Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen storage system

This exceptionally rare modular storage system was designed by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen and produced by Søborg Møbelfabrik in Denmark in 1952. Crafted entirely from solid teak, the system exemplifies the meticulous craftsmanship and elegant restraint that define Danish mid-century cabinetry.

The composition includes modular base cabinets with a variety of drawer and door configurations, topped by open shelving units with adjustable shelves. The upper shelving modules are shallower in depth than the base cabinets, creating a visually balanced vertical profile that maintains openness without dominating a room. The solid teak exhibits a rich tonal range from golden to deep reddish-brown hues, with a soft sheen that accentuates the wood’s natural grain and texture.

Drawer fronts are notable for their sculpted, recessed elliptical handles, integrated flush with the surface to maintain the system’s clean and minimalist appearance. Joinery details such as dovetail corners underscore the quality of construction, evidencing the high craftsmanship typical of the designers and manufacturer. The system has been fully restored with respect to its original design and patina, preserving both material integrity and historical authenticity.

Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen were key figures in Danish modernism, renowned for their design philosophy combining simplicity with industrial precision. Their partnership with Søborg Møbelfabrik, a respected Danish furniture producer, yielded many iconic pieces characterized by modularity, functionality, and timeless elegance.

This storage system reflects the rational, adaptable, and high-quality ideals of postwar Scandinavian design, functioning as both a practical storage solution and a sculptural architectural element in interior spaces.

Dimensions for each cabinet base are 90 cm wide, 48 cm deep, and 94 cm high (approximately 35.4″ W × 18.9″ D × 37″ H). The upper bookcase units measure 90 cm wide, 27 cm deep, and 76 cm high (approximately 35.4″ W × 10.6″ D × 29.9″ H). When assembled as shown, the system forms an extensive and imposing wall unit.