Eilersen, A Story of Sofa Spanning Three Centuries

Today, I’d like to share a story about the most cherished piece of furniture in any home—the sofa. Spanning 125 years of history and crossing continents and oceans, it embodies an unwavering dedication to the art of comfort and living well. This is the story of Eilersen.

The story begins in 1895 when Niels Juul Eilersen from Denmark, who was only 23-year-old, pioneered the craft of steam-bending wood.

Niels utilized this innovative craft to produce the highly prestigious royal hunting carriages, marking the foundation of Eilersen, a brand starting with the production of carriage bodies.
With the rise of the industrial era, carriages were gradually replaced by automobiles. By the 1920s, the Eilersen family had expanded their evolving steam-bending wood techniques into the realm of automobile manufacturing.

The classic automobile designed during that era remained in use in the Scandinavian region until recent years.

In 1934, a sudden fire engulfed Eilersen’s automobile factory, burning it to ashes. The fire destroyed the building, but the steam-bending wood technology, perfected over more than two decades, lasted.

The Eilersen family brought this craftsmanship into the furniture manufacturing, breathing new life into it. This is how the great sofa brand Eilersen came to be.

In Denmark, which is known as the kingdom of design, many talented designers have contributed to Eilersen’s creations, including Wahl Iversen, Illum Wikkelsøe, Andreas Hansen, and Niels Bendtsen. Together, they have left behind a rich legacy of works that hold significant cultural and historical value.

In 1966, Eilersen is handed over to the third-generation heir, Jens Eilersen. Growing up amidst sawdust, Jens was deeply influenced by the profound connection between people and objects, embedding the family’s DNA deeply into his soul.

In 1979, Jens began to be involved in sofa design, with iconic creations from that era such as Stratos, Alamo, and Arizona, all of which became defining works of his time.

After decades of dedicated exploration in sofa design and manufacturing, as the 21st century began, Jens led the Eilersen brand in a new era of modern sofa creation, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design principles. Simple lines, graceful forms, and artistic spaces became timeless classics that transcend generations.

In an era where almost all traditional craftsmanship has been replaced by industrial assembly lines, Eilersen remains steadfast, year after year, faithfully repeating the century-old techniques. With the time-honored craftsmanship, Eilersen infuses each product with a human touch, creating sofas worthy of being passed down through generations.

In 2019, Mexarts unveiled a new furniture collection designed and developed for Eilersen. The century-old sofa brand, which had long stood alone, finally found its "family," coming together to form a complete home filled with warmth and a sense of happiness.

With 125 years of family legacy, generations of Eilersen's have carried on the dedication and passion that flow through their veins. They have remained steadfast in their focus, refinement, emotion, and belief, allowing everything to mature and evolve over time, creating the unique spirit and essence that defines the century-old Eilersen brand.

At the beginning of 2020, Eilersen showcased its creations at the Stockholm Furniture Fair, presenting spaces imbued with a strong artistic atmosphere.

Yet, Eilersen has never confined itself by repeating what they have been doing. With a profound understanding of life, the brand continuously seeks to transform inspiration through exploration and innovation. Each Eilersen sofa brims with a vibrant imagination of the world, gradually revealing layers of life’s wisdom embedded in the philosophy of the sofa—where art, comfort, and daily living seamlessly coexist.

Heritage is not only about preserving tradition but also about elevating it.

Over its 125-year journey, Eilersen has continually reinvented itself through outward exploration and inward reflection. As it steps into the future, Eilersen looks forward to moving forward hand in hand with you into the next century.