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.
$701 / item
Jet Black Cubo Pouf Stool by SLIDE Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Jet Black 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 suitable f...
Other
Dartagnan Sbiancata Ash Bar Stool by Haymann Editions
Located in Geneve, CH
Dartagnan Sbiancata Ash Bar Stool by Haymann Editions Dimensions: D 53.5 x W 50.5 x H 95.5 cm. Materials: Rosso Bulgaro leather, Sbiancata ash. Available in different ash finishes and leather options. Please contact us. With its commitment to get to the point, Toni Grilo...
Leather, Ash
Black Painted Brass Sculpted Chair with Seat Upholstered by Misaya
By Misaya
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Painted Brass Sculpted Chair with Seat Upholstered by Misaya Dimensions: W 54 x L 58 x H 79 cm (seating: 63) Hand-sculpted chair in brass. The translation of Art Nouveau’s whi...
Brass
$958 / item
Savannah Land Threebù Stool by Marcantonio
Located in Geneve, CH
Savannah Land Threebù Stool by Marcantonio Dimensions: D 45 x W 45 x H 45 cm. Seat Height: 45 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 4 kg. Also available in biobased polyethylene of v...
Other
Anodized Purple and Rush Weave Wicker Stool by Tino Seubert
Located in Geneve, CH
Anodized purple and rush weave wicker stool by Tino Seubert Dimensions: D 43 x W 38 x H 45 cm. Materials: Color anodized aluminum extrusions, rush weave. Tino Seubert When he f...
Aluminum
Chocolate Brown Gear Stool by Anastasia Ivanyuk
Located in Geneve, CH
Chocolate Brown Gear Stool by Anastasia Ivanyuk Dimensions: D 55 x W 55 x H 43 cm. Seat Height: 43 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 6 kg. Available in different color options. T...
Other
$10,847 / item
Slumped Leather Stool by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Slumped leather stool by Gentner Design. Dimensions: D 48 x W 48 x H 43 cm. Materials: aluminium, raw leather. These uniquely shaped stools are incredibly lightweight and extrem...
Aluminum
Chocolate Brown Cubo Pouf Stool by SLIDE Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Chocolate Brown 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
$911 / item
Malva Green Double U Stool by Kazuko Okamoto
Located in Geneve, CH
Malva Green Double U Stool by Kazuko Okamoto Dimensions: D 43 x W 43 x H 58 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 7 kg. Available in different color options. This product is suitabl...
Other
$526 / item
Milky White Cin Cin Stool by SLIDE Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Milky White Cin Cin Stool by SLIDE Studio Dimensions: Ø 32 x H 49 cm. Seat Height: 49 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 2 kg. Available in different color options. This product i...
Other
Milky White Amélie Sgabello Stool by Italo Pertichini
Located in Geneve, CH
Milky White Amélie Sgabello Stool by Italo Pertichini Dimensions: D 40 x W 46 x H 43 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 4 kg. Available in a standard...
Other
$958 / item
Powder Blue Gear Stool by Anastasia Ivanyuk
Located in Geneve, CH
Powder Blue Gear Stool by Anastasia Ivanyuk Dimensions: D 55 x W 55 x H 43 cm. Seat Height: 43 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 6 kg. Available in different color options. This ...
Other
$2,922 / item
Lune A Stool by Duistt
Located in Geneve, CH
Lune A Stool by Duistt Dimensions: D 40 x H 45 cm Materials: Duistt Fabric, Satin Ironwood, Brass The Ironwood tray is optional. Please contact us for any request. LUNE A stool, cra...
Brass
$3,366 / item
Ida Foot Stool by Duistt
Located in Geneve, CH
Ida Foot Stool by Duistt Dimensions: W 75 x D 55 x H 42 cm Materials: Duistt Fabric, Black Lacquered Sand brushed Oak, Cast Bronze Details The Ida footstool crafted with great atten...
Other
Elephant Grey Cubo Pouf Stool by SLIDE Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Elephant Grey 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 suitab...
