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.
Original Rolf Benz Plura Sofa Couch Leder Zweisitzer hell beige
By Rolf Benz
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Rolf Benz Plura Zweisitzer Sofa in hellem Leder zum Verkauf an. Das Sofa besticht durch seine vielfältige Verstellbarkeit ...
Steel
Caleo-Natural Teak Wood, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Left Modular Daybed by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Caleo-Natural Teak Wood, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Left Modular Daybed by SNOC Dimensions: D 150 x W 125 x H 65 cm. SH: 42 cm. Materials: Teak wood, rope, and Ethereal fabric. The C...
Fabric, Rope, Teak
$7,581 / item
Fried Egg Sofa Grey Melange by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Fried egg sofa grey Melange by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D186 x W68 x H 68 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Solid oiled teak Weight: 42 kg Also available i...
Upholstery, Teak
$7,294 / item
Misty Beige Lupin Sofa by Nelson Araujo
Located in Geneve, CH
Misty Beige Lupin Chair by Nelson Araujo Dimensions: D 89 x W 89 x H 56 cm Materials: Wood, foam, Kvadrat Gentle 2 fabric. Available in Misty Beige, Chestnut, Mustard, and Forest co...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
$1,996 / item
Natural Along Birch Sofa by Storängen Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Natural Along birch sofa by Storängen Design Dimensions: D 52 x W 150 x H 87 x SH 45 cm Materials: birch wood. Also available in other colors and with seat cushion. Along can b...
Birch
$6,088 / item
Object 050 Sofa by Ng Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 050 sofa by NG Design Dimensions: D230 x W106 x H78 cm Materials: Boucle upholstery Also Available: All of objects available in different materials and colors on demand. ...
Upholstery
Éclat-Nightfall Rope, Luminesce Fabric And Aluminum Two-Seater Sofa by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Éclat-Nightfall Rope, Luminesce Fabric And Aluminum Two-Seater Sofa by SNOC Dimensions: D 93,5 x W 190 x H 67 cm. SH: 39 cm. Materials: Aluminium, rope, and Luminesce fabric. Antho...
Aluminum
Jules Heumann Sofa for Metropolitan Furniture
By Metropolitan, Jules Heumann
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sofa by California native Jules Heumann for the San Francisco based company, Metropolitan Furniture, c.1970's. The sofa features a lacquered white frame and newly upholstered cushion...
Mohair, Upholstery
Hub Two-Seater Sofa in Stainless Steel & Upholstery by Quinti Sedute
Located in Geneve, CH
Hub Two-Seater Sofa in Stainless Steel & Upholstery by Quinti Sedute Dimensions: D 70 x W 140 x H 68 cm. Materials: Stainless steel, wood, and upholstery. Available in different fin...
Stainless Steel
$34,142 / item
Tau Leather Sofa Composition by Amura Lab
Located in Geneve, CH
Tau Leather Sofa Composition by Amura Lab Dimensions: W 406 x D 90 x H 75 cm Materials: FRAME: solid wood and multiply. SUSPENSIONS: rubber and polypropylene belts. REMOVABLE PARTS: ...
Foam, Wood
Cassina 'Soriana' Four Seater Sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa in Bouclé, 1970s
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Antwerp, BE
Afra and Tobia Scarpa, soriana, Cassina, Italy 1970s, bouclé wool Manufactured by Cassina in the 1970s, the Soriana collection was meant to express beauty and comfort by using a w...
Chrome
Post-Modern Italian Two Seat Sofa in Wood and Creme Colored Velvet Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, beech, fabric, Italy, 1970s This two-seat sofa dates from Italy in the 1970s and is designed in the style of Afra and Tobia Scarpa. The design is defined by clear proportions ...
Fabric, Beech
White ARCH 2 Seater Sofa in Oak and Moonlight Sheepskin by Mazo Design
Located in Geneve, CH
White ARCH 2 Seater Sofa in Oak and Moonlight Sheepskin by Mazo Design Dimensions: W 128 x D 79 x H 76 cm Materials: Oak, Sheepskin Also Available: 2 Seater Configuration, ROMO/Linar...
Other
Vintage Boho Ettore Sottsass for Knoll Postmodern Sofa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Presenting a rare and captivating vintage sofa, a striking example of Postmodern design by the iconic Ettore Sottsass for Knoll. This piece, reminiscent of Sottsass's influential "Ma...
