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.
$5,011 / 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
Dark Muted Purple Four Seater Beech Wood Modular Sofa by Casa Casati
Located in Geneve, CH
Acquabella Club Four Seater Beech Wood Modular Sofa by Casa Casati Dimensions: D 106 x W 372 x H 70 cm. Materials: Beech wood, marine plywood, polyurethane, polyester fibre, foam, c...
Other
Caleo-Ash Teak Wood, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Two-Seater Modular Sofa by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Caleo-Ash Teak Wood, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Two-Seater 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 C...
Fabric, Rope, Teak
$14,344 / 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
$3,506 / 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. Frame: Solid beech and particle board panels. Se...
Stainless Steel
Hub Two-Seater Sofa in Stainless Steel & Upholstery by Quinti Sedute
Located in Geneve, CH
Hub Two-Seater Sofa in Stainless Steel & Upholstery by Quinti Sedute Dimensions: D 70 x W 140 x H 68 cm. Materials: Stainless steel, wood, and upholstery. Available in different fin...
Stainless Steel
$34,909 / 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
$4,785 / 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
$12,231 / 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
$6,827 / 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
$12,231 / 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
$14,122 / item
Hug Brown Sofa by Rejo Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Hug Brown 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 co...
Velvet, Wood
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
$5,342 / 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
$4,654 / item
Concept Sofa by RALPH M
Located in Geneve, CH
Concept Sofa by RALPH M Dimensions: W 250 x D 90 x H 84 cm. Materials: Solid beech, Fabric. Details: Frame: Solid beech and particle board panels. Seat springing: Steel springs se...
Beech, Fabric
Pair of Mauro Lipparini for Saporiti Italia Avedon Sofas 1980s Post Modern
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A pair of Avedon sofas by Mauro Lipparini for Saporiti Italia. This is a super cool set of post modern, very 80s, set of modular sofas. Each one of these sofas features a bright and ...
Fabric
$36,543 / 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
$47,410 / item
Rialto Sofa by Laurameroni
Located in Geneve, CH
Rialto Sofa by Laurameroni Dimensions: W 264 x D 86 x H 75 cm Materials: Cachemire Loro Piana Altai 037 Paprika, gray travertine stone legs. Upholstered sofa featuring four legs in ...
Travertine
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
Grey Curved Upholstery Sofa with Solid Oak Base by Obstacles
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique, Solid Oak Marina Sofa Obstacles Dimensions: W 98 x D 235 x H 70 cm Materials: Solid oak. While most of our designs are recognized for their clea...
Oak
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
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
$11,589 / 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
$23,728 / 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
Kafka Sofa, Solid Oak, and Leather by Cezar Moldovan x Arbore
Located in Geneve, CH
Kafka Sofa, Solid Oak, and Leather by Cezar Moldovan x Arbore Dimensions: W 200 x D 95 x H 70 cm. Material: solid wood, leather upholstery, stainless steel. Wood finishes: Arctic, We...
Stainless Steel
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
$44,363 / 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
$3,973 / 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
Robert Thibier Two Seat Sofa with Gold Painted Metal Frame
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Robert Thibier two-seat sofa, gold-painted steel, fabric, France, 1960s/1970s This exceptional two-seat sofa by Robert Thibier is a rare example of French design from the 1960s and ...
Steel
1x Original Walter Knoll Zweisitzer Sofa Design Couch Jason Leder
By Walter Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten eins von zwei wunderschönen Zweisitzer Sofas vom deutschen Qualitätshersteller Walter Knoll zum Verkauf an. Insgesamt stehen zwei baugleiche Sofas in einem sehr ähnlichen ...
Leather
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Curved Sofas with Sculptural Arms by Carsons
By Carsons
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This striking pair of Mid-Century Modern sofas showcases a bold architectural silhouette defined by their gracefully curved form. Designed to create an intimate conversational arrang...
Upholstery
$5,742 / item
Nicole 3 Seats Sofa by Domkapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Nicole 3 Seats Sofa by Domkapa Materials: Velvet (Neva 2206), black texturized steel. Dimensions: W 230 x D 105 x H 90 cm. Also available in different materials. Please contact u...
