House of Finn Juhl

House of Finn Juhl - Origin and Design Philosophy

House of Finn Juhl was established in 2001 by the Danish furniture company Onecollection and holds exclusive rights to produce Finn Juhl's works. Finn Juhl, an architect trained in Copenhagen, was a central figure in Scandinavian design. His design philosophy emphasized an artistic view of furniture, where he separated supporting and supported elements. In his working method, craftsmanship and form could be adjusted during production, which contributed to each piece of furniture gaining its own expression, placing high demands on detailed precision in recreation.

Materials and Craftsmanship

Production within House of Finn Juhl is characterized by skilled craftsmanship and careful material selection. Wood species such as ash, walnut, Douglas fir, and oak are central. Oak is a durable material that, through various surface treatments, acquires a distinct color expression. Oiled oak provides a lighter surface, while smoked oak gives a matte dark brown surface. Walnut also exhibits a deeper color tone but with a clearer grain. All wood species are processed to highlight the wood's natural properties.

Upholstery in leather or fabric acts as a complement to these wooden constructions. House of Finn Juhl uses both vegetable-tanned and aniline leather, which develops a patina over time, and various textiles in a multitude of colors and textures. For works such as the Poet Sofa and Pelican Chair, the textiles for the furniture are entirely hand-stitched. These material choices ensure the furniture's quality and comfort to provide a long lifespan. Production primarily takes place locally in Denmark, but for a selection of furniture requiring special expertise, production occurs in collaboration with a Japanese carpentry workshop of which the Japan series is an example.

Form and Function in Focus

Finn Juhl's furniture exhibits a sculptural aesthetic. They combine artistic form with functional usability. The Pelican Chair, introduced in 1940, exemplifies his organic design language and its deviation from contemporary norms. This armchair-like chair also exemplifies Finn Juhl's craftsmanship with textile, leather, and walnut in combination. The Chieftain Chair, from 1949, is another central piece of furniture that demonstrates Finn Juhl's skill in shaping objects with distinct character. The chair consists of high-quality leather and a frame in solid oak or walnut, illustrating the modernism that characterized Finn Juhl.

A Complete Range for the Interior

House of Finn Juhl offers a furniture collection with chairs, armchairs, sofas, and tables, designed for both private interiors and public office environments. This is clearly visible in the 46 and Nyhavn series. The 46 series includes a sofa and chair with a cohesive form, where proportions and seat height are balanced for long-term use. The construction keeps supporting and supported parts visually separated, creating a sculptural expression without compromising stability.

The Nyhavn series includes tables and desks with flaps that provide flexibility in format and use, suitable for dining areas, workspaces, and meeting environments. Functional solutions are integrated into the whole, with controlled lines and a clear material feel. The series represent Danish modernism where the construction is part of the expression and where the furniture contributes to a cohesive interior characterized by quality and thoughtful design.