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.
$9,112 / 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
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
$5,876 / item
Galore 3 Seater Pale Rose by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Galore 3 Seater Pale 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. Weight: ...
Steel
$5,830 / item
Copacabana Sofa Without Armrest by Domkapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Copacabana sofa without Armrest by Domkapa Materials: black texturized steel, bamboo wood, fabric (Rhine Ice). Dimensions: W 165 x D 105 x H 75 ...
Stainless Steel
$5,876 / item
Galore 3 Seater Forest Green by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Galore 3 Seater Forest green 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
$6,220 / item
Figueroa 2 Seat Sofa by InsidherLand
Located in Geneve, CH
Figueroa 2 Seat Sofa by InsidherLand Dimensions: D 90 x W 180 x H 90 cm. Materials: Brushed brass, InsidherLand Bright Velvet Ref. Onyx fabric. 70 kg. Available in different fabrics....
Brass
$5,812 / item
Object 047 Sofa by NG Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 047 sofa by NG Design Dimensions: D216 x W90 x H77 cm Materials: Boucle upholstery, Solid Oak Also Available: All of objects available in different materials and colors o...
Upholstery, Oak
$5,876 / item
Galore 3 Seater Light Rose by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Galore 3 seater light rose by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D 222 x W 83 x H 76 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Powder coated black steel legs, Wooden frame, foam, spring system. Weigh...
Steel
$7,023 / item
Mr Olsen 3 Seater Oak Soft Violet by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Mr Olsen 3 seater oak soft violet by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D201 x W79 x H 78/46 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Foam, Spring system, Solid oiled oak legs, Solid smoked oak legs ...
Upholstery, Foam, Oak
Mr Olsen 3 Seater Oak Challenger Cognac Leather by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Mr Olsen 3 seater oak challenger cognac leather by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D201 x W79 x H 78/46 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Foam, Spring system, Solid oiled oak legs, Solid sm...
Leather, Upholstery, Foam, Oak
Galore 3 Seater Sprinkles Desert Yellow by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Galore 3 seater sprinkles desert yellow by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D 222 x W 83 x H 76 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Powder coated black steel legs, Wooden frame, foam, spring s...
Steel
$4,453 / item
Cover Navy Sofa by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Cover navy sofa by MOWEE Dimensions: D 83 x W 160 x H 81 cm (seat height 42 cm). Material: Aluminum and upholstery. Weight: 32 kg. Also available in diff...
Aluminum
Striped TMBO Lounge Sofa in Oak and Dedar/Linear Upholstery by Mazo Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Striped TMBO Lounge Sofa in Oak and Dedar/Linear Upholstery by Mazo Design Dimensions: W 165 x D 68.5 x H 87 cm Materials: Oak Also available: ROMO/Linara, DAW/Royal, KVADRAT/Remix, KVADRAT/Hallingdal & Fiord, BUTE/Storr, DAW/Mohair & Mcnutt, JENNIFER SHORTO / Kongaline & Seafoam, DEDAR/Artemidor, Sheepskin, please contact us. 1935 is the date on the first draft of this chair by the renowned multitalent and architect Magnus Læssøe Stephensen, which have now been revived under the name TMBO. The TMBO series was designed in a shape that, in the laid back confident attitude, celebrates life with the same dramatic simplicity that Magnus Læssøe Stephensen found in Japanese design tradition. The TMBO Chair...
Other
$23,332 / 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
$3,156 / item
Tuttu Sofa by Artu
Located in Geneve, CH
Tuttu sofa by Artu Pavel Vetrov Dimensions: W 134 x D 84 x H 78 cm Materials: metal, upholstery Other colors and materials available. Collection Tuttu Monteur takes its name f...
Metal
$6,668 / item
Copacabana Sofa with 1 Arm Left by Domkapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Copacabana sofa with 1 Arm Left by Domkapa Materials: Black texturized steel, bamboo wood, fabric (Rhine Ice). Dimensions: W 165 x D 105 x H 75 cm. Also available in different mat...
