Craftsmanship
Explore the crafts that makes the products
Over a century dedicated to craftsmanship
Carl Hansen & Søn's story began in 1908 when Danish cabinetmaker Carl Hansen opened a small furniture workshop on the Danish island of Funen. Over the years, the success of our family business has depended on two core ideas: an uncompromising commitment to the finest craftsmanship, and alliances with exceptional designers who continually reinvent and refine the concept of modern design.
For over 100 years, we have specialized in providing outstanding furniture craftsmanship that brings visionary design concepts to life. And, although much has changed at Carl Hansen & Søn over the years, the fundamentals are the same. Our long-standing goal remains to gather the best modern furniture designs under one roof and to share these icons with the world.
CARPENTRY
Nordic woodworking can be traced back to the Bronze Age. These simple log structures evolved into the Viking’s impressive wooden longships. In the 17th century, Nordic settlers used their expert carpentry skills to build the early European colonies in the US. Every Carl Hansen & Søn piece is meticulously finished using traditional carpentry techniques that represent the best of Danish furniture-making's long lineage, from century-old cabinetmaker joinery to woodturning on a lathe.
UPHOLSTERY
Upholstery plays an integral role in the form and function of furniture. Whether it’s the stitching used along a seam or the tufting selected for a backrest, each practical technique adds to the detailing that defines the personality of a piece. Our family of designers each developed their own relationship with upholstery. Børge Mogensen and Kaare Klint favored saddle leather on a chair’s seat so that it could be easily tightened as the leather stretched naturally over time. Others focused their attention on ornamental stitching and decorative trims. This skilled work requires patience, discipline, and a deep understanding of materials.
Everything we do is driven by our commitment to honest, sustainable practices. These traditional techniques – which have been passed down through multiple generations of the Hansen family – sit alongside our desire to always improve and evolve. Since Knud Erik Hansen took the lead as CEO in 2002, he has expanded and modernized production, established new relationships with the families of designers from the 20th century, incorporated the work of new talent, and, through it all, continually emphasized the importance of balancing classic craftsmanship and modern technology.
At Carl Hansen & Søn, we are proud that the things we make have found homes in some of the world’s most beautiful modern spaces. These meticulously designed, carefully crafted objects – chairs, tables, sofas, and lamps – set the tone in some of the world’s best restaurants. They serve in meeting spaces where world leaders make history. They enhance millions of people’s travel experiences in hotels and airports. They bring a new dimension to healthcare and well-being facilities, elevating the human experience. And, they regularly appear on the pages of top architecture and design publications showcasing the work of the best architects and interior designers working today.