Metal
Jules Heumann Loveseat for Metropolitan Furniture
By Metropolitan, Jules Heumann
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Loveseat by California native Jules Heumann for the San Francisco based company, Metropolitan Furniture, c.1970's. The sofa features a lacquered white frame and newly upholstered cus...
Mohair, Upholstery
$13,055 / item
Mythos Sectional Sofa by Marioni
Located in Geneve, CH
Mythos Sectional Sofa by Marioni Dimensions: W 227 x D 185 x H 75 cm. Materials: Upholstery: Tessuto/Fabric 8,50 Mt. Pelle/Leather 12,50 Mq. Product code: I0330 Pure shape and line...
Upholstery
$10,549 / item
Hughes 240 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Hughes 240 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 95 x W 240 x H 95 cm. SH: 44 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, brass, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet upholstery, gloss ebony wood veneer upper ...
Brass
$36,659 / item
Green Say Sofa by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Green say sofa by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 271 x W 86 x H 63.5 cm Materials: fabric COM available. Strong formal lines and geometric shapes seem like puzzle pieces that com...
Fabric
$5,795 / item
Small Dobra Sofa by Wentz
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Dobra Sofa by Wentz Dimensions: D 110 x W 78 x H 70 cm Materials: Upholstered sofa/armchair module with wooden structure, elastic straps, hypersoft foam and WE–KNIT covering (7...
Upholstery
$19,260 / item
Ferdinand 350 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Ferdinand 350 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 185 x W 350 x H 80 cm. SH: 41 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, brass, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet and brushed brass. Available in all M...
Brass
$27,971 / item
Linamore Lapis Fabric Sofa Composition by Amura Lab
Located in Geneve, CH
Linamore Lapis Fabric Sofa Composition by Amura Lab Dimensions: W 338 x D 199 x H 70 cm Materials: FRAME: solid wood and multiply. SUSPENSIONS: rubber and polypropylene belts. SEAT, ...
Foam, Wood
Vintage Postmodern White Leather Sofa, circa 1970s–1980s
Located in Montréal, CA
Striking vintage postmodern sofa upholstered in luxurious white leather. Featuring a generous, low-profile silhouette with generously padded cushions, sculptural rounded arms, and di...
Leather
Leather Plumy Sofa & Ottoman by Annie Hieronimus for Cinna, 1980s
By Cinna (Ligne Roset), Annie Hiéronimus
Located in Izegem, VWV
A super comfortable Plumy sofa designed in 1980 by Annie Hiéronimus for Cinna, France. The sofa, upholstered in beige leather comes with an original ottoman (90x45x26cms) and is sti...
Leather, Foam, Down
Galore 3 Seater Sprinkles Hunter Green by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Galore 3 seater sprinkles eggplant by Warm Nordic. Dimensions: D222 x W83 x H 76 cm. Material: textile upholstery, powder coated black steel legs, wooden frame, foam, spring system...
Steel
Caleo-Natural Teak Wood, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Corner Modular Sofa by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Caleo-Natural Teak Wood, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Corner Modular Sofa by SNOC Dimensions: D 123 x W 123 x H 65 cm. SH: 42 cm. Materials: Teak wood, rope, and Ethereal fabric. The C...
Fabric, Rope, Teak
$3,538 / item
Cobalt Blue Auguste 2 Seats Sofa by HARTO
Located in Geneve, CH
Cobalt Blue Auguste 2 Seats Sofa by HARTO Dimensions: W 176 x D 95 x H 79 cm. Materials: Solid pine, plywood, 88% Polyester, 12% Recycled Polyester, Foam type: HR35 / S30 foam. Weig...
Foam, Polyester, Pine, Plywood
$12,270 / item
Fringes 280 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Fringes 280 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 100 x W 280 x H 91 cm. SH: 47 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet upholstery and fringes. Available in all Munna...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$14,015 / item
Margot 280 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Margot 280 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 137 x W 280 x H 93 cm. SH: 46 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, brass, feathers, and velvet. Finish: Trevira Velvet, ref. Steel Blue, TRV05 upholstery...
Brass
Grande 320 Five Seater Dark Bronze And Diablo Upholstery Sofa by Casa Casati
Located in Geneve, CH
Grande 320 Five Seater Dark Bronze And Diablo Upholstery Sofa by Casa Casati Dimensions: D 100 x W 320 x H 85 cm. Materials: Beech wood, marine plywood, polyurethane, polyester fibr...
