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.
$9,235 / item
Jabba Sofa Composition by RALPH M
Located in Geneve, CH
Jabba Sofa Composition by RALPH M Dimensions: W 320 x D 175 x H 80 cm. Materials: Solid beech, Particle boards panels, Fabric. Details: Frame: Solid beech and particle boards pane...
Fabric, Beech
Jell Sofa in Kvadrat Sprinkles Fabric by Alter Ego Studio
Located in Castelo da Maia, PT
Jell Sofa in Kvadrat Sprinkles Fabric by Alter Ego Studio Dimensions W 260 cm D 120 cm H 85 cm Product features Product options: Upholstery: Available in all Alter Ego leathers...
Fabric
$19,687 / item
Jell Sofa in Kvadrat Gentle Fabric by Alter Ego Studio
Located in Castelo da Maia, PT
Jell Sofa in Kvadrat Gentle Fabric by Alter Ego Studio Dimensions W 260 cm D 120 cm H 85 cm Product features Product options: Upholstery: Available in all Alter Ego leathers an...
Fabric
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
$19,687 / item
Jell Sofa Black Fabric by Alter Ego Studio
Located in Castelo da Maia, PT
Jell Sofa by Alter Ego Studio Dimensions W 260 cm D 120 cm H 85 cm Product features Product options: Upholstery: Available in all Alter Ego Studio leathers and fabrics. Availab...
Stone
Original Asko Finnland Sofa Couch Esko Pajamies Dreisitzer Leder
By Esko Pajamies, Asko
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen Dreisitzer von finnischen Traditionshersteller Asko aus den 1980er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Esko Pajamies und gilt als wahrer Desi...
Leather, Wood
Le Bambole Leather pouf foot rest Design Mario Bellini 1978 for B&B Italia
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
Le Bambole leather pouf or foot rest, designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia. Price for the foot rest only ! The Le Bambole Sofas are availab...
Leather, Foam
$12,151 / 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
$4,359 / item
Ribbons Salmon Sofa by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Ribbons salmon sofa by Mowee. Dimensions: D83 x W160 x H81 cm. Material: Aluminium, Upholstery Weight: 32 kg Also available in different colors and finishes. An unmistakable ...
Aluminum
$3,687 / item
MV Demio Side Chair by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
MV Demio Side Chair by Madheke Dimensions: D 54.3 x W 63.3 x H 82.2 cm. Materials: Solid walnut frame, Supple leather upholstered seat and back, Slender harness leather strap armrest...
Brass
$4,603 / item
Renner Carver Chair by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Renner Carver Chair by Madheke Dimensions: D 54.9 x W 58.8 x H 75.9 cm. Materials: Leather-clad body with leather lacing detail at back, Stitched highlights on leather-clad body, Fab...
Brass
Heracles Sofa in Dark Brown Oak, Patinated Bronze & Linen Fabric by OZA Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Heracles Sofa in Dark Brown Oak, Patinated Bronze & Linen Fabric by OZA Design Dimensions: D 90 x W 200 x H 65 cm. SH: 38 cm. Materials: Dark brown oak, bronze, and linen. Availabl...
Bronze
$6,493 / item
Large Dobra Sofa by Wentz
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Dobra Sofa by Wentz Dimensions: D 110 x W 110 x H 70 cm Materials: Modular sofa with wood structure, elastic straps, hyper-soft foam and WE—KNIT covering (70% Recycled PET + 30...
Upholstery
$4,359 / item
Ribbons Bronze Sofa by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Ribbons bronze sofa by Mowee. Dimensions: D83 x W160 x H81 cm Material: Aluminium, upholstery. Weight: 32 kg Also available in different colors and finishes. An unmistakable ...
Aluminum
$8,916 / item
Mid Corner Sofa by Kann Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Mid Corner Sofa by Kann Design Dimensions: D 70 x W 170 x H 74 cm. Materials: Solid wood, steel, wood veneer, HR foam, fabric upholstery - seating: Sahco Ellis 4 - back: Sahco Ellis ...
Steel
Sculptural Tube Sofa by Anna & Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate, 1990s Italy
By Rossi di Albizzate, Carlo Bartoli
Located in Zagreb, HR
Rare sculptural postmodern designer sofa model ''Tube'' designed by Anna & Carlo Bartoli for Italian high-end furniture manufacturer Rossi di Albizzate. The sofa features internal t...
