Finn Juhl rugs

Finn Juhl 1921- 1989

Finn Juhl was born in 1912 in Frederiksberg, Denmark. Already in his early years he was interested in art and wanted to become an art historian. However, his father did not allow this and he instead studied at the Academy of Fine Arts School of Architecture between 1930-34.

While still a student, Finn Juhl started working for the famous Danish architect Vilhelm Lauritzen, but he chose to focus on his work, which resulted in him never completing his architectural studies. In the following decades, Finn Juhl becomes one of the most influential furniture designers in Scandinavia. He also played a prominent role internationally, particularly in the USA in the 1950s. Some of his more notable projects in the US include the UN headquarters in New York and the Danish Embassy in Washington.

Furniture and design

Finn Juhl designs his furniture with an approach more akin to that of a sculptor than a furniture designer. Unlike many of his colleagues who focus on practical function, Finn Juhl designs furniture with an organic design language that exudes life and movement. In his creative process, Finn Juhl always starts with the human body and how the furniture's components should support the different body parts. The strengths of the materials are utilised to the maximum and the different parts of the furniture seem to merge seamlessly. This, combined with a fantastic finish and exquisite details, places extremely high demands on the carpenters who produce the furniture.

Finn Juhl passed away in 1989. He leaves a great legacy in the form of several immortal design classics. The Chieftain Chair, Pelican Chair and and the Japan series are examples of his designs that are as relevant today as when they were designed over 70 years ago. At NO GA you will find a large selection of Finn Juhl's design icons, re-launched by House of Finn Juhl.