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.
$1,797 / item
Natú Stool by Frau Caze
Located in Geneve, CH
Natú Stool by Frau Caze Dimensions: D 35 x W 54 x H 36.5 cm. Materials: Oiled walnut, natural leather. Although Berlin has been her home for many years, Carolin – the designer behi...
Leather, Walnut
Nude Color Ecoleather Beech Wood Chair High Stool by Casa Casati
Located in Geneve, CH
Lola Pale Anilina Ecoleather And Beech Wood Chair High Stool by Casa Casati Dimensions: D 60 x W 60 x H 110 cm. Materials: Beech wood, polyurethane, and ecoleather upholstery. Avai...
Other
$2,602 / 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
$7,156 / item
Elephante 3, Stool by Studio Noon
By Noon Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Elephante 3, stool by Studio Noon Dimensions: W 68.5 x D 68.5 x H 53 Material: pigmented cement Signed and editioned 1/50 Noon is a Philadelphia based collaboration betwe...
Cement
$1,206 / 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
Lena Stool – Sculptural Brass Frame with White Upholstery by Misaya
By Masaya
Located in Geneve, CH
Lena Stool – Sculptural Brass Frame with White Upholstery by Misaya Dimensions: W 61 x D 42 x H 31/38 cm Materials: Brass Also available: Different colors (gold, polished brass. bla...
Brass
U-shaped Form Rubber Seat and Burned Steel Medium Stool 2.0 by Arno Declercq
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium AD stool 2.0 by Arno Declercq Materials: Patinated steel. Dimensions: W 104 x D 38 x H 69 cm. Arno Declercq Belgian designer and art dealer who makes bespoke objects with pa...
Steel
$1,182 / item
Black Tangerine Stool w/ Back by Resident
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Tangerine Stool w/ Back by Resident Dimensions: W 37 x D 48 x H 87 cm Materials: Solid Oak, Oak Veneer. Weight: 5.5 Kg. About: Founded by Simon James & Scott Bridgens in 2011...
Oak
$2,862 / item
Silver Wave Stool by Haymann Editions
Located in Geneve, CH
Silver Wave Stool by Haymann Editions Dimensions: D 32 x W 32 x H 38.5 cm. Materials: Blown glass, cork. Available in different blown glass colors. Please contact us. Blown glass b...
Blown Glass
$2,081 / 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
$1,549 / item
Silent Stump, Side Table / Stool by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Silent stump, side table / stool by Made By Choice (Seating object, functioning also as a table) Nordic Silence Collection with Katrín Ólína Dimensions:...
Ash, Cork
$1,797 / item
Timber Stool Maple by Onno Adriaanse
Located in Geneve, CH
Timber Stool Maple by Onno Adriaanse Signed and numbered Dimensions: D 40 x W 29 x H 45 cm Materials: Maple wood, clear matte coating Also available in Color: Indigo blue, purple-red...
Coating, Maple
$1,017 / item
Airisto Side Table, Stained Black by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Airisto side table, black by Made By Choice with Joanna Laajisto Dimensions: D35 x H45 cm Materials: solid ash. Finishes: natural ash / painted black Also available: natural & custom order. The Airisto collection’s furnishings are multifunctional – they can be used as a side table, stool and a bench. The natural ash accents the beautiful features of the wood. In addition to the light wood, the other colour option is stained black, which highlights the shape of the product, representative to Laajisto’s work. ”A good product has to fit in different environments from the modern and minimalist to rich and classical,” explains Laajisto. The simple and modest design language of the Airisto furniture emphasizes the asymmetric shape of the foot structure. About Made by Choice: Nordic Happiness. Nordic Happiness is our grand theme and guiding star. Studies show that Nordic people are among the happiest on Earth. Nordic happiness is composed of authentic values and sustainable choices. The vision of Choice is based on the added value of collective creation while promoting sustainable Nordic values through authentic design. Rooted in the traditions of Finnish woodworks, Made by Choice is a creative powerhouse of collaborative thinkers, believers and makers, establishing a global brand for the 21st century. Committed to producing durable, bold and innovative designs, we combine contemporary woodworking methods and modern technology. Halikko is home to our 4000 square metre campus where we turn abstract concepts into tangible objects. Our team in our office in Helsinki coordinates all operations and installations. Made by Choice's agile, purpose driven approach means all new products are developed on demand, for a specific project and need, and carries the authentic story of it's reason of existence. Our products are developed and manufactured at our own factory in south-western Finland by some of the best craftsmen in the world. Choice is inspired by heritage and Nordic urban...