Other
$572 / item
Smoked Cork Prop Stool by OxDenmarq
Located in Geneve, CH
Smoked Cork Prop Stool by OxDenmarq Dimensions: D 41 x W 41 x H 70 cm Materials: Cork, Black Powder Coated Steel Also Available: Different colors available, OX DENMARQ is a Dan...
Steel
Saffron Yellow Gear Stool by Anastasia Ivanyuk
Located in Geneve, CH
Saffron Yellow Gear Stool by Anastasia Ivanyuk Dimensions: D 55 x W 55 x H 43 cm. Seat Height: 43 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 6 kg. Available in different color options. Th...
Other
Set of 4 Medium Pausa Oak Stool by Pierre-Emmanuel Vandeputte
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4 Medium Pausa oak stool by Pierre-Emmanuel Vandeputte Dimensions: D 27 x W 35 x H 65 cm Materials: oak wood Available in burnt oak version and in 3 sizes Pausa is a ser...
Oak
$1,437 / item
Argil Grey Koncord High Stool by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Argil Grey 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
$701 / item
Lime Green Cubo Pouf Stool by SLIDE Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Lime Green 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 suitable ...
Other
$701 / item
Flame Red Cubo Pouf Stool by SLIDE Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Flame Red 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 suitable f...
Other
$1,437 / item
Flame Red Koncord High Stool by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Flame Red 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, g...
Other
$1,437 / item
Powder Blue Koncord High Stool by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Powder Blue 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
Saffron Yellow Lazy Bones High Stool by Barnaby Gunning
Located in Geneve, CH
Saffron Yellow Lazy Bones High Stool by Barnaby Gunning Dimensions: D 40 x W 50 x H 72 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 8 kg. Available in different col...
Other
$911 / item
Flame Red Double U Stool by Kazuko Okamoto
Located in Geneve, CH
Flame Red Double U Stool by Kazuko Okamoto Dimensions: D 43 x W 43 x H 58 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 7 kg. Available in different color options. This product is suitable ...
Other
$1,294 / item
Malva Green Lazy Bones High Stool by Barnaby Gunning
Located in Geneve, CH
Malva Green Lazy Bones High Stool by Barnaby Gunning Dimensions: D 40 x W 50 x H 72 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 8 kg. Available in different color options. This product is ...
Other
$958 / item
Milky White Gear Stool by Anastasia Ivanyuk
Located in Geneve, CH
Milky White Gear Stool by Anastasia Ivanyuk Dimensions: D 55 x W 55 x H 43 cm. Seat Height: 43 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 6 kg. Available in different color options. This ...
Other
$1,437 / item
Pumpkin Orange Koncord High Stool by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Pumpkin Orange 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
$526 / item
Pumpkin Orange Cin Cin Stool by SLIDE Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Pumpkin Orange Cin Cin Stool by SLIDE Studio Dimensions: Ø 32 x H 49 cm. Seat Height: 49 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 2 kg. Available in different color options. This produc...
Other
$5,681 / item
Fuerza Stool by Joel Escalona
Located in Geneve, CH
Fuerza stool by Joel Escalona Limited Edition of 9 Dimensions: D 40 x W 32 x H 45 cm Materials: oak wood, Negro Monterrey marble. Solid white oa...
Marble
$6,686 / item
White Layered Ash Wood Stool II by Hyungshin Hwang
Located in Geneve, CH
White Layered ash wood stool II by Hyungshin Hwang Dimensions: D 36 x W 51 x H 93 cm Materials: oxidized ash Layered Series is the main theme and concept of work of Hwang, who c...
Ash
Light White Lighted Bot One Stool by Fabio Della Fiorentina
Located in Geneve, CH
Light White Lighted Bot One Stool by Fabio Della Fiorentina Dimensions: Ø 150 x H 45 cm. Seat Height: 45 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 30 kg. Available in different color opt...
Other
$958 / item
Namibian Desert Threebù Stool by Marcantonio
Located in Geneve, CH
Namibian Desert Threebù Stool by Marcantonio Dimensions: D 45 x W 45 x H 45 cm. Seat Height: 45 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 4 kg. Also available in biobased polyethylene of...
