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.
$6,143 / item
Magic Sideboard, Four Doors, by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Magic Sideboard, Four Doors, by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 55 x W 240 x H 70 cm Materials: Wood. Infuse art and vitality into your environment with distinctive creations that reflec...
Wood
$8,113 / item
Artes Sideboard by Dale Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Artes Sideboard by Dale Italia Dimensions: D 51 x W 192 x H 83 cm. Materials: Walnut and glass. Frame in solid canaletto walnut. Available in three-door version with two internal co...
Walnut, Glass
$2,366 / item
Natural Oak Marius Sideboard 185 by HARTO
Located in Geneve, CH
Natural Oak Marius Sideboard 185 by HARTO Dimensions: W 185 x D 45 x H 65 cm. Materials: Solid Wood, MDF wood veneer. Weight: 59.0 kg The 185cm sideboard from the Marius collecti...
Wood
Bespoke Postmodern Style Colored Glass and Brass Console Sideboard
Located in London, London
Bespoke sideboard Colored glass Four doors Brass inlay Contemporary, Italy.
Brass
Storage unit by Pierre Cardin
By Francesco Bocola, Pierre Cardin
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Pierre Cardin and Francesco Bocola . One of a kind storage unit made by Fransesco Bocola and Pierre Cardin . 4 doors and 4 drawers. Signed pierre Cardin in the wood at the base. Probably unique piece and made for a special command with the rest of pierre Cardin pieces . I would prefer to sell the entire set comprising desk low table and chair...
Wood, Lacquer
$6,236 / item
Bosco Sideboard, Five Doors, by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Bosco Sideboard, Five Doors, by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 50 x W 235 x H 87 cm Materials: Wood. The essence of nature surrounds us and drives us to create. It is a reflection of ou...
Wood
Natural Solid Pine Itooraba Sideboard by Sizar Alexis
By Sizar Alexis
Located in Geneve, CH
Natural Solid Pine Itooraba Sideboard by Sizar Alexis Limited Edition of 12 pieces Dimensions: W 50 x D 85 x H 170 cm Materials: Natural Solid Pine. About: Sizar Alexis is a Swedish...
Wood
$2,483 / item
Natural Walnut Marius Sideboard by HARTO
Located in Geneve, CH
Natural Walnut Marius Sideboard by HARTO Dimensions: W 155 x D 45 x H 65 cm. Materials: Solid Wood, MDF wood veneer. Weight: 51.0 kg The 155cm sideboard from the Marius collectio...
Wood
$13,849 / item
Curl Series Sideboard 2x3 by hm-LI Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Curl Series Sideboard 2x3 by hm-LI Studio Dimensions: W 138.2 x D 50 x H 94.2 cm Materials: Walnut Burl Veneer, Solid Wood, Blackened Steel Legs, Blackened Steel/Marble Top Surface....
Marble, Steel
$6,738 / item
Traccia Sideboard by Dale Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Traccia Sideboard by Dale Italia Dimensions: D 54 x W 187 x H 96 cm. Materials: Walnut. Frame in solid Canaletto walnut. Available in a two-door version with two drawers, two intern...
Walnut
Ettore Sottsass Memphis 'Casablanca' Cabinet, 1981, Italy
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
This strikingly sculptural cabinet is a superb work of art designed in 1981 by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis. The wood and plastic laminate structure features a base with a column supp...
Laminate, Wood
$5,549 / item
Libra Sideboard by Pastform
Located in Geneve, CH
Libra Sideboard by Pastform Dimensions: D 40 x W 200 x H 70 cm Materials: Stained and varnished wood. Available in different wood color finishes: Whiskey, Rum, BPA, Nobel, Brandy, S...
Wood
Walnut Low Sideboard by Says Who with Metal Accents, Danish Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Walnut array low sideboard 150 by Says Who Materials: walnut, metal Dimensions: D 37 x W 150 x H 25 cm Also available in different colours and materia...
Metal
Totem Wood Sideboard, Three Doors and Three Drawers, by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Totem Wood Sideboard by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 46 x W 195 x H 84 cm Materials: Wood. Geometry and mathematics behind the scenes of art. The design embraces and integrates the ex...