Wood, Ash
$1,585 / item
High Luna Bar Stool by Doimo Brasil
Located in Geneve, CH
High Luna Bar Stool by Doimo Brasil Dimensions: W 51 x D 53 x H 106 cm Materials: Paint, Fabric. Also available in W 51 x D 53 x H 90 cm, Seat Height: 60 cm. With the intention o...
Fabric, Paint
Set of 3 Postmodern "Banana" Bar Stools by Tom Dixon for Cappellini, Italy 1988
By Tom Dixon, Cappellini
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find an iconic and highly sculptural set of three "Banana" bar stools designed by Tom Dixon during the 1980s. Celebrated for their playful organic form and innovative use of materials, these stools exemplify Dixon's early experimental approach that would later establish him as one of Britain's most influential contemporary designers. Each stool features a distinctive banana-shaped seat hand-woven in natural rush over a metal frame, resting on elegantly slender black lacquered steel legs. The juxtaposition of the warm, tactile woven surface with the graphic linearity of the steel base creates a striking silhouette that is both functional and artistic. Produced in limited numbers during Dixon's formative years, the Banana stools...
Iron
Set of 2, Airisto Side Tables / Stools, Natural Color by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2, Airisto side tables/stools, natural color by Made By Choice By Choice with Joanna Laajisto Dimensions: D35 x H45 cm Materials: Solid Ash. Finishes: Natural Ash / Painte...
Wood, Ash
$969 / item
Jet Black Gear Stool by Anastasia Ivanyuk
Located in Geneve, CH
Jet Black 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 pr...
Other
$3,382 / item
Layered Steel Stool by Hyungshin Hwang
Located in Geneve, CH
Layered steel stool by Hyungshin Hwang Dimensions: D 30 x W 30 x H 45 cm Materials: stainless steel Layered Series is the main theme and conce...
Stainless Steel
$709 / item
Malva Green Cubo Pouf Stool by SLIDE Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Malva 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
$2,779 / item
Element Black Bulk Stool by Idaaf Architects
Located in Geneve, CH
Element Black Bulk Stool by Idaaf Architects Dimensions: W 85 x D 50 x H 55 cm Materials: Textured and Painted Wood ‘Element’, which combines furniture of different functions, was c...
Wood
$5,654 / item
Rose Thé Awaiting L Stool by Secondome Edizioni
Located in Geneve, CH
Rose Thé Awaiting L Stool by Secondome Edizioni Designer: Coralla Maiuri + Giorgia Zanellato. Dimensions: D 48 x W 48 x H 69 cm. Materials: Brass and velvet. Collection / Production...
Brass
$1,171 / item
Foot Stool by Project 213A
Located in Geneve, CH
Foot stool in brown by Project 213A Dimensions: D 30 x W 30 x H 26.5 cm Materials: Chestnut wood. This playful design is inspired by a classic milking stool, and has a fun twis...
Chestnut
Large White Tupp Barstool by Storängen Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Large White Tupp barstool by Storängen Design Dimensions: D 45 x W 45 x H 102 x SH 82 cm Materials: birch wood, nickel plated steel. Also available in other colors. Give the ba...
Steel
$2,957 / item
Bleached Tauari Tela Counter Stool by Wentz
Located in Geneve, CH
Bleached Tauari Tela Chair by Wentz Dimensions: D 52 x W 58 x H 84 cm Materials: Tauari Wood, Cotton, Weave, Plywood, Upholstery. Weight: 5,8kg / 12,7 lbs The Tela armchair is a mee...
Upholstery, Wood, Plywood
$9,214 / item
Small Dimple Walnut Stool by Studio TOOJ
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Dimple Walnut Stool by Studio TOOJ Designed by Johan Wilén Dimensions: D 63 x H 42 cm. Materials: Walnut wood. A true testament to the designer’s si...
Walnut
$1,951 / item
Ult Black Ducale BZ Stool by GIROTTI ENRICO
Located in Geneve, CH
Ult Black 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 G...
Steel
$14,182 / 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
$14,312 / item
Green Caracoles Ceramic Stool by Forma Rosa Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Green Caracoles Ceramic Stool by Forma Rosa Studio Dimensions: D 45.7 x W 45.7 x H 50.8 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Available in Green and Granite colors. This ceramic-crafted stool di...
Ceramic
$6,245 / item
Bogdan Bench by Studio Intervallo
Located in Geneve, CH
Bogdan bench by Studio Intervallo. Dimensions: W 180 x D 40 x H 46 cm. Materials: LINDEN solid wood, with colored decoration on the circumference. Other types of wood available ...
