KERSTIN HÖRLIN-HOLMQUIST

Kerstin Hörlin-Holmquist was a Swedish furniture designer who studied at Konstfack, the Swedish College of Arts, Designs, and Crafts; shortly after, she joined Nordiska Kompaniet, where she worked from 1952 – 1964 in both furniture and textile design. She subsequently designed for A&C Collection in Kristianstad.

She is most known for her “Paradiset” (Paradise) series from 1958 for NK, which included the Adam and Eva armchairs and their alternate varieties. This was a part of a larger NK line called “Triviaserie” (Trivia). While Hörlin-Holmquist designs are all unique, her overarching aesthetic features round and soft shapes as well as the decorative placement of upholstered buttons within the design. Her work is in the collection of the National Museum in Stockholm, including a unique Onkel Adam chair without buttons and an early chaise inspired by African furniture, combining industrial production and crafts, featured in Röhsska Museum’s 1952 exhibition 52 Furniture 52.