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.
$4,632 / item
Argil Grey RAP Sofa by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Argil Grey 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 produc...
Other
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
$3,163 / item
Powder Blue Low Lita Love Low Sofa by OTTO Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Powder Blue 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...
Other
$3,163 / item
Jet Black Low Lita Love Low Sofa by OTTO Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Jet Black 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
$3,163 / item
Malva Green Low Lita Love Low Sofa by OTTO Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Malva Green 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...
Other
$3,163 / item
Milky White Low Lita Love Low Sofa by OTTO Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Milky White 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...
Other
$3,163 / item
Elephant Grey Low Lita Love Low Sofa by OTTO Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Elephant 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. Availab...
Other
Chocolate Brown Low Lita Love Low Sofa by OTTO Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Chocolate Brown 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. Avail...
Other
$3,163 / item
Argil Grey Low Lita Love Low Sofa by OTTO Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Argil 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 ...
Other
$4,045 / item
Nightfall Miura Seater Sofa 3 by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Nightfall 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 elegan...
Aluminum
$5,028 / item
Oscar Middle Modular Sofa by DUISTT
Located in Geneve, CH
Oscar Middle Modular Sofa by DUISTT Dimensions: W 95 x D 105 x H 84 cm Materials: Duistt Fabric Inspired by the curved lines poetry of Oscar Niemeyer’s architecture, OSCAR modular ...
Fabric
$6,316 / item
Oscar Corner Modular Sofa by DUISTT
Located in Geneve, CH
Oscar Corner Modular Sofa by DUISTT Dimensions: W 105 x D 105 x H 84 cm Materials: Duistt Fabric Inspired by the curved lines poetry of Oscar Niemeyer...
Fabric
$6,508 / item
Oscar End Modular Sofa by DUISTT
Located in Geneve, CH
Oscar End Modular Sofa by DUISTT Dimensions: W 115 x D 105 x H 84 cm Materials: Duistt Fabric Inspired by the curved lines poetry of Oscar Niemeyer’s architecture, OSCAR modular so...
Fabric
$3,649 / item
Oscar Backless Modular Sofa by DUISTT
Located in Geneve, CH
Oscar Backless Modular Sofa by DUISTT Dimensions: W 95 x D 101 x H 40 cm Materials: Duistt Fabric Inspired by the curved lines poetry of Oscar Niemeyer’s architecture, OSCAR modula...
Fabric
Milky White Kami Yon Sofa With Cushion by Marc Sadler
Located in Geneve, CH
Milky White Kami Yon Sofa With Cushion by Marc Sadler Dimensions: Sofa: D 75 x W 174 x H 70 cm. Seat Height: 35 cm. Cushion: D 95 x W 150 x H 3 cm. Materials: Polyethylene, upholster...
Other
Milky White Kami Yon Sofa With Cushion by Marc Sadler
Located in Geneve, CH
Milky White Kami Yon Sofa With Cushion by Marc Sadler Dimensions: Sofa: D 75 x W 174 x H 70 cm. Seat Height: 35 cm. Cushion: D 95 x W 150 x H 3 cm. Materials: Polyethylene, upholster...
Other
$4,632 / item
Dove Grey Kami Yon Sofa by Marc Sadler
Located in Geneve, CH
Dove Grey 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
$4,669 / item
Flame Red Kami Yon Sofa by Marc Sadler
Located in Geneve, CH
Flame Red 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
$4,632 / item
Chocolate Brown Kami Yon Sofa by Marc Sadler
Located in Geneve, CH
Chocolate Brown 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. Th...
Other
$4,632 / item
Malva Green Kami Yon Sofa by Marc Sadler
Located in Geneve, CH
Malva Green 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 p...
Other
$4,632 / item
Elephant Grey Kami Yon Sofa by Marc Sadler
Located in Geneve, CH
Elephant Grey 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...
Other
$4,632 / item
Milky White Kami Yon Sofa by Marc Sadler
Located in Geneve, CH
Milky White 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 p...
Other
$4,632 / item
Argil Grey Kami Yon Sofa by Marc Sadler
Located in Geneve, CH
Argil Grey 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 pr...
Other
$4,669 / item
Saffron Yellow Kami Yon Sofa by Marc Sadler
Located in Geneve, CH
Saffron Yellow 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. Thi...
