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.
Jasper Morrison Hi Pad Counter Stools for Cappellini - Set of Three
By Jasper Morrison, Cappellini
Located in Miami, FL
Set of Three Hi Pad counter stools with foot rests designed by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini. The Hi Pad stool features a seat in beech plywood padded with multi-density polyurethan...
Steel
$1,120Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Jasper Morrison Hi Pad Bar Stools for Cappellini - 4 Pairs Available
By Cappellini, Jasper Morrison
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Hi Pad bar stools with foot rests designed by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini. The Hi Pad stool features a seat in beech plywood padded with multi-density polyurethane foam o...
Steel
Alias 762 Atlas Stool 80 Backrest in Black Leather and Lacquered Steel Frame
By Alias, Jasper Morrison
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Alias 762 Atlas Stool 80 Backrest in Black Leather and Lacquered Steel Frame by Jasper Morrison High stool with lacquered steel base plate, leg in conic lacquered steel, swivel se...
Steel
$900 / item
Cork by Jasper Morrison for Moooi
By Moooi, Jasper Morrison
Located in Saint Paul, MN
Before Vitra began producing cork stools designed by Jasper Morrison; Dutch furniture manufacturer, Moooi, collaborated on a similar design. The Cork by Jasper Morrison for Moooi came in one of two sizes - the larger short one shown here and smaller diameter taller stool. The cork used on the Moooi editions...
Cork
2015 Tate Bar Stools in Grey Leather by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini
By Jasper Morrison, Cappellini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Tate Bar Stool, originally designed by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini in 2000. These particular stools were produced in 2015. The listed price includes one stool, and we ha...
Steel
$2,880Sale Price / set|36% Off
Four Jasper Morrison Hi Pad Stools In Red Leather by Cappellini
By Jasper Morrison
Located in Doraville, GA
Four Hi Pad stools designed by Jasper Morrison in 2003 for Cappellini. The seats are covered in red leather with a gun metal grey painted stainless steel base ...
Stainless Steel
Alias 719 Tagliatelle Outdoor High Stool in Grey Seat and Stainless Steel Frame
By Alias, Jasper Morrison
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Alias 719 Tagliatelle Outdoor High Stool in Grey Seat and Stainless Steel Frame by Jasper Morrison High stool for outdoor use with structure in b...
Steel
2020 Jasper Morrison for Vitra HAL Bar Stool in Ice Gray / Blue w/ Chrome Base
By Vitra, Jasper Morrison
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a Jasper Morrison for Vitra HAL bar stool in ice gray (looks like baby blue). The chair was acquired directly from Vitra, as they recently...
Chrome
2010s Set of Four Jasper Morrison for Cappellini Tate Bar Stools in Red Fabric
By Jasper Morrison, Cappellini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of four Tate Bar Stools, originally designed by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini in 2000. These particular stools were produced in Italy in the 2010s. The stools feature ...
Steel
2010s Pair of Jasper Morrison for Cappellini Tate Bar Stools in Blue
By Jasper Morrison, Cappellini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Tate Bar Stools, originally designed by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini in 2000. These particular stools were produced in Italy in the 2010s. The stools feature a st...
Steel
2013 Hi-Pad Bar Stools by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini in Gray Fabric
By Jasper Morrison, Cappellini
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
Set 3 Leather Bar / Counter Stools Jasper Morrison / Cappellini "tate"
By Cappellini, Jasper Morrison
Located in Buffalo, NY
Matched Set of 3 BLACK Leather & STAINLESS STEEL Bar / Counter Stools Jasper Morrison / Cappellini "tate".. ********NOTE**** PRICED PER STOOL ,, 3 AVAIL .... in London in 1959, En...
Stainless Steel
Alias 719 Tagliatelle Outdoor High Stool in Blue Seat and Stainless Steel Frame
By Jasper Morrison, Alias
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Alias 719 Tagliatelle Outdoor High Stool in Blue Seat and Stainless Steel Frame by Jasper Morrison High stool for outdoor use with structure in b...
