Arne Norell sofa

This three-seat Ilona sofa was designed by Arne Norell and produced by Arne Norell AB in Aneby, Sweden during the 1960s. Norell was renowned for his distinctive contributions to postwar Scandinavian design, combining robust craftsmanship with a relaxed, international style that harmonizes modernist principles and traditional woodworking techniques.

The sofa’s frame is crafted from solid beechwood, stained dark to accentuate the natural grain and provide contrast against the pale upholstery. The structure is composed of rounded dowel-like elements, precisely joined and pegged, forming a lightweight yet stable framework. This open design reveals the sofa’s construction, highlighting Norell’s emphasis on making structure and materiality an integral part of the aesthetic.

The cushions have been reupholstered in white wool fabric, offering a soft, bright contrast to the darker wood and leather components. The generously filled seat and back cushions are tailored with casual elegance, resting on a black leather sling support system that wraps around the frame. This leather sling is secured with visible brass buckles and leather straps, and the black leather side and back panels feature meticulous white saddle stitching, creating a striking graphic effect on the sofa’s profile.

The sofa is in excellent condition. The wood frame shows minimal wear, the reupholstered cushions remain clean and firm, and the black leather elements retain a supple surface and consistent coloration. The brass hardware has developed a gentle patina, consistent with age and original craftsmanship.

The Ilona sofa reflects Arne Norell’s approach to furniture as both architectural and textile art. Its exposed structural clarity, saddle-leather bracing, and soft upholstery place it in dialogue with contemporaries such as Kaare Klint’s safari chair and Børge Mogensen’s Spanish Chair, while introducing a more versatile and bohemian sensibility suited for modular interiors.

The sofa measures 220 cm in width, 80 cm in depth, and 74 cm in height, with a seat height of 38 cm. In imperial units, this corresponds to approximately 86.6 inches wide, 31.5 inches deep, 29.1 inches high, and a seat height of 15 inches.