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.
$11,385 / 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
$7,003 / item
Snow Sofa by Note Design Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Snow sofa straight by Note Design Studio Dimensions: D 100 x W 100 x H 74 cm. Materials: upholstery. This modular sofa is composed of: 1 x Module 01 : straight 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
$28,446 / item
Karl Sofa by Dennis Kaiser
Located in Geneve, CH
Karl Sofa by Dennis Kaiser Dimensions: D 110 x W 300 x H 70 cm. Materials: Linen, foam. Handcrafted in Tuscany, Italy. Customization is available on request. Please contact us. The...
Upholstery, Foam
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
$44,716 / 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
$16,426 / 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
$24,339 / item
Niemeyer II Round Sofa by InsidherLand
Located in Geneve, CH
Niemeyer II Round Sofa by InsidherLand Dimensions: D 165 x W 350 x H 86 cm. Materials: Dark oak, InsidherLand Lama Ref. 1 fabric. 120 kg. Available in dif...
Upholstery, Wood
$22,148 / item
Baixo Sofa Chaise by Wentz
Located in Geneve, CH
Baixo Sofa Chaise by Wentz Dimensions: D 110 x W 300 x H 59 cm Materials: Wood, Upholstery. Upholstered sofa with wooden structure, multi-laminate, elastic straps and foam. Exclusi...
Upholstery, Wood
$14,486 / 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
$4,800
Thayer Coggin Sofa
Located in Chicago, IL
Experience the epitome of comfort and refined style with this Thayer Coggin sofa. Its luxurious beige fabric features subtle shimmering speckles that catch the light, adding a touch ...
Fabric
$38,287 / item
DS-1025 Sofa by De Sede
By De Sede
Located in Geneve, CH
DS-1025 Sofa by De Sede Design: Ubald Klug Dimensions: D 91 x W 156 x H 70 cm Materials: SEDEX upholstery with wadding cushion. Stable, compact frame made of beech and board mater...
Leather, Foam, Beech
Carlo Scarpa “Cornaro” Armchair for Gavina, Ivory Linen, 1973
By Carlo Scarpa, Gavina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Carlo Scarpa “Cornaro” Armchair for Gavina, ivory linen, Italy, 1973 The “Cornaro” armchair, designed by Carlo Scarpa in 1973 for Gavina, distills the essence of architectural think...
Velvet, Foam, Wood
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
$6,153 / 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
$4,908 / item
Lime Green Kami Yon Sofa by Marc Sadler
Located in Geneve, CH
Lime 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 pr...
Other
$2,488 / item
Cover Grey Central Modular Sofa by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Cover Grey Central Modular Sofa by MOWEE. Dimensions: D 83 x W 68 x H 81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum and upholstery. Weight: 17 kg. Also available in different col...
Aluminum
Caleo-Ash Teak Wood Frame, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Three-Seater Sofa by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Caleo-Ash Teak Wood Frame, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Three-Seater Sofa by SNOC Dimensions: D 100 x W 235 x H 65 cm. SH: 42 cm. Materials: Teak wood, rope, and Ethereal fabric. The C...
Fabric, Rope, Teak
$3,800
Royalton Sofa
Located in Toronto, CA
This whimsical sofa with its sweeping and dramatic high back was designed by French Designer Philippe Starck - one of many pieces originally designed fo...
Steel
$35,781 / item
Fabric Palmo Sofa Composition by Amura Lab
Located in Geneve, CH
Fabric Palmo Sofa Composition by Amura Lab Dimensions: W 417 x D 118 x H 80 cm Materials: FRAME: poplar multiply SUSPENSIONS: rubber and polypropylene belts. SEAT: polyurethane foam,...
Foam, Poplar
$11,325 / 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
$5,140 / item
Jaipur Sofa by RALPH M
Located in Geneve, CH
Jaipur Sofa by RALPH M Dimensions: W 220 x D 92 x H 88 cm. Materials: Solid beech, Particle boards panels, Fabric. Details: Frame: Solid beech and particle boards panels. Seat spr...
