Omann Jun.A Danish family story

I've mentioned the golden age of Danish design in the 50s and 60s on several occasions in this column: a generation of highly gifted designers combined with the existence of a network of very active national manufacturers, some of which still exist today, such as Fritz Hansen and Fredericia Furniture. Among these, Omann Jun. is a textbook case: a family-run business that for decades produced furniture representative of Danish design, in which design remains a family affair, even if the name Gunni Omann is often mentioned. This post retraces the industrial adventure of this furniture manufacturer. I've mentioned the golden age of Danish design in the 50s and 60s on several occasions in this column: a generation of highly gifted designers combined with the existence of a network of very active national manufacturers, some of which still exist today, such as Fritz Hansen and Fredericia Furniture. Among these, Omann Jun. is a textbook case: a family-run business that for decades produced furniture representative of Danish design, in which design remains a family affair, even if the name Gunni Omann is often mentioned. This post retraces the industrial adventure of this furniture manufacturer. Splendid teak buffet model 19 made by Omann Jun. in the 1960s © pamono.fr Splendid teak buffet model 19 made by Omann Jun. in the 1960s © pamono.fr The Omann Jun. signature, highly sought after by vintage design collectors. The Omann Jun. signature, highly sought after by vintage design collectors. The Omann Jun. family saga began in 1919, when Niels Omann founded the furniture manufacturer Ølholm Møbelfabrik in Ølholm, a town in the Danish region of Midtjylland that belongs to the municipality of Hedensted, some 191 km west of the capital Copenhagen. 14 years later, his youngest son, Andreas Omann, founded the Omann Jun. company, still in Ølholm. In the early days, Andreas specialised in the production of beds and tables. The Omann Jun. family saga began in 1919, when Niels Omann founded the furniture manufacturer Ølholm Møbelfabrik in Ølholm, a town in the Danish region of Midtjylland that belongs to the municipality of Hedensted, around 191 km west of the capital Copenhagen. 14 years later, his youngest son, Andreas Omann, founded the Omann Jun. company, still in Ølholm. In the early days, Andreas specialised in making beds and tables. Vintage Danish teak bed made by Omann Jun. Vintage Danish teak bed made by Omann Jun. Splendid dining table made by the Danish manufacturer Omann Jun © vntg.com Splendid dining table made by the Danish manufacturer Omann Jun © vntg.com In the 1930s, Andreas and Sigfred Omann, 2 of Niels Omann's sons, ran Ølholm Mobelfabrik. It was at this time that Andreas launched his own company, Omann Jun (short for Omann Junior) and decided to combine the offices of the 2 companies and share the carpenters' machinery. When Niels Omann died in 1935, Sigfred took over the management of Møbelfabrik. The 2 furniture-manufacturing companies expanded, shipping made-to-measure furniture on a daily basis. In the 1930s, Andreas and Sigfred Omann, 2 of Niels Omann's sons, took over Ølholm Mobelfabrik. It was at this time that Andreas launched his own company, Omann Jun. (short for Omann Junior) and decided to combine the offices of the 2 companies and share the carpenters' machinery. When Niels Omann died in 1935, Sigfred took over the management of Møbelfabrik. The 2 furniture-manufacturing companies expanded, shipping made-to-measure furniture on a daily basis. In the aftermath of the Second World War, Andreas Omann's 2 children, Gunni and Bjarne, took part in Omann Jun.'s decisions and made history by expanding production to include sideboards, enfilades, coffee tables, desks and desk sets. It was a wise decision that would make the family business famous. It was a decision that coincided with the development of a powerful furniture industry in Denmark. In the aftermath of the Second World War, Andreas Omann's 2 children, Gunni and Bjarne, took part in Omann Jun.'s decisions and made history by expanding production to include sideboards, enfilades, coffee tables, desks and desk sets. It was a wise decision that would make the family business famous. A decision that coincided with the development of a powerful furniture industry in Denmark. Magnificent rosewood desk, model 77, design Gunni Omann for Oman Jun, 1960's. © incollect.com Magnificent rosewood desk, model 77, design Gunni Omann for Oman Jun, 1960's. © incollect.com Magnificent rosewood desk, model 77, detail