Mathsson Fällbord - Flexibility Through Design
Bruno Mathsson is world-renowned for his classically-comfortable chair designs as well as the creation of his extremely well-insulated and architecturally-amazing glass houses. Another of his best known designs is the Bruno Mathsson Fällbord table, a practical table that provides both beauty and elegance in a home. Additionally Mathsson designed many other versatile pieces of furniture, including computer desks, daybeds, and a selection of tables.
Mathsson was indoctrinated into the family business virtually from the day he was born. Given that this operation had run for generation after generation, this is not surprising. He learned about the shop and the tools growing up. He knew all aspects of furniture making, including actual experience completing pieces before he reached his twentieth birthday.
To get more skills and knowledge, especially in the engineering and technical aspects, not readily available in his small town of Varnamo, Mathsson sent away for books and consulted experts. Not only did he gain the knowledge and skills, he also created a network of mentors who helped him later on. His formal education was supported in part by design awards he earned for his furniture .
Although he created a lot of different furniture types, all of it was carefully made to be comfortable and beautiful. In addition, he recognized that people like flexibility and like furniture pieces that can be rearranged and used in innovative ways. His modular style adapts easily to different spaces and moods and increases its appeal.
The Bruno Mathsson Fällbord table is such a versatile piece. In Swedish, fällbord simply means "folding table" but in reality it is much more. It was first produced in 1935, with the main parts of the supporting trestle made of birch. The table top was made in birch and with a white laminate surface as well as models in oak, beech, cherry, oak, ash and other woods.
When fully-extended the Mathsson table expands to a length of 280 cm. When the table is collapsed, it fits into a tiny 23 cm bundle. With the use of table leaves, the table could be used as a small writing table for one or expanded into a banquet table and everything in between. If you're used to doing measurement using inches, the above table range is from 9 inches to around 110 1/4 inches.
The Bruno Mathsson Fällbord table is most likely based on folding tables found in Swedish country homes that allowed flexibility in crowded spaces, but the purity of Mathsson's lines and construction made a traditional design his very own. Although Mathsson switched to using more modern materials such as metal tubing and synthetics about the 1960's and on, it is still his elegant wood furniture like the Fällbord that continues to be considered his best work.
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Bruno Mathsson is most well known for his chairs and for his architectural designs such as his incredibly well insulated and beautiful glass houses, but he made other fine home furnishings (möbler) including computer desks, daybeds and tables. One of the most versatile and well known is the mathsson fällbord table, a design that is elegant and beautiful but extremely practical as well. All of Mathsson's different furniture styles were designed to provide the utmost in comfort and beauty. In Swedish country homes it was popular to use folding tables in crowded spaces to allow more flexibility with the interior design (inredning).
Published December 5th, 2007
Filed in Hobby