Fabric, Beech
$21,406 / item
Yellow Say Sofa by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Yellow 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...
Fabric
$30,182 / item
Blue Lapis Fabric Sofa Composition by Amura Lab
Located in Geneve, CH
Blue Lapis Fabric Sofa Composition by Amura Lab Dimensions: W 279 x D 292 x H 70 cm Materials: FRAME: solid wood and multiply. SUSPENSIONS: rubber and polypropylene belts. SEAT, BACK...
Foam, Wood
$44,968 / item
Arizona 5004 Sofa by Redeco
Located in Geneve, CH
Arizona 5004 Sofa by Redeco Dimensions: W 444/284/160 x D 105 x H 79 cm Materials: Wooden structure padded with polyurethane foam in different densities. Seat cushions padded in poly...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
$13,456 / item
White Memory Chair by Plyus Furniture
Located in Geneve, CH
White Memory Chair by Plyus Furniture Dimensions: D 90 x W 110 x H 80 cm Materials: Wood, HR foam, polyester wadding, fabric upholstery “Memory” chair. Collection "Memory" inspired...
Upholstery, Wood
Yoko 3-Seater Sofa, Leather by Michel Ducaroy, Ligne Roset
By Michel Ducaroy, Ligne Roset
Located in Toronto, CA
Exceptional YOKO 3-seater in new, extremely soft caramel leather. Designed by Michel Ducaroy, famous for producing the TOGO for Ligne Roset, and produced only for a few years from 1...
Leather, Foam
$8,500 / item
Orbital Plane Loveseat
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Orbital Plane Loveseat in matte black lacquered steel is paired with a lush wide wale corduroy cushion and lustrous striped bolster. The steelwork is evocative of the atomic era...
Steel
$11,325 / 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, ref. Blue Grey, CV07. Available in all Munna fab...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$6,560 / item
Newman 2 Seat Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Newman 2 Seat Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 93 x W 150 x H 75 cm. SH: 43 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, brass, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet, ref. Emerald, CV09 upholstery, and bru...
Brass
$13,241 / 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. Amethyst, CV32, and gloss lacquer. Available...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$12,882 / 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
$13,014 / item
Nounours Sofa by Studio Uwe Gaertner
Located in Geneve, CH
Nounours Sofa by Studio Uwe Gaertner Dimensions: D 94 x W 236 x H 91 cm. Materials: Brass and Kvadrat Gentle 2 (no. 183 or no. 973) fabric (60% virgin wool, 20% polyester, and 20% ny...
Brass
$3,596 / item
Cloud Sofa by RALPH M
Located in Geneve, CH
Cloud Sofa by RALPH M Dimensions: W 194 x D 101 x H 87 cm. Materials: Solid beech, Particle board panels, Stainless Steel, Fabric. Details: Frame: Solid beech and particle board ...
Stainless Steel
$31,678 / item
Beige Memory Sofa by Plyus Furniture
Located in Geneve, CH
Beige 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" inspired b...
Upholstery, Wood
Jules Heumann Loveseat for Metropolitan Furniture
By Jules Heumann, Metropolitan
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
$22,975 / item
Jell Sofa by Alter Ego Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Jell Sofa by Alter Ego Studio Dimensions: D 120 x W 260 x H 85 cm. Materials: Wooden frame, high resistance foam, upholstery fabric Byram by Kvadrat ...
Stone
$2,041 / 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
$4,178 / 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
$10,499 / item
N2 Bench by Aaron Scott
Located in Geneve, CH
N2 Bench by Aaron Scott Dimensions: D 41 x W 142.5 x H 46 cm Materials: bleached cherry. Also available in other woods: lacquered cherry, bleached walnut, walnut. Brooklyn-ba...
Cherry
$26,961 / item
Fabric Panis Sofa Composition by Amura Lab
Located in Geneve, CH
Fabric Panis Sofa Composition by Amura Lab Dimensions: W 389 x D 147 x H 70 cm Materials: FRAME: solid wood and multiply. SUSPENSIONS: rubber and polypropylene belts. SEATS: polyuret...
