padding, leather upholstery.
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Westnofa Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

Westnofa Mid Century Danish Rosewood and Tile Top Rolling Bar Cart
By Westnofa Furniture
Located in Countryside, IL
Westnofa Mid Century Danish Rosewood and Tile Top Rolling Bar Cart This bar cart measures: 19.75 wide x 25.75 deep x 28.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we...
Category

1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Westnofa Furniture

Materials

Metal

Mid 20th Century Modern Pair of Armchairs by Ingmar Relling for Westnofa, 1960s
By Ingmar Relling, Westnofa Furniture
Located in Brugge, BE
1960s Norway Teak and ivory boucle 81cm high, 66cm wide, 77cm deep Ingmar Relling (1920-2002) was a dedicated designer renowned for his creation of functional furniture designs t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Westnofa Furniture

Materials

Bouclé, Teak

Expertly Restored - Mid-Century Rosewood Night Stands with Bookcase by Westnofa
By Westnofa Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Category

1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Westnofa Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

Pair Midcentury Westnofa Siesta Chairs - Highback Leather - Ingmar Relling
By Westnofa Furniture, Ingmar Relling, Ekorness
Located in Decatur, GA
Pair of vintage midcentury Scandinavian modern "Siesta" lounge chairs by Ingmar Relling for Westnofa/Ekornes. High back armchair versions with scarce combination of ebonized frames a...
Category

1970s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Westnofa Furniture

Materials

Leather, Canvas, Beech

Midcentury Westnofa Siesta Cahir + Ottman - Highback Leather - Ingmar Relling
By Ekorness, Westnofa Furniture, Ingmar Relling
Located in Decatur, GA
Vintage midcentury Scandinavian modern "Siesta" lounge chair and ottoman by Ingmar Relling for Westnofa/Ekornes. High back armchair version with scarce combination of ebonized frames...
Category

1970s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Westnofa Furniture

Materials

Leather, Canvas, Beech

Westnofa Rosewood Floating Bed & Night Stands- Queen Size
By Westnofa Furniture
Located in Denton, TX
Westnofa Rosewood Floating Bed & Night Stands. Inside rails measure: 61.25 L x 81.39 D Height floor to foot board: 13.88 H Each nightstand measur...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Westnofa Furniture

Materials

Rosewood, Mahogany

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Creators Similar to Westnofa Furniture

Westnofa Furniture furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Westnofa Furniture furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Westnofa Furniture furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Westnofa Furniture were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Torbjørn Afdal, Vatne Møbler, and Adolf Relling and Rolf Rastad. Prices for Westnofa Furniture furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $346 and can go as high as $9,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,337.
Questions About Westnofa Furniture
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    No, the Westnofa furniture company is out of business. Westnofa was a Norwegian furniture company that was best known for the Siesta chair by Ingmar Relling. This chair won awards for its design and became highly desirable in the 60s and 70s, prompting the growth of more Westnofa designs. Unfortunately, the brand's popularity did not last. Shop a collection of vintage Westnofa furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

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