Steel
2015 Hi-Pad Bar Stools by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini in Grey Leather
By Jasper Morrison, Cappellini
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
Alias 718 Tagliatelle Outdoor Stool in Grey Seat and Stainless Steel Frame
By Jasper Morrison, Alias
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Alias 718 Tagliatelle Outdoor Stool in Grey Seat and Stainless Steel Frame by Jasper Morrison Medium height stool for outdoor use with struct...
Steel
Alias 759 Atlas Adjustable Stool Backrest in Upholstery & White Lacquered Frame
By Jasper Morrison, Alias
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Alias 759 Atlas Adjustable Stool Backrest in Upholstery & White Lacquered Frame by Jasper Morrison Height adjustable stool with lacquered stee...
Steel
Alias 757 Atlas Adjustable Stool with Upholstery & White Lacquered Steel Frame
By Jasper Morrison, Alias
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Alias 757 Atlas Adjustable Stool with Upholstery & White Lacquered Steel Frame by Jasper Morrison Height adjustable stool with lacquered stee...
Steel
$11,556 / set
H 28.3 in W 24.8 in D 16.9 in
Pair Kitchen Counter Bar Stool w. Backrest Brass Steel & Natural Tobacco Leather
By Jover + Valls
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Hug contemporary counter stool with backrest is designed and conceived with a light aesthetic, the slight oscillation of the steel rod of 12 mm is complemented by the flexibility...
Steel
$1,600 / set
H 40 in W 18 in D 19 in
Pair of Alias Italy Black Chrome spaghetti stools by Giandomenico Belotti
By Alias, Giandomenico Belotti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Alias Italy Black Chrome spaghetti stools by Giandomenico Belotti. Black rubber woven seat and back with a chrome tube frame. Made in Italy circa 1980. Located in Brooklyn NY...
Chrome
$11,724
H 22.84 in W 127.96 in D 61.03 in
1st edition Super-Oblong sectional sofa design Jasper Morrison for Cappellini
By Jasper Morrison, Cappellini
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
1st edition Superoblong sectional Sofa designed by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini, Italy. First edition with inlets filled with polystyrene spheres. Measurements: 325 cm x 155 cm...
Fabric, Polystyrene
$2,650 / set
H 31 in W 22 in D 28 in
Pair of "Low Pad" Leather chairs By Jasper Morrison For Cappellini
By Jasper Morrison
Located in Toronto, ON
This chic and stylish vintage pair of leather Low Pad chairs by British designer Jasper Morrison for Cappellini are beautifully designed for maximum c...
Stainless Steel
$28,891 / set
H 40.6 in W 22.84 in D 19.26 in
Set of 5 Classic Counter Stool w. Backrest Black Leather & Black Rubber Metal
By Jover + Valls
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The “Repose” contemporary stool belongs to a collection that revisit the director chair collection, serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as t...
Steel
$5,778 / item
H 28.3 in W 24.8 in D 16.9 in
Kitchen Stool with Backrest Brass Steel Natural Tobacco Leather Modern
By Jover + Valls
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Hug contemporary counter stool with backrest is designed and conceived with a light aesthetic, the slight oscillation of the steel rod of 12 mm is complemented by the flexibility...
Steel
Stool #3 in Stainless Steel and Leather
By Christopher Gentner
Located in Chicago, IL
Formed leather supported by machines aluminium, raised up by formed stainless steel.
Stainless Steel
$275
H 45 in W 19.25 in D 19.5 in
2020 Jasper Morrison for Vitra HAL Bar Stool in Ice Gray / Blue w/ Chrome Base
By Vitra, Jasper Morrison
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a Jasper Morrison for Vitra HAL bar stool in ice gray (looks like baby blue). The chair was acquired directly from Vitra, as they recently...
Chrome
$10,647
H 25.6 in W 112.21 in D 31.5 in
Oblong sectional sofa designed by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini
By Jasper Morrison, Cappellini
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
Oblong sectional Sofa designed by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini, Italy. Jasper Morrison creates his furniture with a light touch and yet perfectionally functional. He counts they’...
Fabric, Polystyrene, Foam, Plywood
$2,727Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 17.72 in Dm 13.78 in
Black Lacquered Stool in Fiberglass and Black Paint
Located in Paris, FR
Stool black lacquered made in fiberglass, lacquered in black with high gloss finishing. Available in gold lacquered finish, on request.