Wood
$27,698 / item
Correspondence Sideboard by Gisbert Pöppler
Located in Geneve, CH
Correspondence Sideboard by Gisbert Pöppler Dimensions: D 250 x W 28 x H 91,5 cm Materials: hand lacquered ash wood Inspired by classic Asian woodwork, this sleek table uses no nails or screws, it is simply held together with compression from a keystone and artistic joinery. The striking lines and refined structure of this narrow table make it suitable for an entrance hall, supporting a freestanding couch, or in any tight space that needs some elegance. Crafted out of solid Ash and hand lacquered in a coral red, Correspondence stands on subtle wedge like legs that tapper into rounded details where wooden pegs hold everything together. All of their upholstery pieces are COM prices. The prices do not include any fabric. Gisbert Pöppler studied architecture at California College of Arts and Crafts, San Francisco and Technische Universität, Berlin, graduating in 1996 with a Diplom Ingenieur. After completing his studies he spent several years working for various firms in Berlin, developing new architecture after the German re-unification. In 1999 Gisbert Pöppler founded Prinz–Pöppler, a partnership with architect Ilona Prinz – together creating office environments for start-up organizations filling the dynamic Berlin landscape...
Ash
$2,483 / item
BC Console by DAaZ
Located in Geneve, CH
BC Console by DAaZ Dimensions: D 45 x W 220 x H 68 cm. Materials: Albizzia wood. DAaZ Furniture honors the spirit of adventure. We embrace the escape of the ordinary and revel in t...
Wood
$29,552 / item
Oak Enzo Sideboard by Rosanna Ceravolo
Located in Geneve, CH
Oak Enzo sideboard by Rosanna Ceravolo Dimensions: W 220 x D 46 x H 68 cm Materials: Solid american oak fronts, polyurethane spray finish. Also available in different dimensions a...
Oak
Mytho Sideboard Composition, Six Doors and Small Open Shelf, by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Mytho Composition by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 47 x W 330 x H 132 cm Materials: Wood. The Mytho series grows with this TV composition, with ample storage, six doors, and a small op...
Wood
Gold Rectangular Wood Brass Post Modern Geometric Sideboard By Valentina Giovand
Located in Geneve, CH
Musibah Sideboard by Valentina Giovando Dimensions: W 250 x D 65 x H 95 cm. Materials: Wood, Fabric, Brass, Fiberglass, Bronze, Zinc. Valentina Giovando, Lives and works in Sarzan...
Zinc, Bronze, Brass
One Sideboard, Five Doors and One Drawer, by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
One Sideboard, Five Doors and One Drawer, by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 45 x W 250 x H 83 cm Materials: Wood. The One series grows at all levels with this piece that incorporates si...
Wood
Black Rectangular Wood Contemporary Gold Treasure Shrine By Christian Friedl
Located in Geneve, CH
Gold Treasure Shrine by Christian Friedl Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 56 x W 310 x H 75 cm. Materials: Oak, gold leaf. Consistency and lasting value result in a wonderful symbiosis. ...
Gold Leaf
Oh Lola Sideboard, Three Doors and Two Drawers, by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Oh Lola Sideboard, Three Doors and Two Drawers, by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 48 x W 180x H 70 cm Materials: Wood. Sideboard with two drawers and three doors in a natural finish on ...
Wood
Brass And Solid Wood Bugs Sideboard by PANOPTIKUM COLLECTIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass And Solid Wood Bugs Sideboard by PANOPTIKUM COLLECTIONS Dimensions: D 48 x W 168 x H 80 cm. Materials: Solid wood, veneer, pyrographу, and brass. The BUGS collection is a vivi...
Brass, Other
$2,984 / item
Small Sideboard by Tomasz Omachel
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Sideboard by Tomasz Omachel Dimensions: D 40 x W 60 x H 80 cm. Materials: Ash, Brass. Tomasz Omachel (1984) is a self-taught maker. His story began in furniture renovation, w...
Brass
$6,306 / item
Reina Sideboard 160, Four Doors, by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Reina Sideboard 160, Four Doors, by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 45 x W 160 x H 110 cm Materials: Wood. The multiple possibilities of the Reina series have inspired us to create furniture suitable for any room. Each piece takes on an entity in itself, being reinforced in its original color combination, here mainly with striking yellow, violet, and green tones, both for the exterior and to cover the interior shelves. This colorful sideboard...
Wood
$25,996 / item
Collectionist Buffet Sideboard by Laurameroni
Located in Geneve, CH
Collectionist Buffet Sideboard by Laurameroni Dimensions: W 146 x D 50 x H 140 cm Materials: Glossy lacquered wood; int. Matt lacquered wood. Medium cabinet with curved sides in po...
Wood
Ettore Sottsass "Carlton" Room Divider, MDF & Plastic, Italy, 1981
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
The totemic CARLTON room divider is a Memphis icon. The piece calls into question conventional furniture forms by combining a space divider, bookcase, and chest of drawers. Intended ...
Laminate, Wood
Marte2, Low Sideboard with Two Drawers with Cylinder Legs by Ultramobili
Located in Geneve, CH
Marte2, Low Sideboard with Two Drawers with Cylinder Legs by Ultramobili Dimensions: W 180.3 x D 53 x H 52 cm Materials: Matte or Glossy Lacquer Finish. Low sideboard with 2 drawe...
