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.
2020s Pair of Jasper Morrison for Emeco Alfi High Back Work Swivel Chairs
By Jasper Morrison
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Alfi High Back Swivel Chairs, initially designed by Jasper Morrison for Emeco in 2022. This pair was produced in the United States in the 2020s, and the listed pric...
Plastic, Wood
$3,815Sale Price / set|20% Off
PAIR OF CAPPELLINI LOTUS OFFICE LOUNGE ARMCHAiRS BY JASPER MORRISON
By Jasper Morrison, Cappellini
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of Cappellini Lotus office swivel lounge armchairs desing...
Chrome
Sold|$1,650 / set
H 27 in W 17 in D 13.5 in
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
$2,725Sale Price|20% Off
H 44.89 in W 29.53 in D 30.71 in
Vintage High Back Chesterfield Heritage Leather Office Captains Swivel Chair
By Harrods
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely, large, very comfortable Chesterfield leather wing style office armchair This is a very comfortable captain’s indeed, it’s like your favourite reading chair with wheels. This was retailed through Harrods and was a very popular model until the range ended Condition wise we have cleaned waxed and polish it, the upholstery is heritage leather...
Leather
Mid Century Sculptural High Back Swivel Chair
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Rare mid century highback swivel chair. A beautiful one off, statement chair. Modernized in new soft boucle style fabric that looks stunning atop the 4 wooden, legs swivel base. Ch...
Fabric
Pair of Mid-Century Barrel Back Swivel Lounge Chairs by Selig
By Selig
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This comfortable pair of swivel style lounge chairs by Selig make a stylish addition to any setting. Rounded back seats with sturdy metal bases, this unique matching pair is perfect ...
Upholstery
$5,900 / item
H 37.8 in W 34.65 in D 35.44 in
Contemporary Leather Armchair with High Back & Swivel Base
Located in New York, NY
This timeless armchair coordinates perfectly its materials in a one-of-a-kind piece, especially when presented in a cross-stitched seam. ?A powerful and embracing structure where a h...
Metal
$1,920Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 42.5 in W 19.5 in D 20 in
Set of 4 High Back Swivel Dining Chairs by Overman Sweden
By Overman
Located in New York, NY
Rare set of 4 sculpted high back swivel dining chairs by Overman of Sweden. Extremely comfortable contoured back rests create an ergonomic seating experience. Cognac faux leather ( vinyl ) upholstered seats and backs, on cast aluminum star bases, This form is not often seen, especially in sets, all 4 retain their original Overman Made in Sweden paper...
Aluminum
Pair of C&B Italia Custom High Back Armchairs
By Don Powell and Robert Kleinschmidt, C&B Italia
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of C&B Italia Custom High Back Armchairs, Designed for Chicago interior by Powell Kleinschmidt, custom order pair of tilt, swivel (lock) adjustable armchairs; bronze tubular met...
Bronze
$4,895 / item
H 45.3 in W 38.2 in D 37.4 in
"Longwave" Fabric or Leather High Back Swivel Armchair by Moroso for Diesel
By Diesel Creative Team 1, Moroso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Longwave" is a high back swivel armchair, designed by Diesel Creative Team and manufactured by Moroso, featuring injected flame-retardant foam over internal steel frame, varnished swivel steel base golden bronze or raw black finished and optional cushion in polyester fiber. Indoor use only. Dimensions: D. 37.4", W. 38.2", H. 45.3", Seat H. 15.7" Retuning a Classic! Like a 1960s motorcycle with a new engine, every bit the attitude, but still a modern machine. A high back lounge chair with constant flowing lines, this has been designed as a personal space within the home or office for the ultimate relaxing and reading chair. Available in a full range of fabrics as well as Diesel’s treated...
Steel
$1,850Sale Price|25% Off
H 43 in W 28 in D 23 in
Two-Toned High-Back Adrian Pearsall Swivel Chair in Velvet, 1960s, USA
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Miami, FL
Gorgeous two-toned blue velvet Adrian Pearsall high-back swivel chairs in blue velvet. USA, 1960s
Velvet
Pair of Swivel Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar swivel chairs with walnut bases reupholstered in Holly Hunt / Mokum / Sole Boucle / Seasalt fabric.
Walnut
Pair of Post Modern Channel Back Barrell Swivel Chairs
By Milo Baughman
Located in Redding, CT
Pair of Post Modern Channel Back Swivel Chairs . Nice neutral mushroom tan/brown color . Great with an earth tone color scheme. Perfect for a living room or a bedroom.
Upholstery, Wood
$1,745 / item
H 31 in W 24 in D 24 in
Emeco Navy Swivel Armchair in Brushed Aluminum with Bar Back by Us Navy
By Emeco
Located in Hanover, PA
First built for use on submarines in 1944, the Navy Chair has been in continuous Production ever since. With the famous 77 step Process, our craftsmen take soft, recycled aluminum, h...
Aluminum
Pair Milo Baughman Barrel Back Swivel Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Handsome pair of very unusual swivel chairs designed by Milo Baughman, circa 1960s. One of the leading modern furniture designers of the twentieth century. His furniture is the epito...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of 1970's Swivel Barrel Back Chairs, Milo Baughman Style
Located in Dallas, TX
Two fabulous Milo Baughman style barrel back lounge chairs. Modernist swivel chairs upholstered in a bold raised velvet, has a striking luxurious shimmer. A skirt covers a four legge...
Metal
Pair of Channel Back Swivel Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Simply stunning! Pair of swivel chairs perfect for those looking to freshen up their space. Each asymmetrical chair features a sculptural silhouette and a beautifully contoured back....
Velvet, Wood
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 Jasper Morrison, Emeco
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