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.
$7,412 / 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
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. Availa...
Brass, Bronze, Steel
$14,872 / item
Medium Baixo Sofa by Wentz
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Baixo Sofa by Wentz Dimensions: D 110 x W 250 x H 58 cm Materials: Wood, Upholstery. 3 cushions included The Baixo sofa proposes a different way of sitting. An invitation to ...
Upholstery, Wood
$9,149 / 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
$14,134 / 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
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
Caleo-Ash Teak Wood, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Corner Modular Sofa by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Caleo-Ash 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 Caleo...
Fabric, Rope, Teak
Lyora Teak Wood Frame And Ethereal Fabric Corner Modular Sofa by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Lyora Teak Wood Frame And Ethereal Fabric Corner Modular Sofa by SNOC Dimensions: D 125 x W 125 x H 66 cm. SH: 42 cm. Materials: Teak wood and Ethereal fabric. A delicate mid-centu...
Fabric, Teak
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
$11,909 / item
Onigiri Sofa by Luis Gimeno
Located in Geneve, CH
Onigiri Sofa by Luis Gimeno Dimensions: W 100 x D 100 x H 83 cm Materials: Upholstery, metal and cushion. Taking inspiration from day to day shapes and objects I come up with this ...
Metal
Original Rolf Benz Sofa 3000 Dreisitzer Design Couch creme beige
By Rolf Benz
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten eins von insgesamt zwei wunderschönen Rolf Benz Sofas des Modells "3000" zum Verkauf an. Bei diesem Modell handelt es sich um den etwas längeren Dreisitzer. In unseren and...
Fabric
Éclat-Bisque Rope, Luminesce Fabric And Aluminum Three-Seater Sofa by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Éclat-Bisque Rope, Luminesce Fabric And Aluminum Three-Seater Sofa by SNOC Dimensions: D 93,5 x W 240 x H 67 cm. SH: 39 cm. Materials: Aluminium, rope, and Luminesce fabric. Anthon...
Aluminum
$1,534 / item
Lace Cream Sofa with Cushion by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Lace cream sofa with cushion by Mowee. Dimensions: D66 x W135 x H75.5 cm Material: Polyethylene, Stainless Steel Weight: 21 kg Also Available in different colours and finishes. ...
Stainless Steel, Other
$13,813 / item
Roy 290 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Roy 290 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 115 x W 290 x H 83 cm. SH: 42 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet, ref. Sky, CV23, and gloss lacquer. Available in a...
Upholstery, Foam, 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
Caleo-Ash Teak Wood, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Left Modular Daybed by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Caleo-Ash 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 Caleo...
Fabric, Rope, Teak
$6,472 / item
RUA CHA Sofa by Clementine Caurier
Located in Geneve, CH
RUA CHA Sofa by Clementine Caurier Dimensions: D 95 x W 240 x H 74 cm. Materials: Ash, wool, and linen. RUA CHA sofa is based on a light, crossed structure in solid wood. The genero...
Wool, Linen, Ash
Link-Bisque Wicker And Powder-Coated Aluminum Three-Seater Outdoor Sofa by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Link-Bisque Wicker And Powder-Coated Aluminum Three-Seater Outdoor Sofa by SNOC Dimensions: D 85,5 x W 230 x H 63 cm. SH: 42 cm. Materials: Aluminium, wicker, and Luminesce fabric. ...
Aluminum
$3,593 / 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
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
Caleo-Ash Teak Wood, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Right Modular Daybed by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Caleo-Ash Teak Wood, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Right Modular Daybed by SNOC Dimensions: D 180 x W 97,5 x H 65 cm. SH: 42 cm. Materials: Teak wood, rope, and Ethereal fabric. The Cal...
Fabric, Rope, Teak
$13,813 / item
Belong Sofa by Memoir Essence
Located in Geneve, CH
Belong Sofa by Memoir Essence Dimensions: D 90 x W 220 x H 75 cm. Materials: Velvet SFY, satin AB and lacquer. Also available in client's fabric. Pleas...
Satin, Upholstery, Velvet, Lacquer
$12,802 / item
Célestine Sofa by Studio Uwe Gaertner
Located in Geneve, CH
Célestine Sofa by Studio Uwe Gaertner Dimensions: D 80 x W 225 x H 90 cm. Materials: Solid oak and Kvadrat Zero (no.001) fabric (65% cotton, 20% acrylic, 15% polyester). DESIGN BY S...
Fabric, Oak
$2,046 / 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
$3,331 / item
Dove Grey Low Lita Love Low Sofa by OTTO Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Dove Grey Low Lita Love Low Sofa by OTTO Studio Designed by Paola Navone. Dimensions: D 80 x W 118 x H 70 cm. Seat Height: 36 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 22 kg. Available i...
Other
1980s Wittmanns Leather Sofa Chair
By Wittmann
Located in Marbella, ES
Anthracite color original Wittmann designer sofa chair in a minimalistic and modern design. Very good condition.
Leather, Wood
$4,878 / item
Flame Red Blossy Rocking Sofa by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Flame Red 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 i...
Other
$41,880 / item
Ambassador Chaise Lounge by Gisbert Pöppler
Located in Geneve, CH
Ambassador chaise longue by Gisbert Pöppler Dimensions: H62 (SH40) x W226 x D89 cm Materials: Coil springs upholstered with padding and down, forged steel feet Couched in the tr...
