Postmodern design was a short-lived movement that manifested itself chiefly in Italy and the United States in the early 1980s. The characteristics of vintage postmodern furniture and other postmodern objects and decor for the home included loud-patterned, usually plastic surfaces; strange proportions, vibrant colors and weird angles; and a vague-at-best relationship between form and function.
ORIGINS OF POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
VINTAGE POSTMODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
Critics derided postmodern design as a grandstanding bid for attention and nothing of consequence. Decades later, the fact that postmodernism still has the power to provoke thoughts, along with other reactions, proves they were not entirely correct.
Postmodern design began as an architectural critique. Starting in the 1960s, a small cadre of mainly American architects began to argue that modernism, once high-minded and even noble in its goals, had become stale, stagnant and blandly corporate. Later, in Milan, a cohort of creators led by Ettore Sottsass and Alessandro Mendini — a onetime mentor to Sottsass and a key figure in the Italian Radical movement — brought the discussion to bear on design.
Sottsass, an industrial designer, philosopher and provocateur, gathered a core group of young designers into a collective in 1980 they called Memphis. Members of the Memphis Group, which would come to include Martine Bedin, Michael Graves, Marco Zanini, Shiro Kuramata, Michele de Lucchi and Matteo Thun, saw design as a means of communication, and they wanted it to shout. That it did: The first Memphis collection appeared in 1981 in Milan and broke all the modernist taboos, embracing irony, kitsch, wild ornamentation and bad taste.
Memphis works remain icons of postmodernism: the Sottsass Casablanca bookcase, with its leopard-print plastic veneer; de Lucchi’s First chair, which has been described as having the look of an electronics component; Martine Bedin’s Super lamp: a pull-toy puppy on a power-cord leash. Even though it preceded the Memphis Group’s formal launch, Sottsass’s iconic Ultrafragola mirror — in its conspicuously curved plastic shell with radical pops of pink neon — proves striking in any space and embodies many of the collective’s postmodern ideals.
After the initial Memphis show caused an uproar, the postmodern movement within furniture and interior design quickly took off in America. (Memphis fell out of fashion when the Reagan era gave way to cool 1990’s minimalism.) The architect Robert Venturi had by then already begun a series of plywood chairs for Knoll Inc., with beefy, exaggerated silhouettes of traditional styles such as Queen Anne and Chippendale. In 1982, the new firm Swid Powell enlisted a group of top American architects, including Frank Gehry, Richard Meier, Stanley Tigerman and Venturi to create postmodern tableware in silver, ceramic and glass.
On 1stDibs, the vintage postmodern furniture collection includes chairs, coffee tables, sofas, decorative objects, table lamps and more.
Set of 2 Misty Beige Salvador Chairs by Nelson Araujo
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Misty Beige Salvador chairs by Nelson Araujo Dimensions: D 47 x H 75 cm Materials: Wood, Kvadrat Gentle II and Foam. Also Available: Terracota colour available. Nelson de ...
Velvet, Foam, Wood
Set of 2 Misty Beige Aurora Armchairs by Nelson Araujo
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Misty Beige Aurora Armchairs by Nelson Araujo Dimensions: W 81 x D 69 x H 57 cm Materials: Wood, velvet, foam. Also available: Pearl, Champ...
Velvet, Foam, Wood
$3,229 / item
Tuttu Sofa by Artu
Located in Geneve, CH
Tuttu sofa by Artu Pavel Vetrov Dimensions: W 134 x D 84 x H 78 cm Materials: metal, upholstery Other colors and materials available. Collection Tuttu Monteur takes its name f...
Metal
$857 / item
Halikko Bar Stool by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Halikko Bar Stool by Made By Choice Dimensions: 40 x 34 x 66 cm Materials: Solid Oak Standard finishes: Natural wood / painted black. Also available: Upholstery in fabric or S...
Oak
$12,365 / item
For the Love of Solitude Small Seater by Claste
Located in Geneve, CH
For The Love Of Solitude Small Seater by Claste Dimensions: D 50.8 x W 68.6 x H 56 cm Material: Marble, Glass Weight: 100 kg Since 2017 Quinlan Osborne has cultivated an aesthe...
Marble
$8,455 / item
Up Sofa by Lagu
Located in Geneve, CH
Up sofa by Lagu Designed by Ufuk Ceylan Dimensions: W 160 x D 80 x H 80 cm. Materials: Faux Leather, Foam, Hardwood, Metal, Upholstery. Designed to maximize both form and comfort, t...