Stainless Steel
Mr Olsen 3 Seater Oak Sprinkles Eggplant by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Mr Olsen 3 seater oak sprinkles egplant by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D201 x W79 x H 78/46 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Foam, Spring system, Solid oiled oak legs, Solid smoked oak...
Upholstery, Foam, Oak
$6,668 / item
Copacabana Sofa with 1 Arm Right by Domkapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Copacabana sofa with 1 arm right by Domkapa Materials: black texturized steel, bamboo wood, fabric (Rhine Ice). Dimensions: W 165 x D 105 x H 75 cm. Also available in different ma...
Stainless Steel
$7,476 / item
Fried Egg Sofa Dark Ochre by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Fried egg sofa dark ochre by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D 186 x W 68 x H 68 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Solid oiled teak Weight: 42 kg Also available in different colours and f...
Upholstery, Teak
$7,425 / item
Fried Egg Sofa Nabuk Oceano, Terra by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Fried egg sofa Nabuk oceano terra by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D 186 x W 68 x H 68 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Solid oiled teak Weight: 42 kg Also available in different colou...
Upholstery, Teak
Fried Egg Sofa Light Green, Petrol, Fresh Peach by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Fried egg sofa light green petrol fresh peach by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D186 x W68 x H 68 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Solid oiled teak Weight: 42 ...
Upholstery, Teak
$6,078 / item
Caper 3 Seater Fresh Peach by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Caper 3 seater fresh peach by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D 206 x W 84 x H 63 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Wooden frame, Powder coated black steel legs. Weight: 55.5 kg Also avai...
Steel
Fried Egg Sofa Sheepskin Scandinavian Grey by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Fried egg sofa sheepskin Scandinavian grey by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D186 x W68 x H 68 cm. Material: Sheepskin upholstery, solid oiled teak. Weight: 42 kg Also available in diff...
Sheepskin, Teak
$7,425 / item
Fried Egg Sofa Pale Rose by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Fried Egg Sofa Pale Rose by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D186 x W68 x H 68 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Solid oiled teak Weight: 42 kg Also available in different colours and fini...
Upholstery, Teak
Caper 3 Seater with Stitches Fresh Peach by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Caper 3 seater with stitches fresh peach by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D200 x W84 x H 80 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Wooden frame, Powder coated black steel legs. Weight: 55.5 k...
Steel
Caper 3 Seater with Stitches Minty Grey by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Caper 3 seater with stitches minty grey by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D 200 x W 84 x H 80 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Wooden frame, Powder coated black steel legs. Weight: 55.5 ...
Steel
White ARCH 2 Seater Sofa in Oak and Moonlight Sheepskin by Mazo Design
Located in Geneve, CH
White ARCH 2 Seater Sofa in Oak and Moonlight Sheepskin by Mazo Design Dimensions: W 128 x D 79 x H 76 cm Materials: Oak, Sheepskin Also Available: 2 Seater Configuration, ROMO/Linar...
Other
Pair of Brühl Moule Black Leather Convertible Sofas by Roland Meyer-Brühl
By Brühl
Located in Garching a. d. Alz, DE
Matching Pair of Original Brühl Moule Sofas by Roland Meyer-Brühl A striking and exceptionally versatile pair of original Brühl Moule two-seat sofas, designed by Roland Meyer-Brühl ...
Leather
Brühl Moule Three-Seat Beige Leather Convertible Sofa by Roland Meyer-Brühl
By Brühl & Sippold
Located in Garching a. d. Alz, DE
Original Brühl Moule Three-Seat Sofa by Roland Meyer-Brühl An elegant and highly versatile Brühl Moule three-seat sofa, designed by Roland Meyer-Brühl and upholstered in soft beige ...
Leather
VIntage velvet sofa by Saporiti Italia, 1980s
By Saporiti
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage velvet two seater sofa by Saporiti italia. Very comfy two seater sofa, which has a cool pattern running troughout the upholstery. Good condition, has been cleaned. 1980s -...
