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Scandinavian design was a very big part of the 20th century home furnishings (heminredning) industry, and some names truly stand out. Among these are Bruno Mathsson, Hans Wegner, Alvar Aalto and Arne Jacobsen but one of the most memorable is Yngve Ekström, born in Hagafors, Smaland, Sweden in 1913.

Yngve Ekström was a young Scandinavian man in Hagafors, a city in Sweden with the longest history of furniture making. He was drawn into that very popular and well regarded historical business as well. Like many in the town, he applied his own style to his work. He studied wood crafting and design along with courses in art history, drawing, and sculpture allowing him to incorporate stylistic elements he learned in those classes into his work.

He and his brother (Jerker) created Swedese in 1945. The company has become one of the most respected producers of modern furniture and decor in the world. He continued to be active in the company until he passed away, leaving a career that spanned more than forty years. Swedese produced items that were elegant and artistic home pieces. Their clean lines and utilitarian construction also helped their items find plenty of use in high end offices and business applications.

Possibly Ekström's most famous piece was the Lamino chair, first produced in the 1950's and still in production and popular now. The Lamino chair was actually named the best Swedish chair of the Twentieth Century by a Swedish design magazine in 1999 and received another significant award, the Design Innovation, by the I.M.M. in Cologne in 2003.

Sometimes sold with a matching ottoman (Lamino med pall), this chair has very attractive curves when seen from the side or front. Made in a variety of wood framework, the upholstery can also be picked from a myriad of desires and tastes. From woven cloth, all the way to sheepskin. Selling in the two to three thousand dollar range on new models, sometimes more on the older models, the simple elegant looks and durability have long contributed to the chairs popularity.

In 1988, when Yngve Ekström passed away, he was still designing and running his company. His legend was enhanced by his ability to produce creative innovations. His designs fit in with a multitude of styles and are staples in decorating (heminredning). They look gorgeous with hardwood floors. His designs were considered innovative when they were first designed, but they are now known as furniture design classics.