“One cannot create happiness with beautiful objects, but one can spoil quite a lot of happiness with bad ones.” – Finn Juhl

Frederiksberg, Denmark witnessed the birth of furniture designer Finn Juhl on January 20, 1912. The son of textile wholesaler, Finn Juhl enjoyed the Royal Museum of Fine Arts and could be found there quite often. He wanted to be an art historian, but his father’s practical thinking prodded him into attending the Royal Academy of Arts instead. Often looked upon as a very quiet man, Finn Juhl earned himself an architect degree which he later used to design interiors such as those found in the chambers of the UN in New York City. His furniture designs, especially his chairs, are what he is truly remembered for and secured his place in modernism design.

Finn Juhl worked in the offices of architect Vilhelm Laritzen for 11 years, learning what it was like to be an architect and giving him the experience he needed later down the road. He won an award for designing his own home in 1942 and while working for Laritzen, Finn Juhl had the opportunity to also work with Viggo Boesen on the Danish Broadcasting Corporation’s Radio Building. Finn Juhl is not credited for designing this building, but every aspect of design – especially the interior – was heightened in the building, leaving his mark on it for evermore. He left Laritzen’s firm to open his own in 1945, turning his attention on interior design and furniture. He had been exhibiting his own designs prior to leaving the architect firm, including one in conjunction with cabinetmaker Niels Vodder that was displayed at the 11th Annual Copenhagen Cabinetmaker’s Guild.