Lacquer
$32,560 / item
Greenwich Console by Arturo Verástegui
Located in Geneve, CH
Greenwich console by Arturo Verástegui Dimensions: D 300 x W 2.22 x H 75 cm Materials: oak wood, Metalicus granite, Katalox wood, stainless steel. Console made of burnt white oa...
Granite, Steel
$27,150 / item
Collectionist Sideboard by Laurameroni
Located in Geneve, CH
Collectionist Sideboard by Laurameroni Dimensions: W 160 x D 40 x H 147 cm Materials: Siberian Ash, satin brass, cast bronze Sesel handles CO 157 SM: Storage unit in Siberian Ash wo...
Brass
$3,042 / item
Kron Vinyl Sideboard by Pastform
Located in Geneve, CH
Kron Vinyl Sideboard by Pastform Dimensions: D 45 x W 150 x H 85 cm Materials: Stained and varnished wood. Available in different wood color finishes:...
Wood
$28,281 / item
Magnolia Sideboard by Ginger & Jagger
Located in Geneve, CH
Magnolia Sideboard by Ginger & Jagger Dimensions: D 60 x W 200 x H 91 cm. Materials: Miosotis wood veneer, lacquer, and brass. Finish: Doors in Miosotis wood veneer in gloss; bo...
Brass
$4,301 / item
Punk Sideboard 170 by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Punk Sideboard 170 by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 45 x W 170 x H 65 cm Materials: Wood. The origin model of this iconic series. It reconciles the rebelliousness of the punk spirit wi...
Wood
Munìs Sideboard by Valentina Giovando, Wood & Brass, Italy
Located in Geneve, CH
Munìs Sideboard by Valentina Giovando Dimensions: W 150 x D 50 x H 95 cm. Materials: Wood, Fabric, Brass, Zinc, Fiberglass, Bronze. Valentina Giovando, Lives and works in Sarzana,...
Bronze, Brass
$6,656 / item
Walnut Array Highboard 80 by Says Who
Located in Geneve, CH
Walnut array highboard 80 by Says Who. Materials: Walnut, metal. Dimensions: D 44 x W 80 x H 160 cm. Also available in different colours and materials. ...
Metal
Phoenix Walnut Sideboard, Three Doors and Two Drawers, by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Phoenix Sideboard by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 46 x W 250 x H 72 cm Materials: Walnut. This spacious sideboard has three doors with interior shelves and two drawers. The pattern of...
Wood
$5,700 / item
Rascacielos Cabinet by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Rascacielos Cabinet by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 40 x W 120 x H 182 cm Materials: Wood. As if it were a skyline, we thought of a piece that played with volumes and heights. Variety...
Wood
Pastoe A'Dammer' Roller Shutter Sideboard, Black
By Aldo van den Nieuwelaar, Pastoe
Located in Toronto, CA
The A’dammer stands out as a remarkable example of furniture conceived as an artistic design object. Its signature feature is the ribbed roll shutter, which can effortlessly slide aw...
Plastic, Wood
$4,744 / item
Tatel Oak Sideboard, Four Doors, by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Tatel Sideboard by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 45 x W 220 x H 70 cm Materials: Oak. The design of this low sideboard is inspired by wooden panels that fit together to achieve a geome...
Oak
$42,235 / item
Talento Unlimited TAL 01 MM Sideboard by Laurameroni
Located in Geneve, CH
Talento Unlimited TAL 01 MM Sideboard by Laurameroni Dimensions: W 106 x D 52 x H 200 cm Materials: Structure: "Patina Bronzata Antica" Doors: "Unlimited" carved with Bronze "Liquid ...
Bronze
$26,929 / item
Twin Sideboard by Gisbert Pöppler
Located in Geneve, CH
Twin Sideboard by Gisbert Pöppler Dimensions: D 173 x W 48.5 x H 81 cm Materials: Semigloss hand-laquered ash wood, olive wood This cabinet appears monolithic, but the playfully...
Ash, Olive
$4,010 / item
Denver Walnut Wood Cabinet by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Denver Walnut Wood Cabinet by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 51 x W 130 x H 150 cm Materials: Walnut wood. Made of walnut wood, this designer piece of furniture is a true gem that will ...
Wood
$23,070 / item
Clarity Sideboard by Ginger & Jagger
Located in Geneve, CH
Clarity Sideboard by Ginger & Jagger Dimensions: D 61 x W 225 x H 81 cm. Materials: Glass and brass. Finish: Glass in Bronze finishing. Metal details: Polished Brass. This product ...
