$1,510 / item
Silver Brass Desk Light II by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Silver Brass Desk Light II by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 20.5 x H 49 cm. Materials: Brushed brass.
Brass
$1,580 / item
Triangle Box Nickel Wall Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Triangle Box Nickel Wall Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 10 x W 27 x H 15 cm. Materials: Nickel, white acrylic panels.
Nickel
$1,522 / item
Triangle Box Brass Wall Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Triangle Box Brass Wall Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 10 x W 27 x H 15 cm. Materials: Brushed brass, white acrylic panels.
Brass
$2,177 / item
Triangle Box Brass Pendant Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Triangle Box Brass Pendant Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 10 x W 15 x H 57.6 cm.
Brass
$3,173 / item
Triangle Box Nickel Floor Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Triangle Box Nickel Floor Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 155 cm.
Metal
$3,196 / item
Triangle Box Brass Floor Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Triangle Box Brass Floor Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 155 cm.
Brass
$2,318 / item
Triangle Box Nickel Desk Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Triangle Box Nickel Desk Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 12 x W 15 x H 43 cm. Materials: Nickel, white acrylic panels.
Nickel
$2,154 / item
Triangle Box Brass Desk Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Triangle Box Brass Desk Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 12 x W 15 x H 43 cm. Materials: Brushed brass, white acrylic panels.
Brass
$4,086 / item
Big Triangle Ceiling Light II by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Big Triangle Ceiling Light II by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 20 x W 150 x H 50.5 cm.
Brass
$2,072 / item
Black Hole Brass Wall Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Hole Brass Wall Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 20.5 x W 50 x H 27.5 cm.
Brass
$1,194 / item
Structure and Globe Desk Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Structure and Globe Desk Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 40 cm. (Dimensions are approximate).
Metal
$5,631 / item
Epic Two Brass Pendant Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Epic Two Brass Pendant Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 50 x W 50 x H 191 cm.
Brass
$984 / item
Disc and Sphere Wall Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Disc and Sphere Wall Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 17 x W 23 x H 23 cm. Materials: Brass, powder-coated metal.
Metal, Brass
$5,456 / item
Epic Three Brass Pendant Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Epic Three Brass Pendant Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 68 x W 68 x H 190 cm.
Brass
$4,624 / item
Vertical Globe Brass Pendant Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Vertical Globe Brass Pendant Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 27 x W 27 x H 172.5 cm.
Brass
$4,624 / item
Vertical Globe Brass Floor Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Vertical Globe Brass Floor Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 27 x W 27 x H 183 cm.
Brass
$3,863 / item
Sand Outlines Cut Floor Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Sand Outlines Cut Floor Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 20.4 x H 156.7 cm. Materials: Powder-coated metal, white glass.
Metal
$3,863 / item
Red Outlines Cut Floor Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Red Outlines Cut Floor Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 20.4 x H 156.7 cm. Materials: Powder-coated metal, white glass.
Metal
$3,863 / item
Pink Outlines Cut Floor Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Pink Outlines Cut Floor Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 20.4 x H 156.7 cm. Materials: Powder-coated metal, white glass.
Metal
$3,863 / item
White Outlines Cut Floor Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
White Outlines Cut Floor Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 20.4 x H 156.7 cm. Materials: Powder-coated metal, white glass.
Metal
$3,863 / item
Blue Outlines Cut Floor Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Blue Outlines Cut Floor Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 20.4 x H 156.7 cm. Materials: Powder-coated metal, white glass.
Metal
$3,863 / item
Black Outlines Cut Floor Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Outlines Cut Floor Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 20.4 x H 156.7 cm. Materials: Powder-coated metal, white glass.
Metal
$3,676 / item
Inside Out Triangles Wall Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Inside Out Triangles Wall Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 3 x W 13 x H 102.5 cm.
Brass
$2,575 / item
Square Small Globes Pendant Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Square Small Globes Pendant Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 9 x W 50 x H 68 cm. Materials: Brushed brass, white glass.
