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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Behind the Designer: Uno &amp; Östen Kristiansson</strong></h2>
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<p>The story of <strong>Uno &amp; Östen Kristiansson</strong> is one of vision, family, and the subtle power of Scandinavian design when it fuses tradition with innovation. As two of Sweden’s most quietly influential designers of the 20th century, the Kristiansson brothers created a body of work that bridges eras - from handcrafted modernism to early minimalism - without ever losing touch with the warmth and integrity of materials. Their designs, particularly in lighting and mirrors, have become cult classics among collectors and architects alike.</p>
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<p>The brothers were born in southern Sweden - Uno in 1925 and Östen in 1927 - into a furniture-making family. In 1950, they took over their father’s company and transformed it into <em>Luxus AB</em>, a design brand that would define their careers. While Uno led much of the creative direction, both brothers contributed to a collaborative design philosophy that focused on clarity of form, honest materials, and designs meant to last.</p>
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<p>Their timing was impeccable. Post-war Sweden was embracing modernism, and there was a growing appetite for furniture and lighting that was functional, democratic, and elegant. The Kristianssons answered with pieces that were clean-lined and material-forward - often crafted from solid oak, teak, pine, or hand-blown glass. At a time when many designers were chasing visibility, they focused instead on restraint - letting the objects speak for themselves.</p>
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<p>They became particularly known for their <strong>lighting designs</strong>, many of which were produced under the Luxus label. Their pendant lamps, wall lights, and floor lamps often featured cylindrical opaline glass, turned wood details, and canvas or fiberglass shades. These pieces offered a perfect balance of Scandinavian simplicity and sculptural form - practical, calming, and softly diffused. The <em>Uno &amp; Östen Kristiansson 204 Lamp</em>, with its pine wood slats and frosted glass diffuser, remains one of their most iconic works - emblematic of their ability to blend warmth and minimalism.</p>
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<p>Their <strong>furniture designs</strong> followed the same ethos. Simple yet considered, their mirrors with circular frames - particularly the <em>teak hanging mirror with leather strap</em> - have become especially collectible. Produced in the 1950s and 60s, these pieces captured a moment where design met lifestyle: accessible luxury for the modern Swedish home. There was a sense of modest confidence in everything they produced. Their work didn't shout for attention - it earned it.</p>
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<p>Uno &amp; Östen Kristiansson’s designs weren’t meant for galleries - they were made for everyday use. And yet, their influence grew far beyond Swedish borders. Over the decades, their pieces were quietly exported across Europe and Japan, and today, they’re sought after by a new generation of interior designers, stylists, and collectors who appreciate their timelessness, material integrity, and quiet sophistication.</p>
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<p>At <strong>Design Preowned</strong>, the work of Uno &amp; Östen Kristiansson represents exactly what we aim to preserve and restore. Their designs are thoughtful in structure and honest in their construction - making them ideal for restoration without compromise. Whether we’re reconditioning a Luxus pendant lamp or refinishing the frame of a Kristiansson mirror, our goal is always the same: to reveal the original character, not to reinvent it.</p>
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<p>There’s also something particularly resonant about the Kristianssons’ intergenerational story. As a family-led studio that became an enduring part of Sweden’s design heritage, their legacy mirrors the values of Design Preowned - where founder Edward Gubi, part of the third-generation Gubi design family, continues the tradition of stewardship, not just of objects, but of design values. Like the Kristianssons, we believe in the quiet power of restoration - in keeping legacy pieces in circulation and in honoring the ideals behind their original creation.</p>
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<p>Their work speaks clearly to today’s moment: a growing cultural shift toward sustainability, longevity, and the emotional power of meaningful design. In a world of mass production and rapid consumption, Uno &amp; Östen Kristiansson offer a different pace. A slower, steadier approach. One that says: <em>what is beautiful should also be built to endure</em>.</p>
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<p>As their work finds new homes and lives in new interiors, we’re proud to continue their story - one lamp, one frame, one piece at a time. Because great design doesn’t age - it evolves.</p>
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