Paustian
BankruptcyOverview
Paustian is a Danish furniture and design house founded in 1964, functioning as a retailer, distributor, and manufacturer of celebrated Danish and international designs for homes and organizations.126 It curates products from high-end brands like Cassina, USM Modular Furniture, Zanotta, Moroso, Desalto, and Warm Nordic, alongside its own Paustian Furniture Collection.6 The company operated showrooms in Copenhagen, including a notable 2018 location in a renovated 19th-century bank on Strøget, but faced financial difficulties leading to bankruptcy.137
History
Ole Paustian founded Paustian in 1964 on Vesterbrogade in Copenhagen, taking over a furniture store his father had owned since 1937.12 Ole and Monika Paustian built the brand by selling designs from figures like Ray and Charles Eames and Alvar Aalto.1 In 2017, Frantz Longhi acquired the company, which was later saved from bankruptcy via restructuring as Paustian Design Est.7 The firm opened a prominent showroom in a former bank on Strøget in December 2018.13 It filed for bankruptcy due to declining sales and high costs, closing its Aarhus store in 2023.7
Product Lines
| Product Line | Positioning | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Paustian Furniture Collection (own designs) | Celebrated Danish icons | $1,000 - $5,000 |
| Cassina representations | Italian design classics | $2,000 - $10,000 |
| USM Modular Furniture | Modular storage systems | $1,500 - $8,000 |
| Zanotta selections | Contemporary Italian furniture | $1,200 - $6,000 |
| Moroso lineup | Avant-garde seating | $2,500 - $12,000 |
Manufacturing
Paustian acts as retailer, distributor, and manufacturer.2 Its Paustian Furniture Collection is produced in Denmark.6 Specific manufacturing details for represented brands vary by supplier.
Notable Products
- Clam Chair - Iconic design from Paustian Furniture Collection.
- Eames designs - Represented chairs and tables by Ray and Charles Eames.
- Alvar Aalto furniture - Classic Finnish designs sold since early years.
- USM Haller systems - Modular furniture units.
- Cassina icons - Italian modern classics.
Reputation
Paustian is recognized among design enthusiasts as a key destination for Danish and international high-end furniture, with showrooms noted for architectural appeal.16 Professionals value its curation of icons from brands like Cassina and its own collection.6 Financial instability, including a prior bankruptcy scare and recent 2023-2024 filing, has raised concerns about long-term viability.7
Sources (7)
- https://trovelli.com/en/merchant/47/paustian/kopenhagen
- https://www.archiexpo.com/soc/paustian-148340.html
- https://www.dezeen.com/2019/06/10/paustian-showroom-stroget-copenhagen-aarstiderne-arkitekter/
- https://www.homeanddecor.com.sg/design/step-inside-paustian-denmarks-it-design-store-nestled-inside-a-19th-century-bank
- https://nordicdesign.ca/paustian-transforms-19th-century-bank-into-stunning-copenhagen-showroom/
- https://www.3daysofdesign.dk/exhibition/paustian
- https://www.interiordaily.com/article/9759139/danish-design-house-faces-bankruptcy/