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.
$1,618 / item
Prisma Stool by Luis Gimeno
Located in Geneve, CH
Prisma Stool by Luis Gimeno Dimensions: W 35 x D 35 x H 45 cm Materials: Oak Wood. Four sleek prism-shaped legs support a top seat crafted from three layers of thick, dark brown ash...
Oak
$1,453 / item
Mellow 50 Stool by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Mellow 50 Stool by Munna Dimensions: D 50 x W 50 x H 50 cm. SH: 50 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet upholstery. Available in all Munna fabrics except...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$5,410 / item
Object 05 Violet Seating by Volta
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 05 Violet Seating by Volta One Of A Kind. Dimensions: D 40,5 x W 40,5 x H 47 cm. Materials: Cork and ceramic. Also available in diffentent colors. Please contact us. MEÏ COL...
Ceramic, Cork
$2,468 / item
Sass Charred Stool by Riccardo Monte
Located in Geneve, CH
Sass Charred Stool by Riccardo Monte Dimensions: D 43 x W 42 x H 39 cm. Materials: Charred oak. Riccardo Monte is a creative studio based in the Italian Alps. With the vision of cre...
Oak
$2,433 / item
Olympia Bar Stool by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Olympia Bar Stool by Munna Dimensions: D 55 x W 58 x H 100 cm. SH: 80 cm. Materials: Solid wood, foam, brass, and upholstery. Finish: Upholstery: Cotton Velvet, ref. Emerald, CV09. R...
Brass
Blue Matt Plopp Standard Cotton Candy Stool by Zieta
By Zieta
Located in Geneve, CH
Blue Matt Plopp Standard Cotton Candy Stool by Zieta Dimensions: D35 x H50 cm Material: steel Available finishes: Also available in other sizes and col...
Steel
$13,774 / item
Object 07 Violet Seating by Volta
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 07 Violet Seating by Volta One Of A Kind. Dimensions: D 34,5 x W 120 x H 80 cm. Materials: Cork and ceramic. Also available in diffentent colors. Please contact us. MEÏ COLL...
Ceramic, Cork
$13,254 / item
Object 08 Violet Seating by Volta
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 08 Violet Seating by Volta One Of A Kind. Dimensions: D 80 x W 80 x H 30 cm. Materials: Cork and ceramic. Also available in diffentent colors. Please contact us. MEÏ COLLECT...
Ceramic, Cork
$933 / item
Vibe Sofa Stool by DAaZ
Located in Geneve, CH
Vibe Sofa Stool by DAaZ Dimensions: D 55 x W 85 x H 41 cm. Materials: Fabric, albizzia wood. DAaZ Furniture honors the spirit of adventure. We embrace the escape of the ordinary an...
Upholstery, Wood
$4,784 / item
Gerard Barstool by Thai Hua
By Thai Hua
Located in Geneve, CH
Gerard barstool by Thai Hua. Dimensions: D 50 x W 48 x H 88 cm Materials: oak wood, leather. Solid holm white oak and black leather stool. Thai Hua is an industrial designer ...
Leather, Oak
Caballito Blanco Petit Stool in Leather & Fabric by Oscar Maschera
Located in Geneve, CH
Caballito Blanco Petit Stool in Leather & Fabric by Oscar Maschera Dimensions: D 37 x W 40 x H 43 cm. Materials: Leather, steel, epoxy, and fabric. Available in different sizes ...
Steel
$2,894 / item
Green Gravatá Bar Stool by Wentz
Located in Geneve, CH
Green Gravatá Bar Stool by Wentz Dimensions: D 52 x W 47 x H 100 cm Materials: Tauari Wood, Cane/Upholstery. Weight: 4,7kg / 10,4 lbs The Gravatá series synthesizes our vision regar...
Upholstery, Wood
Set of 4, Airisto Side Tables/ Stools, Stained Black by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4, Airisto side tables/ stools, stained black by Made By Choice with Joanna Laajisto Dimensions: D35 x H45 cm Materials: Solid ash. Finishes: Natural ash / Painted black ...
Wood, Ash
$1,240 / item
Flow Low Aureo Stool by GIROTTI ENRICO
Located in Geneve, CH
Flow Low Aureo Stool by GIROTTI ENRICO Dimensions: W 41 x D 37 x H 50 cm Materials: Steel, Upholstery. Weight: 4 Kg. Enrico Girotti is an industrial designer who has found in the w...
Steel
$3,354 / item
Black Ocean 2 Stool by the Shaw
Located in Geneve, CH
Black ocean 2 stool by The Shaw Dimensions: D32.5 x W 32.5 x H60 cm Materials: Stainless Steel Weight: 13 kg B L A C K O C E A N I opened my eyes, it was still dark, the blac...