of drawers, design Gunni Omann for Oman Jun, 1960's. © incollect.com Magnificent rosewood desk, model 77, detail of drawers, design Gunni Omann for Oman Jun, 1960's. © incollect.com Magnificent rosewood desk, model 77, design Gunni Omann for Oman Jun, 1960's, 1960's. © incollect.com Magnificent rosewood desk, model 77, detail of drawers, design Gunni Omann for Oman Jun, 1960's. © incollect.com Teak dining table with 3 extensions, model 55, design Gunni Omann for Oman Jun, 1960's. Teak dining table with 3 extensions, model 55, design Gunni Omann for Omann Jun, 1960s. Teak dining table with 3 extension leaves, model 55, design Gunni Omann for Omann Jun, 1960s. Detail of the wooden surface. Teak dining table with 3 extension leaves, model 55, design Gunni Omann for Omann Jun, 1960s. Detail of the wooden surface. From the 1950s to the 1970s, Omann Jun. was one of a number of successful Danish manufacturers and editors who exported the Made in Denmark brand and a certain idea of design. Danish design was characterised by high-quality, inexpensive wooden furniture with straight lines and no excessive ornamentation. The furniture designed had to be practical and useful: function took precedence over form, but the fact remained that Danish designers had a sense of purity that enabled them to create furniture that was authentic, welcoming and elegant. How about this magnificent teak dressing table made by designer Arne Vodder for Ølholm Møbelfabrik in the 1950s? From the 50s to the 70s, Omann Jun. was one of a number of successful Danish manufacturers and editors who exported the Made in Denmark style and a certain idea of design. At the time, Danish design was characterised by high-quality, inexpensive wooden furniture with straight lines and no excessive ornamentation or decoration. The furniture designed had to be practical and useful: function took precedence over form, but the fact remained that Danish designers had a sense of purity that enabled them to create furniture that was authentic, welcoming and elegant. How about this magnificent teak dressing table made by designer Arne Vodder for Ølholm Møbelfabrik in the 1950s? Teak dressing table, designed by Arne Vodder for Ølholm Møbelfabrik, 1950s. This teakwood table symbolises elegance with its upturned legs and bow-tie drawer handles, one of Vodder's trademarks. selency.fr Teak dressing table, designed by Arne Vodder for Ølholm Møbelfabrik, 1950s. This teakwood table symbolises elegance with its upturned legs and bow-tie drawer handles, one of Vodder's trademarks. selency.fr Teak dressing table, designed by Arne Vodder for Ølholm Møbelfabrik, 1950s, side view. Elegance and finesse in a pure design © selency.fr Teak dressing table, Arne Vodder design for Ølholm Møbelfabrik, 1950s, side view. Elegance and finesse in a pure design © selency.fr Teak dressing table, Arne Vodder design for Ølholm Møbelfabrik, 1950s, side view. The bow-tie handles can be seen on the front of the drawers. selency.fr Teak dressing table, designed by Arne Vodder for Ølholm Møbelfabrik, 1950s, side view. The bow-tie handles can be seen on the front of the drawers. What characterises the furniture designed and created by Omann Jun.? A typically Scandinavian love of woodwork, but also pieces with impeccable finishes for a top-of-the-range positioning. The furniture that comes out of Ølholm's workshops is aesthetically very successful: clean lines, refined elegance, a certain lightness and organic details characterise the production of Omann Jun. and Ølholm Møbelfabrik. What characterises the furniture designed and created by Omann Jun.? A typically Scandinavian love of woodwork, but also pieces with impeccable finishes for a top-of-the-range positioning. The furniture that comes out of Ølholm's workshops is aesthetically very successful: clean lines, refined elegance, a certain lightness and organic details characterise the production of Omann Jun. and Ølholm Møbelfabrik. Rosewood sideboard, design: Gunni Omman for Omann Jun. 1960's. © incollect.com Rosewood sideboard, design: Gunni Omman for Omann Jun. 1960's. © incollect.com Rosewood sideboard, design: Gunni Omman for Omann Jun. 1960's. Detail of the long, elegant handles. incollect.com Rosewood sideboard, design: Gunni Omman for Omann Jun. 1960s. Detail of the long, elegant handles. incollect.com At the heart of this family business is Gunni Omann, with his undeniable talent for elegant design. He designed a series of attractive sideboards, enfilades and desks that are now sought after by collectors. In addition to teak, Gunni