Other
Caleo-Ash Teak Wood, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Two-Seater Modular Sofa by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Caleo-Ash Teak Wood, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Two-Seater Modular Sofa by SNOC Dimensions: D 100 x W 181 x H 65 cm. SH: 42 cm. Materials: Teak wood, rope, and Ethereal fabric. The C...
Fabric, Rope, Teak
$13,499 / item
Josephine 230 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Josephine 230 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 103 x W 230 x H 83 cm. SH: 42 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and leather. Finish: Leather, ref. Light grey, L17 upholstery and piping. Availab...
Foam, Wood, Leather
Brühl Alba Sessel system/m neuwertig Design Armlehnstuhl
By Brühl
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen sehr gut erhaltenen und nicht/ kaum benutzten original Brühl Alba Sessel in einem modernen dunkelgrau zum Verkauf an. In unseren weiteren Anzeigen bieten wir zudem p...
Fabric
$23,627 / item
Davis Leather Sofa Composition by Amura Lab
Located in Geneve, CH
Davis Leather Sofa Composition by Amura Lab Dimensions: W 340 x D 100 x H 67 cm Materials: FRAME: solid wood and multiply. SUSPENSIONS: rubber and polypropylene belts. REMOVABLE PART...
Foam, Wood
Striped TMBO Lounge Sofa in Oak and Dedar/Linear Upholstery by Mazo Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Striped TMBO Lounge Sofa in Oak and Dedar/Linear Upholstery by Mazo Design Dimensions: W 165 x D 68.5 x H 87 cm Materials: Oak Also available: ROMO/Linara, DAW/Royal, KVADRAT/Remix, KVADRAT/Hallingdal & Fiord, BUTE/Storr, DAW/Mohair & Mcnutt, JENNIFER SHORTO / Kongaline & Seafoam, DEDAR/Artemidor, Sheepskin, please contact us. 1935 is the date on the first draft of this chair by the renowned multitalent and architect Magnus Læssøe Stephensen, which have now been revived under the name TMBO. The TMBO series was designed in a shape that, in the laid back confident attitude, celebrates life with the same dramatic simplicity that Magnus Læssøe Stephensen found in Japanese design tradition. The TMBO Chair...
Other
$19,260 / item
Ferdinand 350 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Ferdinand 350 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 185 x W 350 x H 80 cm. SH: 41 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, brass, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet and brushed brass. Available in all M...
Brass
$19,260 / item
Ferdinand 350 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Ferdinand 350 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 185 x W 350 x H 80 cm. SH: 41 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, brass, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet and brushed brass. Available in all M...
Brass
Galore 3 Seater Sprinkles Desert Yellow by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Galore 3 seater sprinkles desert yellow by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D 222 x W 83 x H 76 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Powder coated black steel legs, Wooden frame, foam, spring s...
Steel
$19,260 / item
Ferdinand 350 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Ferdinand 350 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 185 x W 350 x H 80 cm. SH: 41 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, brass, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet and brushed brass. Available in all M...
Brass
$16,064 / item
Arizona 5000 Sofa by Redeco
Located in Geneve, CH
Arizona 5000 Sofa by Redeco Dimensions: W 290 x D 105 x H 79 cm Materials: Wooden structure padded with polyurethane foam in different densities. Seat cushions padded in polyurethane...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
$3,831Sale Price / set|45% Off
1980, Fabrizio Ballardini for Arflex, 2 Couches Ribalta in Original Soft Fabric
By Fabricio Ballardini, Arflex
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach...
Metal
$4,086 / item
Cobalt Blue Auguste 3 Seats Sofa by HARTO
Located in Geneve, CH
Cobalt Blue Auguste 3 Seats Sofa by HARTO Dimensions: W 216 x D 95 x H 79 cm. Materials: Solid pine, plywood, 88% Polyester, 12% Recycled Polyester, Foam type: HR35 / S30 foam. Weig...
Foam, Polyester, Pine, Plywood
$14,167 / item
Hug Brown Sofa by Rejo Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Hug Brown Sofa by Rejo Studio Dimensions: D 315 x W 95 x H 76 cm Materials: Wooden structure, with Velvet Also Available in different colours. Long co...
Velvet, Wood
$24,119 / item
Victoria Sofa by Le Berre Vevaud
Located in Geneve, CH
Victoria Sofa by Le Berre Vevaud Dimensions: W 142 x D 67 x H 81 cm. Materials: Solid wood SIPO legs upholstered in Misia fabric Rayon de Lune For over 15 years, Raphaël Le Berre a...