Stainless Steel
$5,304 / item
Barth Laqué Stool by Le Berre Vevaud
Located in Geneve, CH
Barth Laqué Stool by Le Berre Vevaud Dimensions: D 37 x H 45 cm. Materials: Solid Wood, Variety of Linden, Gloss lacquer in Aubergine ALV-L0039. For over 15 years, Raphaël Le Berre...
Wood
Limited Edition SSS01W Stool in MDF with Lacewood Veneer by sashaxsasha
Located in Geneve, CH
Limited Edition SSS01W Stool in MDF with Lacewood Veneer by sashaxsasha Limited Edition of 8 + 2 A.P Dimensions: D 30 x W 35 x H 40 cm. Materials: MDF and lacewood veneer. sashaxsa...
Other
Set of 2 Small Pausa Oak Stool by Pierre-Emmanuel Vandeputte
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Small Pausa oak stool by Pierre-Emmanuel Vandeputte Dimensions: D 20 x W 35 x H 45 cm Materials: oak wood Available in burnt oak version and in 3 sizes. Pausa is a ser...
Oak
$649 / item
Powder Blue Pandoro Stool by Gianni Arnaudo
Located in Geneve, CH
Powder Blue Pandoro Stool by Gianni Arnaudo Dimensions: D 47 x W 47 x H 42 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 3 kg. Available in different color options. This product is suitable ...
Other
$2,315 / item
Chouchou White Stool by Pulpo
Located in Geneve, CH
Chouchou white stool by Pulpo Dimensions: D 35 x W 30 x H 43 cm Materials: ceramic Also available in different colours. Whether stool or storage table, piece of column...
Ceramic
$18,192 / item
Large Bold Sofa by Mohdern
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Bold Sofa by Mohdern Dimensions: W 320 x D 102 x H 76 cm Materials: Fabric, Bouclé Bold is a refined furniture collection designed and produced by the Mohdern brand. The seri...
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery
$3,638 / item
Mārum Stool by Murubi
Located in Geneve, CH
Mārum Stool by Murubi Dimensions: W 65 x D 41.5 x H 46.5 cm. Materials: Teak Wood & Walnut Wood. Wood & Finish: Walnut. Also available in different finishes: Teak Wood & Walnut W...
Wood, Teak, Walnut
Plain Texture Pagoda Stool in Oak Wood and Green Cushion by Heilig Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Pagode Stool in Oak Wood And Melange Wool Fabric by Heilig Objects Dimensions: D 36 x W 36 x H 47 cm. Materials: Oak wood and wool fabric. Daniel Heilig. A young Hungarian-German de...
Wool, Oak
LED Light White Cubo Pouf Stool by SLIDE Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
LED Light White Cubo Pouf Stool by SLIDE Studio Dimensions: D 43 x W 43 x H 43 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 4 kg. Available in different color options. This product is suit...
Other
$3,851 / item
Newman Counter Stool by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Newman Counter Stool by Munna Dimensions: D 50 x W 40 x H 92 cm. SH: 70 cm. Materials: Solid wood, foam, brass, and leather. Finish: Upholstery: Leather, ref. Cream, L02. Legs: Cream...
Brass
$1,015 / item
Airisto Side Table, Natural Color by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Airisto side table/stool natural color by Made by Choice with Joanna Laajisto Dimensions: D 35 x H 45 cm Materials: Solid ash. Finishes: natural...
Wood, Ash
$1,110 / item
Arc de Stool 37 in Black Chestnut by Project 213A
Located in Geneve, CH
Arc de Stool 37 in black chestnut by Project 213A Dimensions: D 33 x W 33 x H 37 cm Materials: Chestnut wood. The smaller version of the stool's legs curves inwards towards its...
Chestnut
$1,453 / item
Milky White Koncord High Stool by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Milky White Koncord High Stool by Karim Rashid Dimensions: D 40 x W 43 x H 76 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 5 kg. Available in different color options. Available in standard,...
Other
Prisma Oak Stool with Three Layered Seating by Luis Gimeno
Located in Geneve, CH
Prisma Oak Stool by Luis Gimeno Dimensions: D 35 x W 35 x H 45 cm Materials: Oak. Four sleek prism-shaped legs support a top seat crafted from three layers of thick, dark brown ash ...
Oak
$2,338 / item
Burnt Black C Tables / Stools by Touch With Eyes
Located in Geneve, CH
Burnt Black C Tables / Stools by Touch With Eyes Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 45 cm Materials: Wood washed out by the sea. Weight: 20 Kg. The black tabl...
Wood
Gradient 03 Oak, Chestnut, Ash and Beech Wood Stool by Luis Gimeno
Located in Geneve, CH
Gradient 03 Oak, Chestnut, Ash, and Beech Wood Stool by Luis Gimeno Dimensions: D 40 x W 40 x H 50 cm Materials: Black stained Oak, Chestnut, Ash, Beech. The idea behind this design...