Bronze
Brass And Paint Bubbles Decorative Sideboard by PANOPTIKUM COLLECTIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass And Paint Bubbles Decorative Sideboard by PANOPTIKUM COLLECTIONS Dimensions: D 50 x W 120 x H 85 cm. Materials: MDF, brass, paint, and LED lighting. The “Bubbles collection” i...
Brass, Other
$27,314 / item
BD 95 Sideboard by Laurameroni
Located in Geneve, CH
BD 95 Sideboard by Laurameroni Dimensions: W 110 x D 48 x H 150 cm Materials: Liquid Metal Bronze on Maxima carving; int. walnut Canaletto Wooden tall si...
Metal
London Sideboard, Four Doors and Three Drawers, by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
London Sideboard, Four Doors and Three Drawers, by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 50 x W 200 x H 90 cm Materials: Wood. The London series is overlapping boxes with different volumes and...
Wood
$7,134 / item
Reina Sideboard 230, Five Doors, by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Reina Sideboard 230, Five Doors, by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 45 x W 230 x H 110 cm Materials: Wood. This sideboard exudes elegance in abundance. We use cherry wood as a base to cr...
Wood
$9,780 / item
One Composition Sideboard by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
One Composition Sideboard by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 45 x W 300 x H 170 cm Materials: Wood. One of the most elegant combinations of the One series. This suspended sideboard with ...
Wood
$41,653 / item
Gravedad Sideboard by Joel Escalona
Located in Geneve, CH
Gravedad sideboard by Joel Escalona Limited Edition of 9 Dimensions: D 200 x W 80 x H 50 cm Materials: oak wood, Petra Grey marble, steel. Conso...
Marble, Steel
$5,525 / item
Punk Sideboard 190 by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Punk Sideboard 190 by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 45 x W 190 x H 85 cm Materials: Wood. This version of the Punk series, finished in sand, rebels against even its own spirit of freed...
Wood
$24,994 / item
Honor Sideboard by Memoir Essence
Located in Geneve, CH
Honor Sideboard by Memoir Essence Dimensions: D 50 x W 200 x H 90 cm. Materials: Gold leaf, Swarovski crystals, and ironwood veneer. (Also available with a lacquered interior. Please...
Crystal, Gold Leaf
Loft Industrial Style Wood and Iron Cabinet by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Loft Industrial Style Wood and Iron Cabinet by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 45 x W 147 x H 160 cm Materials: Wood, iron. The Loft wardrobe is inspired by the legendary industrial styl...
Iron
$5,467 / item
Araña Sideboard, Four Doors, by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Araña Sideboard by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 45 x W 200 x H 64 cm Materials: Wood. Four doors with an interior shelf. Customizable in size and finish. We are Félix and Désirée Ra...
Wood
$17,824 / item
Carlito Walnut Highboard by Atelier Blouberg
Located in Geneve, CH
Carlito Walnut Cabinet by Atelier Blouberg Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 44 x W 65 x H 140,5 cm. Materials: Walnut. Available in walnut and oak. Please contact us. Ruben Van Lerbergh...
Walnut
Classy Brown Medium Sideboard With Handles by Pastform
Located in Geneve, CH
Classy Brown Medium Sideboard With Handles by Pastform Dimensions: D 40 x W 170 x H 75 cm. Materials: Stained and varnished wood. Available in different wood color finishes: Whiskey...
Wood
$5,467 / item
Puzle Sideboard, Three Doors, by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Puzle Sideboard, Three Doors, by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 45 x W 180x H 75 cm Materials: Wood. Cherry wood frame with rounded corners and carved legs of nineteenth-century inspira...
Wood
Brass And Solid Wood Bugs Sideboard by PANOPTIKUM COLLECTIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass And Solid Wood Bugs Sideboard by PANOPTIKUM COLLECTIONS Dimensions: D 48 x W 168 x H 80 cm. Materials: Solid wood, veneer, pyrographу, and brass. The BUGS collection is a vivi...
Brass, Other
$12,567 / item
Nod Sideboard in MDF & Wood Veneer by Hermhaus
Located in Geneve, CH
Nod Sideboard in MDF & Wood Veneer by Hermhaus Dimensions: D 35 x W 90 x H 100 cm Materials: MDF product with wood veneer Nod is a form that takes shape around a void opened wit...
Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF), Wood
$4,686 / item
Materia Natura Sideboard by Dale Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Materia Natura Sideboard by Dale Italia Dimensions: D 50 x W 145 x H 93 cm. Materials: Walnut, ash, and wenge. Frame in blockboard walnut, solid-edged. Foot to be specified when or...
Walnut, Ash, Wenge
One Composition Sideboard, Four Doors and Three Drawers, by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
One Composition Sideboard, Four Doors and Three Drawers, by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 45 x W 275 x H 97 cm Materials: Wood. Another example of this magnificent One series that acco...
Wood