Other
$4,632 / item
Powder Blue Kami Yon Sofa by Marc Sadler
Located in Geneve, CH
Powder Blue 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 p...
Other
Milky White Happylife Sofa by Bedini, Marzano And Settimelli
Located in Geneve, CH
Milky White Happylife Sofa by Bedini, Marzano And Settimelli Dimensions: D 90 x W 240 x H 81 cm. Seat Height: 47 cm. Materials: Polyethylene and eco-leather. Weight: 69 kg. Availabl...
Other
$4,632 / item
Sahara Sand Big Kroko Sofa by Marcantonio
Located in Geneve, CH
Sahara Sand 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 of ...
Other
$2,372 / item
Amélie Duetto Sofa by Italo Pertichini
Located in Geneve, CH
Amélie Duetto Sofa by Italo Pertichini Dimensions: D 59 x W 120 x H 87 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 18 kg. Available in a standard version an...
Other
$4,632 / item
Namibian Desert Big Kroko Sofa by Marcantonio
Located in Geneve, CH
Namibian Desert 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
$2,391 / item
Amélie Duetto Sofa by Italo Pertichini
Located in Geneve, CH
Amélie Duetto Sofa by Italo Pertichini Dimensions: D 59 x W 120 x H 87 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 18 kg. Available in a standard version an...
Other
$4,632 / item
Malva Green Big Kroko Sofa by Marcantonio
Located in Geneve, CH
Malva Green 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 of ...
Other
$4,632 / item
Elephant Grey Blossy Rocking Sofa by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Elephant Grey 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. Availab...
Other
$4,632 / item
Powder Blue Blossy Rocking Sofa by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Powder Blue 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 options....
Other
$4,669 / item
Jet Black Blossy Rocking Sofa by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Jet Black 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
$4,632 / item
Dove Grey Blossy Rocking Sofa by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Dove Grey 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
$4,632 / item
Milky White Blossy Rocking Sofa by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Milky White 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...
Other
$4,632 / item
Chocolate Brown Blossy Rocking Sofa by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Chocolate Brown 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 opti...
Other
$7,881 / item
Western 2 Seat Sofa by InsidherLand
Located in Geneve, CH
Western 2 Seat Sofa by InsidherLand Dimensions: D 82 x W 150 x H 95 cm. Materials: Walnut, InsidherLand Canyon Ref. Light Grey fabric. 30 kg. Available in different fabrics. Western sofa...
Upholstery, Wood
$7,762 / item
Na Pali 3 Seat Sofa by InsidherLand
Located in Geneve, CH
Na Pali 3 Seat Sofa by InsidherLand Dimensions: D 82 x W 190 x H 95 cm. Materials: Walnut, InsidherLand Bright Velvet Ref. Gold fabric. 60 kg. Available in different fabrics. The Na Pali sofa was designed as the original armchair, evoking the breathtaking landscape of Na Pali coast located on Kaua'i Island. The wooden sides extend as cliffs from the bottom to the top and the front feet get the form of the numerous sculpted needles across the landscape. Created by Architect Joana Santos Barbosa in 2012, InsidherLand is a Portuguese brand...
Upholstery, Wood
$7,762 / item
Fernandine II Seat Sofa by InsidherLand
Located in Geneve, CH
Fernandina II Seat Sofa by InsidherLand Dimensions: D 85 x W 170 x H 80 cm. Materials: Brushed brass, InsidherLand Cotton Velvet Ref. CV 0470 fabric. 48 kg. Available in different fa...
Brass
$10,056 / item
Niemeyer II 2 Seat Sofa by InsidherLand
Located in Geneve, CH
Niemeyer II 2 Seat Sofa by InsidherLand Dimensions: D 92 x W 180 x H 86 cm. Materials: Oak, InsidherLand Dalai Ref. 1 fabric. 68 kg. Available in different fabrics. The Niemeyer II ...
Upholstery, Wood
$12,282 / item
Taupe Grey Timber 4 Seater Sofa by Kann Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Taupe Grey Timber 4 Seater Sofa by Kann Design Dimensions: D 104.5 x W 260 x H 75 cm. Materials: Solid wood, elastic belts, HR foam, fabric upholstery Kvadrat Vidar 143 (94% wool, 6%...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
$11,830 / item
Navy Blue Atlas 2 Seater Sofa by Kann Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Navy Blue Atlas 2 Seater Sofa by Kann Design Dimensions: D 94 x W 203 x H 78 cm. Materials: Powder-coated steel, HR foam, fabric upholstery Kvadrat Sprinkle...