Other
$958 / item
Sahara Sand Threebù Stool by Marcantonio
Located in Geneve, CH
Sahara Sand Threebù Stool by Marcantonio Dimensions: D 45 x W 45 x H 45 cm. Seat Height: 45 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 4 kg. Also available in biobased polyethylene of veg...
Other
Pumpkin Orange Amélie Sit Up High Stool by Italo Pertichini
Located in Geneve, CH
Pumpkin Orange Amélie Sit Up High Stool by Italo Pertichini Dimensions: D 49 x W 45 x H 95 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 6 kg. Available in a standard version and lacquered v...
Other
Pebble Bar Stool Small Re-Plast Black Noir by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Pebble bar stool small re-plast black noir by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D 38 x H 65 cm Material: Re-Plast, Black noir powder coated steel. Weight: 7 k...
Steel, Other
$981 / item
High Presto Bar Stool by Doimo Brasil
Located in Geneve, CH
High Presto Bar Stool by Doimo Brasil Dimensions: W 48 x D 48 x H 102 cm Materials: Satinado, Leather. Also available in W 48 x D 48 x H 86 cm, Seat Height: 60 cm. With the inten...
Leather
$529 / item
Lace Black Stool by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Lace black stool by MOWEE. Dimensions: D43 x H91 cm. Material: polyethylene, stainless steel. Weight: 6.7 kg Also available in different colours and finishes. Lace is a colle...
Stainless Steel
U-shaped Form Rubber Seat and Burned Steel Small Stool by Arno Declercq
Located in Geneve, CH
Small AD stool 2.0 by Arno Declercq Materials: Patinated steel. Dimensions: W 63 x D 38 x H 69 cm. Arno Declercq Belgian designer and art dealer who makes bespoke objects with pass...
Steel
$3,085 / item
Arches Bar Stool II by InsidherLand
Located in Geneve, CH
Arches Bar Stool II by InsidherLand Dimensions: D 57 x W 50 x H 112 cm. Materials: Black lacquered wood, polished brass, InsidherLand Smooth Velvet Re...
Brass
$5,143 / item
Black Layered Oak Wood Stool by Hyungshin Hwang
Located in Geneve, CH
Black layered oak wood stool by Hyungshin Hwang. Dimensions: D 36 x W 30 x H 45 cm. Materials: ebonized red oak. Layered Series is the main theme a...
Oak
$3,284 / item
Hiku Stool by Kana Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Hiku stool by Kana Objects Dimensions: D 45 x H 45 cm Materials: Smoked oak. Available in other sizes and with cushion options. Also available in natural oak. Tables of different heights and materials can be combined to form a harmonious whole. Isabelle Yamamoto created the optional zabutons (Japanese floor cushions...
Oak
Small Pausa Oak Stool by Pierre-Emmanuel Vandeputte
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Pausa oak stool by Pierre-Emmanuel Vandeputte Dimensions: D 20 x W 35 x H 45 cm. Materials: burned oak. Available in natural oak version and in 3 sizes. Pausa is a series...
Oak
Set of 2, Halikko Bar Stools, Tall by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2, Halikko bar stools, tall by Made by Choice Dimensions: 40 x 34 x 74 cm Materials: Solid oak Standard finishes: Natural wood / painted black. Also available: Upholste...
Oak
Optique Side Table, Stool by Albert Potgieter Designs
Located in Geneve, CH
Optique side table, stool by Albert Potgieter Designs Dimensions: Ø 40 x H 45 cm. Materials: Wanut and Mahogany. Our Optique stool / side table was designed to really highlight...
Wood, Walnut
$3,950 / item
Steel Ribbon Stool by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Steel Ribbon stool by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 50 x W 15 x H 43 cm Materials: stainless steel Available in steel and brass. An exercise in mini...
Stainless Steel
Anodized Grey and Flax Webbing Wicker Stool by Tino Seubert
Located in Geneve, CH
Anodized Grey and Flax Webbing wicker stool by Tino Seubert Dimensions: D 41.2 x W 34.9 x H 45 cm. Materials: Grey anodised aluminum extrusions, flax webbing. Tino Seubert When...
