Ekornes Stressless, Who Is This Scandinavian Furniture Manufacturer?
Ekornes is a Scandinavian furniture manufacturer located in Sykkylven, Norway. Much like other Scandinavian furniture, Ekornes concentrates on form and function in the designs of every piece of furniture. In this article we'll take a look at this Norwegian manufacturer and what they have done to grow from a simple manufacturer of steel spring components for local manufacturers to selling various furniture products throughout the world.
In the 1930's a Norwegian man by the name of Jens Ekornes returned from a trip in the United States where he had been studying new methods and ideas for manufacturing better mattress spring coils. Already having a facility in place with three other employees which did build furniture components for manufacturers he decided that he would build and design an new system of mattress using modern technology to achieve a better quality product. Years later he would present a new company called Svane which would become best seller in Norway.
Ekornes would continue building mattresses and steel spring components for other manufacturers but it was his interest in foamed plastics that led to the creation of Ekornes division which would build furniture components for the sofa industry. It was from these experiences in building furniture components that led him to the idea of creating a line of comfortable and functional club furniture which would go by the name Ekornes. The company conducted a national mailer the largest of it's time throughout Norway that reached every home and officially put Ekornes on the map with Scandinavian furniture consumers.
The success that Ekornes would have with its club furniture led to the development and testing of a new product that incorporated new function. This function was a recliner that would move with you as you recline but steadily and to your own movements. In 1971 this patented recliner would be unveiled to the world as Stressless and to date is one the most successful furniture lines out of Scandinavia having sold more than one million chairs worldwide. The Ekornes Stressless chair combined modern materials like steel and plastics and incorporated them into a brand new design featuring nylon rollers which allowed the chair to glide up and down along a steel track beneath the arms of the chair. Truly a remarkable design. Two years later sofas and loveseats would be introduced that incorporated these same design ideas into their construction.
Scandinavian furniture is known for bringing together form and function. These qualities are believed to allow furniture to blend in with a room allowing them to be a part of the room offering useful features for more comfort. Ekornes Stressless furniture was designed with these same principles in the way of recliners which are made with built in lumbar support and furniture offering concealed storage. As well as tables that pivot around for additional storage of media or other home supplies. Ottomans which feature open up storage with tables that act not only drink holders but as flat surfaces as well.
It's hard to believe that such a simple company from the 1930's with a purpose of simply building steel spring components for manufacturers would evolve into the furniture manufacturer we see today. Ekornes however did well in incorporating Scandinavian furniture principles such as form and function into every piece they designed and captured the look and feel that makes Scandinavian furniture so sought after across the world. In this article we examined the history of the company as well as what it's founder Jens Ekornes did to move the company forward and helping it create modern, contemporary furniture for generations to come.
In the 1930's a Norwegian man by the name of Jens Ekornes returned from a trip in the United States where he had been studying new methods and ideas for manufacturing better mattress spring coils. Already having a facility in place with three other employees which did build furniture components for manufacturers he decided that he would build and design an new system of mattress using modern technology to achieve a better quality product. Years later he would present a new company called Svane which would become best seller in Norway.
Ekornes would continue building mattresses and steel spring components for other manufacturers but it was his interest in foamed plastics that led to the creation of Ekornes division which would build furniture components for the sofa industry. It was from these experiences in building furniture components that led him to the idea of creating a line of comfortable and functional club furniture which would go by the name Ekornes. The company conducted a national mailer the largest of it's time throughout Norway that reached every home and officially put Ekornes on the map with Scandinavian furniture consumers.
The success that Ekornes would have with its club furniture led to the development and testing of a new product that incorporated new function. This function was a recliner that would move with you as you recline but steadily and to your own movements. In 1971 this patented recliner would be unveiled to the world as Stressless and to date is one the most successful furniture lines out of Scandinavia having sold more than one million chairs worldwide. The Ekornes Stressless chair combined modern materials like steel and plastics and incorporated them into a brand new design featuring nylon rollers which allowed the chair to glide up and down along a steel track beneath the arms of the chair. Truly a remarkable design. Two years later sofas and loveseats would be introduced that incorporated these same design ideas into their construction.
Scandinavian furniture is known for bringing together form and function. These qualities are believed to allow furniture to blend in with a room allowing them to be a part of the room offering useful features for more comfort. Ekornes Stressless furniture was designed with these same principles in the way of recliners which are made with built in lumbar support and furniture offering concealed storage. As well as tables that pivot around for additional storage of media or other home supplies. Ottomans which feature open up storage with tables that act not only drink holders but as flat surfaces as well.
It's hard to believe that such a simple company from the 1930's with a purpose of simply building steel spring components for manufacturers would evolve into the furniture manufacturer we see today. Ekornes however did well in incorporating Scandinavian furniture principles such as form and function into every piece they designed and captured the look and feel that makes Scandinavian furniture so sought after across the world. In this article we examined the history of the company as well as what it's founder Jens Ekornes did to move the company forward and helping it create modern, contemporary furniture for generations to come.
