For all the people who think designer objects need to make bold statements with attention-grabbing forms and materials, the revered British designer Jasper Morrison has a message: The quieter objects are often the better products.
Some of Morrison’s earliest creations, such as the 1986 Thinking Man’s chair, with its snaking tubular steel armrests, and the 1991 3 sofa deluxe, whose sculpted seat resembles an enormous wave (both produced by the Italian manufacturer Cappellini, one of the planet's preeminent producers of cutting-edge home decor), display the eye-catching moves that were expected among his contemporaries.
At the same, Morrison was clearly searching for a different language. In 1988, just three years after he graduated from London’s Royal College of Art, he stunned many in the design world with “Some New Items for the Home,” an exhibition in Berlin featuring simple plywood furniture he had designed and made himself as a direct rebuke to the over-the-top colors and geometries of the Memphis movement. As Morrison increasingly came to see statement-making design as flawed and wasteful, he began producing the subtler objects that eventually became his greatest hits and inspired a new generation of designers.
Morrison’s Glo-Ball lamps for FLOS, for instance, feature opalescent blown-glass diffusers that resemble ever-so-slightly squished spheres with a striking visual softness. Designed in 1998, the pieces were instantly popular and have remained a best seller for the legendary Italian lighting maker. Morrison’s Cork Family stools for Vitra, designed in 2004, have proved similarly timeless, with simple silhouettes reminiscent of thread spools whose unexpected material — solid cork — makes them particularly alluring.
By 2005, Morrison had befriended another designer working in a similar manner — Japan’s Naoto Fukasawa. That year, Fukasawa introduced his Déjà-vu stool for Magis at the Salone del Mobile in Milan and was dismayed when fairgoers barely noticed it. Crestfallen, Fukasawa talked to Morrison, who saw the scenario differently: The fact that people instinctively used the stool meant that it was successful. To cheer up Fukasawa, Morrison described his design as “super normal.” Morrison and Fukasawa latched onto this phrase as an ideal term for what they were up to.
Launched in 2006, Morrison and Fukasawa’s “Super Normal” — a traveling exhibition and a book that served as a visual manifesto — documented more than 200 utilitarian yet beautiful objects, ranging from a paper clip, a plastic bucket and a ballpoint pen to an Alessi citrus basket, Vitsoe’s 606 universal shelving system by Dieter Rams and Vitra’s Joyn office system by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec. That same year, Morrison began playing with extreme simplicity and introduced the Crate, a wooden bedside table for Established & Sons that was modeled on an old wine crate he used for his own bedside table.
Today, Morrison delights in finding the correct balance in his designs, turning out products that seem appealingly natural and precisely what they should be.
Find Jasper Morrison chairs, lighting, stools and other furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Thinking Man’s Chair Armchair by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini
By Cappellini, Jasper Morrison
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An eloquent name for a product that invites contemplation. For the Thinking Man’s Chair, Jasper Morrison envisioned a design in which all the elements are fu...
Metal, Stainless Steel
Set of 4 Air chair in Black by Jasper Morrison for MAGIS
By Jasper Morrison, Magis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Air-Family takes its name from the “air-moulding” technology that makes it possible to create highly resistant yet super-lightweight products out of polypropylene added with fibregla...
Plastic
Low Pad High Armchair in fixed cover in fabric or leather by Jasper Morrison
By Jasper Morrison, Cappellini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Maximum comfort, minimum dimensions: this was the underlying study behind this design by Jasper Morrison. The Low Pad has a shell made of curved beech plywood paired with perfectly s...
Upholstery, Beech
Set of 4 Air Armchair in Beige by Jasper Morrison for MAGIS
By Jasper Morrison, Magis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Air-Family takes its name from the “air-moulding” technology that makes it possible to create highly resistant yet super-lightweight products out of polypropylene added with fibregla...
Plastic
Lotus (Attesa) Armchair in fixed cover in fabric or leather by Jasper Morrison
By Cappellini, Jasper Morrison
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Optimal comfort for the Lotus (Attesa) chair, designed by Jasper Morrison. Both swivelling and tilting, the structure of the Lotus (Attesa) is made of beech plywood, with polyurethan...
Upholstery, Beech
Low Pad Small Armchair in fixed cover in fabric or leather by Jasper Morrison
By Jasper Morrison, Cappellini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Maximum comfort, minimum dimensions: this was the underlying study behind this design by Jasper Morrison. The Low Pad has a shell made of curved beech plywood paired with perfectly s...
Upholstery, Beech
Set of 2 Folding Air Armchair in White by Jasper Morrison for MAGIS
By Jasper Morrison, Magis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Air-Family takes its name from the “air-moulding” technology that makes it possible to create highly resistant yet super-lightweight products out of polypropylene added with fibregla...