Wood, Upholstery
$5,666 / item
Liquid Steel Labirint Sofa by Andrea Giomi
Located in Geneve, CH
Liquid Steel Labirint sofa by Andrea Giomi Dimensions: D 80 x W 60 x H 84 cm Materials: liquid steel. Andrea Giomi, was born in Castelfiorentino in t...
Steel
$11,626 / item
Luke 240 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Luke 240 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 110 x W 240 x H 82 cm. SH: 47 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet. Available in all Munna fabrics except Wild Silk....
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$18,897 / item
Shinto Sofa by Domkapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Shinto sofa by Domkapa Materials: Fabric (Helmand 53), black texturized steel, gold brushed stainless steel. Dimensions: W 302 x D 162 x H 82 cm. Also available in different mate...
Steel, Stainless Steel
$3,547 / item
Yin Yang Module 1 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Yin Yang Module 1 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 101 x W 101 x H 57 cm. SH: 57 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, brass, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet upholstery and brushed brass. Ava...
Brass
$5,222 / item
Ash Whale Seater Sofa 3 by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Noche Whale Seater Sofa 3 by SNOC Dimensions: W 230 x D 84 x H 66 cm. Materials: Teak Wood. The Whale-ash Collection features an elegant and robust design style inspired by the fo...
Teak
$44,541 / item
Yin Yang Modular Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Ying Yang Modular Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 202 x W 455 x H 123 cm. SH: 57 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, brass, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet upholstery and brushed brass. Th...
Brass
$9,530 / item
White One Seater Nube Sofa by Siete Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Nube Sofa One Seater White by Siete Studio Dimensions: D150 x W100 x H60 cm. Materials: Walnut, cushions, upholstery. Characterised by its round edges and soft white cushions, Nube ...
Other
$21,965 / item
Segno Leather Sofa 3 Seater by Amura Lab
Located in Geneve, CH
Segno Leather Sofa 3 Seater by Amura Lab Dimensions: W 225 x D 90 x H 88 cm Materials: FRAME: solid wood and multiply, with metal support. SUSPENSIONS: rubber and polypropylene belts...
Foam, Wood
Fried Egg Sofa Soft Violet Plum Fresh Peach by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Fried egg sofa soft violet plum fresh peach by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D 186 x W 68 x H 68 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Solid oiled teak Weight: 42 kg Also available in diffe...
Upholstery, Teak
$5,202 / item
Xaloc Burgundy Sofa by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Xaloc Burgundy sofa by MOWEE Dimensions: D100 x W200 x H81 cm (Seat Height 42 cm) Material: Aluminum, Textile Weight: 46 kg Also Available in different colors and finishes. ...
Aluminum
$4,191 / item
Ash Whale Seater Sofa 2 by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Ash Whale Seater Sofa 2 by SNOC Dimensions: W 190 x D 84 x H 66 cm. Materials: Teak Wood. The Whale-ash Collection features an elegant and robust design style inspired by the form...
Teak
$5,870 / item
Noche Whale Seater Sofa 3 by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Noche Whale Seater Sofa 3 by SNOC Dimensions: W 230 x D 84 x H 66 cm. Materials: Teak Wood. The Whale-ash Collection features an elegant and robust design style inspired by the fo...
Teak
$9,296 / item
Grey Cut Sofa by Kann Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Grey Cut Sofa by Kann Design Dimensions: D 80 x W 230 x H 72 cm. Materials: Solid wood, steel, wood veneer, HR foam, fabric upholstery Kvadrat Remix 126 (90% wool, 10% nylon). Availa...
Steel
$5,994 / item
Galore 3 Seater Pale Rose by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Galore 3 Seater Pale Rose by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D222 x W83 x H 76 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Powder coated black steel legs, Wooden frame, foam, spring system. Weight: ...
Steel
$5,994 / item
Galore 3 Seater Light Rose by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Galore 3 seater light rose by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D 222 x W 83 x H 76 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Powder coated black steel legs, Wooden frame, foam, spring system. Weigh...
Steel
$4,800 / item
Flame Red RAP Sofa by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Flame Red RAP Sofa by Karim Rashid Dimensions: D 80 x W 170 x H 75 cm. Seat Height: 36 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 35 kg. Available in different color options. This product...
Other
Mr Olsen 3 Seater Oak Challenger Cognac Leather by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Mr Olsen 3 seater oak challenger cognac leather by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D201 x W79 x H 78/46 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Foam, Spring system, Solid oiled oak legs, Solid sm...
Leather, Upholstery, Foam, Oak