Brass
$2,962 / item
Square Small Globes Pendant Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Square Small Globes Pendant Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 9 x W 50 x H 68 cm. Materials: powder-coated metal, white glass.
Brass
$2,938 / item
Square Large Globes Pendant Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Square Large Globes Pendant Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 13.5 x W 50 x H 77 cm.
Brass
$3,863 / item
Inside Out Triangles Pendant Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Inside Out Triangles Pendant Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 12 x W 12 x H 167.5 cm.
Brass
$2,049 / item
Tube Circle Nickel Wall Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Tube Circle Nickel Wall Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 6 x W 12 x H 61.5 cm.
Nickel
$2,049 / item
Tube Circle Brass Wall Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Tube Circle Brass Wall Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 6 x W 12 x H 61.5 cm.
Brass
$3,067 / item
Long Blue Hat Ceiling Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Long Blue Hat Ceiling Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 18 x W 81 x H 139.5 cm.
Metal, Brass
$3,067 / item
Long White Hat Ceiling Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Long White Hat Ceiling Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 18 x W 81 x H 139.5 cm.
Metal, Brass
$2,728 / item
Short Green Hat Ceiling Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Short Green Hat Ceiling Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 18 x W 47 x H 80.5 cm.
Metal, Nickel
$2,728 / item
Short White Hat Ceiling Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Short White Hat Ceiling Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 18 x W 47 x H 80.5 cm.
Metal, Brass
$3,067 / item
Long Black Hat Ceiling Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Long Black Hat Ceiling Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 18 x W 81 x H 139.5 cm.
Metal, Brass
$2,728 / item
Short Black Hat Ceiling Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Short Black Hat Ceiling Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 18 x W 47 x H 80.5 cm.
Metal, Brass
$10,549 / item
Birch Pendant Light, 7 Elements, by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Birch Pendant Light, 7 Elements, by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 9 x W 35 x H 32.5 cm.
Metal
$10,549 / item
Birch Pendant Light, 7 Elements, by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Birch Pendant Light, 7 Elements, by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 9 x W 35 x H 32.5 cm.
Metal
$2,049 / item
Birch Wall Light, 2 Globes, by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Birch Wall Light, 2 Globes, by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 9 x W 12 x H 40.5 cm.
Metal
$1,873 / item
Birch Wall Light, 2 Globes, by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Birch Wall Light, 2 Globes, by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 9 x W 12 x H 40.5 cm.
Metal
$2,189 / item
Up and Down Ceiling Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Up and Down Ceiling Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 40 x H 25.5 cm. Materials: Brushed brass, powder-coated metal, white glass.
Brass, Metal
$4,086 / item
Alouette 2 Birds Floor Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Alouette 2 Birds Floor Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 120 cm.
Metal
$5,280 / item
Alouette 3 Birds Floor Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Alouette 3 Birds Floor Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 150 cm.
Metal
$2,540 / item
Alouette 1 Bird Floor Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Alouette 1 Bird Floor Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 100 cm.
Metal
$2,927 / item
Alouette 1 Bird Floor Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Alouette 1 Bird Floor Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 100 cm.
Metal
$5,280 / item
Alouette 3 Birds Floor Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Alouette 3 Birds Floor Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 150 cm.
Metal
$3,500 / item
Alouette 2 Birds Floor Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Alouette 2 Birds Floor Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 120 cm.
Metal
$2,540 / item
Alouette 1 Bird Floor Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Alouette 1 Bird Floor Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 100 cm.
Metal
$4,952 / item
Yellow and Black Array Wall Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Yellow and Black Array Wall Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 3.8 x W 82 x H 23.3 cm.
Metal
$3,664 / item
Green Tube and Globe Floor Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Green Tube and Globe Floor Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 16 x H 159 cm. Materials: Powder-coated metal.
Metal
$2,482 / item
Black Tube and Globe Wall Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Tube and Globe Wall Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 12 x H 34 cm. Materials: Powder-coated metal.