Velvet
Post-Modern Black & White Two-Seater Sofa, Italy, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Italian postmodern black and white two-seater sofa, a beautiful piece of furniture that seamlessly combines the timeless elegance of the 1970s design era with a contemporary twist. R...
Wood, Bouclé, Fabric
$15,484Sale Price|34% Off
Cassina 'Soriana' Four-Seater Sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa in Bouclé, 1970's
Located in Antwerp, BE
Cassina; Scarpa; Mid-Century Modern; Boucle Wool; Afra & Tobia Scarpa; Post-Modern; Postmodern Design; 1970s Design; Italy; Italian Design; Manufactured by Cassina in the 1970s, ...
Chrome
1980 Postmodern Peach Neutral Leather Sofa
Located in Staten Island, NY
Postmodern Peach Leather Sofa very comfortable and easy to clean. In beautiful vintage condition. Please check all of the photos for the condition
Leather
Steve Chase Style Sectional Sofa
By Steve Chase
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-century sectional sofa In the manner of Steve Chase Brand New Upholstery Overstuffed down cushions & pillows In excellent condition Measures: Height: 31" (Back) 3...
Chenille
Studio 65 Bocca or Marilyn Sofa in Red Fabric by Gufram 1970s
By Studio 65, Gufram Furniture
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Bocca or Marilyn sofa with structure in expanded polyurethane foam covered with red fabric, the cover is completely removable. This sofa was designed by Studio 65 and produced by Guf...
Fabric, Foam
Original Ligne Roset Sofa Ted Design Couch Peter Maly Dreisitzer
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Design Sofa von Ligne Roset zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Peter Maly, wurde bekannt unter dem Namen Ted und gilt als Neuinterpretation des Desig...
Metal
Egon Three-Seater Sofa in Leather, Horn, Wood & Upholstery by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Egon Three-Seater Sofa in Leather, Horn, Wood & Upholstery by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 102 x W 335 x H 72 cm. Materials: Horn, upholstery, leather, polyurethane foam, and goose dow...
Other
Vintage Postmodern White Leather Sofa, circa 1970s–1980s
Located in Montréal, CA
Striking vintage postmodern sofa upholstered in luxurious white leather. Featuring a generous, low-profile silhouette with generously padded cushions, sculptural rounded arms, and di...
Leather
Thank Three Seater Sofa in Chromed Metal & Upholstery by Quinti Sedute
Located in Geneve, CH
Thank Three Seater Sofa in Chromed Metal & Upholstery by Quinti Sedute Dimensions: D 73 x W 220 x H 67 cm. Materials: Metal, wood, and upholstery. Available in different finishes, s...
Metal
$4,705 / 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
$4,705 / 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
$11,555 / item
Small Baixo Sofa by Wentz
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Baixo Sofa by Wentz Dimensions: D 105 x W 200 x H 58 cm Materials: Wood, Upholstery. 2 cushions included The Baixo sofa proposes a different way of sitting. An invitation to c...
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage colorful sofa/bench inspired by the iconic "Marshmallow" Sofa
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage colorful sofa/bench inspired by the iconic "Marshmallow" Sofa by George Nelson for Herman Miller, circa 1980s. A fun and colorful design featuring circular leather cushions i...
Leather
$22,724 / item
Yeti Sofa by Vladimir Naumov
By Missana
Located in Geneve, CH
Yeti Sofa by Vladimir Naumov Dimensions: Width 202 - depth 110 - height 82 - seat 44 cm. Materials: Pine wood structure, plywood and tab...
Foam, Pine, Plywood
$22,024 / 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
$18,879 / item
Ferdinand 350 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Ferdinand 350 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 185 x W 350 x H 80 cm. SH: 41 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, brass, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet and brushed brass. Available in all M...
Brass
$18,879 / item
Ferdinand 350 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Ferdinand 350 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 185 x W 350 x H 80 cm. SH: 41 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, brass, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet and brushed brass. Available in all M...
