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.
Contemporary Stool by Objects of Common Interest, Metamorphic Rock, Purple
Located in Copenhagen, DK
A solid rock formation sitting upon a tray on casters as an elemental gesture for creating a resting element. The rock is a familiar yet surprising material mass, semitransparent, so...
Steel
$1,394Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of contemporary pink and light blue stools
Located in Milano, IT
Immerse yourself in the elegance of modern design with this refined pair of stools, expertly crafted to combine utility and aesthetic pleasure. The stools feature a sturdy brass tubu...
Brass
$2,892 / item
Imaginary Object Stool by Joana Teixeira
Located in Geneve, CH
Imaginary Object Stool by Joana Teixeira Limited Edition Dimensions: D 28 x W 35 x H 47 cm. Materials: Stainless steel. Joana Teixeira was born in Oporto and graduated in industria...
Stainless Steel
$1,719 / item
Fringes Stool by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Fringes 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 and fringes. ...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$13,929 / item
Hughes Stool by Moure Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Hughes stool by Moure Studio Limited Edition of 23. Dimensions: d40x w45 x h27.8 cm Materials: Oiled solid oak The Hughes stool is made of solid oak...
Oak
ELEMENTOS Air Stool in Sandblasted Pine with Natural Finish by Daniel Couttolenc
Located in Geneve, CH
ELEMENTOS Air Stool in Sandblasted Pine with Natural Finish by Daniel Couttolenc Dimensions: D 42 x W 42 x H 42 cm. Materials: Sandblasted Pine. Air is detachment—existing in the re...
Pine
Powder Coated White and Cane Wicker Stool by Tino Seubert
Located in Geneve, CH
Powder Coated white and cane wicker stool by Tino Seubert Dimensions: D 43 x W 38 x H 45 cm. Materials: Powder coated aluminum extrusions, cane weave. Tino Seubert When he firs...
Aluminum
Swedish Designer, Stool, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine stool designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1970s.
Pine
Kalle Langsjö, Stool, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine stool, designed and produced by Kalle Langsjö, Sweden, c. 1970s.
Pine
$3,020 / item
Fringes Bar Stool by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Fringes Bar Stool by Munna Dimensions: D 54 x W 57 x H 100 cm. SH: 80 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, nickel, and upholstery. Finish: Upholstery: Cotton Velvet, ref. Steel Blue, CV27. Fri...
Nickel
$3,531 / item
Strict Small Stool by Veermakers
Located in Geneve, CH
Strict Small Stool by Veermakers Dimensions: L 42 x H 45-62 cm. Materials: Walnut Classic with a satin clear coat / Leather Shoulder Black. About: After years of successful collabo...
Walnut
$2,045 / item
Object 04 Marron Seating by Volta
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 04 Marron Seating by Volta Dimensions: D 45 x W 40 x H 90 cm Materials: Cork and Velvet Also available in diffentent colours. Please contact us. MEÏ COLLECTION The Meï ...
Velvet, Cork
Set of 3 Smoked Brass Bride's Veil Counter Stools by Reza Feiz Phase Design
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a set of 3 - Bride's Veil Counter Height Stools with back by Reza Feiz for Phase Design. The frame of the stools is constructe...
Brass
Happens Stool in Ash Wood And Green Melange Wool Fabric by Heilig Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Happens Stool in Ash Wood And Melange Wool Fabric by Heilig Objects Dimensions: D 29 x W 29 x H 49 cm. Materials: Ash wood and wool fabric. Daniel Heilig. A young Hungarian-German d...
Ash, Fabric
$999 / item
Noel Bar Chair by Thorup Copenhagen
Located in Geneve, CH
Noel Bar Chair by Thorup Copenhagen Dimensions: D 43.5 x W 51 x H 89 cm. Materials: Stainless steel, fair grey wool. Available in other colors. Please contact us. Thorup Copenhagen...
Stainless Steel
Pair of Postmodern Italian Round Bamboo Stools in the style of Agnoli
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1960s - 1970s. These rare stools feature a bamboo frame. They are vintage, therefore they might show slight traces of use, but they can be considered in mint condition...
Bamboo
$7,411 / item
Olla Stool II by Brera Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Olla stool II by Brera Studio. One of a kind. Dimensions: D 50 x W 50 x H 40 cm. Materials: pinewood and paint. Made from endemic pine wood in the region of Chihuahua, and hand...