Ash, Beech, Chestnut, Oak
$3,354 / item
Black Ocean 1 Stool by the Shaw
Located in Geneve, CH
Black ocean 1 stool by The Shaw Dimensions: D41.5 x W 41.5 x H46 cm Materials: Stainless steel Weight: 10 kg. B L A C K O C E A N I opened my eyes, it was still dark, the bla...
Stainless Steel
Rectangular Prism Base Stool in Oak Wood And Cushion by Heilig Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Zehnfinger Stool in Oak Wood And Synthetic Yarn by Heilig Objects Dimensions: D 36 x W 36 x H 45 cm. Materials: Oak wood and synthetic yarn. Daniel Heilig. A young Hungarian-German ...
Yarn, Oak
$1,984 / item
Mellow 70 Stool by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Mellow 70 Stool by Munna Dimensions: D 70 x W 70 x H 50 cm. SH: 50 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet upholstery. Available in all Munna fabrics except...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$3,165 / item
Fringes 110 Stool by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Fringes 110 Stool by Munna Dimensions: D 110 x W 110 x H 50 cm. SH: 50 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet upholstery and fringes. Available in all Munn...
Upholstery, Wood, Foam
$3,165 / item
Fringes 110 Stool by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Fringes 110 Stool by Munna Dimensions: D 110 x W 110 x H 50 cm. SH: 50 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Upholstery: Cotton Velvet, ref. Desert, CV03. Fringes: Deser...
Upholstery, Wood, Foam
$3,437 / item
Butterscotch Entry Column by Goons
Located in Geneve, CH
Entry Column by Goons Dimensions: W 37 x D 37 x H 73 cm Materials: Birch plywood. Butterscotch finish. Dimensions can be adjusted +/- 10 cm Goons is located in Paris, France. All o...
Wood
$1,370 / item
Plane Standard Stool by Temper Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Plane Standard Stool by Temper Studio Dimensions: D 30 x W 30 x H 45 cm. Materials: Wood. A family of stools in three sizes – bar, standard, and milking – these sculptural stools ha...
Wood
$3,376 / item
Metate Black Solid Oak Wood Stool by David Del Valle
Located in Geneve, CH
Matate Black Solid Oak Wood Stool by David Del Valle Dimensions: D 40 x W 40 x H 40 cm. Materials: Oak. DAVID VALLE We are a place, a space, a woven c...
Oak
$2,764 / item
In Between 140 Bench by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
In Between 140 Bench by Munna Dimensions: D 40 x W 140 x H 50 cm. SH: 50 cm. Materials: Solid wood, foam, nickel, and upholstery. Finish: Upholstery: Silence Chenille, ref. Pale Gree...
Nickel
Pumpkin Orange Cubo Pouf Stool by SLIDE Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Pumpkin Orange Cubo Pouf Stool by SLIDE Studio Dimensions: D 43 x W 43 x H 43 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 4 kg. Available in different color options. This product is suita...
Other
Pebble Bar Stool Large Smoked Oak Black Noir by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Pebble bar stool large smoked oak black noir by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D 38 x H 76 cm Material: oiled solid ash, smoked solid oak, black noir powder coated steel, pure white powde...
Steel
$2,705 / item
Escape Stool by Duistt
Located in Geneve, CH
Escape Stool by Duistt Dimensions: D 50 x H 45 cm Materials: Duistt Fabric, Light Bronze The ESCAPE stool, crafted with great attention, was elegantly designed with a special fabric...
Bronze
$3,543 / item
Bumhole Stool by Jaclyn Pappalardo
Located in Geneve, CH
Bumhole Stool by Jaclyn Pappalardo Dimensions: W 53 x D 46 x H 43 cm Materials: Plywood, upholstery foam, ball fiber, Kvadrat textiles, Valchromat, steel, thread and magnets. Jaclyn...
Steel
Nude Color Ecoleather Beech Wood Chair Low Stool by Casa Casati
Located in Geneve, CH
Lola Pale Anilina Ecoleather And Beech Wood Chair Low Stool by Casa Casati Dimensions: D 60 x W 60 x H 96 cm. Materials: Beech wood, polyurethane, and ecoleather upholstery. Availa...
Other
$1,453 / item
Saffron Yellow Koncord High Stool by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Saffron Yellow Koncord High Stool by Karim Rashid Dimensions: D 40 x W 43 x H 76 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 5 kg. Available in different color options. Available in standa...
Other
$3,898 / item
Neolithic Thinker Stool by Panorammma
Located in Geneve, CH
Neolithic thinker stool by Panorammma Materials: tezontle (red volcanic rock). Dimensions: 45 x 50 x 20 cm. Panorammma is a furniture design atelier based in Mexico City that s...
