Arne Norell (1917-1971) was a Swedish designer who started his own workshop in Stockholm in 1954. In 1958 he moved the operation to
Småland and started the company called Arne Norell
Möbel AB. He experimented with a number of combinations of materials, including turned wood, bentwood, leather, fabric and metal.
His best known design is the
Ari easy chair in leather and spring steel. Norell died at age fifty-four and received the British Furniture Manufacturers' Showpiece of the Year award posthumously.
Many of Norell's designs were put into production after his death. His daughter Marie Norell-Möller and Thomas Möller now continue the family tradition started by Norell in the company known today as Norell Möbel AB. She designs sofas and armchairs and has won numerous awards. One of her chairs, the
Ariadne, was inspired by her father's
Ari chair.