Wood, Pine, Paint
$1,626 / item
High Smile Bar Stool by Doimo Brasil
Located in Geneve, CH
High Smile Bar Stool by Doimo Brasil Dimensions: W 52 x D 53 x H 111 cm Materials: Metal, Soleta. Also available in W 52 x D 53 x H 95 cm, Seat Height: 60 cm. With the intention ...
Metal
$1,057 / item
Natural Offset Stool by Resident
Located in Geneve, CH
Natural Offset Stool by Resident Dimensions: D 34 x H 43 cm Materials: Solid Oak. Weight: 7.9 Kg. About: Founded by Simon James & Scott Bridgens in 2011, Resident is the home of e...
Oak
$2,067 / item
Bruna Teak Wood Stool by Heaps & Woods
Located in Geneve, CH
Bruna Teak Wood Stool by Heaps & Woods Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 40 cm Materials: Teak wood A solid block of teak wood featuring an organic rippled texture hand-carved across its ...
Other
Karl Springer Style Ivory Bouclé Soufflé Pouf
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Post modern Karl Springer style Soufflé pouf ottoman aptly named for its similarity in form to a French Soufflé. Brass square base with rounded corner...
Brass
$6,807 / item
Tata Stool by Studio Uwe Gaertner
Located in Geneve, CH
Tata Stool by Studio Uwe Gaertner Dimensions: D 36 x W 40 x H 42 cm. Materials: Brass and Kvadrat Vidar 4 (no. 972) fabric (94% new wool, and 6% nylon). Despite its small size, the ...
Brass
$1,103 / item
Light Pink Stool 01 by Iranzo
Located in Geneve, CH
Light Pink Stool 01 by Iranzo Dimensions: D 68 x H 48 cm. Material: Epoxy resin & polypropylene Available in: White / Black - at a lower price Light pink / Blue / Pastel green ...
Epoxy Resin
$4,983 / item
Metate Stainles Steel Stool by David Del Valle
Located in Geneve, CH
Metate Stainles Steel Stool by David Del Valle Dimensions: D 40 x W 40 x H 40 cm. Materials: Stainless steel. Available in polished or brushed finish...
Stainless Steel
Medium Pausa Oak Stool by Pierre-Emmanuel Vandeputte
Located in Geneve, CH
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 series of s...
Oak
Vintage Postmodern Italian Bentwood Wave Bar Stools - Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Postmodern Italian Bentwood Wave Bar Stools - Pair This pair of vintage postmodern Italian bentwood wave bar stools exemplifies a unique blend of style and functionality. Cr...
Wood, Walnut
Post Modern Milo Baughman Parsons Style Bench in Ivory White Bouclé, circa 1980s
Located in Saint Louis, MO
A most alluring Milo Baughman Parsons style Post Modern bench newly reupholstered in super soft and inviting ivory bouclé. The Parsons style in upholstery - consisting of covering every surface with upholstery - not only exudes upper crust elegance but also delivers exquisite comfort from top to bottom. Whether in a dressing room, bedroom, bathroom next to a large bathtub, or in an Entry or Vestibule, this Post Modern Parsons style bench...
Bouclé, Upholstery
Set of Milo Baughman Mid-Century Modern Bar Counter Stools in Chrome & White
By Design Institute America, Milo Baughman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A well made matching set of four stools made by Design Institute & designed by Milo Baughman. These feature heavy chromed steel construction with white enameled curved slat wood seat...
Chrome, Enamel
$2,555 / item
m2 Stool by Jaclyn Pappalardo
Located in Geneve, CH
m2 Stool by Jaclyn Pappalardo Dimensions: W 52 x D 48 x H 49 cm Materials: Ply wood, upholstery foam, and bute wool. Jaclyn is a designer and maker based in London. Her background ...
Steel
$140Sale Price / item|20% Off
Four 1970s White Side Table by Olaf von Bohr for GEDY
Located in Los Angeles, CA
16” high x 16.5” wide x 10.5” deep Space Age 4-Legged Stool or Side Table by Olaf von Bohr for GEDY. Made in Italy. Four available and sold separately. Each have light wear consiste...
Plastic
$1,394 / item
Single Block Wood Batan C Stool by Taller Batán
Located in Geneve, CH
Single Block Wood Batan C Stool by Taller Batán Dimensions: W 35 x D 35 x H 45 cm Materials: Single block wood. Finishes: White cedar, blackened cedar (yakisugi), encino (mexican o...
