Design preowned

Where furniture design
meets innovation and sustainability

We are a Copenhagen-based company with a mission to provide a sustainable alternative for architects and interior designers by integrating elegant pre-owned design into their projects.

Our story dates back to 1976 with the birth of Gubi.com. Following Gubi Olsen’s passing in 2023, Lisbeth Gubi invested in Design Preowned to further contribute to society and the environment. With this vision in mind, our philosophy revolves around giving forgotten designs and abandoned furniture a new life. Through responsible, hand restoration processes we allow them to shine once again in modern settings for the next generations.

The life cycle of our chairs begins with our signature commitment to zero deforestation: zero trees cut down. Unlike many other wooden furniture producers, we proudly maintain zero forest clearance.

Yet, our dedication goes further. Our main aim is achieving zero waste of wood material. To reach this goal, we source reclaimed wood under the guidance of a panel of highly knowledgeable experts and architects. We embrace designs work from the golden years of 1940-1990, with each wooden piece undergoing our organic cleansing process using probiotic health bacteria and 100% natural, biodegradable ingredients.

Often, materials with minor production mistakes are discarded and destroyed before they see the light of day. Preowned seeks to rescue all materials that don’t pass quality control in the established furniture industry.

Our furniture is collected and renewed locally in Copenhagen. Selection, sourcing, and verification of materials are handled at the collector’s location to minimize unnecessary transport. Patina is a key factor in our selection process. Furniture is then transported by Green Choice transportation, often in bulk, with 20-30 items driven 300km in a single trip.

Each piece undergoes our intensive cleansing process, starting with a probiotic wash, followed by sandpaper cleaning and oiling. Once smooth and ready, the furniture visits our highly skilled craftsmen for upholstery.

They are then cushioned with coconut fiber and finished with 100% leather, crafted with CO2 neutrality in mind. Our commitment to CO2 neutrality extends throughout every collection: collection, cleansing, upholstery, material selection, and delivery. Our short-term goal is to achieve 98% CO2 neutrality in our total production.

This wasteful process is a serious problem for our planet. We believe these materials have great potential if used correctly. By rescuing such design items, we give them a second life and help our planet heal. We feel a deep responsibility to reduce our collective carbon footprint.

The furniture industry has the potential to make a significant impact on the climate crisis. Sustainable reuse of existing furniture can maximize the capacity of forests, allowing trees to better capture and store carbon.