Born and raised in Sweden, designer Folke Ohlsson moved to the United States in 1953 and established DUX, Inc. in San Francisco the same year. Six years later, Ohlsson moved the company to Burlingame, California. His has received world-wide acclaim for his furniture designs which are generally referred to as “Scandinavian Modern” but often get categorized as “Danish Modern” or “Danish Teak”. Ohlsson’s designs blend graceful details of traditional style with the simplicity and good proportions of contemporary style.
1950’s DUX lounge chair and ottoman in original olive green wool fabric
Ohlsson received more than 30 awards including the Triennale Exhibit in Milan and the Good Design Show of the New York Museum of Modern Art. He lead the operation that has given DUX furniture its international distinction. In addition, his timely, but timeless designs are some of the world’s most copied. A patented, knockdown armchair, has been widely copied and mass-produced by more than 100 furniture designers.
Vintage magazine article about Ohlsson and Town & Country Dux ad at the estate sale
Folke Ohlsson made a significant contribution to the widespread acceptance and tremendous popularity in the United States of modern Scandinavian furniture design. In recognition of his work, he was awarded Sweden’s Royal Order of Vasa decoration by King Gustav VI Adolf in 1964.
The Ohlsson family moved to this Atherton, California home in 1960.The home designed by architect Bill Houd reflects not only Ohlsson’s own designs, but also the designs of his friends and his taste in the decor of the time.