Carl-Axel Beijbom (1909-1971)

The story of the striking elmwood tables from C. A. Beijbom began when Carl-Axel Beijbom, who ran the family farm Simlingegården in the south of Sweden, found an elmwood plank in the attic in the early 1960s. It was unusually beautiful and inspired Carl-Axel Beijbom, an artist at heart with an eye for beautiful and interesting objects, to make it into a table top. Beijbom discovered that elm trees that grow around where people live or in an avenue and consequently are regularly trimmed, develop a certain kind of lively veins.

Carl-Axel Beijbom was an inspiring person with the ability to gather people around him. Guests and neighbors who saw the table asked to have one made for them and word about it spread from mouth to mouth. Beijbom was quick to realize the potential and sold the farm animals, turning the barn into a wood workshop. Beijbom’s tables, mostly in the form of coffee or sofa tables became high in demand, however the production was limited and every single table was made to order. The C. A. Beijbom workshop was active from the mid-1960s until the turn of the century, with production peaking during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Carl-Axel’s sons Christer and Peter continued the manufacturing after Carl-Axels passing, well trained in the trade by their father. To this day they get requests for new tables, but they gracefully decline. 

Source: Interview with the designer’s family

Hans Bergström (1910—1996)

Hans Bergström was the owner and creative director of the lighting firm Ateljé Lyktan, which he founded in Åhus in the early 1930s. He ran Ateljé Lyktan for three decades while simultaneously freelancing as a designer for among others ASEA. Bergström created amazing lighting in various models, many of which were serially produced. With his artistic ambition to innovate and evolve, he cultivated his designs over time and slight variations (experiments, improvements) can be seen in models which are basically the same but produced during different periods. His small firm was renowned for the poetic beauty and high quality of its products and he was the favorite lighting designer of fellow architects, among them Bruno Mathsson. Throughout his career Bergström accomplished many important interior design projects and gained several prestigious awards for his work, such as the Gold Medal at the Milano Biennale in 1950.

Bertil Brisborg (1910—1993)

Bertil Brisborg was chief architect at the Lighting department at NK for more than 30 years. NK was the most influential, innovative and trend setting interior and design store in Sweden at the time.

Brisborg designed several light models that were sold in the department store and also collaborated extensively with NK’s Interior architectural department, creating custom lighting for stores, restaurants, movie theaters and companies.

Bergboms (firm)

Bergboms was a prominent Swedish lighting firm which manufactured both own designs and those of international designers such as Bernard Schottlander and Greta Magnusson-Grossman. Bergboms was founded by Efraim Ljung, who also founded Ljungs industrier, subsequently DUX.