Metal
$3,126 / item
Pink Tube and Rectangle Wall Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Pink Tube and Rectangle Wall Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 12 x W 10 x H 30 cm. Materials: Powder-coated metal.
Metal
$5,444 / item
Blue and Yellow Array Pendant Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Blue and Yellow Array Pendant Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 12.3 x W 82 x H 66 cm.
Metal
$2,224 / item
V Lights Nickel Wall Lamp I by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
V Lights Nickel Wall Lamp I by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 6.6 x W 22.6 x H 24.2 cm.
Nickel
$2,049 / item
V Lights Brass Wall Lamp IV by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
V Lights Brass Wall Lamp IV by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 6.6 x W 22.6 x H 28 cm.
Brass
$2,411 / item
V Lights Brass Wall Lamp III by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
V Lights Brass Wall Lamp III by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 6.6 x W 22.6 x H 40.2 cm.
Brass
$2,224 / item
V Lights Brass Wall Lamp II by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
V Lights Brass Wall Lamp II by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 6.6 x W 22.6 x H 36.4 cm.
Brass
$2,786 / item
V Lights Nickel Wall Lamp III by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
V Lights Nickel Wall Lamp III by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 6.6 x W 22.6 x H 40.2 cm.
Nickel
$2,599 / item
V Lights Nickel Wall Lamp II by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
V Lights Nickel Wall Lamp II by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 6.6 x W 22.6 x H 36.4 cm.
Nickel
$2,411 / item
V Lights Nickel Wall Lamp IV by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
V Lights Nickel Wall Lamp IV by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 6.6 x W 22.6 x H 28 cm.
Nickel
$1,861 / item
V Lights Brass Wall Lamp I by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
V Lights Brass Wall Lamp I by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 6.6 x W 22.6 x H 24.2 cm.
Brass
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.
The right table lamp, outwardly sculptural chandelier or understated wall pendant can work wonders for your home. While we’re indebted to thinkers like Thomas Edison for critically important advancements in lighting and electricity, we’re still finding new ways to customize illumination to fit our personal spaces all these years later. A wide range of antique and vintage lighting can be found on 1stDibs.
Today, lighting designers like the self-taught Bec Brittain have used the flexible structure of LEDs to craft glamorous solutions by working with what is typically considered a harsh lighting source. By integrating glass and mirrors, reflection can be used to soften the glow from LEDs and warmly welcome light into any space.
Although contemporary innovators continue to impress, some of the classics can’t be beat.
Just as gazing at the stars allows you to glimpse the universe’s past, vintage chandeliers like those designed by Gino Sarfatti and J. & L. Lobmeyr, for example, put on a similarly stunning show, each with a rich story to tell.
As dazzling as it is, the Arco lamp, on the other hand, prioritizes functionality — it’s wholly mobile, no drilling required. Designed in 1962 by architect-product designers Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, the piece takes the traditional form of a streetlamp and creates an elegant, arching floor fixture for at-home use.
There is no shortage of modernist lighting similarly prized by collectors and casual enthusiasts alike — there are Art Deco table lamps created in a universally appreciated style, the Tripod floor lamp by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Greta Magnusson Grossman's sleek and minimalist Grasshopper lamps and, of course, the wealth of mid-century experimental lighting that emerged from Italian artisans at Arredoluce, FLOS and many more are hallmarks in illumination innovation.
With decades of design evolution behind it, home lighting is no longer just practical. Crystalline shaping by designers like Gabriel Scott turns every lighting apparatus into a luxury accessory. A new installation doesn’t merely showcase a space; carefully chosen ceiling lights, table lamps and floor lamps can create a mood, spotlight a favorite piece or highlight your unique personality.
The sparkle that your space has been missing is waiting for you amid the growing collection of antique, vintage and contemporary lighting for sale on 1stDibs.