Artek Furniture: Finnish Furniture by Alvar Aalto & Artek

Artek

Artek is a Finland-based furniture and design company founded in 1935 by Alvar Aalto, Aino Aalto, Maire Gullichsen, and Nils-Gustav Hahl. Reflected in its name, the company was created with a vision to combine art and technology and to boost modern design. Artek’s product range includes iconic furniture pieces featuring Alvar Aalto’s patented bentwood L-leg typology, as well as luxurious lighting and home décor pieces. Artek's comprehensive furnishing system can be used in all kinds of public and private spaces. FinnStyle is an authorized Artek dealer.

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More About Artek

Known as one of the most innovative contributors to modern design today, Artek has produced countless international design classics since its inception in 1935. The founding of Artek can be attributed to the popularity of the Stool 60, which was designed in 1933 by Alvar Aalto for the Vyborg (Viipuri) Library. It’s successful debut at an exhibition in London resulted in an international breakthrough for Finnish furniture design, which led Alvar Aalto to establish Artek with his wife Aino Aalto, Maire Gullichsen, and Nils-Gustav Hah.

Alvar Aalto’s patented technique known as the bent “L-leg” was a highly innovative creation at the time, and still is. This typology is seen on Artek stools, benches, chairs, and tables, giving Artek’s furniture pieces a distinct visual identity and minimalist aesthetic that people love. These original furnishings have stayed in continuous production by Artek for decades with minimal changes.

Over the years, Artek has expanded its range and collaborated with new designers and architects. The brand offers both classic pieces by the Aaltos and new, contemporary designs. Artek has become a leading brand in Scandinavian design and modernism with its emphasis on simplicity, craftsmanship, and its use of natural birchwood materials. The Aalto’s believed that design should serve everyday life in practical and meaningful ways, and Artek continues to honor this philosophy almost a century later.

About Finnish Design

Finnish design has a long history and is know for simplicity, functionality, and craftsmanship. It's trademark designs emerged in the early 20th century, and gained international attention through pioneers like Alvar Aalto in architecture and furniture, as well as companies such as Iittala, Artek, and Marimekko. Their work emphasized clean lines, natural materials, and a harmonious balance between beauty and practicality. Everything must have a purpose. Iconic products like the Aalto vase, Artek’s Stool 60, and Marimekko’s bold textile patterns established Finland as a leader in modernist design. Over the next century, Finnish design became synonymous with high quality, technical skill, and timeless aesthetics—qualities that have earned it global recognition, particularly during the postwar years when Nordic design was celebrated worldwide, and still is. Today, Finnish products continue to enjoy international respect, not only for their aesthetic value but also for their reputation of reliability, thoughtful construction, and cultural authenticity.