Margaret T. Nordman

Margaret Travers Nordman (1898–1981) holds a distinguished place in Finnish design history as the first woman in Finland to secure full-time employment in the furniture industry, dedicating her entire professional life to the field. Her pioneering career, primarily at Stockmann’s furniture department, helped shape the trajectory of modern Finnish interiors during the early to mid-20th century.([101 Designers][1])

Early Life and Education

Born in Helsinki in 1898, Nordman embarked on her design journey at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture (now part of Aalto University) between 1918 and 1921. She was the ninth graduate from the newly established furniture design department, which had been founded in 1915 under the leadership of architect Max Frelander. While two women—Sigrid Strandberg and Aili Wartiovaara—had graduated before her, neither pursued a long-term career in furniture design, making Nordman the first woman in Finland to do so.

Breaking Ground at Stockmann

After initial freelance work and a stint at Arttu Brummer’s interior decoration firm, Nordman joined Stockmann’s furniture design department in 1928. This department had been established in 1919 following Stockmann’s acquisition of the Kerava Carpenter Factory (Keravan Puusepäntehdas). Nordman became one of the lead designers and remained with the company for 35 years until her retirement in 1963.

Her early designs were rooted in traditional aesthetics, but the 1930s brought a shift toward functionalism and modernism. Nordman was instrumental in this transformation, conducting study trips to Italy, England, and France to gather inspiration. A visit to the 1930 Stockholm Exhibition further influenced her embrace of functionalist principles. Among her notable furniture lines were the Anna, Atlantic, and Elvi collections, which exemplified the clean lines and practicality characteristic of the era.

Contributions Beyond Furniture

Nordman’s influence extended beyond individual pieces to comprehensive interior designs. She played a significant role in designing sections of Stockmann’s flagship department store in Helsinki, which opened in 1930. Her work also featured in Finland’s contributions to international exhibitions, including the world fairs in New York and Paris during the late 1930s. Despite her substantial contributions, much of her work was attributed to the furniture department rather than to her personally, leading to limited recognition during her lifetime.

Legacy and Recognition

Nordman’s dedication to her craft was acknowledged through several awards from the Finnish Society of Crafts and Design in 1920, 1927, and 1936. In the 1920s, she designed a dish drying rack for rural kitchens—a concept that would later gain widespread popularity in the 1940s through Maiju Gebhard’s innovations.

Choosing to remain unmarried and without children, Nordman devoted herself entirely to her profession. She passed away in Helsinki in 1981, leaving behind a legacy that, while underrecognized during her lifetime, continues to influence Finnish design.

Conclusion

Margaret Travers Nordman’s career paved the way for women in the Finnish design industry and contributed significantly to the evolution of modernist furniture and interior design in Finland. Her work at Stockmann not only transformed the company’s offerings but also left an indelible mark on Finnish design heritage.([101 Designers][1])

Source: https://101designers.com/2020/08/25/margaret-nordman