Tengbom Chair

The Tengbom Chair wasn’t meant to exist. The plan was to furnish our newly designed office with a beautiful 1950s chair, not to create an entirely new piece. But then, product designer Mathieu Gustafsson had a thought—wouldn’t it be great to design a chair specifically for this space? The answer was yes.

“The chair is part of the overall interior concept, which draws inspiration from a workshop environment—a reflection of how we work. It was never about flashy design, but about creating tools for our daily routines,” says Mathieu Gustafsson, naturally seated on a Tengbom Chair.

The Tengbom Chair – a tool for everyday life

As the office interior took shape, the question of seating arose. The space featured workshop-style shelving, rubber flooring, and cork-clad rooms—all designed to be functional and inviting. Initially, the plan was to source a simple, stackable chair. The interior architects had all but decided on an existing model when Mathieu’s enthusiasm took over. His brief? To design a chair that was understated, calm, and free from unnecessary details.

“The original chair had more presence—the backrest stood out, the legs were more angled. It had character. The Tengbom Chair is more restrained. Just like our shelves, which are meant to display what’s on them rather than stand out themselves, the chair serves its purpose as a natural part of the space—just another tool in the room.”

Removing character was what gave the chair its character

An instant favourite

The chair had to meet high demands—and be ready fast. The production was handled by Mitab in Småland, who managed to deliver high-quality chairs in record time, just in time for move-in day. (Although, not quite all of them arrived in time for the photoshoot, which led to some creative chair-swapping to make sure they appeared in every shot!)

Despite not being part of Mitab’s regular collection, the Tengbom Chair has sparked curiosity. People keep asking: What finishes are available? How much does it cost? Can I order one today?

“Originally, we weren’t going to make a chair at all. Then, it was meant to exist only in our office. But now, since it’s already become so popular, there’s a good chance we’ll start incorporating it into future projects. With different colours and materials, it could work in all sorts of environments,” says Mathieu Gustafsson.

A stripped-back process

It’s no surprise the chair has gained attention. With its clear, honest construction—a pop-riveted, stained, moulded plywood back, a steel frame, and an upholstered seat—it’s a natural fit for our office but could just as easily belong in a restaurant. And it’s comfortable, too.

“What made this process unique was that I aimed to remove character. Usually, design is about adding personality. Here, I wanted to strip things back to reinforce our concept. Removing character was what gave the chair its character. That was a first for me,” concludes Mathieu Gustafsson, standing up from the chair that wasn’t supposed to exist.