Metal
$30,333 / item
Where We First Met Seater by Claste
Located in Geneve, CH
Where we first met seater by Claste Dimensions: D 47.6 x W 152.4 x H 55.9 cm Material: Glass, Marble Weight: 170 kg Also available in different ...
Marble
Halikko Dining Chair, Black by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Halikko dining chair, black by made by choice Dimensions: 51 x 47 x 79 cm Materials: solid oak Standard finishes: natural wood / painted black. Also available: upholstery in f...
Oak
$12,589 / item
Plato Pouf No 3 by Yasemin Toygar
Located in Geneve, CH
Plato Pouf No 3 by Yasemin Toygar. Dimensions: W 92 x D 40 x H 46 cm Materials: Satin Brass, marble and onyx, orange velvet fabric. Plato Collect...
Onyx, Marble, Brass
$12,718 / set
Set of 3 Seating Objects by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 seating objects by Lyk carpet One of a kind. Dimensions: #1 round arc W 140 x H 78 cm. 2# rectangle W 94 x H 56 cm. 3# circle ø94 cm. Thickness of the cushion: 15 cm. Materi...
Wool
Set of 2 Grey and Natural Oak Sahco Zero Footstool by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 grey and natural Oak Sahco zero footstool by Lassen Dimensions: w 56 x d 58 x h 40 cm Materials: Textile Also Available: Other colors available. The My Own chair foot...
Textile
Mocha Brown ARCH Two-Seater Sofa in Oak and Sahara Sheepskin by Mazo Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Mocha Brown ARCH Two-Seater Sofa in Oak and Sahara Sheepskin by Mazo Design Dimensions: W 128 x D 79 x H 76 cm Materials: Oak, Sheepskin Also Available: 2 Seater Configuration, ROMO/...
Other
Mocha TMBO Lounge Chair & Pouf Set in Oak and Sahara Sheepskin by Mazo Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Mocha TMBO Lounge Chair & Pouf Set in Oak and Sahara Sheepskin by Mazo Design Dimensions: W 90 x D 68.5 x H 87 cm / W 49 x D 49 x H 34 cm Materials: Oak, Sheepskin Also Available: ROMO/Linara, DAW/Royal, KVADRAT/Remix, KVADRAT/Hallingdal & Fiord, BUTE/Storr, DEDAR/Linear, DAW/Mohair & Mcnutt, JENNIFER SHORTO / Kongaline & Seafoam, DEDAR/Artemidor, 1935 is the date on the first draft of this chair by the renowned multitalent and architect Magnus Læssøe Stephensen, which have now been revived under the name TMBO. The TMBO series was designed in a shape that, in the laid back confident attitude, celebrates life with the same dramatic simplicity that Magnus Læssøe Stephensen found in Japanese design tradition. The TMBO Chair...
Other
$4,908 / item
Olive Nube Lounger by Siete Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Nube lounger one seater olive by Siete Studio Dimensions: D100 x W80 x H60 cm. Materials: Walnut, cushions, upholstery. Characterised by its round ed...
Other
$4,908 / item
Dune Nube Lounger by Siete Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Dune Nube Lounger by Siete Studio Dimensions: D100 x W80 x H60 cm. Materials: Walnut, cushions, upholstery. Characterised by its round edges and soft whi...
Other
Italian post modern grey, blue fabric and white wood armchairs, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian post modern grey, blue fabric and white wood armchairs, 1980s. Pair of armchairs with particular shape with high backrest in gray cotton fabric, both on the front and on the ...
Fabric, Wood
$10,663 / item
Bold Love Seat by Mohdern
Located in Geneve, CH
Bold Love Seat by Mohdern Dimensions: W 140 x D 136 x H 75 cm Materials: Fabric, Bouclé Bold is a refined furniture collection designed and produced by the Mohdern brand. The serie...
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery
$9,817 / item
Creachair Signed by Cal Summers
By Cal Summers
Located in Geneve, CH
Creachair signed by Cal Summers ‘Creachair’ Materials sculpted iron. Waxed finish. Leather upholstery Size- 16” D x 16” W, 22” H Cal Summers is a British designer who makes b...
Iron
$1,291 / item
Molcajete Stool by Casa Gutiérrez Nájer
Located in Geneve, CH
Molcajete stool by Casa Gutiérrez Nájer (2021) Dimensions: 33ø x 33h cm Materials: Colorada Stone Since its opening day back in 2011, Casa Gutiérrez Nájera design gallery has be...
Stone
$1,256 / item
Cover Navy Armchair by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Cover navy armchair by MOWEE. Dimensions: D60 x W62 x H83 cm (seat height 48 cm). Material: Aluminium and upholstery. Weight: 5 kg. Also available i...