Plastic
Set of 4 Air chair in White by Jasper Morrison for MAGIS
By Magis, Jasper Morrison
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Air-Family takes its name from the “air-moulding” technology that makes it possible to create highly resistant yet super-lightweight products out of polypropylene added with fibregla...
Plastic
Set of 2 Plato Chair in Black by Jasper Morrison for MAGIS
By Jasper Morrison, Magis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Plato chair designed by Jasper Morrison is versatile in use and well suited for domestic, professional, and public spaces - indoors and outdoors. Under- stated and with a neoclassical inspiration, hence the name that references one of the pillars of ancient philosophy, the Plato chair is the manifestation of a perfect balance between form and function. It features a sleek yet robust structure with a curved seat for maximum comfort. As Jasper Morrison declares, “a fully recyclable chair...
Aluminum
Set of 2 Plato Chair in White by Jasper Morrison for MAGIS
By Jasper Morrison, Magis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Plato chair designed by Jasper Morrison is versatile in use and well suited for domestic, professional, and public spaces - indoors and outdoors. Under- stated and with a neoclassical inspiration, hence the name that references one of the pillars of ancient philosophy, the Plato chair is the manifestation of a perfect balance between form and function. It features a sleek yet robust structure with a curved seat for maximum comfort. As Jasper Morrison declares, “a fully recyclable chair...
Aluminum
Set of 4 Air Armchair in Grey Antracite by Jasper Morrison for MAGIS
By Jasper Morrison, Magis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Air-Family takes its name from the “air-moulding” technology that makes it possible to create highly resistant yet super-lightweight products out of polypropylene added with fibregla...
Plastic
$15,917
H 29.53 in W 27.56 in D 31.5 in
Carlo De Carli and Gio Ponti pair of Mod.802 armchairs covered in padded fabric
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
Carlo De Carli, Gio Ponti Pair of Mod.802 armchairs covered in padded fabric. Designed in 1954, they were made in a variant with brass feet for the Italian Cultural Institute in Sto...
Fabric
$3,909 / item
H 32.68 in W 29.53 in D 33.47 in
Nube Fency Armchair with stool in blue fabric or many other fabrics/leathers
By Nube Italia, Marco Corti
Located in New York, NY
Armchair and stool with internal metal frame covered by shape retaining polyurethane foam. Black oven painted or black nickel painted feet. Not removable cover. The ottoman is not in...
Metal
$725 / item
H 30.5 in W 13.75 in D 17 in
2015 Hi-Pad Bar Stools by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini in Grey Leather
By Cappellini, Jasper Morrison
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Hi-Pad Bar Stool, originally designed by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini in 1999. The listed price includes one stool, and we have several availabl...
Steel
$8,640
H 27.56 in W 63 in D 35.44 in
Super OBLONG lounge chair black leather by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini Italy
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Superoblong Chair by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini Black Leather Lounge Chair with Oversized Cubic Armrests Originally designed by Jasper Morrison in 2004 and commissioned by a Mel...
Leather
$4,320 / item
H 33.47 in W 24.41 in D 36.62 in
Modernist Tubular Steel Armchairs, Can Be Covered In Fabric Or Leather, ca. 1930
By Hynek Gottwald
Located in Berlin, DE
Modernist tubular steel armchairs with an elegant, sinuous shape. The upholstery can be covered with fabric or leather. The armchairs were designed and manufactured by Gottwald, Cz...
Metal, Chrome
$725 / item
H 31.5 in W 17.25 in D 13.75 in
2013 Hi-Pad Bar Stools by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini in Gray Fabric
By Cappellini, Jasper Morrison
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a single (four are available, but priced individually) Hi Pad Stool, designed by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini in 1999. These stools were produced in 2013 and feature a soli...
Steel
$1,115Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 31.89 in W 17.33 in D 21.26 in
Vitra Hal Sledge Chairs by Jasper Morrison, Set of Five
By Jasper Morrison, Vitra
Located in Rochester, England
Introducing the Hal Sledge Chair by renowned designer Jasper Morrison for Vitra. This sleek and modern chair features a minimalist design with a comfortable sled base, making it the ...
Plastic
$2,050 / item
H 32 in W 23 in D 21 in
Modern Low Armchair in Argentine Rosewood & Leather or COM by Costantini, Bruno
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
Bruno Modern Low Armchair in Argentine Rosewood & Leather or COM/COL by Costantini Measurements are 23" W x 21" D x 32" H with an 18" SH as shown. The Bruno Arm Chair...
Leather, Wood
$1,542 / item
H 30.71 in W 25.6 in D 23.23 in
Modern and minimalist "Joca" armchair in fabric or leather
By Alessandra Delgado
Located in Alto da Lapa, SP
When she created the Joca armchair, Alessandra Delgado wanted a piece with delicate features, exploring the curves of the wood with a design inspired by the work of master designer J...
