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.
$1,244 / 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
Set of Milo Baughman Mid-Century Modern Bar Counter Stools in Chrome & White
By Milo Baughman, Design Institute America
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
$2,323 / item
Chouchou Rose Stool by Pulpo
Located in Geneve, CH
Chouchou rose stool by Pulpo Dimensions: D35 x W30 x H43 cm Materials: ceramic Also available in different colours. Whether stool or storage table...
Ceramic
Cubic Shape Natural Ash Wood Side Table with Fiber Seating by Heilig Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Throne Stool in Natural Ash Wood And Synthetic Yarn by Heilig Objects Dimensions: D 30 x W 30 x H 45 cm. Materials: Ash wood and synthetic yarn. Daniel Heilig. A young Hungarian-Ger...
Ash, Yarn
$3,521 / item
Mm Stool by Goons
Located in Geneve, CH
MM stool by Goons Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 54 cm. Materials: Wood. Dimensions can be adjusted +/- 10 cm. Goons is located in Paris, France....
Wood
ELEMENTOS Earth Stool in Sandblasted Pine with Black Finish by Daniel Couttolenc
Located in Geneve, CH
ELEMENTOS Earth Stool in Sandblasted Pine with Black Finish by Daniel Couttolenc Dimensions: D 42 x W 42 x H 42 cm. Materials: Sandblasted Pine. Earth is firmness, stability—a force...
Pine
$2,086 / item
Object 02 Noir Seating by Volta
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 02 noir seating by Volta Dimensions: D 45 x W 40 x H 95 cm Materials: Cork and Velvet Also available in diffentent colours. Please contact us. MEÏ COLLECTION The Meï co...
Velvet, Cork
$13,823 / 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
$5,429 / item
Object 05 Green Seating by Volta
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 05 Green 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 COLL...
Ceramic, Cork
$1,458 / item
Puffy Stool L by Phormy
Located in Geneve, CH
PUFFY stool L by Phormy Dimensions: D 44 x W 110 x H 44 cm. Materials: Upholstery, powder coated steel base. Different materials and sizes available. PUFFY is softness and lightness dressed up in ten intriguing modules. Its usage is very wide. It will turn out great as a hallway seat...
Steel
80s Postmodern Lacquered Wood & Vegan Leather Barstool Radical
By Moanne
Located in Almería, ES
Rebellion isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it takes shape in silence—in the refusal to blend in, in the geometry that breaks the mold. The Radical Counter Stool is just that: a visual m...
Wood, Faux Leather, Lacquer
$3,912 / item
Gaia Mini Stool by KV Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Gaia Mini Stool by KV Design Dimensions: D 30 x W 30 x H 30 cm. Materials: Walnut, Stainless Steel. Finish: oil Limited Edition of 8. KV Design is a team of professionals, and we be...
Stainless Steel
$1,896 / item
Fran Stool by GIROTTI ENRICO
Located in Geneve, CH
Fran Stool by GIROTTI ENRICO Dimensions: W 64 x D 51 x H 101 cm Materials: Steel, Upholstery. Weight: 8 Kg. Enrico Girotti is an industrial designer who has found in the word “make...
Steel
$1,636 / item
High Bloo Bar Stool by Doimo Brasil
Located in Geneve, CH
High Bloo Bar Stool by Doimo Brasil Dimensions: W 50 x D 53 x H 107 cm Materials: Veneer, Natural Leather. Also available in W 50 x D 53 x H 91 cm, Seat Height: 60 cm. With the i...
Leather
$2,347 / item
Burnt Black Tables / Stools by Touch With Eyes
Located in Geneve, CH
Burnt Black 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 tables were made of wood washed out...
Wood
$972 / item
Lime Green Gear Stool by Anastasia Ivanyuk
Located in Geneve, CH
Lime Green 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 p...
Other
Matek Atom Stool in Recycled Composite by Project Materia
Located in Geneve, CH
Matek Atom Stool in Recycled Composite by Project Materia. Designed by Lea Colombo. Dimensions: W 45 x D 45 x H 45 cm. Materials: MATEK™ recycled composite. A sculptural seat balanc...
Composite
Set of 3 Matek Patos Sculptural Stools in Recycled Composite by Project Materia
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 Matek Patos Sculptural Stools in Recycled Composite by Project Materia. Designed by Forever Studio. Dimensions: W 60 x D 50 x H 48.5 cm (each stool). Materials: MATEK™ recyc...
Composite
Matek Patos Piece 3 Sculptural Stool in Recycled Composite by Project Materia
Located in Geneve, CH
Matek Patos Piece 3 Sculptural Stool in Recycled Composite by Project Materia. Designed by Forever Studio. Dimensions: W 60 x D 50 x H 48.5 cm. Materials: MATEK™ recycled composite. ...