Fabric, Foam
$32,790 / item
Fabric and Cuoio Stilt Sofa 4 Seater by Amura Lab
Located in Geneve, CH
Fabric and Cuoio Stilt Sofa 4 Seater by Amura Lab Dimensions: W 294 x D 96 x H 75 cm Materials: FRAME: solid wood and cuoio. SUSPENSIONS: rub la plume ber and polypropylene belts SEA...
Wood
$4,096Sale Price|20% Off
Brick & Mortar Sofa, Gray, Rich Woods & Seb Wrong, Established & Sons, UK, 2009
By Established & Sons, Richard Woods, Sebastian Wrong
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gray Brick & Mortar Sofa, Rich Woods & Seb Wrong, Established & Sons, UK, 2009. Iconic Postmodern design. Produced for a short period in 2009-2010. Made in ...
Textile
$4,811 / item
Quiete Sofa by Dale Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Quiete Sofa by Dale Italia Dimensions: D 85 x W 130 x H 77 cm. Materials: Walnut and upholstery. Rocking chair in solid Canaletto walnut. Available in two finishes: natural and grey...
Upholstery, Walnut
$4,753 / item
Sweet Fuchsia Blossy Rocking Sofa by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Sweet Fuchsia Blossy Rocking Sofa by Karim Rashid Dimensions: D 85 x W 159 x H 75 cm. Seat Height: 34 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 38 kg. Available in different color option...
Other
Superonda sofa, Archizoom & Associati, Poltronova 1970s
By Archizoom Associati, Poltronova
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Superonda sofa, Archizoom & Associati, Poltronova 1970s. Superonda is distinguished by its bold absence of a body. At the center of its design are two sinuous waves, precisely sculpt...
Faux Leather, Foam
$9,241 / item
Fried Egg Sofa Sheepskin Moonlight by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Fried egg sofa sheepskin moonlight by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D 186 x W 68 x H 68 cm Material: Sheepskin upholstery, Solid oiled teak Weight: 42 kg Also available in different co...
Sheepskin, Teak
$6,437 / item
Jabba Sofa by RALPH M
Located in Geneve, CH
Jabba Sofa by RALPH M Dimensions: W 280 x D 120 x H 80 cm. Materials: Solid beech, Particle boards panels, Fabric. Details: Frame: Solid beech and particle ...
Fabric, Beech
$18,713 / 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
$7,478 / item
Dobra Module Corner Sofa by Wentz
Located in Geneve, CH
Dobra Module Corner Sofa by Wentz Dimensions: D 110 x W 110 x H 70 cm Materials: Modular sofa with wood structure, elastic straps, hyper-soft foam and WE—KNIT covering (70% Recycled ...
Upholstery
$4,117 / item
Large Dune Sofa by RALPH M
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Dune Sofa by RALPH M Dimensions: W 237 x D 110 x H 92 cm. Materials: Solid beech, Fabric, Wood. Details: Frame: Solid beech and particle board pane...
Fabric, Beech, Wood
$8,058 / item
Eduarda Sofa by Duistt
Located in Geneve, CH
Eduarda Sofa by Duistt Dimensions: W 220 x D 95 x H 72 cm Materials: Duistt Fabric, Bronze Renaissance decorative nails Cushion not included. Please contact us for any request. EDUA...
Bronze, Other
$21,751 / 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
$7,211 / item
Grey and Brick Red Mid Sofa by Kann Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Grey and Brick Red Mid Sofa by Kann Design Dimensions: D 70 x W 200 x H 74 cm. Materials: Solid wood, steel, wood veneer, HR foam, fabric upholstery - seating...
Steel
$5,924 / item
Object 083 Sofa by NG Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 083 Sofa by NG Design Dimensions: W 210 x D 100 x H 69 cm Materials: Bouclé Fabric Also Available: All of objects available in different materials and colors on demand. The ...
Bouclé
$2,376Sale Price|20% Off
Post Modern Three Seater Sofa with Vintage Uphosltery
Located in Freehold, NJ
This postmodern three seater sofa features vintage white patterned upholstery with removable cushions and unique oversized armrest. Dimensions: 84.5w 35.25d 30h 26ah 17sh Condition...
