The Willadsen Sofa | Finn Juhl | 1950
In the mid-20th century, Finn Juhl had a productive collaboration with the furniture manufacturer Søren Willadsen. The Willadsen Sofa is characterised by its semi-oval gap that allows the backrest to arch freely above the seat. The Willadsen Sofa is upholstered by hand in Denmark and is available in textile. The legs are available in FSC® certified oak and American walnut.
The Willadsen Sofa | Finn Juhl | 1950
In the mid-20th century, Finn Juhl had a productive collaboration with the furniture manufacturer Søren Willadsen. The Willadsen Sofa is characterised by its semi-oval gap that allows the backrest to arch freely above the seat. The Willadsen Sofa is upholstered by hand in Denmark and is available in textile. The legs are available in FSC® certified oak and American walnut.
Please note that the versions shown here represent only a selection of the many available options. For a complete overview of colors and materials, please explore the material page.
Wood Type
-
Walnut
Upholstery
Hallingdal
-
100 / 270
Product information
- Design:
- Finn Juhl
- Year:
-
1950, relaunched 2025
- Materials:
-
Solid FSC® certified oak and American walnut
- Upholstery:
- Textile
- Model and dimensions:
- FJ 5022
- W: 146 cm x D: 74 cm x H: 81 cm x Seat height: 42 cm
Inspired By Art
The Relaunch of the Willadsen Series
Now named the Willadsen Series, the pieces are masterful examples of Finn Juhl's artistic and unorthodox approach to design. The semi-oval gap allows the backrest to arch freely above the seat – a bold choice in 1950 that introduced a sense of lightness and showcased Finn Juhl's ability to redefine the traditional upholstered form. The rounded silhouette embraces the seated person in a dynamic gesture, while the slightly angled legs elevate the design and enhance its weightless quality.
" Had I, as a newly trained cabinetmaker in 1904, attempted to make furniture like the pieces architect Finn Juhl has now designed for our workshop, I would have been locked up. "
The Willadsen Sofa in walnut upholstered in Hallingdal textile in the color '100' on the backrest and '270' on the seat. The Willadsen Chair in walnut is also upholstered in Hallingdal textile in the color '180' on the backrest and '130' on the seat.
Throughout his life, Finn Juhl was deeply inspired by art, and he insisted that artistic expression – whether in fine art or functional design – must stand independently. In Henrik Wivel's book simply titled "Finn Juhl", the SW 50 series is highlighted as a clear expression of Finn Juhl's experimental approach. Henrik Wivel writes: "Like sculptor Henry Moore, Finn Juhl 'punches holes' in the solidity of the sofas, giving the furniture a vivid and autonomous presence in the room."
Even Søren Willadsen himself acknowledged that the SW 50 series was groundbreaking – and perhaps a little eccentric. In 1951, he humorously stated:
"Had I, as a newly trained cabinetmaker in 1904, attempted to make furniture like the pieces architect Finn Juhl has now designed for our workshop, I would have been locked up."
A Revived Furniture Tradition
Preserving the Danish Tradition of Craftsmanship
While many know that Finn Juhl collaborated with cabinetmakers and manufacturers like Niels Vodder, Bovirke, and France & Son, his partnership with Søren Willadsen in Vejen is less documented. The workshop was founded in 1904 by master cabinetmaker Søren Willadsen, initially as a small workshop. From 1912, it began manufacturing in larger volumes. In the 1930s and 1940s, Willadsen established collaborations with a select group of architects, including Finn Juhl, Nanna and Jørgen Ditzel, Illum Wikkelsø, and Kristian Vedel.
The top image shows the SW 50 series photographed in Søren Willadsen’s showroom in Vejen, where customers could experience the furniture arranged as in a private living room setting. Below are Finn Juhl’s original drawings of the Willadsen sofa, then known as SW 50. Photos: Vejen Art Museum and Design Museum Denmark.
In 1950, the city of Vejen was home to several furniture makers, but like most Danish workshops from that era, few remain today. As furniture manufacturers, we continue to uphold Danish craft traditions. With the 2022 acquisition of the century-old solid wood manufacturer Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik - also based in Vejen - the production of Finn Juhl's designs has been further strengthened and secured for the future. Ivan Hansen, co-founder of House of Finn Juhl, explains:
"We are proud to bring the Willadsen Series back to Vejen, where it was originally manufactured in the 1950s. The workshop we acquired dates back to 1919, underscoring our commitment to preserving and continuing the traditions of craftsmanship that have made Danish furniture design known worldwide."
The carefully balanced proportions of the Willadsen Series make the generously upholstered pieces appear light, inviting, and embracing.
Finn Juhl's upholstered furniture is known for its substantial volume – but like the abstract artists who inspired him, he was able to break form by creating openings and shapes that gave the pieces a sculptural quality and a vivid presence in the space.