Steel
$9,886 / item
Green Timber 3 Seater Sofa by Kann Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Green Timber 3 Seater Sofa by Kann Design Dimensions: D 104.5 x W 200 x H 75 cm. Materials: Solid wood, elastic belts, HR foam, fabric upholstery Kvadrat Vidar 1062 (94% wool, 6% nyl...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
$12,282 / item
Cream Timber 4 Seater Sofa by Kann Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Cream Timber 4 Seater Sofa by Kann Design Dimensions: D 104.5 x W 260 x H 75 cm. Materials: Solid wood, elastic belts, HR foam, fabric upholstery Kvadrat Vidar 1511 (94% wool, 6% nyl...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
$5,208 / item
Nature White Sofa by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature white sofa by MOWEE. Dimensions: D85 x W151 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: aluminum, upholstery and Iroko Wood. Weight: 32 kg. Also available in different colors ...
Aluminum
$3,886 / item
Nature White Double Central Modular Sofa by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature white double central modular sofa by MOWEE Dimensions: D83 x W136 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum and upholstery. Weight: 27 kg. Also available in differe...
Aluminum
$5,208 / item
Nature Navy Sofa by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature Navy sofa by MOWEE Dimensions: D85 x W151 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum, upholstery and Iroko Wood. Weight: 32 kg. Also availab...
Aluminum
$5,208 / item
Nature Black Sofa by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature black sofa by MOWEE Dimensions: D85 x W151 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum, upholstery and Iroko Wood. Weight: 32 kg. Also available in different colors a...
Aluminum
$5,208 / item
Nature Burgundy Sofa by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature burgundy sofa by MOWEE. Dimensions: D85 x W151 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: aluminum, upholstery and Iroko wood. Weight: 32 kg. Also available in different colo...
Aluminum
Nature Chocolate Double Central Modular Sofa by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature chocolate double central modular sofa by MOWEE Dimensions: D83 x W136 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum and upholstery. Weight: 27 kg. Also available in dif...
Aluminum
$3,886 / item
Nature Black Double Central Modular Sofa by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature Black Double Central Modular Sofa by MOWEE Dimensions: D83 x W136 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum and upholstery. Weight: 27 kg. Also available in differe...
Aluminum
$5,208 / item
Nature Grey Sofa by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature grey sofa by MOWEE Dimensions: D85 x W151 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum, upholstery and Iroko Wood. Weight: 32 kg. Also availab...
Aluminum
$5,208 / item
Nature Cream Sofa by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature cream sofa by MOWEE. Dimensions: D85 x W151 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: aluminum, upholstery and Iroko Wood. Weight: 32 kg. Also avai...
Aluminum
$5,250 / item
Nature Bronze Sofa by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature bronze sofa by MOWEE Dimensions: D85 x W151 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: aluminum, upholstery and Iroko Wood. Weight: 32 kg. Also available in different colors ...
Aluminum
$5,208 / item
Nature Chocolate Sofa by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature chocolate sofa by MOWEE. Dimensions: D85 x W151 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: aluminum, upholstery and Iroko Wood. Weight: 32 kg. Also available in different col...
Aluminum
$5,208 / item
Nature Salmon Sofa by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature Salmon sofa by MOWEE Dimensions: D85 x W151 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum, upholstery and Iroko Wood. Weight: 32 kg. Also av...
Aluminum
$2,676 / item
Cover Cream Right Modular Sofa by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Cover Cream Right Modular Sofa by MOWEE Dimensions: D83 x W80 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum and upholstery. Weight: 19 kg. A...
Aluminum
$2,676 / item
Cover Bronze Right Modular Sofa by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Cover Bronze Right Modular Sofa by MOWEE Dimensions: D83 x W80 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum and upholstery. Weight: 19 kg. ...
Aluminum
$2,655 / item
Cover Chocolate Left Modular Sofa by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Cover Chocolate Left Modular Sofa by MOWEE Dimensions: D83 x W80 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminium and upholstery . Weight: 19 kg. Also available in different col...
Aluminum