Upholstery
$7,096 / item
Brown Pierre Chair by Plyus Furniture
Located in Geneve, CH
Brown Pierre Chair by Plyus Furniture Dimensions: D 63 x W 69 x H 88 cm Materials: Wood, HR foam, polyester wadding, fabric upholstery. PLYUS Furniture creates pieces in collecti...
Upholstery, Wood
Original Brühl Moule Sofa Couch Schwarz Zweisitzer Design
By Brühl
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen Brühl Moule Zweisitzer in schwarz zum Verkauf an. Das Möbel besticht durch seine vielseitige Nutzungs- und Verstellmöglichkeiten durch drehbare Sitze u...
Steel, Chrome
$8,533 / item
Stella Sofa by Domkapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Stella Sofa by Domkapa Materials: Velvet (Aldan 2928), walnut stained ash. Dimensions: W 293 x D 157 x H 84 cm. Also available in different materials. Please contact us. with 3 pillows included in the same fabric as the structure(50x50 cm) An exclusive design for the most unique decorations! Stella sofa is a curvilinear sofa...
Velvet, Ash
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
$4,753 / item
Pumpkin Orange RAP Sofa by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Pumpkin Orange 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 pr...
Other
$25,659 / item
Tau Leather Sofa 4 Seater by Amura Lab
Located in Geneve, CH
Tau Leather Sofa 4 Seater by Amura Lab Dimensions: W 285 x D 90 x H 75 cm Materials: FRAME: solid wood and multiply. SUSPENSIONS: rubber and polypropylene belts. REMOVABLE PARTS: ful...
Foam, Wood
$5,420 / item
Haven 3 Seater Cream by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Haven 3 seater cream by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D220 x W84 x H 110/40 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Foam, Spring system, Wood Weight: 84 kg Also available in different colours and finishes. Haven is a contemporary sofa with a simple, soft idiom. With its high, embracing back, the sofa creates a sanctuary, where you can sit, gently shielded off from your surroundings, curled up with a book or enjoying an in-depth conversation in your living room. Haven is also ideal for a conference room or lobby, either alone or with two sofas facing each other, thereby expanding the private space. The Haven Lounge Chair and Pouf make the perfect complement. For a perfect holistic impression the Haven range is covered with the exclusive furnishing fabrics, Hero, whose soft, almost felt-like surface complements the sofas organic shape...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$6,991 / item
Black Leather Level Daybed by Msds Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Black leather level daybed by Msds Studio Materials: Camo leather, foam, oak. Dimensions: D 76.5 x W 190 x H 41 cm Also available in different materials. The founders, Mia and...
Leather, Foam, Oak
$3,597 / item
Large Lounge Sofa by RALPH M
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Lounge Sofa by RALPH M Dimensions: W 176 x D 101 x H 80 cm. Materials: Plywood, Foam, Fabric. Details: Frame: HR 26kg/m3, HR 38kg/m3 and RP 28kg/...
Fabric, Foam, Plywood
$7,223 / item
Mustard Lupin Sofa by Nelson Araujo
Located in Geneve, CH
Mustard 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 colors...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
$7,223 / item
Chestnut Lupin Sofa by Nelson Araujo
Located in Geneve, CH
Chestnut 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 color...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
$8,591 / item
BC Leather Sofa by DAaZ
Located in Geneve, CH
BC Leather Sofa by DAaZ Dimensions: D 110 x W 200 x H 76 cm. Materials: Albizzia wood, semi-nobuk leather, fabric. DAaZ Furniture honors the spirit of adventure. We embrace the esc...
Upholstery, Wood, Leather
$3,292 / item
Moss 1300 Sofa by Artu
Located in Geneve, CH
Moss 1300 Sofa by Artu Pavel Vetrov Dimensions: W 130 x D 82 x H 76 cm Materials: Wood, Upholstery Other colors and materials available. Please contact us. Soft, flowing, tact...
Upholstery, Wood
Original Living Divani Ile Cube Leder Sofa Couch Zweisitzer Design
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes und sehr hochwertiges Zweisitzer Sofa ("Ile Cube") vom Italienischen Qualitätshersteller Living Divani zum Verkauf an. Living Divani zeichnet sich durch ...
Leather
Perfidia 3-Seater Sofa in Ébano Wood, Leather & Aged Brass by Estudio Andean
Located in Geneve, CH
Perfidia 3-Seater Sofa in Ébano Wood, Leather & Aged Brass by Estudio Andean Dimensions: D 80 x W 194 x H 73 cm. Materials: Steel, bronze, brass, Seike wood, and leather. Available ...