Wood
Vintage Lyra Bar Stools by Design Group Italia for Magis
By Magis
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
A set of three Lyra bar stools designed by Design Group Italia for Magis, Italy, in 1994. Featuring a distinctive circular seat with an integrated crescent-shaped backrest, the Lyra ...
Metal
Monolit Stool & Side Table in Silver Modular Mirror Glass Bricks by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Monolit Stool & Side Table in Silver Modular Mirror Glass Bricks by Homa. Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 40 cm Unit Size: W 15 x D 15 x 40 cm (each). Materials: Glass Bricks, Silver Mi...
Mirror, Glass
Gradient 01 Oak, Chestnut, Ash and Beech Wood Stool by Luis Gimeno
Located in Geneve, CH
Gradient 01 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...
Oak, Ash, Beech, Chestnut
ELEMENTOS Stool Set in Sandblasted Pine with Black Finish by Daniel Couttolenc
Located in Geneve, CH
ELEMENTOS Stool Set in Sandblasted Pine with Black Finish by Daniel Couttolenc. Overall Dimensions: D 168 x W 168 x H 168 cm. Individual Dimensions: D 42 x W 42 x H 42 cm. Materials:...
Pine
Maçka Bar Stool, Black Powder Coated Metal Structure by AVLU
Located in Geneve, CH
Maçka Bar Stool, Brushed Stainless Steel by AVLU Dimensions: W 50 x D 44 x H 99 cm Materials: Brushed Stainless Steel or Powder Coated Metal Structure with custom upholstery. Refer...
Metal, Stainless Steel
$1,184 / item
High Ale Bar Stool by Doimo Brasil
Located in Geneve, CH
High Ale Bar Stool by Doimo Brasil Dimensions: W 55 x D 54 x H 107 cm Materials: Veneer, Leather, Soleta. With the intention of providing good taste and personality, Doimo deciphe...
Leather
$4,983 / item
Wave Stool & Side Table VI by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Wave Stool & Side Table VI by Homa. Dimensions: W 29 x D 30 x H 45 cm. Materials: Blown Glass. Colour: Burgundy. Formed through an experimental glassblowing process, each Wave St...
Blown Glass
$5,750 / item
Wave Stool & Side Table IX by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Wave Stool & Side Table IX by Homa. Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 45 cm. Materials: Blown Glass, Silver Mirror. Colour: Satin. Formed through an experimental glassblowing process, ...
Blown Glass, Mirror
$1,579 / item
Black Pier Bar Stool by Resident
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Pier Bar Stool by Resident Dimensions: W 46 x D 42.8 x H 107 cm Materials: Solid Oak. Weight: 8.2 Kg. About: Founded by Simon James & Scott Bridgens in 2011, Resident is the ...
Leather, Oak
Cult Stool, Sculptural Side Table, Rose Marble, Mexico
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Cult stool/ side table; a hand sculpted stone from a Mexican marble remits to primal sculptural-architectural language while displaying materials in a modernist manner. The piece all...
Onyx, Marble
$2,195 / item
Saddlestool Backless Stool/Perch by A. Jacob Marks
Located in Geneve, CH
Saddlestool Backless Stool/Perch by A. Jacob Marks Dimensions: W 37 x D 39 x H 52 cm. Materials: Natural Walnut. SDA Also available in different materials. Saddlestool is a backle...
Walnut
Deep Stool in Oak Wooden Legs & Upholstered Seat by Quinti Sedute
Located in Geneve, CH
Deep Stool in Oak Wooden Legs & Upholstered Seat by Quinti Sedute Designed by Archirivolto Design Dimensions: D 50 x W 52 x H 98 cm. Materials: Oak and upholstery. Available in diff...
Upholstery, Oak
$1,707 / item
Knot Stool / Side Table by Luis Gimeno
Located in Geneve, CH
Knot Stool / Side Table by Luis Gimeno Dimensions: W 32 x D 32 x H 45 cm Materials: Solid Red Oak. The Knot Stool is a handcrafted piece made from red oak, features an interlocking ...
Oak
$1,916 / item
Ducale BZ Stool by GIROTTI ENRICO
Located in Geneve, CH
Ducale BZ Stool by GIROTTI ENRICO Dimensions: W 53 x D 55 x H 110 cm Materials: Solid shaped steel with a chrome finish and eco-leather upholstery. Weight: 8 Kg. Enrico Girotti is ...