Steel
$7,749 / 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
$27,883 / item
Linamore Lapis Fabric Sofa Composition by Amura Lab
Located in Geneve, CH
Linamore Lapis Fabric Sofa Composition by Amura Lab Dimensions: W 338 x D 199 x H 70 cm Materials: FRAME: solid wood and multiply. SUSPENSIONS: rubber and polypropylene belts. SEAT, ...
Foam, Wood
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
$13,959 / item
Margot 280 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Margot 280 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 137 x W 280 x H 93 cm. SH: 46 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, brass, feathers, and velvet. Finish: Trevira Velvet, ref. Steel Blue, TRV05 upholstery...
Brass
Chocolate Brown Happylife Sofa by Bedini, Marzano And Settimelli
Located in Geneve, CH
Chocolate Brown 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. Avai...
Other
$21,592 / 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
$5,135 / 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
$13,550 / 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
$1,990 / item
Black Along Birch Sofa by Storängen Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Black 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 be ...
Birch
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
$8,139 / item
Ernest Sofa by Dare Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Ernest sofa by Dare Studio Dimensions: W 180 x D 90 x H 70 x seat H 40 cm Materials: fabric, oak Also available in 3-seat sofa The Ernest sofa is a...
Fabric, Oak
$11,593 / item
Yellow Moreto Sofa by Dovain Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Yellow Moreto Sofa 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-de...
Fabric, Wood
$4,400 / 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
$11,589 / 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
$8,158 / item
Yes No Maybe So Conversation Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Yes No Maybe So Conversation Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 70 x W 146 x H 76 cm. SH: 45 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet, ref. Lilac CV15, and Lilac glo...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$15,406 / item
Embryo Sofa by Studio Christinekalia
Located in Geneve, CH
Embryo sofa by Studio Christinekalia Dimensions: W 200 x D 320 x H 78 cm (seat height 43 cm). Materials: Wood, Macro Plush Fabric. Evolved from the s...
Fabric, Wood
$5,205 / 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
$27,043 / item
Fabric Brooklyn Sofa 3 Seater by Amura Lab
Located in Geneve, CH
Fabric Brooklyn Sofa 3 Seater by Amura Lab Dimensions: W 223 x D 95 x H 80 cm Materials: STRUCTURE: Moulded polyurethane foam with metal support, covered with cuoio, leather or fabri...
Metal
$4,972 / item
Large Nova Sofa by RALPH M
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Nova Sofa by RALPH M Dimensions: W 260 x D 100 x H 64 cm. Materials: Solid beech, Fabric. Details: Frame: Solid beech. Seat springing: Interlaced el...
Fabric, Beech
$17,507 / item
Large Baixo Sofa by Wentz
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Baixo Sofa by Wentz Dimensions: D 115 x W 300 x H 58 cm Materials: Wood, Upholstery. 4 cushions included The Baixo sofa proposes a different way of sitting. An invitation to c...
Upholstery, Wood
$43,838 / 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
$15,815 / item
Alice Sofa by Joana Teixeira
Located in Geneve, CH
Alice Sofa by Joana Teixeira Dimensions: D 113 x W 220 x H 66 cm. Materials: Fabric, upholstery, wood, and beech. Finish: White bouclé. Customization is a...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Beech
$4,268 / item
Scar Sofa by RALPH M
Located in Geneve, CH
Scar Sofa by RALPH M Dimensions: W 200 x D 92 x H 88 cm. Materials: Solid beech, Fabric. Details: Frame: Solid beech and particle boards panels. Seat springing: Interlaced elastic...
Fabric, Beech
$12,687 / 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
$8,018 / 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
Pair of Vico Magistretti Cassina black leather Veranda sofas
Located in Ferndale, MI
Pair of black leather " Veranda " sofas . Designed by Vico Magistretti produced by Cassina distributed by Atelier International (ai) . Each couch has three soft supple leather seats ...
Steel
$2,427 / 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
$12,371Sale Price|32% Off
Soriana Two Seater by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Green Mohair
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Antwerp, BE
Scarpa; Afra & Tobia Scarpa; Soriana Sofa; Cassina; 1970s; Italian Design; Italy; Two Seater; Post-Modern; Green; Fabric; Mohair; This Soriana two-seater ...
Chrome