Aluminum
$1,256 / item
Cover Salmon Armchair by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Cover Salmon armchair by Mowee Dimensions: D60 x W62 x H83 cm (seat height 48 cm) Material: Aluminium and upholstery. Weight: 5 kg. Also available in different colors and finishe...
Aluminum
$1,256 / item
Cover White Armchair by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Cover White Armchair by Mowee Dimensions: D 60 x W 62 x H 83 cm (seat height 48 cm) Material: Aluminum and upholstery. Weight: 5 kg. Also available in different colors and finish...
Aluminum
$4,063 / item
Cover Bronze Divan by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Cover bronze divan by MOWEE. Dimensions: D91 x W155 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum and upholstery. Weight: 30 kg. Also available in different colors and finishe...
Aluminum
$4,063 / item
Cover Navy Divan by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Cover navy divan by MOWEE. Dimensions: D91 x W155 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum and upholstery. Weight: 30 kg. Also available in different colors and finishes....
Aluminum
$4,063 / item
Cover Salmon Divan by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Cover salmon divan by MOWEE. Dimensions: D91 x W155 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum and upholstery. Weight: 30 kg. Also available in different colors and finishe...
Aluminum
$3,781 / item
Nature Grey Longue Chair by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature grey longue chair by MOWEE. Dimensions: D85 x W83 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: aluminum, upholstery and Iroko wood. Weight: 20 ...
Aluminum
$4,063 / item
Cover Grey Divan by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Cover grey divan by MOWEE. Dimensions: D91 x W155 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: aluminum and upholstery. Weight: 30 kg. Also available in different colors and finishes....
Aluminum
$5,413 / item
Nature White Sofa by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature white sofa by MOWEE. Dimensions: D85 x W151 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: aluminum, upholstery and Iroko Wood. Weight: 32 kg. Also available in different colors ...
Aluminum
$3,781 / item
Nature Navy Longue Chair by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature navy longue chair by MOWEE Dimensions: D85 x W83 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum, upholstery and Iroko Wood. Weight: 20 k...
Aluminum
$5,413 / item
Nature Navy Sofa by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature Navy sofa by MOWEE Dimensions: D85 x W151 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum, upholstery and Iroko Wood. Weight: 32 kg. Also availab...
Aluminum
$3,781 / item
Nature Chocolate Longue Chair by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature chocolate longue chair by MOWEE. Dimensions: D85 x W83 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: aluminum, upholstery and Iroko Wood. W...
Aluminum
$1,256 / item
Cover Bronze Armchair by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Cover bronze armchair by MOWEE. Dimensions: D60 x W62 x H83 cm (seat height 48 cm) Material: aluminium and upholstery. Weight: 5 kg. Also available in different colors and finish...
Aluminum
$4,039 / item
Nature White Double Central Modular Sofa by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature white double central modular sofa by MOWEE Dimensions: D83 x W136 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum and upholstery. Weight: 27 kg. Also available in differe...
Aluminum
$4,063 / item
Cover Chocolate Divan by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Cover Chocolate Divan by MOWEE Dimensions: D91 x W155 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum and upholstery. Weight: 30 kg. Also available in different colors and finis...
Aluminum
$3,781 / item
Nature Salmon Longue Chair by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature salmon longue chair by MOWEE. Dimensions: D85 x W83 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: aluminum, upholstery and Iroko Wood. Weight: 20 kg. Also available in different...
Aluminum
$1,256 / item
Cover Burgundy Armchair by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Cover Burgundy armchair by MOWEE Dimensions: D60 x W62 x H83 cm (seat height 48 cm) Material: Aluminium and upholstery. Weight: 5 kg. Also availa...
Aluminum
$1,256 / item
Cover Grey Armchair by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Cover grey armchair by MOWEE. Dimensions: D60 x W62 x H83 cm (seat height 48 cm) Material: aluminium and upholstery. Weight: 5 kg. Also available in ...
Aluminum
$1,256 / item
Cover Chocolate Armchair by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Cover chocolate armchair by Mowee Dimensions: D60 x W62 x H83 cm (seat height 48 cm) Material: Aluminium and upholstery. Weight: 5 kg. Also available in different colors and fini...
Aluminum
$5,413 / item
Nature Burgundy Sofa by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature burgundy sofa by MOWEE. Dimensions: D85 x W151 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: aluminum, upholstery and Iroko wood. Weight: 32 kg. Also available in different colo...
Aluminum
Nature Chocolate Double Central Modular Sofa by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature chocolate double central modular sofa by MOWEE Dimensions: D83 x W136 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum and upholstery. Weight: 27 kg. Also available in dif...