Omann uses rich, beautifully grained rosewood for his most luxurious pieces. This expertise led Omann Jun. to export its furniture at the height of the golden age of Danish design, from the 1950s to the 1970s. Gunni Omann looks after sales for the American market, while Bjarne looks after the European market. At the heart of this family business was Gunni Omann, with his undeniable talent for elegant design. He designed a series of attractive sideboards, enfilades and desks that are now sought after by collectors. In addition to teak, Gunni Omann uses rich, beautifully grained rosewood for his most luxurious pieces. This expertise led Omann Jun. to export its furniture at the height of the golden age of Danish design, from the 1950s to the 1970s. Gunni Omann looks after sales for the American market, while Bjarne looks after the European market. Splendid vintage sideboard in rosewood, designed by Gunni Omann for Omann Jun, 1960. Splendid vintage enfilade in rosewood, design Gunni Omann for Omann Jun. 1960. Splendid vintage sideboard in rosewood, design Gunni Omann for Omann Jun, 1960. Detail on the drawers, an impeccable finish. Splendid vintage sideboard in rosewood, designed by Gunni Omann for Omann Jun, 1960. Detail of the drawers and impeccable finish. Among the great classics designed and executed in the family business, 3 models stand out. They are the Buffet Model 18, the Executive Desk Model 75 and the Coffee Table Model 100. Originally produced between 1953 and 1970, the Model 100 Coffee Table was relaunched in 2017 for a new generation of design enthusiasts. Made from oak, the Model 100 offers clean, angular lines that are ideal for modern interiors. Among the great classics designed and executed in the family business, 3 models stand out. They are the Buffet Model 18, the Executive Desk Model 75 and the Coffee Table Model 100. Originally produced between 1953 and 1970, the Model 100 Coffee Table was relaunched in 2017 for a new generation of design enthusiasts. Made from oak, the Model 100 offers clean, angular lines that look great in a modern interior. Buffet Model 18, designed and manufactured by Omann Jun, a piece produced from 1958 to 1986 and relaunched in 2016. Available in teak or rosewood © omannjun.omann.dk Buffet Model 18, designed and manufactured by Omann Jun, a piece produced between 1958 and 1986 and relaunched in 2016. Model available in teak or rosewood © omannjun.omann.dk Executive desk Model 75, designed and manufactured by Omann Jun. and produced from 1958 to 1987. Model available in teak or rosewood © omannjun.omann.dk Executive desk Model 75, designed and manufactured by Omann Jun. and produced from 1958 to 1987. Available in teak or rosewood © omannjun.omann.dk Coffee table Model 100, designed and made by Omann Jun, an incredible tapered shape that stands out from the other models from the Danish company. midcenturymobler.com Coffee table Model 100, designed and made by Omann Jun. with an incredible tapered shape that stands out from the other models from the Danish house. midcenturymobler.com Model 100 coffee table, designed and made by Omann Jun, detail. The model is also available in teak or rosewood © midcenturymobler.com Coffee table Model 100, design and manufacture Omann Jun. detail. The model is also available in teak or rosewood © midcenturymobler.com In 1979, Gunni and Bjarne Omann, Andreas Omann's 2 sons, took full control of the company. 11 years later, Gunni sold his shares in the company to his brother Bjarne, who moved the company into the production of office furniture. Since 2005, Ulrich Omann has been at the helm of the company (3rd generation), reissuing on request the classic models that have made the company's reputation. In 2013, the company moved to new, more modern premises in Horsens. In 1979, Gunni and Bjarne Omann, Andreas Omann's 2 sons, took full control of the company. 11 years later, Gunni sold his shares in the company to his brother Bjarne, who moved the company into the production of office furniture. Since 2005, Ulrich Omann has been at the helm of the company (3rd generation), reissuing on request the classic models that have made the company's reputation. In 2013, the company moved to new, more modern premises in Horsens. François BOUTARD François BOUTARD

Omann Jun.A Danish family story

Read our other blogs too

Whoppah explores: Eames Lounge Chair

Whoppah explores: Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

Whoppah explores: Frank Lloyd Wright

Artemide: Illuminating Innovation and Timeless Design in Italian Lighting