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.
$8,853 / 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
$7,491 / 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
$9,246 / 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
$7,361 / item
Mr Olsen 3 Seater Oak Linen by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Mr Olsen 3 seater oak linen by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D 201 x W 79 x H 78/46 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Foam, Spring system, Solid oiled oak legs, Solid smoked oak legs Wei...
Upholstery, Foam, Oak
$4,929 / item
Saffron Yellow RAP Sofa by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Saffron Yellow 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
$20,549 / item
Fabric Panis Deep Sofa Composition by Amura Lab
Located in Geneve, CH
Fabric Panis Deep Sofa Composition by Amura Lab Dimensions: W 297 x D 97 x H 70 cm Materials: FRAME: solid wood and multiply. SUSPENSIONS: rubber and polypropylene belts. SEATS: poly...
Foam, Wood
$10,521 / 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
$5,821 / 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
$3,631 / 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
$21,499 / 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
$10,521 / 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
$11,639 / item
Unique Cassette Sofa by Collector
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Cassette sofa by Collector Dimensions: W 235 x D 95 x H 77 cm Materials: Fabric, Wood Other materials available. The Collector brand aims to...
Fabric, Wood
One Hundred Fully Upholstered Monolithic Modular Sofa by Quinti Sedute
Located in Geneve, CH
One Hundred Fully Upholstered Monolithic Modular Sofa by Quinti Sedute Dimensions: D 134 x W 250 x H 77 cm. Materials: Polyurethane rubber, plywood, and upholstery. Available in dif...
Other
$3,631 / item
Cactus Auguste 2 Seats Sofa by HARTO
Located in Geneve, CH
Cactus 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. Weight: 4...
Foam, Polyester, Pine, Plywood
$7,253 / item
Oak Cognac Leather Level Daybed by Msds Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Oak Cognac leather level daybed by Msds Studio Materials: Camo leather, foam, oak. Dimensions: D 76.5 x W 190 x H 41 cm The founders, Mia and Torben Koed, decided to put their 30 years of experience into a new project. It was time for a change and a new challenge. The challenge was to build an ambitious design brand from the ground up with high-quality materials and great attention to the little details. With a drive to create new originals, the WOUD collection is founded upon the idea to look ahead instead of looking back and share the love for honest design. Therefore, we are eager to discover and develop new ideas whether it being in form, function or choice of material. MSDS STUDIO is a successful Canadian design studio that works in interior, furniture and lighting design. The designers behind the studio are Jessica Nakanishi and Jonathan Sabine. A couple who have mastered to get their name established at numerous of the world’s leading design brands in a few years. We are proud to be able to have three of their designs in our collection. The studio is dedicated to material exploration, rigour and resourcefulness. With a modern approach to design, they create innovative design that engages contemporary culture while staying true to the inheritance of craftsmanship. Their work synthesises very meticulous considerations of color, form and space, which results in simple designs. The Annular pendant was the product that started the collaboration of MSDS and WOUD. The design sparked a love at first sight reaction at the Stockholm Furniture Fair in 2015 and since then, our collaboration has evolved. With great chemistry and appreciation, the Study lamp...
Leather, Foam, Oak
$10,521 / 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, ref. Blue Grey, CV07 upholstery, gloss eb...
Brass
$10,521 / 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
$9,550 / 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
$5,364 / 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
Original Giorgio Soressi Sofa Design Couch 1990 Leder Zweisitzer2
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten eins von zwei wunderschönen und extrem seltenen Zweisitzer Sofas aus den 1990er Jahren an. Der Entwurf stammt von Giorgio Soressi, dessen Werke sich international einer gr...
Leather, Fabric
$4,931 / item
Lighted RAP Sofa by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Lighted 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 i...
Other
Acer 180 Sofa in European Oak & Burgundy Wool by Mokko Amsterdam
Located in Geneve, CH
Acer 180 Sofa in European Oak & Burgundy Wool by Mokko Amsterdam Dimensions: D 70 x W 180 x H 32 cm. Materials: European oak and wool. Available in different material options and d...