Velvet, Synthetic, Polyester, Wood
$9,750
H 43 in W 41.25 in D 36.5 in
Italian Postmodern Proust Geometrica Armchair Alessandro Mendini by Cappellini
By Alessandro Mendini, Cappellini
Located in Portland, OR
An iconic chair designed by Italian postmodern designer Alessandro Mendini (1931-2019). This wonderful postmodern work of art presented as a chair is in excellent condition and ready to display in your space. Proust was originally created in 1978 for the Palazzo dei Diamanti in Ferrara. It was immediately recognized as an icon of twentieth century design and one of the most renowned and essential reference points in the quest for form and aesthetic perfection. Cappellini inherited the piece in 1993 and today Proust Geometrica...
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Foam, Beech, Paint
$5,101 / item
H 35.44 in W 30.71 in D 29.53 in
PIERA Padded Armchair with Brass Tips and Covered with Light Blue fabric
By Fratelli Boffi
Located in Lentate sul Seveso, Monza e Brianza
Step into the embrace of timeless elegance with Piera—a hand-made Italian creation inspired by the room chairs of a bygone era. This exquisite piece borrows sinuous and sensual shap...
Brass
$2,074 / item
H 31.89 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
Lola, the Comfortable Padded Armchair with Covered Legs
By Casa Casati
Located in Milan, MI
The upholstered armchair is a classic and always up-to-date piece, which could not be missing from the Casa Casati catalogue. The Lola armchair, however, has been revisited in the pr...
Fabric, Wood
Jasper Morrison Ply Chair Plywood for Vitra Set of 8
By Jasper Morrison, Vitra
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This Classic Jasper Morrison Chair was designed 1988/1989 “Some New Items for the Home, Part I” at the DAAD gallery, in Berlin. In 1989, the Ply...
Birch, Plywood
Pair of armchairs in blond wood and padded fabric.
Located in Milano, IT
COD-2658 Pair of armchairs in blond wood and padded fabric. Italian manufacture, ca. 1940. 68 x 85 h 80 cm seat 40 cm
Velvet
$10,450
H 26.25 in W 94.5 in D 35.5 in
2022 Jasper Morrison 94in Loveseat Sofa Oblong System in Ultrasede Alcantara
By Jasper Morrison, Cappellini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an Oblong System Loveseat Sofa made with a metal frame and tan ultra suede (Alcantara) upholstery. This is sold together as a 94.5 inch sofa/loveseat, so both piec...
Metal
Sold
H 23.63 in W 47.25 in D 35.44 in
21stC Pair Of Italian Cappellini "Superoblong" Armchairs By Jasper Morrison
By Jasper Morrison
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A rare pair of first edition “Superoblong” armchairs by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini, Italy. One is finished in brown fabric upholstery and contrasting bright pale blue stitching, ...
Fabric
Sold
H 23.63 in W 47.25 in D 35.44 in
21stC Italian Orange Cappellini "Superoblong" Armchair By Jasper Morrison c.2004
By Jasper Morrison
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A rare first edition “Superoblong” armchair by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini, Italy, in orange fabric upholstery and contrasting brown stitching. Jasper Morrison’s design philosoph...
Fabric
Sold
H 23.63 in W 47.25 in D 35.44 in
21stC Italian Brown Cappellini "Superoblong" Armchair By Jasper Morrison c.2004
By Jasper Morrison
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A rare first edition “Superoblong” armchair by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini, Italy, in brown fabric upholstery and contrasting brown stitching. Jasper Morrison’s design philosophy...
Fabric
Sold
H 30.71 in W 29.93 in D 35.44 in
Vitra by Jasper Morrison, Park Brown Leather Armchair, 2004, Set of Two
By Jasper Morrison, Vitra
Located in Rochester, England
Designed by Jasper Morrison for Vitra in 2004, the Park armchair has a sleek and modern aesthetic. The chairs have a cubic silhouette, with a solid wood frame and sits on four pol...
Leather
Vitra by Jasper Morrison Park Brown Leather Armchairs
By Jasper Morrison, Vitra
Located in Rochester, England
Designed by Jasper Morrison for Vitra in 2004, the park armchair has a sleek and modern aesthetic. The chairs have a cubic silhouette, with a solid wood frame and sits on four pol...
Leather
Sold
H 33.5 in W 21.5 in D 24 in
Emeco Navy Officer Swivel Armchair in Black Leather and Brushed Aluminum Frame
By Emeco, Jasper Morrison
Located in Hanover, PA
Jasper Morrison has given Emeco’s classic upholstered Navy Officer Collection a fresh, light and modern update. The Navy Officer Collection by Jasper Morrison features a chair, an armchair and swivel chairs, available in hand-brushed aluminum or a black powder coat finish. Upholstery is offered in a selection of Kvadrat and Maharam textiles and leathers. The Emeco 1006...
Aluminum