Stone
$4,134 / item
Efesto Stool by De Castelli
Located in Geneve, CH
Efesto Stool by De Castelli Dimensions: W 36 x D 42 x H 45 cm Materials: Polished Brass Other versions are available, please contact us for any request. More than mere furniture, th...
Brass
$2,421 / item
Dove Grey Ribs Up High Stool by OTTO Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Dove Grey Ribs Up High Stool by OTTO Studio Designed by Paola Navone. Dimensions: D 58 x W 57 x H 117 cm. Seat Height: 73 cm. Materials: Polyethylene and metal. Weight: 13 kg. Avai...
Metal, Other
$756 / item
Layout Round Stool by Studio Super Sunday
Located in Geneve, CH
Layout Round Stool by Studio Super Sunday Dimensions: Ø 33 x H 45,7 cm. Materials: Oak. Available in six different finishes. Prices may vary. Please contact us. We are a Canadian f...
Oak
$5,717 / item
Element Basalt Bulk Stool by Idaaf Architects
Located in Geneve, CH
Element Basalt Bulk Stool by Idaaf Architects Dimensions: W 85 x D 45 x H 55 cm Materials: basalt ‘Element’, which combines furniture of different functions, was created under the influence of the Georgian Oda house...
Other
$791 / item
Lonna Stool, Ash & Small by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Lonna stool, ash & small by Made By Choice. Dimensions: 34 x 34 x 44 cm Materials: ash Also available: medium, large, oak, black, custom color. Lonna furniture series was ori...
Ash
$7,383 / item
Cromo (0) Stool by Breuer
Located in Geneve, CH
Cromo (0) Stool by Breuer Dimensions: D 40 x H 46.5 cm. Materials: High-gloss lacquered wood, steel. Cromo is inspired by the duality of nature and technology. This collection is ch...
Steel
$2,374 / item
Ava Stool by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Ava Stool by Munna Dimensions: D 45 x W 45 x H 52 cm. SH: 52 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, brass, and upholstery. Finish: Upholstery: Trevira Velvet, ref. Black, TRV04. Top: Brushed bra...
Brass
Dartagnan Tinto Grigio 3 Ash Bar Stool by Haymann Editions
Located in Geneve, CH
Dartagnan Tinto Grigio 3 Ash Bar Stool by Haymann Editions Dimensions: D 53.5 x W 50.5 x H 95.5 cm. Materials: Nero leather, Tinto Grigio 3 ash. Available in different ash finishes ...
Leather, Ash
$2,079 / item
A Stool by Jaclyn Pappalardo
Located in Geneve, CH
A Stool by Jaclyn Pappalardo Dimensions: W 53 x D 41 x H 43 cm Materials: Mild steel powder coated. Jaclyn is a designer and maker based in London. Her background in set design informs her creative work as a designer. Colour and texture play an important role in developing each and every project. With a particular interest in the use of seating, Jaclyn looks at chairs not only as a functional object but rather as a study of body, shape and language. Her work incorporates unconventional design techniques that stretch far from traditional craftsmanship. Exploring new techniques and material driven processes such as metal forming and non-traditional upholstery, she builds on similar profiles and repetitive patterns in the aim of creating something timeless. Jaclyn’s work has been published in Arcipelago, Modern House, Dezeen, Vogue and Luncheon magazine. Represented by The Radford Gallery & Fels World gallery in London UK. Caselli 11-12 Gallery in Milan IT...
Steel
Dartagnan Tinto Rovere Ash Bar Stool by Haymann Editions
Located in Geneve, CH
Dartagnan Tinto Rovere Ash Bar Stool by Haymann Editions Dimensions: D 53.5 x W 50.5 x H 95.5 cm. Materials: Nero leather, Tinto Rovere ash. Available i...
Leather, Ash
$1,429 / item
Plane Tall Stool by Temper Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Plane Tall Stool by Temper Studio Dimensions: D 30 x W 30 x H 65 cm. Materials: Wood. A family of stools in three sizes – bar, standard, and milking – these sculptural stools have m...
Wood
$2,835 / item
Ciro Stool by Murubi
Located in Geneve, CH
Ciro Stool by Murubi Dimensions: W 50 x D 50 x H 45.5 cm. Materials: Teak Wood- Natural, Cast Aluminium, Black powder coated, Cane natural. Murubi is a contemporary design-driven...
Wood
Dartagnan Tinto Grigio 1 Ash Bar Stool by Haymann Editions
Located in Geneve, CH
Dartagnan Tinto Grigio 1 Ash Bar Stool by Haymann Editions Dimensions: D 53.5 x W 50.5 x H 95.5 cm. Materials: Nero leather, Tinto Grigio 1 ash. Available in different ash finishes ...
Leather, Ash