Aluminum
$5,413 / item
Nature Black Sofa by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature black sofa by MOWEE Dimensions: D85 x W151 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum, upholstery and Iroko Wood. Weight: 32 kg. Also available in different colors a...
Aluminum
$4,063 / item
Cover Cream Divan by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Cover cream divan by MOWEE. Dimensions: D91 x W155 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: aluminum and upholstery. Weight: 30 kg. Also available in different colors and finishes...
Aluminum
$1,256 / item
Cover Black Armchair by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Cover black armchair by MOWEE. Dimensions: D60 x W62 x H83 cm (seat height 48 cm). Material: aluminium and upholstery. Weight: 5 kg. Also available in different colors and finish...
Aluminum
$5,413 / item
Nature Salmon Sofa by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature Salmon sofa by MOWEE Dimensions: D85 x W151 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum, upholstery and Iroko Wood. Weight: 32 kg. Also av...
Aluminum
$3,781 / item
Nature White Longue Chair by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature white longue chair by MOWEE. Dimensions: D85 x W83 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: aluminum, upholstery and Iroko Wood. Weight: 2...
Aluminum
$4,039 / item
Nature Black Double Central Modular Sofa by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature Black Double Central Modular Sofa by MOWEE Dimensions: D83 x W136 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum and upholstery. Weight: 27 kg. Also available in differe...
Aluminum
$5,413 / item
Nature Grey Sofa by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature grey sofa by MOWEE Dimensions: D85 x W151 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum, upholstery and Iroko Wood. Weight: 32 kg. Also availab...
Aluminum
$5,413 / item
Nature Cream Sofa by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature cream sofa by MOWEE. Dimensions: D85 x W151 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: aluminum, upholstery and Iroko Wood. Weight: 32 kg. Also avai...
Aluminum
$5,413 / item
Nature Bronze Sofa by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature bronze sofa by MOWEE Dimensions: D85 x W151 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: aluminum, upholstery and Iroko Wood. Weight: 32 kg. Also available in different colors ...
Aluminum
$5,413 / item
Nature Chocolate Sofa by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature chocolate sofa by MOWEE. Dimensions: D85 x W151 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: aluminum, upholstery and Iroko Wood. Weight: 32 kg. Also available in different col...
Aluminum
$3,769 / item
Cover White Right Chaise Longue by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Cover White Right Chaise Longue by MOWEE Dimensions: D 80 x W 155 x H 81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum and upholstery. Weight: 28 kg. Also available in different col...
Aluminum
$2,759 / item
Cover Cream Right Modular Sofa by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Cover Cream Right Modular Sofa by MOWEE Dimensions: D83 x W80 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum and upholstery. Weight: 19 kg. A...
Aluminum
$4,063 / item
Cover White Divan by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Cover white divan by MOWEE. Dimensions: D91 x W155 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: aluminum and upholstery. Weight: 30 kg. Also available in di...
Aluminum
$3,769 / item
Cover Salmon Left Chaise Lounge by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Cover Salmon Left Chaise Longue by MOWEE Dimensions: D80 x W155 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum and upholstery. Weight: 28 kg. Also available in different colors...
Aluminum
$2,759 / item
Cover Bronze Right Modular Sofa by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Cover Bronze Right Modular Sofa by MOWEE Dimensions: D83 x W80 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum and upholstery. Weight: 19 kg. ...
Aluminum
$2,759 / item
Cover Burgundy Left Modular Sofa by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Cover Burgundy Left Modular Sofa by MOWEE Dimensions: D83 x W80 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminium and upholstery . Weight: 19 kg. Also available in different colo...
Aluminum
$3,769 / item
Cover Grey Left Chaise Longue by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Cover Grey Left Chaise Longue by MOWEE Dimensions: D80 x W155 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum and upholstery. Weight: 28 kg. Also available in different colors a...
Aluminum
$2,759 / item
Cover Chocolate Left Modular Sofa by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Cover Chocolate Left Modular Sofa by MOWEE Dimensions: D83 x W80 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminium and upholstery . Weight: 19 kg. Also available in different col...
Aluminum
$3,769 / item
Cover Cream Right Chaise Longue by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Cover Cream Right Chaise Longue by MOWEE Dimensions: D 80 x W 155 x H 81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum and upholstery. Weight: 28 kg. Also available in different col...
Aluminum
$4,039 / item
Nature Grey Double Central Modular Sofa by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature grey double central modular sofa by MOWEE Dimensions: D83 x W136 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum and upholstery. Weight: 27 kg. Also available in differen...
Aluminum