Office with Josef Frank Desk
A composed study and lounge setting by Studio Schalling, centred around a Josef Frank desk and arranged with a curated selection of Scandinavian mid-century furniture, lighting and objects.
The desk anchors the interior as a place of work, while the surrounding lounge pieces introduce softness, comfort and a more contemplative rhythm. Warm woods, textured upholstery, glass, ceramics and sculptural lighting create a balance between function and ease, allowing the space to feel both purposeful and relaxed.
Rather than separating work from rest, the setting explores how collectible design can shape a more personal kind of interior – one where focus, comfort and material presence meet.
The study area is centred around Josef Frank’s model 590 desk for Svenskt Tenn, its mahogany surface, softened edges and discreet brass details giving the workspace a warm and refined presence. Rather than feeling strictly formal, the desk introduces a sense of ease – practical, elegant and generous in proportion.
Jacob Kjær’s UN-Chair adds a Danish counterpoint, with its teak frame, Cuban mahogany armrests and original leather seat bringing patina and cabinetmaking precision to the arrangement. The pairing creates a natural dialogue between Swedish and Danish mid-century design, where function is shaped through material sensitivity and proportion.
Around the desk, lighting and objects add softness and focus. Poul Henningsen’s PH-2/2 “Vintergækken” table lamp brings a precise yet delicate note, while the Paavo Tynell ceiling lamp for Idman introduces texture through its opaline glass and cane lattice. Together, the pieces create a workspace that feels composed, personal and refined.
Kaare Klint’s Propeller stool brings a flexible, sculptural element to this corner, its folding oak frame and aged saddle leather seat balancing utility with refined craftsmanship. Designed in 1930 and produced by Rud Rasmussen, the piece reflects Klint’s exacting sense of proportion and practical elegance.
The Josef Frank mirror for Svenskt Tenn adds a softer architectural line above, its rounded brass frame introducing warmth and restraint against the wall. Nearby, Harald Notini’s wall lamp for Böhlmarks contributes a small but expressive brass detail, its perforated floral motif creating a delicate connection between ornament, function and material.
Yngve Ekström’s rare Bangkok cabinet for Westbergs Möbler forms a warm architectural anchor, its raised teak body and carved geometric door fronts bringing depth, rhythm and texture to the study and lounge interior.
Produced in Sweden during the 1950s, the cabinet reflects Ekström’s ability to combine functional clarity with a more expressive surface treatment. The elevated frame gives the piece a lightness, while the patterned teak doors add a tactile graphic quality that contrasts softly with the surrounding rounded edges of the coffee table and mirror.
The flat-weave wool carpet by Anna-Johanna Ångström grounds the scene with a pale geometric field of ochre, beige, cream and muted brown. Its stylized motifs and rölakan-like structure introduce a textile softness, linking Swedish craft tradition with the cleaner lines of mid-century furniture.
The Clam chair by Arnold Madsen introduces the lounge area’s most tactile and sculptural gesture. Designed in 1944 and produced by Madsen & Schubell in Denmark, the chair is defined by its enveloping wooden frame and generous sheepskin upholstery, bringing softness, volume and organic movement to the interior.
Although this example is shown individually, the chairs are offered as a pair. The solid elm frame, with rounded legs and curved armrests, gives structure to the plush upholstery while preserving the design’s characteristic lightness. The long-haired sheepskin enhances the chair’s shell-like form, emphasizing the contrast between crafted wood and deep, inviting texture.
In front, a rare coffee table by Axel Einar Hjorth adds a more architectural counterpoint, combining an elm base with a raw textured glass top. The asymmetrical form and softened edges give the table a subtle organic quality, while the Gunnar Nylund teapot for Rörstrand introduces a smaller ceramic note – rounded, tactile and quietly expressive within the lounge setting.