Brass, Bronze, Steel
$7,096 / item
Black Pierre Chair by Plyus Furniture
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Pierre Chair by Plyus Furniture Dimensions: D 63 x W 69 x H 88 cm Materials: Wood, HR foam, polyester wadding, fabric upholstery. PLYUS Furnitur...
Upholstery, Wood
Link-Bisque Wicker And Powder-Coated Aluminum Two-Seater Outdoor Sofa by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Link-Bisque Wicker And Powder-Coated Aluminum Two-Seater Outdoor Sofa by SNOC Dimensions: D 85,5 x W 195 x H 63 cm. Materials: Aluminium, wicker, and Luminesce fabric. Link-Bisque ...
Aluminum
$13,774 / item
Mythos Sectional Sofa by Marioni
Located in Geneve, CH
Mythos Sectional Sofa by Marioni Dimensions: W 200 x D 95 x H 75 cm. Materials: Upholstery: Tessuto/Fabric 7,50 Mt. Pelle/Leather 11,50 Mq Product code: I0331 Pure shape and lines,...
Upholstery
$8,290 / 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 upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet upholstery and wild silk. Available in all M...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Serpentine Sofa Newly Reupholstered in Leather
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Asymmetrical Serpentine Bilbao Sculptural Sofa Newly Reupholstered in Holly Hunt “Putty” Leather This sofa is breathtaking in person-sure to make a huge statement...
Leather
$7,223 / item
Forest Lupin Sofa by Nelson Araujo
Located in Geneve, CH
Forest 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 colors....
Fabric, Foam, Wood
$12,151 / 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
Beige Baba Daybed by Gisbert Pöppler, Upholstered Teak Frame, Germany
Located in Geneve, CH
Beige Baba daybed by Gisbert Pöppler Dimensions: H 82 (43) x W 250 x D 170 cm Materials: Upholstered wooden frame, teak footings Like a friend that wants to cuddle, Baba is an upholstered sofa series for lounging in complete comfort. The asymmetrical forms cater to a playful choice of sitting positions from formal to downright lounging while confidently inhabiting their environment and providing cozy sophistication. The low seating height and fluffy padded body make you want to sink into this chair and relish the moment. All of their upholstery pieces are COM prices. The prices do not include any fabric. Gisbert Pöppler studied architecture at California College of Arts and Crafts, San Francisco and Technische Universität, Berlin, graduating in 1996 with a Diplom Ingenieur. After completing his studies he spent several years working for various firms in Berlin, developing new architecture after the German re-unification. In 1999 Gisbert Pöppler founded Prinz–Pöppler, a partnership with architect Ilona Prinz – together creating office environments for start-up organizations filling the dynamic Berlin landscape...
Upholstery, Teak
$4,150 / item
Miura Seater Sofa 3 by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Miura Seater Sofa 3 by SNOC Dimensions: W 230 x D 82.5 x H 80 cm. Materials: Acrylic Rope, Aluminium. The Miura outdoor collection is an invitation to comfort and elegance. The so...
Aluminum
$4,058Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Rectangular Red Architectural Sofa, Belgian Design, Prototype, 2000's
Located in Antwerp, BE
Postmodern Rectangular Red Architectural Sofa, Belgian design, unique prototype, early 21st century, faux-leather This postmodern architectural prototype...
Metal
$10,957 / item
Ochre Cut Sofa by Kann Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Ochre 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 Baru 450 (90% wool, 10% nylon). Availa...
Steel
$32,790 / item
Cayenne Croissant Sofa by Plyus Furniture
Located in Geneve, CH
Cayenne Croissant Sofa by Plyus Furniture Dimensions: D 120 x W 240 x H 80 cm Materials: Wood, HR foam, polyester wadding, fabric upholstery. “Croissant” Sofa. Of course, for the d...
Upholstery, Wood
$9,206 / 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
$8,916 / item
Burgundy Mid Sofa by Kann Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Burgundy Mid Sofa by Kann Design Dimensions: D 70 x W 200 x H 74 cm. Materials: Solid wood, steel, wood veneer, HR foam, fabric upholstery Kvadrat Sunniva 373...
Steel