"62-collection" desk – Gubi

The Collection 62 desk, designed by Greta M. Grossman in 1952, is an iconic piece of modernist design, reissued by Danish publisher Gubi. Although created in 1952, it bears the name “62” because Grossman herself felt that this design was ten years ahead of its time, projecting a futuristic vision for the 1960s. This anecdote illustrates the boldness and innovative spirit of the Swedish designer, who left her mark on mid-twentieth-century design.

Design and features

The Collection 62 desk is distinguished by its airy aesthetic and asymmetrical lines, which seem to defy gravity.It is made primarily of American walnut, a dark, warm wood, combined with high-gloss black laminate surfaces on the top and cabinet door.

This combination of materials creates a striking visual contrast, typical of Grossman's taste for unusual combinations. The slender legs are in black powder-coated metal, finished with small solid wood spheres, adding a touch of lightness and elegance. An additional solid walnut leg supports the structure, reinforcing the piece's distinctive asymmetry.

In terms of functionality, the desk incorporates a clever storage space on the left, consisting of three drawers (two larger ones at the bottom and one smaller one at the top), concealed behind a door. With its dimensions of 120 cm in length, 60 cm in depth and 72 cm in height, it offers a perfect balance between compactness and utility, ideal for a refined workspace.

The legacy of Greta M. Grossman

Greta Magnusson Grossman, a Swedish designer and architect who made her career in the United States, is known for fusing Scandinavian modernism with a Californian sensibility. After studying at Konstfack in Stockholm and starting her career in Sweden, she moved to Los Angeles in 1940 with her husband, jazz musician Billy Grossman. There, she opened a boutique on Rodeo Drive and worked with the likes of Greta Garbo and Frank Sinatra, making her mark in a male-dominated environment. The Collection 62 desk reflects her style: minimalist elegance, a subtle sense of humor and an experimental approach to shapes and materials, influenced by the Bauhaus and European modernists.

The reissue by Gubi

Gubi, the Danish company renowned for resurrecting design classics, has reissued the Collection 62 desk with faithfulness to the original, while making it accessible to a contemporary audience. This piece is part of a wider collection that also includes chests of drawers, all marked by the same bold aesthetic. Today, the desk is celebrated for its timelessness and sophisticated allure, finding its place in both modern and classic interiors.