About Us

Founded in 2024 by Edward Gubi, Design Preowned is rooted in a proud Danish design legacy and driven by a bold vision for a circular future. The company draws inspiration from Edward’s family heritage – tracing back to the founding of GUBI in 1976 by his grandparents, Lisbeth and Gubi Olsen. Following Gubi Olsen’s passing in 2023, Lisbeth Gubi invested in Design Preowned to support a new generation of responsible design thinking.

Guided by this lineage and purpose, our philosophy is simple: forgotten furniture deserves a second life. Through expert restoration, upcycling, and sustainable craftsmanship, we breathe new life into overlooked pieces – ensuring they shine again in modern settings for decades to come.

Where it all started: The Hangar

We source original wood furniture from across Scandinavia – well-known and anonymous designs alike – and recraft them through expert restoration. These preowned pieces are cleaned, repaired, and reupholstered with premium materials to extend their life by 30–50 years. Perfect for businesses, restaurants, and offices looking to combine timeless design with conscious consumption.

3daysofdesign 2024 – intro to the world

Over three vibrant days, a few thousand visitors passed through our space – sparking conversations, inspiring ideas, and laying the foundation for exciting new partnerships that continue to shape our journey. To complement the design experience, we hosted a pop-up restaurant with Dhaba, which became a true highlight of the event and a gathering point for our community. The atmosphere of creativity, collaboration, and shared meals marked the real beginning of Design Preowned’s public story.

Copenhagen Fashion Week

What if old becomes new – and new old becomes cool and transparent? Simply by re-thinking… This is exactly the vision behind the collaboration between Design Preowned & SPOOR presenting the pre-owned furniture upholstered in honest Scandinavian traceable leather at Øksnehallen. “Why cut down more trees or produce new materials when we already have beautifully made furniture that just needs a second life?” says Edward Gubi. “This partnership with SPOOR shows that recrafted doesn’t have to mean second-best – in fact, it can lead the way in transparency and climate action. Thank you to Birgitte H. Langer and the team at SPOOR for pushing this vision forward with us.”

The Next Chapter – Our Gallery in Copenhagen

What began in our hangar has now found a home of its own.