Wool, Oak
Elephant Grey Low Lita Love Low Sofa With Cushion by OTTO Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Elephant Grey Low Lita Love Low Sofa With Cushion by OTTO Studio Designed by Paola Navone. Dimensions: D 80 x W 118 x H 70 cm. Seat Height: 36 cm. Materials: Polyethylene, rubber and...
Other
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
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
Fried Egg Sofa Sprinkles Caramel Grey Spicy Brown by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Fried egg sofa sprinkles caramel grey spicy brown by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D186 x W68 x H 68 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Solid oiled teak Weight: 42 kg Also available in d...
Upholstery, Teak
$7,674 / item
Snow Straight Sofa by Note Design Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Snow straight sofa by Note Design Studio Dimensions: D 100 x W 100 x H 74 cm. Materials: upholstery. Prices may vary according to the fabric choice. Snow is a modular sofa concept created by Note Design Studio. Note is based in Stockholm where snow is abundant and changes drastically the landscape during a large portion of the year. Even the most brutalist building morph into blurry and puffy shapes. This contrast between a solid and steady structure anchored in the ground and the welcoming layer of soft snow on top is the inspiration for the Snow sofa. The snow system is composed of 2 elements – a straight module and a rounded 30° module – that can be combined to create an infinity of shapes. The sofa is complemented by low modules that can be used as ottomans or can be combined to create straight or curved padded benches...
Upholstery
$2,068 / item
Nightfall Miura Single Sofa by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Nightfall Miura Single Sofa by SNOC Dimensions: W 81.5 x D 82.5 x H 80 cm. Materials: Acrylic Rope, Aluminium. The Miura outdoor collection is an invitation to comfort and eleganc...
Aluminum
$9,577 / 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
Caleo-Ash Teak Wood Frame, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Two-Seater Sofa by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Caleo-Ash Teak Wood Frame, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Two-Seater Sofa by SNOC Dimensions: D 100 x W 195 x H 65 cm. SH: 42 cm. Materials: Teak wood, rope, and Ethereal fabric. The Cal...
Fabric, Rope, Teak
$10,521 / 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
$12,036 / item
Armless High Backrest Upholstery Sofa by Luis Gimeno
Located in Geneve, CH
Onigiri Sofa by Luis Gimeno Dimensions: D 100 x W 100 x H 83 cm Materials: Upholstery, metal. Available in White, Green, and Orange. Please contact us. Taking inspiration from day-...
Metal
ARCH 2 Seater Sofa in Oak and DAW/Mohair & Mcnutt Upholstery by Mazo Design
Located in Geneve, CH
ARCH 2 Seater Sofa in Oak and DAW/Mohair & Mcnutt Upholstery by Mazo Design Dimensions: W 128 x D 79 x H 76 cm Materials: Oak, textile Also available: 2 seater configuration, ROMO/L...
Other
$7,253 / 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
$10,585 / item
Olive Two Seater Nube Sofa by Siete Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Olive Two Seater Nube Sofa by Siete Studio Dimensions: D200 x W100 x H60 cm. Materials: Walnut, cushions, upholstery. Characterised by its round edges and soft white cushions, Nube ...
Other
Link-Terra Wicker And Powder-Coated Aluminum Two-Seater Outdoor Sofa by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Link-Terra 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-Terra Wh...
Aluminum
$6,348 / item
Object 075 Sofa by NG Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 075 Sofa by NG Design Dimensions: W 228 x D 107 x H 78 cm Materials: Bouclé Fabric, Oak Also Available: All of objects available in different materials and colors on demand. ...
Oak, Bouclé
$14,777 / item
N2 Tête À Tête by Aaron Scott
Located in Geneve, CH
N2 TÊTE À TÊTE by Aaron Scott Dimensions: D 43.5 x W 124.5 x H 43.5 cm Materials: Walnut. Brooklyn-based designer Aaron Scott was raised in the ...
