Lisa Johansson-Pape stools

This rare set of four stools, model Apila, was designed by Finnish designer Lisa Johansson-Pape and produced by Stockmann Oy in Finland during the 1970s. Each stool is made from solid pine, finished in a warm golden tone that highlights the vertical grain and organic knotting typical of Nordic softwood. The name “Apila,” meaning clover in Finnish, is evident in the distinctive four-lobed seat design, where each quadrant gently rounds outward to form a symmetrical, floral-inspired silhouette.

The stools feature a top composed of four joined, rounded segments supported by three slightly splayed legs, offering both visual balance and stability. The overall profile is minimalist yet expressive, with softly tapered legs and generous radii on all edges. This design exemplifies Scandinavian values of functionality, nature-inspired forms, and traditional wood construction, all infused with a modernist sensibility.

Lisa Johansson-Pape was a prominent figure in mid-20th-century Finnish design, known for her work in lighting, furniture, and exhibition design. Her approach emphasized usability, material honesty, and the expression of Finnish identity through modern forms. While internationally celebrated for her lighting work with Orno and Stockmann, she also produced furniture that combined everyday practicality with sculptural simplicity. These stools were manufactured by Stockmann Oy, Finland’s historic department store company, which maintained an in-house design department responsible for furniture under the S & T label during that era.

The stools remain in excellent vintage condition, displaying a rich patina, minor surface wear, and subtle signs of use appropriate to their age. Structurally, they are sound with no visible repairs or alterations.

Each stool measures 35 cm in width, 35 cm in depth, and 40 cm in height, approximately 13.8 inches wide, 13.8 inches deep, and 15.7 inches high. They can serve as individual seats, decorative pedestals, or be arranged together as a modular table surface, illustrating their versatility and Johansson-Pape’s commitment to creating beautiful, functional living objects.