Wood
$1,230 / item
Patio II Stool by Marta Ayala Herrera
Located in Geneve, CH
Patio II Stool by Marta Ayala Herrera Dimensions: D 22 x W 55 x H 50 cm. Materials: MDF and woven bulrush. This piece can be customized in differe...
Other
$804 / item
Togi Stool by DAaZ
Located in Geneve, CH
Togi Stool by DAaZ Dimensions: D 35 x W 50 x H 45 cm. Materials: Wood, fabric. DAaZ Furniture honors the spirit of adventure. We embrace the escape of the ordinary and revel in the...
Wood, Fabric
$1,147 / item
Puffy Stool S by Phormy
Located in Geneve, CH
Puffy stool S by Phormy Dimensions: D 44 x W 66 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...
Upholstery
$473 / item
Txt.16 Chimpestle Stool by Txt.Ure
Located in Geneve, CH
Txt.16 stool by Txt.Ure Dimensions: W 45 x D 35 x H 35 cm. Materials: Tule natural fiber with natural finish. Popularly known as chimpestles, the txt.16 draws on the ingeniuty of pre-Hispanic seating solutions. Made of bounded tule, the pieces are customizable in size and length, with a traditional carrying handle. They function as low seating for indoor and outdoor, as well as decorative objects. For interior and exterior use (under covered spaces). Txt. ure was the first design project to reintroduce the Mexican weaving style of the knotted tule technique. Once in danger of disappearing, the txt. 01 tabouret or in Nahuatl the tolli-icpalli knotting method, now gives structure to signature works from the txt. ure Tule Collection, developed with master artisans to achieve durability and contemporary scale. Drawing on more than two years of research and development, the Tule Collection encourage the wider awareness of Mexican craft...
Other
$1,431 / item
Foot Stool in Natural by Project 213A
Located in Geneve, CH
Foot stool in Natural by Project 213A Dimensions: D 30 x W 30 x H 26.5 cm Materials: Oak wood. This playful design is inspired by a classic milking stool, and has a fun twist w...
Oak
Italian Postmodern Ulisse Folding Stool by Ivan Loss for Sandrigarden, 1980s
By Ivan Loss
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern folding stool from the Italian manufacturer Sandrigard after a design by Ivan Loss from the 80s. An elegant and extremely functional design. The stool can be used as a wa...
Metal
$1,324 / item
Stam Stool by Mingardo
Located in Geneve, CH
Stam stool by Mingardo Dimensions: D 37 x W 36.5 x H 46.5 cm Materials: Bent metal tube structure and natural brass seat Weight: 12 kg Also available in different finishes. ...
Metal, Brass
$7,156 / item
Elephante Stool, Studio Noon
By Noon Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Elephante stool, studio noon Limited Edition of 50 Signed Dimensions: 24” H x 24” W x 24” D Material: pigmented cement Noon is a Philadelphia based collaboration between desig...
Cement
$22,616 / item
Object 06 Brown Seating by Volta
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 06 Brown Seating by Volta One Of A Kind. Dimensions: D 80 x W 200 x H 75 cm. Materials: Cork and ceramic. Also available in diffentent colors. Please contact us. MEÏ COLLECT...
Ceramic, Cork
$5,654 / item
Rose Thé Awaiting H Stool by Secondome Edizioni
Located in Geneve, CH
Rose Thé Awaiting H Stool by Secondome Edizioni Designer: Coralla Maiuri + Giorgia Zanellato. Dimensions: D 40 x W 65 x H 60 cm. Materials: Brass and velvet....
Brass
Sweet Fuchsia Pandoro Stool by Gianni Arnaudo
Located in Geneve, CH
Sweet Fuchsia 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 suitabl...
Other
$1,301 / item
Sweet Fuchsia Voilà High Stool by Marc Sadler
Located in Geneve, CH
Sweet Fuchsia Voilà High Stool by Marc Sadler Dimensions: D 38 x W 35 x H 84 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 6 kg. Available in different different color options. This product ...
Other
Anodized Burgundy and Cane Wicker Stool by Tino Seubert
Located in Geneve, CH
Anodised Burgundy and Cane wicker stool by Tino Seubert Dimensions: D 43 x W 38 x H 45 cm. Materials: Color anodized aluminum extrusions, cane weave. Tino Seubert When he first...
Aluminum
$2,318 / item
Chouchou Marble White Stool by Pulpo
Located in Geneve, CH
Chouchou marble white 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
Set of 4, Halikko Bar Stools, Tall by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4, 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: uphols...