Brass
$18,879 / item
Ferdinand 350 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Ferdinand 350 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 185 x W 350 x H 80 cm. SH: 41 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, brass, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet, ref. Light Grey, CV16, and brushed br...
Brass
$13,324 / 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. Tangerine Tango, CV11, and gloss lacquer. Av...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
Knoll Brigadier Dreisitzer Leder schwarz Cini Boeri Hochlehner
By Cini Boeri, Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Dreisitzer Sofa von Knoll aus den 1980er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Cini Boeri, einer der einflussreichsten Möbeldesignerinnen des 20....
Leather, Wood
Kolho Two Seater Natural, Cognac Leather by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Kolho two seater natural, cognac leather by Made by Choice with Matthew Day Jackson Kolho Collection Dimensions: 130 x 60 x 70 cm Materials: Plywood (Upholstery Category 1) Al...
Birch, Plywood
$12,613 / item
Mr Jones Sofa by DUISTT
Located in Geneve, CH
Mr Jones Sofa by DUISTT Dimensions: W 222 x D 92 x H 80 cm Materials: Duistt Fabric, Natural Limed Oak, Brass MR. JONES sofa is a piece with classical influence with sleek design a...
Brass
$82,690 / item
Rocksofa Signed Rock Shaped Sofa by Rockstool Paris
Located in Geneve, CH
Rocksofa Signed Rock Shaped Sofa by Rockstool Paris Limited edition of 3 + 1 AP per colors (two Color) Dimensions: W 185 x D 115 x H 75 cm Materials: Stoneware Available in differen...
Stone, Other
$6,484 / item
Copacabana Chaise Right by Domkapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Copacabana chaise right by Domkapa Materials: Black texturized steel, bamboo wood, fabric (Rhine Ice). Dimensions: W 165 x D 105 x H 75 cm. Also available in different materials. ...
Stainless Steel
$6,484 / item
Copacabana Chaise Left by Domkapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Copacabana chaise left by Domkapa Materials: black texturized steel, bamboo wood, fabric (Rhine Ice). Dimensions: W 165 x D 105 x H 75 cm. Also available in different materials. ...
Stainless Steel
$4,148 / item
Cover Black Double Left Modular Sofa by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Cover Black Double Left Modular Sofa by MOWEE Dimensions: D83 x W148 x H81 cm (seat height 42 cm) Material: Aluminum and upholstery. Weight: 29 kg. Also available in different co...
Aluminum
$5,365 / item
Haven 3 Seater Pearl Grey by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Haven 3 seater pearl grey by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D 220 x W 84 x H 110/40 cm Material: Textile upholstery, foam, spring system, wood Weight: 84 kg Also available in different colours and finishes. Haven is a contemporary sofa with a simple, soft idiom. With its high, embracing back, the sofa creates a sanctuary, where you can sit, gently shielded off from your surroundings, curled up with a book or enjoying an in-depth conversation in your living room. Haven is also ideal for a conference room or lobby, either alone or with two sofas facing each other, thereby expanding the private space. The Haven Lounge Chair and Pouf make the perfect complement. For a perfect holistic impression the Haven range is covered with the exclusive furnishing fabrics, Hero, whose soft, almost felt-like surface complements the sofas organic shape...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
Fried Egg Sofa Pale Rose Dark Ochre Green by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Fried egg sofa pale rose dark ochre green by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D186 x W68 x H 68 cm. Material: textile upholstery, solid oiled teak. Weight: 42 kg Also available in differe...
Upholstery, Teak
Fried Egg Sofa Light Green Petrol Pale Peach by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Fried Egg sofa light green petrol pale peach by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D 186 x W 68 x H 68 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Solid oiled teak Weight: 42...
Upholstery, Teak
$7,425 / item
Fried Egg Sofa Dark Ochre, Pale Rose by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Fried egg sofa dark ochre pale rose by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D 186 x W 68 x H 68 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Solid oiled teak Weight: 42 kg Also available in different col...
Upholstery, Teak