Fiberglass
$7,223 / item
H 37.8 in W 25.2 in D 20 in
Organic Sculptural Bar Stool w. Backrest Old Silver Steel & Black Leather
By Jover + Valls
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Hug contemporary barstool with backrest is designed and conceived with a light aesthetic, the slight oscillation of the steel rod of 12 mm is complemented by the flexibility of t...
Steel
$1,475
H 32 in W 16.5 in D 20.75 in
2022 Jasper Morrison for Cappellini Hi Pad Dining Chair in Black Leather
By Cappellini, Jasper Morrison
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a Hi Pad dining chair made with a black stainless steel base and black leather seat. The chair was designed by Jasper Morrison and produced by Cappellini in Italy...
Stainless Steel
Vitra Model B Cork Stool by Jasper Morrison
By Jasper Morrison
Located in Dronten, NL
Stabile and robust, this stool or side table of the Cork Family by Jasper Morrison exploit the advantageous natural properties of cork: it is comparatively lightweight and extremely ...
Cork
Jasper Morrison for Vitra White HAL RE Medium Bar Stool
By Jasper Morrison, Vitra
Located in Rochester, England
sHAL is Jasper Morrison's interpretation of a shell chair in the tradition of the Plastic Chair by Charles and Ray Eames, whose variety of different bases enables versatile use. Thi...
Chrome
Jasper Morrison Cork Stools by Moooi, Netherlands 2002
By Jasper Morrison
Located in Chicago, IL
WE HAVE 1 SMALL STOOL LEFT. Jasper Morrison Set of 10 Cork Stools by Moooi, 2002. As you can see in pics there are a few stools where some small...
Cork
Jasper Morrison Cork Stools by Moooi, Netherlands 2002
By Jasper Morrison
Located in Chicago, IL
We have 1 small stool left. Jasper Morrison set of 10 cork stools by Moooi, 2002. As you can see in pics there are a few stools where some small...
Cork
Magis Pipe Bar Stool Perforated Aluminum by Jasper Morrison
By Jasper Morrison, Magis
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Pipe Bar Stool by designer Jasper Morrison for luxury maker Magis. Featuring an aluminum tube frame. Measures: 38 H x 19.5 D x 16.5 W SEAT 29.5 H Preowned condition original vinta...
Aluminum
Jasper Morrison Cork Stools by Moooi, Netherlands 2002
By Jasper Morrison
Located in Chicago, IL
Jasper Morrison Set of 10 Cork Stools by Moooi, 2002. As you can see in pics there are a few stools where some small areas of cork has come off....
Cork
Vitra Model a Cork Stool by Jasper Morrison
By Jasper Morrison
Located in Dronten, NL
Stabile and robust, this stool or side table of the Cork Family by Jasper Morrison exploit the advantageous natural properties of cork: it is comparatively lightweight and extremely ...
Cork
Jasper Morrison for Vitra Cork Stool Mod. C, Italy 2004
By Jasper Morrison, Vitra
Located in Naples, IT
Stool Mod. "C Family Cork" in cork designed by Jasper Morrison and produced by Vitra in 2004.
Cork
1980s Jasper Morrison for SCP Ottoman, Upholstered
By Jasper Morrison
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1980s Jasper Morrison For SCP Ottoman - Upholstered. Jasper Morrison is a British furniture designer internationally recognized for his restrained, minimal yet practical designs. He ...
Aluminum
Vitra Model A Cork Stool by Jasper Morrison
By Jasper Morrison
Located in Dronten, NL
Stabile and robust, this stool or side table of the Cork Family by Jasper Morrison exploit the advantageous natural properties of cork: it is comparatively lightweight and extremely ...
Cork
Jasper Morrison Set of Two Cork Stools by Moooi, circa 2002
By Jasper Morrison
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of two stools turned from agglomerate cork. Can be used as a small side table, a stool, or ottoman. Designed by Jasper Morrison in 2002 and manufactured by Moooi, Netherlands. In...
Cork
Vitra Model C Cork Stool by Jasper Morrison
By Jasper Morrison
Located in Dronten, NL
Stabile and robust, this stool or side table of the Cork Family by Jasper Morrison exploit the advantageous natural properties of cork: it is comparatively...
Cork