![Lilla Åland chairs designed by Carl Malmsten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2022/11/lilla-aaland-chair-stolab-carl-malmsten-hero_dezeen_2364_col_0-852x479.jpg)
Lilla Åland chair by Carl Malmsten for Stolab
Dezeen Showroom: Swedish solid-wood furniture brand Stolab is celebrating 80 years of its Lilla Åland chair, designed by mid-century designer and architect Carl Malmsten.
To mark the anniversary, Stolab has released a limited edition run of 2,022 Lilla Åland chairs coated in smoked oak oil.
![Stained oak Lilla Åland chair](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2022/11/lilla-aaland-chair-stolab-carl-malmsten_dezeen_1704_col_1-852x1278.jpg)
The Windsor-style chair has been produced in the same factory in Smålandsstenar continuously since it was first released in 1942.
According to Stolab, Malmsten got the idea for the design during a visit to the medieval Finström Church on the Finnish island territory of Åland.
![Lilla Åland chairs by Stolab](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2022/11/lilla-aaland-chair-stolab-carl-malmsten_dezeen_1704_col_0-852x891.jpg)
"Carl Malmsten was inspired by a visit to the Finström Church on Åland in 1938, which contained a number of stick-back chairs lined up," said the brand.
"He drew them and after a few of his own adjustments and additions, typical of his own style, serial production at Stolab began."
![Lilla Åland designed by Carl Malmsten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2022/11/lilla-aaland-chair-stolab-carl-malmsten_dezeen_1704_col_3-852x1278.jpg)
Creating smoked oak for the chairs normally requires ammonia, but for the special edition version, Stolab used a more sustainable process that instead uses a warm dark stain covered with a low aromatic oil.
As part of Stolab's celebration of the Lilla Åland's 80th birthday, the brand has teamed up with Dezeen to produce a three-part video series called Stolab Stories.
Product: Lilla Åland Chair
Designer: Carl Malmsten
Brand: Stolab
Contact: [email protected]
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