Kai Kristiansen

A Danish Mid-Century Modern icon, Kai Kristiansen designed some of the highest quality furniture of the 20th century. After being trained as a cabinet maker, Kai Kristiansen studied under fellow visionary Kaare Klint at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, receiving mentorship from the father of modern Danish furniture design himself. In 1955, Kai Kristiansen opened his own design office, where he would soon create some of the most famous pieces of Mid-Century Modern furniture. His signature medium was teak, which you’ve probably seen in a Kai Kristiansen desk or a Kai Kristiansen dining chair. Of course, the most well known Kai Kristiansen design is the unforgettable Model #42 Chair, also referred to as the Z Chair for its frame that makes striking angles. This piece was created for Schou Andersen, and features a tilting backrest and a dramatic half armrest. Complete with luxurious upholstery, this is one of the most sophisticated, yet simple dining chairs out there. For a softer, curved silhouette, check out Kai Kristiansen’s Model #31 Chair, with a rounded back and more subtle elegance. Inspect every piece of Kai Kristiansen furniture and you’ll find master craftsmanship and high attention to detail. In fact, because Kai Kristiansen designs demanded immaculate perfection, production was slow and not many pieces were produced. (A.k.a. originals are rare, so jump on this chance!)