Oak
$9,368 / set
Set of 2 Bar Stools by Studio Nicolas Erauw
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 bar stools by Studio Nicolas Erauw. Unique piece. Limited Edition 1 of 1. Dimensions: - H 70 cm x Ø 33 cm - H 70 cmx Ø 35 cm Materials: Aluminum, wax dipped Par...
Aluminum
$1,797 / item
Timber Stool Burned Pine by Onno Adriaanse
Located in Geneve, CH
Timber Stool Burned Pine by Onno Adriaanse Signed and numbered Dimensions: D 40 x W 29 x H 45 cm Materials: Burned pine, colored linseed oil Also available in Color: Indigo blue, pur...
Coating, Pine
Sweet Fuchsia Double U Stool by Kazuko Okamoto
Located in Geneve, CH
Sweet Fuchsia 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 suita...
Other
$2,133 / item
Brass Sculptural Log Stool - Small Size by Misaya
By Masaya
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass Sculptural Log Stool - Small size by Misaya Dimensions: W 22 x D 27 x H 44 cm Materials: Brass Also available: Different colors (gold, polished brass. black, painted brass) an...
Brass
$1,301 / item
Dove Grey Lazy Bones High Stool by Barnaby Gunning
Located in Geneve, CH
Dove Grey 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 op...
Other
Brass Sculptural Log Stools – Set of 2 (Small & Large) by Misaya
By Masaya
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass Sculptural Log Stools – Set of 2 (Small & Large) by Misaya Dimensions: W 22 x D 27 x H 44 cm (S), W38 x D34 x H33.5 (L)cm Materials: brass Also available: different colors (go...
Brass
$969 / item
Object 064 Stool by NG Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 064 stool by NG Design Dimensions: D38 x H45 cm Materials: Powder coated steel, Boucle upholstery Also Available: All of objects available in different materials and colo...
Steel
$2,342 / item
Sculpted Stool by Jörg Pietschmann
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculpted Stool by Jörg PietschmannAsh Dimensions: H 45 x W 38 x D 16,5 cm. Polished oil finish. In Pietschmann’s sculptures, trees that for centuries were part of a landscape and f...
Oak
$5,464 / item
White Layered Ash Wood Stool I by Hyungshin Hwang
Located in Geneve, CH
White layered ash wood stool I by Hyungshin Hwang. Dimensions: D 36 x W 54 x H 54 cm. Materials: oxidized ash. Layered Series is the main theme and concept of work of Hwang, who...
Ash
Original Printed Velvet Awaiting L Stool by Secondome Edizioni
Located in Geneve, CH
Original Printed Velvet Awaiting L Stool by Secondome Edizioni Limited Edition Of 9 pieces + 3 A.P. Designer: Coralla Maiuri + Giorgia Zanellato. Dimensions: D 48 x W 48 x H 69 cm. M...
Brass
Postmodern German Kreuzschwinger Barstool by Till Behrens, 1980s
By Till Behrens
Located in Hamburg, DE
Elegant design classic by Prof. Till Behrens in the Bar stool version. The further development of the cantilever chair. The stools are made entirely of steel rods, which have been m...
Metal
$792 / item
Black September Bar Stool by OxDenmarq
Located in Geneve, CH
Black September Bar Stool by OxDenmarq Dimensions: D 38 x W 42 x H 93 cm Materials: Leather, Black Powder Coated Steel Also Available: Different colors available OX DENMARQ is ...
Steel
$461 / item
Black Trifolium Stool by OxDenmarq
Located in Geneve, CH
Black trifolium stool by OxDenmarq Dimensions: D 40 x W 40 x H 45 cm Materials: Leather, Steel Also Available: Different colors and other frame color available. OX DENMARQ is a...
Steel
$9,841 / item
Cronos Bench by Sebastián Ángeles
Located in Geneve, CH
Cronos bench by Sebastián Ángeles Dimensions: W 180 x D 42 x H 45 cm Materials: Oak Sebastián Angeles is an Industrial Designer originally from Mexico City who graduated from th...
Oak
$4,944 / item
Stool, Solid Wood by Sebastiano Zilio
Located in Geneve, CH
Stool, Solid Wood by Sebastiano Zilio Dimensions: W 58.8 x D 58.8 x H 45 cm. Materials: Solid Sungkai wood, About: Sebastiano Zilio Italy, 1969 Italian designer and artist Sebasti...
Wood
$13,271 / item
Object 08 Black Seating by Volta
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 08 Black 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