Walnut
$34,004 / 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
$6,252 / 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
$3,631 / item
Pearl Auguste 2 Seats Sofa by HARTO
Located in Geneve, CH
Pearl 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. Weight: 43...
Foam, Polyester, Pine, Plywood
$4,521 / item
Ribbons White Sofa by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Ribbons white sofa by MOWEE Dimensions: D83 x W160 x H81 cm Material: Aluminum, Upholstery Weight: 32 kg Also available in different colors and finishes. An unmistakable coll...
Aluminum
$3,280 / item
Lounge Sofa by RALPH M
Located in Geneve, CH
Lounge Sofa by RALPH M Dimensions: W 140 x D 101 x H 80 cm. Materials: Plywood, Foam, Fabric. Details: Frame: HR 26kg/m3, HR 38kg/m3 and RP 28kg/m3 foam com...
Fabric, Foam, Plywood
$11,374 / 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
$8,360 / 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
$6,180 / item
Monsieur T 2 Seat Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Monsieur T 2 Seat Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 75 x W 150 x H 73 cm. SH: 45 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Classic Leather, ref. Dark Ruby, CL05 upholstery, and wa...
Foam, Wood, Leather, Walnut
$5,896 / item
Animal Sofa by RALPH M
Located in Geneve, CH
Animal Sofa by RALPH M Dimensions: W 180 x D 110 x H 85 cm. Materials: Solid beech, Plywood. In its French workshop, Ralph M. creates and crafts person...
Beech, Plywood
$14,044 / item
Fjord Chair by Plyus Furniture
Located in Geneve, CH
Fjord Chair by Plyus Furniture Dimensions: D 85 x W 110 x H 80 cm Materials: Wood, HR foam, polyester wadding, fabric upholstery. PLYUS Furniture creates pieces in collectible de...
Upholstery, Wood
$4,929 / item
Jet Black Kami Yon Sofa by Marc Sadler
Located in Geneve, CH
Jet Black Kami Yon Sofa by Marc Sadler Dimensions: D 75 x W 174 x H 70 cm. Seat Height: 35 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 33 kg. Available in different color options. This pro...
Other
$11,170 / item
Natú Sofa by Frau Caze
Located in Geneve, CH
Natú Sofa by Frau Caze Dimensions: D 74 x W 182 x H 84 cm. Materials: Oiled walnut, Kvadrat, leather. Sofa Natú was inspired by the cool, stony landscapes of Bolivia and Argentina. ...
Leather, Upholstery, Walnut
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
$7,253 / item
Black Cognac Leather Level Daybed by Msds Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Black cognac leather level daybed by Msds Studio. Materials: Camo leather, foam, oak. Dimensions: D 76.5 x W 190 x H 41 cm. The founders, Mia and Torben Koed, decided to put the...
Leather, Foam, Oak
$7,758 / 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
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
$9,791 / 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
$2,068 / item
Miura Single Sofa by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Miura Single Sofa by SNOC Dimensions: W 81.5 x D 82.5 x H 80 cm. Materials: Acrylic Rope, Aluminium. The Miura outdoor collection is an invitation to comfort and elegance. The sof...
Aluminum
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
$7,358 / 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
$4,093 / item
Fidji Sofa by RALPH M
Located in Geneve, CH
Fidji Sofa by RALPH M Dimensions: W 210 x D 92 x H 86-107 cm. Materials: Solid beech, Fabric, Plywood. Details: Frame: Plywood panels and solid beech supports. Seat springing: Int...
Fabric, Beech, Plywood
$31,816 / item
Chocolate Memory Sofa by Plyus Furniture
Located in Geneve, CH
Chocolate Memory Sofa by Plyus Furniture Dimensions: D 90 x W 240 x H 85 cm Materials: Wood, HR foam, polyester wadding, fabric upholstery “Memory” sofa. Collection "Memory" inspir...
Upholstery, Wood