Composite
Matek Patos Piece 2 Sculptural Stool in Recycled Composite by Project Materia
Located in Geneve, CH
Matek Patos Piece 2 Sculptural Stool in Recycled Composite by Project Materia. Designed by Forever Studio. Dimensions: W 60 x D 50 x H 48.5 cm. Materials: MATEK™ recycled composite. ...
Composite
Matek Patos Piece 1 Sculptural Stool in Recycled Composite by Project Materia
Located in Geneve, CH
Matek Patos Piece 1 Sculptural Stool in Recycled Composite by Project Materia. Designed by Forever Studio. Dimensions: W 60 x D 50 x H 48.5 cm. Materials: MATEK™ recycled composite. ...
Composite
$1,549 / item
Lammi Bar Stool, Black by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Lammi bar stool, 66 cm, black by Made By Choice with Saku Sysiö. Dimensions: 47 x 38 x 66 cm. Materials: Oak. Standard finishes: natural wood / painted black. Also available: L...
Oak
$3,046 / item
Figueroa Bar Stool by InsidherLand
Located in Geneve, CH
Figueroa Bar Stool by InsidherLand Dimensions: D 54 x W 53 x H 107 cm. Materials: polished brass, InsidherLand Cotton Velvet Ref.CV 0790 fabric. 11 kg. Available in different fabrics...
Brass
Set of 4, Lammi Bar Stool, Natural Ash by Made By Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4, Lammi bar stool, 66 cm, natural ash by Made By Choice with Saku Sysiö Dimensions: 47 x 38 x 66 cm Materials: Oak Standard finishes: Natural wood / painted black Also ...
Oak
Limited Edition NullEins Stool in Black Marble by Justus Knut Schomann
Located in Geneve, CH
Limited Edition NullEins Stool in Black Marble by Justus Knut Schomann Limited Edition of 25 + 2AP. Dimensions: D 44 x W 45 x H 44 cm. Materials: ...
Marble
$936 / 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
$2,086 / item
Object 02 Marron Seating by Volta
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 02 marron seating by Volta Dimensions: D 45 x W 40 x H 95 cm Materials: Cork and Velvet Also available in diffentent colours. Please contact us. MEÏ COLLECTION The Meï ...
Velvet, Cork
Anodized Burgundy and Cane Wicker Bench by Tino Seubert
Located in Geneve, CH
Anodised Burgundy and cane wicker bench by Tino Seubert Dimensions: L 145 x W 40 x H 45 cm. Materials: Color anodized aluminum extrusions, cane weave. Tino Seubert When he firs...
Aluminum
Contemporary Resin Stool or Side Table by Sabine Marcelis, matte, Ice Lavender
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Sabine Marcelis’ new ice-lavender SOAP column stools in matte resin TYPE Freestanding table ENVIRONMENT Indoor MATERIAL Polyester resin FINISH mat...
Resin
$828 / item
Radical Design Blue Velvet Stool Furia
By Moanne
Located in Almería, ES
There’s a fire that doesn’t need to roar to be felt—an inner intensity that simmers beneath the surface. The Furia Stool captures that quiet force. With its soft, rounded body and as...
Velvet
$3,663 / 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 Stainless Steel Other versions are available, please contact us for any request. More than mere fur...
Stainless Steel
$794 / item
Hazelnut September Bar Stool by Ox Denmarq
Located in Geneve, CH
Hazelnut september bar stool by Ox Denmarq Dimensions: D 38 x W 42 x H 93 cm Materials: leather, black powder coated steel Also available: different colors available. Ox Denmar...
Steel
$2,323 / item
Chouchou Cobalt Stool by Pulpo
Located in Geneve, CH
Chouchou cobalt stool by Pulpo. Dimensions: D35 x W30 x H43 cm. Materials: ceramic. Also available in different colours. Whether stool or storage table, piece of column...
Ceramic
$2,477 / item
Tregony Stool by Riccardo Monte
Located in Geneve, CH
Tregony Stool by Riccardo Monte Dimensions: D 42 x W 42 x H 42 cm. Materials: Oak. Riccardo Monte is a creative studio based in the Italian Alps. With the vision of creating a multi...
Oak
$3,390 / item
Layered Steel Seat X by Hyungshin Hwang
Located in Geneve, CH
Layered steel seat X 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 continues...
Stainless Steel
Limited Edition SSS01B Black Stool in MDF with Resin Coating by sashaxsasha
Located in Geneve, CH
Limited Edition SSS01B Black Stool in MDF with Resin Coating by sashaxsasha Limited Edition of 8 + 2 A.P Dimensions: D 30 x W 35 x H 40 cm. Materials: MDF and resin. sashaxsasha is...
