&Tradition Little Petra Collection

&Tradition Little Petra Collection

The &Tradition Little Petra collection brings together Viggo Boesen’s distinctive lounge furniture, from the compact VB1 Little Petra Chair to the coordinating footstool, VB2 sofa and high-backed VB3 Petra Lounge Chair. Designed around comfort, soft curves and considered proportions, the collection has a welcoming character that works naturally in both classic and contemporary interiors.

Originally designed in 1938, the Little Petra Chair reflects Boesen’s softer interpretation of Danish functionalism. Where many modernist designs of the period focused on straight lines and restrained forms, Little Petra introduced a rounded silhouette, tactile upholstery and a low, relaxed sitting position. Its compact proportions helped it earn the name Little Petra, but the chair still provides a supportive and enveloping place to sit.

The design was reintroduced by &Tradition, allowing a significant piece of Danish design history to return to contemporary homes. Today, the wider Petra furniture collection includes seating for different spaces and ways of living while retaining the generous upholstery and sculptural curves associated with Boesen’s original design.

The VB1 Little Petra Chair

The VB1 Little Petra Chair is the starting point for the collection. Its low seat, curved back and rounded armrests create a comfortable, sheltered sitting position without making the chair feel visually heavy. This balance makes it suitable for living rooms, bedrooms, reading corners and smaller spaces where a full-sized armchair could dominate the room.

A solid beech and plywood frame provides the structure beneath layers of foam, wadding and upholstery. Depending on the chosen version, the chair is available in tactile sheepskin or selected upholstery fabrics, with solid oak or walnut legs completing the design. Natural variations in timber and sheepskin give each chair its own character.

Although Little Petra is often associated with Scandinavian interiors, it is not limited to one decorative style. Its simple shape and natural materials sit comfortably alongside mid-century furniture, contemporary pieces, traditional joinery and more eclectic schemes. Explore further design-led seating in our collection of designer lounge chairs.

Little Petra Chair with Footstool

Pairing the VB1 chair with the ATD1 Little Petra Footstool creates a more relaxed seating arrangement. The footstool echoes the chair’s rounded form, upholstery and timber details, giving the two pieces a consistent appearance when used together.

This combination works particularly well in a reading area or quiet corner of a living room. The footstool can also provide occasional additional seating when required. Choosing matching upholstery creates a unified set, while a contrasting textile or sheepskin can add a subtle change in texture.

For a practical reading area, place a side table within easy reach and add focused light from a floor reading light. A nearby side table provides space for books, drinks and everyday objects without distracting from the chair’s compact form.

The VB2 Little Petra Sofa

The VB2 Little Petra Sofa extends Boesen’s original design into a compact two-seat format. It carries the same low profile, curved backrest and soft upholstery as the VB1 chair while providing room for two people. Its relatively contained proportions make it a useful alternative to a larger sofa in smaller living rooms, bedrooms, reception areas and open-plan spaces.

The VB2 can be used as the principal sofa in a compact room or as a secondary seating piece alongside a larger arrangement. Pairing it with a Little Petra Chair creates a coordinated scheme without requiring every item in the room to match. For additional options, explore our complete collection of designer sofas.

A low coffee table complements the sofa’s proportions and helps preserve open sightlines across the room. When planning the layout, leave enough space around the sofa to appreciate its curved outline and to allow comfortable movement.

The VB3 Petra Lounge Chair

The VB3 Petra Lounge Chair develops the visual language of Little Petra with a taller, winged backrest. It provides more upper-body support and a greater sense of enclosure while retaining the collection’s rounded arms, generous cushioning and exposed timber legs.

Its higher back gives the VB3 a stronger presence, making it suited to larger living rooms, reading spaces and bedrooms where a more substantial lounge chair is required. It can stand alone as an accent chair or be combined with other pieces from the Petra range.

The differences between the VB1 and VB3 are primarily a matter of scale, support and visual presence. The VB1 is the more compact option and is particularly useful where space is limited. The VB3 has a higher back and a more enveloping profile, making it appropriate for longer periods of seated relaxation.

Choosing the Right Upholstery

Upholstery has a considerable influence on the appearance and feel of Little Petra furniture. Sheepskin emphasises the chair’s tactile character and softens its sculptural outline. Woven fabrics can give the design a more tailored appearance and provide access to a wider choice of colours and textures.

Consider how the chair or sofa will be used before selecting a finish. A neutral upholstery can help the design settle into an existing interior, while a richer colour can turn it into a focal point. It is also worth comparing the upholstery with nearby rugs, curtains and other upholstered furniture in both daylight and artificial light.

Sheepskin is a natural material, so its texture, tone and appearance may vary slightly between pieces. These variations are part of the material rather than manufacturing faults. When ordering more than one item for the same room, bear in mind that natural finishes will not always be completely identical.

Styling the Little Petra Collection

Little Petra furniture works best when its shape is given space to be seen. Avoid placing the VB1 chair too tightly between larger pieces. Instead, allow some room around its arms and back so its curved profile remains clear.

In a smaller room, one Little Petra Chair can establish a comfortable seating area without taking over the space. In a larger living room, a pair of chairs positioned opposite a sofa can create a balanced conversation area. The VB2 sofa can also be combined with a contrasting lounge chair to produce a less formal arrangement.

Texture is central to the collection, particularly when choosing sheepskin upholstery. Natural timber, wool rugs, linen curtains and simple ceramics complement this quality without making the room feel overly coordinated. Browse our rugs and throws and blankets for additional layers of colour and texture.

Lighting should support how the seating area will be used. A floor lamp provides useful illumination beside a reading chair, while a table lamp can create a softer pool of light nearby. Explore &Tradition lighting to pair the furniture with designs from the same brand. Our expert guide to the &Tradition lamp collection also explains the brand’s key lighting families and how to choose between them.

Danish Design by Viggo Boesen

Viggo Boesen was associated with the Danish Funkis movement, an interpretation of functionalism that placed practical use at the centre of design. His furniture introduced softer, more organic forms to this approach, with comfort remaining as important as visual clarity.

Little Petra was first presented at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild Exhibition in 1938. Its rounded shape and compact scale distinguished it from the more rigid modernist seating of the period. Decades later, those same qualities help the chair feel relevant in modern homes, particularly where comfort and efficient use of space are priorities.

Read more about the designer, the chair’s history and the collection’s development in our guide to Viggo Boesen and the iconic &Tradition Little Petra furniture range.

To see more furniture, lighting and accessories from the Danish brand, browse the complete &Tradition collection. You can also explore &Tradition lounging furniture for further sofas and lounge chairs designed for comfortable everyday living.