Swedish designer Bruno Mathsson was born in Varnamo in 1907 into a woodworking tradition. His father was a well known cabinetmaker producing well crafted wood furniture as had the four generations of Mathsson's before him. He grew up learning the technical skills to make furniture, the feel and nature of wood and the tradition of excellence.

Mathsson was fascinated with the technical issues in furniture design and began reading everything he could obtain, borrowing books from museums and design centers and making contacts that would prove to be lifelong mentors and associates. Largely self-educated in the technical issues and design styles, he became fascinated with functionalism. One of his functionalist designs for a chair eventually gained him a scholarship.

Feeling that traditional flat board furniture had too many limitations, Mathsson decided to try designing chairs with no springs at all and with light upholstery. He wanted the chairs to have clean, elegant lines and to be able to change positions. This was actually so controversial an idea at the time that some of his designs were hidden away until he became a well-known and respected designer.

Mathsson was so interested in what he termed "the mechanics of sitting", that he decide to attempt experiments to learn which pattern a human made when they sat down, even going to the extent of sitting in the snow to observe the result. Mathsson received a Grand Prix design award in 1937. By that time, his chairs were being displayed to the world again.

One of his classic designs is the Pernilla chair. It's made in various formats with bentwood, incorporating lamination into the design itself. It can be made with webbing or upholstered. During the war, material shortages forced Mathsson to experiment with alternate fibers like jute and hemp, and thus this design can easily be adapted to other materials. These chairs traditionally include an attached pillow.

A historical Bruno Mathsson design that captures a contemporary feel is the modular Fällbord table. It is a well known Bruno Mathsson creation that came about in 1935 and can be configured in multiple different ways. His designs have held their popularity well into the 21st century by providing everlasting appeal. This appeal has proved consistent through his Jetson, Miranda, Eva and Pernilla chair designs as well.

Another notable table (Mathsson bord) that is still particularly popular is the Mathsson Superellips. It is a huge testament to his work that so many pieces of his furniture (Mathsson mobler) continue to be in such high demand. Mathsson died in 1988 after an illness, leaving a legacy of his family craft taken to an even higher level.

Swedish designer Bruno Mathsson was born in Varnamo in 1907 into a woodworking tradition. He wanted to learn everything he could about the technical issues and design styles he worked with. Since he wasn't satisfied with the limitations imposed by flat board furniture (mobler), Mathsson branched out to chairs without springs and heavy upholstery. The Pernilla chair is one of his classic designs. It comes in both easy chair and lounge chair formats. Another historical piece that captures a contemporary feel is the modular Fällbord table. His designs have held their popularity well into the 21st century.