Aluminum
$14,144 / item
Pele de Tigre Triplo Stool by Andre Teoman Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Pele de Tigre Triplo Stool by Andre Teoman Studio Dimensions: W 70 x D 70 x H 45 cm Materials: Marble Introducing Triplo, a marble stool that challenges traditional perceptions of r...
Marble
$918 / item
Lonna Bar Stool, Oak by Made By Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Lonna bar stool, oak by Made By Choice (Medium) Dimensions: 34 x 34 x 66 cm Materials: Oak Also Available: Ash, Black, Ultra Yellow Custom color Lonna furniture series was or...
Ash
$1,706 / item
Figueroa Stool by InsidherLand
Located in Geneve, CH
Figueroa Stool by InsidherLand Dimensions: D 49 x W 49 x H 43 cm. Materials: Brushed brass, InsidherLand Grainy I Ref. 1 fabric. 12 kg. Available in dif...
Brass
Pair of Sculpted Polished and Black Painted Brass Chairs by Misaya
By Misaya
Located in Geneve, CH
Pair of Sculpted Polished and Black Painted Brass Chairs by Misaya Dimensions: W 54 x L 58 x H 79 cm (seating: 42cm) Hand-sculpted chairs. Misaya emulates Chinese ink paintings thr...
Brass
$4,114 / item
Layered Steel Seat IX by Hyungshin Hwang
Located in Geneve, CH
Layered steel seat IX by Hyungshin Hwang. Dimensions: D 33 x W 27 x H 42 cm. Materials: stainless steel. Layered Series is the main theme and concept of work of Hwang, who conti...
Stainless Steel
$3,600 / item
W Oak Stool by Idaaf Architects
Located in Geneve, CH
W Oak Stool by Idaaf Architects Dimensions: D 30 x W 55 x H 45 cm. Materials: Solid oak. Made in century old oak wood, W stool serve as an easy and comfortable seating for the spaces with the different function. Massive volume of the W stool creates a sharp accent and defines its sculptural character in the interior. Born and based in Tbilisi, Nana Zaalishvili...
Oak
$9,141 / item
Stool II by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Stool II by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 35.5 x H 45.7 cm Materials: darkened stainless steel, leather Gentner Design Rooted in a language of sculpture, character defining details, and world renowned craftsmanship, the work is found at the crossroads of design and art. Established in 2011, the namesake furniture label is a rare combination of aesthetic dexterity and mastery of craft resulting in furniture and objects that are expressive, formal, and transcend materiality. The collection is based in metal and incorporates only natural materials such as leather, wood, and glass in unique ways, challenging our assumptions. Christopher Gentner Christopher Gentner, with a BFA in metalsmithing from the Cleveland Institute of Art and apprenticeships under sculptors and jewelers, together with dedication to craft, quickly developed his reputation nationally as a foremost authority of metal fabrication and furniture. One of his crowning achievements was the re-creation and fabrication of the Frank Lloyd Wright...
Stainless Steel
$2,884 / item
White Gravatá Bar Stool by Wentz
Located in Geneve, CH
White Gravatá Bar Stool by Wentz Dimensions: D 52 x W 47 x H 100 cm Materials: Tauari Wood, Cane/Upholstery. Weight: 4,4kg / 9,7 lbs The Gravatá series synthesizes our vision regard...
Upholstery, Wood
$14,401 / set
Set Of 4 W Oak Stools by Idaaf Architects
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 4 W Oak Stools by Idaaf Architects Dimensions: D 30 x W 55 x H 45 cm. Materials: Solid oak. Made in century old oak wood, W stool serve as an easy and comfortable seating for...
Oak
$13,115 / item
Object 08 Beige Seating by Volta
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 08 Beige 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 COLLECTI...
Ceramic, Cork
$13,115 / 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 different colors. Please contact us. MEÏ COLLECTI...
Cork, Ceramic
$13,726 / item
Object 07 Beige Seating by Volta
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 07 Beige 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 COLLE...
Ceramic, Cork
Set Of 4 Mike Reclaimed Oak Stools by Fred and Juul
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 4 Mike Reclaimed Oak Stools by Fred and Juul Dimensions: D 31 x W 36 x H 45 cm. Materials: Reclaimed oak and brass. This stool can also be used as a side table. Custom sizes,...
Brass