Foam, Wood
$29,380 / item
Hot Dog Sofa by Plyus Furniture
Located in Geneve, CH
Hot Dog Sofa by Plyus Furniture Dimensions: D 110 x W 240 x H 73 cm Materials: Wood, HR foam, polyester wadding, fabric upholstery. “HotDog” Sofa. Of course...
Upholstery, Wood
$25,313 / 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
$5,479 / item
Large Massai Sofa by RALPH M
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Massai Sofa by RALPH M Dimensions: W 230 x D 103 x H 85 cm. Materials: Solid beech, Particle board panels, Fabric. Details: Frame: Solid beech and particle board panels. Sea...
Fabric, Beech
$8,218 / 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
$4,248 / 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
$4,657 / item
Moss 2400 Sofa by Artu
Located in Geneve, CH
Moss 2400 Sofa by Artu Pavel Vetrov Dimensions: W 240 x D 82 x H 76 cm Materials: Wood, Upholstery Other colors and materials available. Please contact us. Soft, flowing, tact...
Upholstery, Wood
$14,535 / item
Foz 3 Seat Sofa by InsidherLand
Located in Geneve, CH
Foz 3 Seat Sofa by InsidherLand Dimensions: D 96 x W 230 x H 87 cm. Materials: Oxidized brushed brass, InsidherLand Woollen Ref. 6 fabric. 75 kg. Available in different fabrics. Five...
Brass
$4,513 / 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
$7,949 / item
Chocolate Madina Chair by Plyus Furniture
Located in Geneve, CH
Chocolate Madina Chair by Plyus Furniture Dimensions: D 64 x W 68 x H 90 cm Materials: Wood, HR foam, polyester wadding, fabric upholstery. “Madina” cha...
Upholstery, Wood
$11,313 / 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
$10,068 / item
Yin & Yang Chairs by Plyus Furniture
Located in Geneve, CH
Yin & Yang Chairs by Plyus Furniture Dimensions: D 75 x W 72 x H 84 cm Materials: Wood, HR foam, polyester wadding, fabric upholstery. PLYUS Furniture creates pieces in collectib...
Upholstery, Wood
Cubic Seat Module in Marine Leather by Studio Christinekalia
Located in Geneve, CH
Cubit seat Module in Marine leather by Studio Christinekalia Dimensions: W 90 x D 90 x H 75 cm (seat height 45 cm). Materials: Plush Fabric, Marine Leather, wood. Christine Kali...
Leather, Fabric, Wood
$11,882 / item
White Moreto Sofa by Dovain Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
White Moreto ssofa by Dovain Studio Dimensions: H 84 x W 240 x D 96 x SH 39 cm Materials: fabric, wood Dovain Studio Creative direction by Sergio Prieto, a Spanish artist-desig...
Fabric, Wood
$11,804 / item
Grey Timber 4 Seater Sofa by Kann Design
Located in Geneve, CH
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 Remix 126 (90% wool, 10% nylo...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
Jet Black Happylife Sofa by Bedini, Marzano And Settimelli
Located in Geneve, CH
Jet Black 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. Available ...
Other
$5,926 / 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
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
$42,110 / 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
Vintage Dutch buffalo leather Rivera sofa by Gijs Papavoine Montis c 1980s / 90s
By Gijs Papavoine, Montis
Located in Hastings, GB
Vintage buffalo leather 'Rivera' sofa by Gijs Papavoine for Montis, Netherlands 1980s/90s. (Papavoine started designing for Montis in 1976) In great condition with nicely patinated t...
Leather, Wood
White TMBO Lounge Sofa in Oak and Moonlight Sheepskin Upholstery by Mazo Design
Located in Geneve, CH
White TMBO Lounge Sofa in Oak and Moonlight Sheepskin Upholstery by Mazo Design Dimensions: W 165 x D 68.5 x H 87 cm Materials: Oak, Sheepskin. Also availa...
Other