Above: Daybed/bench designed by Kurt Ostervig and made in Denmark in the 1950’s. Photo: ModestFurniture
Many cultures throughout the world espouse the benefits of an afternoon nap. It seems remarkably civilized that one can simply take a break in the middle of a busy day for a brief respite. And I suppose that’s the charm of the daybed. Most people on the Western side of the Atlantic see the day bed as a hybrid sofa/guest sleeping accommodations, which is it, but in many counties the daybed is a spot, usually placed in a hallway or front room, to lie down sleep for a brief moment and recharge for the rest of the day. In the German countryside, for instance, it was commonplace for workers to catch a few minutes of sleep in the mid afternoon. Perhaps this is why so many daybeds – particularly the modern ones – were made in Germany. With that in mind here are twenty civilized MCM daybeds, recamiers, or ‘fainting couches’ to enjoy!
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The Model FH 10 daybed designed by Franz Hohn and manufactured by Honeta of Germany in the 1950's. Photos: inside-room.de
Teak and cane daybed designed by Hans Wegner and manufactured by Getama of Denmark in the 1950's. First two photos Wyeth, third photo Michelle Rose.
Daybed/bench designed by the Atelier de Recherche Plastique (ARP) and manufactured by Huchers Minvielle of France in 1955. Photos: Ross Floyd for Wright Auctions
Teak-framed daybed designed by Arne Wahl Iversen and produced by Thysen Nielsen of Denmark in 1956. Photos: Lauritz
Daybed designed by Jos de Mey and manufactured by Van den Berghe Pauvers in 1960. Photos: city-furniture.be
Extendable daybed produced by Wilhelm Knoll of Germany in the 1950's.
Simple and elegant daybed designed by Kurt Ostervig and made in Denmark in the 1950's. Photos: Modest Furniture
teak Daybed/settee designed by Ib Kofod-Larsen and produced by Seffle Furniture of Sweden in 1960. Photos: schalling.se
Daybed designed by Walter Knoll and made in Germany in 1954. Photos: 46Kloosterstraat.de
Daybed made in Italy in the 1950's, designer unknown. Photos: Okayart.com
: A 'Cleopatra' daybed designed by Dick Cordemeijer and produced by Auping of the Netherlands in 1954. Photos: massmoderndesign.com
- Teak daybed manufactured by Hove Mobler of Norway in the the 1960's. Photos: modestfurniture
Daybed designed by Ib Kofod-Larsen and manufactured by Olof Persons in the 1950's. Photos: Bukowskis
Daybed designed by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen and produced by France & Son of Denmark in the 1950's. Photos: schalling.se
Incredibly elegant daybed designed by Helge Vestergaard Jensen and first made by Peder Pedersen in 1955. Photos: Paere Dansk
Daybed designed by Richard Stein and manufactured by Knoll USA in 1947. Photos: Ross Floyd for Wright Auctions.
Sofa/daybed designed by Karl-Erik Ekselius and manufactured by JOC of Sweden in 1960. Photos: schalling.se
Walnut daybed with storage made in Denamrk in the 1950's. Designer unknown Photos: pamono.com
Beech-framed daybed manufactured by Domus KG of Germany in the 1950's. Photo: zeitloos.at
Daybed with storage in the backrest designed by Greta Jalk and manufactured by Jeppesen of Denmark in the 1960's. Photos: adamedelsberg
Perhaps the grand daddy of all daybeds is Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s ‘Barcelona’ couch designed in 1930 and put into mass production by Knoll in the 1950’s and still in production today.
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