Steel
$41,916 / item
Tau Leather Sofa Composition by Amura Lab
Located in Geneve, CH
Tau Leather Sofa Composition by Amura Lab Dimensions: W 551 x D 90 x H 75 cm Materials: FRAME: solid wood and multiply. SUSPENSIONS: rubber and polypropylene belts. REMOVABLE PARTS: ...
Foam, Wood
$8,685 / item
Fuyu Two Seater Sofa by Lagu
Located in Geneve, CH
Fuyu two seater sofa by Lagu Designed by Ufuk Ceylan Dimensions: W 220 x D 130 x H 98 cm. Materials: Bouclé, Cotton, Fabric, Foam, Hardwood. The Fuyu Two Sea...
Fabric, Bouclé, Cotton, Foam, Hardwood
$3,783 / 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
Caleo-Ash Teak, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Half Backrest Modular Sofa by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Caleo-Ash Teak, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Half Backrest 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 Cal...
Fabric, Rope, Teak
$14,099 / item
Leather Mavis Sofa 3 Seater by Amura Lab
Located in Geneve, CH
Leather Mavis Sofa 3 Seater by Amura Lab Dimensions: W 200 x D 87 x H 82 cm Materials: FRAME: solid wood and multiply, with metal support. SUSPENSIONS: rubber and polypropylene belts...
Metal
$5,235 / item
Kuumo Sofa by KUUMO DESIGN
Located in Geneve, CH
Kuumo Sofa by KUUMO DESIGN Dimensions: W 150 x D 87.5 x H 96.6 cm Materials: Acrylic glass structures, Foam cushions and 1460 mm, Mirror stainless steel tubes. Weight: 42 Kg. With...
Stainless Steel
$14,396 / item
Hug Grey Sofa by Rejo Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Hug grey 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 comfortable hug. The hug sofa...
Velvet, Wood
$4,878 / 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
$4,878 / 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
$25,176 / item
Lapis Fabric Sofa Composition by Amura Lab
Located in Geneve, CH
Lapis Fabric Sofa Composition by Amura Lab Dimensions: W 264 x D 180 x H 70 cm Materials: FRAME: solid wood and multiply. SUSPENSIONS: rubber and polypropylene belts. SEAT, BACK AND ...
Foam, Wood
$6,091 / item
Galore 3 Seater Vintage Rose by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Galore 3 seater Vintage 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. Weigh...
Steel
$4,878 / item
Chocolate Brown Big Kroko Sofa by Marcantonio
Located in Geneve, CH
Chocolate Brown Big Kroko Sofa by Marcantonio Dimensions: D 63 x W 167 x H 75 cm. Seat Height: 43 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 22 kg. Also available in biobased polyethylene...
Other
$4,890 / item
Lipstick 2 Seat Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Lipstick 2 Seat Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 76 x W 130 x H 79 cm. SH: 44 cm. Materials: Solid wood, foam, brass, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet, ref. Antique Pink, CV28, antique pink gloss lacquer legs, and plated nickel feet...
Nickel
$4,937 / 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
$10,720 / 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
$6,436 / 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
$9,673 / item
Cécile Bench by Studio Uwe Gaertner
Located in Geneve, CH
Cécile Bench by Studio Uwe Gaertner Dimensions: D 80 x W 245 x H 37 cm. Materials: Solid oak and Kvadrat Zero (no.001) fabric (65% cotton, 20% acrylic, 15% polyester). An elegant pi...
Fabric, Oak
$14,670 / item
Saddle Leather Mara Sofa by Lorenza Bozzoli
Located in Geneve, CH
Saddle Leather Mara Sofa by Lorenza Bozzoli Dimensions: D 94 x W 180 x H 82 cm. Seat Height: 52 cm. Materials: Polyethylene, wadding, rubber, and acrylic. Weight: 60 kg. Available i...
Other
$3,593 / 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
$33,647 / 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
$4,259 / 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
$17,608 / item
Byron 5010 Sofa by Redeco
Located in Geneve, CH
Byron 5010 Sofa by Redeco Dimensions: W 260 x D 101 x H 73 cm Materials: Wooden structure padded with polyurethane foam in different densities. Seat cushions padded in polyurethane f...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
$6,091 / item
Galore 3 Seater Amber by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Galore 3 Seater Amber 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: 62 k...
Steel
Original Rolf Benz Sofa 3000 Zweisitzer Couch Creme Beige Design
By Rolf Benz
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten eins von insgesamt zwei wunderschönen Rolf Benz Sofas des Modells "3000" zum Verkauf an. Bei diesem Modell handelt es sich um den etwas kürzeren Zweisitzer. In unseren and...
Fabric
$4,878 / 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
$2,724 / item
Ash Whale Single Sofa by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Ash Whale Single Sofa by SNOC Dimensions: W 86 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 of...
Teak
$10,720 / 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
$13,813 / item
Roy 290 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Roy 290 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 115 x W 290 x H 83 cm. SH: 42 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet, ref. Buttermilk, CV38, and gloss lacquer. Availab...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$13,813 / item
Roy 290 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Roy 290 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 115 x W 290 x H 83 cm. SH: 42 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet, ref. Lime, CV24, and gloss lacquer. Available in ...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
Unique Dama Sofa - Wood Frame and Fabric Upholstery by Megarisiotis
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Dama Sofa - Wood Frame and Fabric Upholstery by Megarisiotis Dimensions: D 96 x W 240 x H 96 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and fabric. Bespoke fabric and length are available up...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
$2,046 / 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
$4,878 / 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