The TRIVA line of furniture, launched by NK in 1944, introduced the concept of affordable, versatile modular pieces to the Swedish market. This collection, developed by Lena Larsson alongside Elias Svedberg and Erik Worts, predated the widespread adoption of flat-pack furniture retail models, establishing a precedent for modern domestic utility and accessible design solutions for families.
Early Training and Surveying
Born in 1919 in Tranås as Lena Rabenius, she attended the Carl Malmsten school of craftsmanship to train as a cabinetmaker. Following her education, she collaborated with cabinetmaker Elias Svedberg. During the early 1940s, she undertook a systematic survey for Svenska Slöjdföreningen and Svenska Arkitekters Riksförbund, interviewing housewives regarding their daily domestic habits. This research provided essential data intended to guide the development of functional, efficient post-Second World War residential architecture.
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Larsson served as the artistic director of NK-bo, a specialized store within the Nordiska Kompaniet department store that operated from 1947 to 1956, and again from 1961 to 1965. The space functioned as an experimental testing ground for domestic design, providing a platform for both emerging and established designers. She championed the concept of the modern, wear-and-tear interior, focusing on environments capable of accommodating the active requirements of a growing family.
Professional Contributions and Legacy
Beyond her retail and design work, she served as chief editor for the publication Allt i hemmet between 1956 and 1960. Her contributions extended to architectural projects, including the collaborative Skal och kärna single-family house showcased at the Hälsingborgsmässan H55 exhibition alongside Anders-William Olsson and Mårten Larsson, whom she married in 1940. As an educator, she conducted courses in home planning, promoting pedagogical approaches to interior space. She died in 2000 in Lidingö Parish and is buried at Lidingö kyrkogård.
Fast facts
- Born: 1919, Säby församling, Linköpings stift
- Died: 2000, Lidingö Parish
- Nationality: Swedish
- Occupations: Architect, writer, pedagogue
- Spouse: Mårten Larsson
- Notable design: TRIVA furniture line
- Burial site: Lidingö kyrkogård
Questions readers ask
Did Lena Larsson work with IKEA?
No, but she developed the TRIVA furniture line in 1944, which pioneered the concept of inexpensive, versatile flat-pack furniture years before the IKEA brand became prominent.
What was the significance of the NK-bo store?
Operated within Nordiska Kompaniet, it served as an experimental forum for testing domestic furniture and design solutions for families between 1947 and 1965.