Other
$2,039 / item
Chamois Stool by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Chamois Stool by Munna Dimensions: D 42 x W 52 x H 49 cm. SH: 49 cm. Materials: Solid wood, foam, brass, and upholstery. Finish: Upholstery: Cotton Velvet, ref. Lilac, CV15. Footer: ...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$2,845 / item
Becomes Me Bar Stool by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Becomes Me Bar Stool by Munna Dimensions: D 50 x W 53 x H 105 cm. SH: 82 cm. Materials: Solid wood, foam, brass, and upholstery. Finish: Upholstery: Cotton Velvet, ref. Midnight Blue...
Brass
Large Natural Blossom Bar Chair by Storängen Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Natural Blossom bar chair by Storängen Design Dimensions: D 45 x W 44 x H 99 x SH 82 cm Materials: birch wood, steel. Available in other colors and sizes. With or without ba...
Steel
Contemporary Naturally Patinated Steel Bar Stool With Backrest by Dennis Kaiser
Located in Geneve, CH
Patinated Steel Contemporary Forever Bar Stool With Backrest by Dennis Kaiser Dimensions: D 40 x W 35 x H 93 cm. SH: 68 cm. Materials: Steel. Handcrafted in Tuscany, Italy. Customiz...
Steel
Saffron Yellow Cubo Pouf Stool by SLIDE Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Saffron Yellow 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
$5,737 / item
White Layered Oak Wood Stool I by Hyungshin Hwang
Located in Geneve, CH
White layered oak wood stool I by Hyungshin Hwang. Dimensions: D 33 x W 54 x H 69 cm. Materials: oxidized red oak. Layered Series is the main theme and concept of work of Hwang,...
Oak
$2,951 / 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
Fundamentos del Vacío Auxiliary Table / Stool by Lasanimas
Located in Geneve, CH
Fundamentos del Vacío Auxiliary Table / Stool by Lasanimas Dimensions: W 50 x D 48 x H 36 cm Materials: Plywood. Las Ánimas is the creative duo composed by Trini Salamanca and Pabl...
Plywood
$2,086 / item
Object 04 Beige Seating by Volta
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 04 beige 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 c...
Velvet, Cork
$5,085 / 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
$1,766 / item
Macaron High Stool by Haymann Editions
Located in Geneve, CH
Macaron High Stool by Haymann Editions Dimensions: D 40 x W 40 x H 45 cm. Materials: Cork, foam. Toni Grilo delivers a gourmet piece, all in curves. Macaron stool brown cork evokes ...
Foam, Cork
$3,177 / 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, Foam, Wood
Sweet Fuchsia Cubo Pouf Stool by SLIDE Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Sweet Fuchsia 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
Carlo Bimbi and Nilo Gioacchini "Charlie" Barstools for Segis Italia, a Pair
By Carlo Bimbi and Nilo Gioacchini
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Postmodern Memphis style barstools by Carlo Bimbi and Nilo Gioacchini for Segis Italia, circa 1980s. Chairs are made of white moulded plastic attached to a tubular chrome fra...
Chrome
Vintage Memphis Style Hammered Metal Counter Stools Newly Upholstered - Set of 4
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Memphis Style Hammered Metal Counter Stools Newly Upholstered - Set of 4 Striking set of four Postmodern counter-height chairs featuring sculptural brushed metal frames and ...
Metal
Original Printed Velvet Awaiting H Stool by Secondome Edizioni
Located in Geneve, CH
Original Printed Velvet Awaiting H Stool by Secondome Edizioni Limited Edition Of 9 pieces + 3 A.P. Designer: Coralla Maiuri + Giorgia Zanellato. Dimensions: D 40 x W 65 x H 60 cm. M...
Brass
$2,086 / item
Object 02 Violet Seating by Volta
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 02 Violet Seating by Volta Dimensions: D 45 x W 40 x H 95 cm Materials: Cork and Velvet Also available in diffentent colours. Please contact us. MEÏ COLLECTION The Meï ...
Velvet, Cork
$1,766 / item
High Moi Bar Stool by Doimo Brasil
Located in Geneve, CH
High Moi Bar Stool by Doimo Brasil Dimensions: W 51 x D 58 x H 109 cm Materials: Veneer, Natural Leather. Also available in W 51 x D 58 x H 93 cm, Seat Heig...
Leather
Sweet Fuchsia Lazy Bones High Stool by Barnaby Gunning
Located in Geneve, CH
Sweet Fuchsia 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 i...
Other
$2,714 / item
Newman Bar Stool by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Newman Bar Stool by Munna Dimensions: D 50 x W 40 x H 102 cm. SH: 80 cm. Materials: Solid wood, foam, brass, and leather. Finish: Upholstery: Leather, ref. Cream, L02. Legs: Cream gl...
Brass
$3,604 / 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
$2,347 / item
Burnt Black E Tables / Stools by Touch With Eyes
Located in Geneve, CH
Burnt Black E 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 tables were made of wood washed o...
Wood
$2,086 / 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 2, Airisto Side Tables/ Stools, Stained Black by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2, 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