Steel
Artisan Stool in French Oak & Zinc Shorn Shearling by Paloma Editions
Located in Geneve, CH
Artisan Stool in French Oak & Zinc Shorn Shearling by Paloma Editions Dimensions: D 30,5 x W 45,7 x H 45,7 cm. Materials: French Oak & Zinc Shorn Shearling. The Artisan Stoo...
Oak, Sheepskin
$1,600 / set
Minimal Leather Chrome Cantilever Bar Stools
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of sleek, minimal, post-modern bar stools feature flat bar chrome, cantilever bases with cream leather upholstery.
Chrome
Glenn Thinking Stool in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
Blurring the lines of art and purpose, the Glenn Thinking Stool is a tribute to the artistry and uniqueness of handcraftsmanship. Perfect as an accent for a living room, the Glenn ...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Paint, Hardwood
$662 / item
Stainless Steel Cosmic Stool by Mati Sipiora
Located in Geneve, CH
Stainless Steel Cosmic Stool by Mati Sipiora Dimensions: D 35 x W 40 x H 40 cm Materials: Stainless Steel. Finish: Polished Stainless Steel. Weight: 5....
Stainless Steel
Nestle Foot Stool Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
The Nestle Foot Stool by Brent Warr is a tactile blend of whimsy and sculptural sophistication. Its exaggerated legs and rounded silhouette are crafted from a wood core and shaped us...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
$1,719 / item
Fringes Stool by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Fringes 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 and fringes. ...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$13,548 / item
Object 07 Green Seating by Volta
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 07 Green 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
Bianco Statuarietto Contemporary Honed Marble Stool by Angelo Alinea
Located in Geneve, CH
Bianco Statuarietto Contemporary Honed Marble Stool by Angelo Alinea Dimensions: D 35 x H 47 cm Materials: Marble Available in: GRAFITE / TRAVERTINO ROSSO / GREY SAINT LAURENT / PICASSO GREEN / PORT SAINT LAURENT / TRAVERTINO SILVER / ROSSO LEPANTO / BIANCO STATUARIETTO. Custom materials and sizes available upon request. Please contact us. The Angelo M...
Marble
$5,111 / item
Layered Steel Seat ii by Hyungshin Hwang
Located in Geneve, CH
Layered steel seat II by Hyungshin Hwang Dimensions: D 33 x W 54 x H 66 cm Materials: stainless steel Layered Series is the main theme and concept of work of Hwang, who continue...
Stainless Steel
Maçka Bar Stool, Red Powder Coated Metal Structure by AVLU
Located in Geneve, CH
Maçka Bar Stool, Red Powder Coated Metal Structure by AVLU Dimensions: W 50 x D 44 x H 99 cm Materials: Brushed Stainless Steel or Powder Coated Metal Structure with custom upholste...
Metal, Stainless Steel
$3,682 / item
Strict Counter Stool by Veermakers
Located in Geneve, CH
Strict Counter Stool by Veermakers Dimensions: L 42 x H 82,5-65 cm. Materials: Oak Classic with a satin clear coat / Leather Shoulder Cognac. About: After years of successful colla...
Oak
Bar Stools in Metal and Red Corduroy Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bar stools, metal, velvet, Europe, 1970s. Exquisite barstools in red velvet upholstery. Due to the soft seat and back, these chairs provide a very pleasant seating comfort. The five...
Metal
$5,111 / item
Layered Steel Seat XVII by Hyungshin Hwang
Located in Geneve, CH
Layered steel seat XVII by Hyungshin Hwang Dimensions: D 30 x W 51 x H 108 cm Materials: stainless steel Layered Series is the main theme and concept of work of Hwang, who conti...
Stainless Steel
Set Of 5 Sissi Stackable Totem Seats in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 5 Sissi Stackable Totem Seats in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme Limited Edition Dimensions: D 45 x W 45 x H 45 cm. Materials: Powder-coated aluminum. Totem or piece of ...
Aluminum
$21,410 / item
Large Bold Curved Sofa by Mohdern
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Bold Curved Sofa by Mohdern Dimensions: W 310 x D 133 x H 76 cm Materials: Fabric, Bouclé Bold is a refined furniture collection designed and produced by the Mohdern brand. T...
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery