1980s Postmodern Preview Cloud Sectional Sofa
By Preview
Located in Bensalem, PA
Stunning 3 piece PREVIEW sectional sofa
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sectional Sofas
Upholstery
1980s Postmodern Preview Cloud Sectional Sofa
By Preview
Located in Bensalem, PA
Stunning 3 piece PREVIEW sectional sofa
Upholstery
Pair of Postmodern Sofas by Directional Furniture, 1980
By Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Directional furniture model 4760L & 4760R sofas. Opposite swooping backs with big chunky bases. Newly upholstered.
Upholstery
Italian Postmodern Curved Modular Sectional Sofa in Ivory Patterned Velvet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Modular sculpted seating group using a serpentine form composed of multiple modules that can be arranged in sweeping curve or separated into independent seating elements. Original i...
Velvet
Vintage Postmodern Beige Leather 6 Piece Modular Sectional Sofa
By Cassina, Lane Furniture
Located in Lutz, FL
Lane HTB custom ordered 6 piece modular Post Modern Sectional Sofa. Single owner, custom ordered in cream/beige leather in 1987 and rarely used. Great lines and silhouette similar It...
Leather, Fabric
Monumental Postmodern 4-Piece Sectional Sofa in Chenille Jacquard, 9-Seat
Located in North Palm Beach, FL
Monumental Postmodern Four-Piece Sectional Sofa in Textured Maze Jacquard A monumental late-20th-century Postmodern four-piece sectional sofa, custom-crafted for expansive luxury in...
Chenille, Foam, Hardwood
1980s Postmodern Curvy Kidney Sofa
Located in Staten Island, NY
Postmodern kidney sofa with unique textile patterns. Custom Made in 1980 in fantastic condition.
Fabric
1980s Postmodern Serpentine Curved Two-Piece Sectional Sofa
Located in North Palm Beach, FL
Striking late 1980s–early 1990s two-piece sectional sofa with an expansive serpentine silhouette, dramatic rolled arms, and tailored dressmaker detailing. The sweeping crescent form ...
Textile, Hardwood
Postmodern Sectional Sofa, 1980
Located in Chicago, IL
Postmodern sectional sofa, circa 1980s.
Upholstery
Postmodern Organic Form Sectional Sofa, 1980
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Chicago, IL
Postmodern Sectional Sofa, 1980, Newly reupholstered in boucle with leather feet.
Leather, Bouclé
Brueton Postmodern Modular Sectional Sofa, 1980
By Brueton
Located in Chicago, IL
Post modern modular sectional sofa, 1980. Original fabric shows some wear and stains. 4 Chair sections each measure 26.5" wide, 2 ottoman sections each measure 26.5" wide x 28" deep...
Upholstery
Milo Baughman Postmodern Curved Sectional Sofa, 1980
By Milo Baughman
Located in Chicago, IL
Milo Baughman postmodern curved sectional sofa, 1980. Original, black plinth base.Milo Baughman postmodern curved sectional sofa, 1980.
Upholstery
Postmodern Sculpted Sectional Sofa
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Discover the Postmodern Sculpted Sectional Sofa, featuring a unique design that splits into two for versatile arrangement and plush comfort, perfect for modern living spaces.
Fabric
Sold
H 30.5 in Dm 108 in
Pink Postmodern Sectional Sofa, Style of Milo Baughman for Thayer-Coggin, 1980
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Chicago, IL
Pink Postmodern Sectional sofa in the style ofMilo Baughman for Thayer-Coggin 1980.
Velvet
1980s Postmodern Weiman Sculptural Sectional Sofa
By Weiman
Located in Bensalem, PA
Very well made comfortable sectional sofa by Weiman
Upholstery
Postmodern Modular Sofa Sectional-- 4 Pcs
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Madison, WI
Complete four-piece curvlinear sectional, totaling 17 feet long all together. This is a sectional, suited for your on point, stylish, cutting edge setting. It's shape is sculptura...
Textile, Upholstery
Postmodern 2 Piece Gray Leather Sectional Sofas
By Steve Chase
Located in Chicago, IL
Postmodern 2 piece gray leather sectional sofas. 2 Piece modular sofa can be used as shown or used in a corner. High quality supple and smooth grey leather.
Leather
Large Postmodern 4-Piece Sectional Sofa, 1980s
By Weiman Preview Furniture
Located in Culver City, CA
Available right now we have this gorgeous Postmodern 4-piece sectional sofa. This stunning vintage sofa is upholstered in a buttery, pale yellow microsuede and features exaggerated s...
Ultrasuede
1980 Post Modern Sectional Sofa in Marble Upholstery
By Milo Baughman
Located in Chicago, IL
1980 Postmodern sectional sofa in marble upholstery.
Fabric
Vintage Weiman Preview Custom Made Postmodern 3pc Curved Sectional Sofa
By Weiman Preview Furniture
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A vintage custom made Weiman Preview sectional sofa. This is a stunning curved sectional sofa featuring 3 pieces in total. There is one curving corner section, and two seat sections....
Fabric, Wood
1990s Postmodern M. Fillmore Harty Style Sectional Sofa for Preview
By M. Fillmore Harty
Located in Miami, FL
Monumental 1990s three-piece sectional sofa by Preview Furniture (commissioned by Judith Norman), with cylindrical chubby arms that curve throughout the back of the entire sofa. This...
Cotton
Postmodern Rondell Round Sofa in Velvet Fabric for Entrée, 1980
Located in Berlin, DE
The Postmodern Rondell Round Sofa in luxurious velvet fabric, designed in the vibrant 1980s, is an iconic masterpiece of modern design. Its generous, circular shape embraces spontane...
Metal
Sold
H 32 in W 100 in D 54 in
Wilma Salotti Postmodern Black Leather Rounded Back Sectional Sofa, Italy, 1980s
By Nicoletti Salotti
Located in Miami, FL
Black leather sectional sofa by Wilma Salotti and made in Italy, circa 1980s.
Leather
Postmodern Channeled Sectional by Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s, signed - created by the legendary design company Directional which featured designers like Vladimir Kagan and was founded by Paul McCobb. Fantastic design, expert quality, ...
Fabric
Large Postmodern Serpentine Sectional with Stacked Base
By Directional
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Interesting postmodern style sofa with a serpentine like shape. Great organic L shape sofa with an overall foot print of 106” x 106”. Back height is 29” and seat height is 17.5”. Sof...
Upholstery
Sold
H 29 in W 110 in D 39 in
“Arabesque” Curved Sectional in Ivory by Willi Schillig, Postmodern, 1980s
By Willi Schillig
Located in La Mesa, CA
Rare and sculptural two-piece “Arabesque” sectional sofa designed by Willi Schillig and produced in Germany during the 1980s. This postmodern piece features a dramatic serpentine sil...
Faux Leather
Sold
H 29 in W 106 in D 106 in
Large Postmodern Serpentine Sectional With Stacked Base After Directional
By Adrian Pearsall, Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Interesting postmodern style sofa with a serpentine like shape. Great organic L shape sofa with an overall foot print of 106” x 106”. Back height is 29” and seat height is 17.5”. Sof...
Upholstery
Postmodern Pink Modular Sofa by Carson’s - 5 Pieces
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Revitalize your living area with the Postmodern Pink Modular Sofa Set by Carson’s, featuring two curved sections, a chaise, and two regular sections. The eye-catching pink upholstery...
Fabric
Sold
H 29 in W 172 in D 115 in
1980s Postmodern 5-Piece Sectional Sofa by Flair, Bernhardt with Chaise & Corner
By Flair, Bernhardt
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Made in the United States, this sofa was designed by the ultra-specialized design team at Flair, which was owned and operated by Bernhardt at the time. Featuring 5 sections, it has a...
Upholstery, Wood
Steve Chase for Martin Brattrud Postmodern Sectional Sofa, 1980s
By Steve Chase, Martin Brattrud
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Steve Chase sectional sofa is a quality piece, with superb comfort, and impeccable 1970s and 1980s style which he was well known for. Manufactured by Martin Brattrud, the comfor...
Fabric
Vintage Large Two-Piece Postmodern Curved Sectional
Located in Medina, OH
Beautiful vintage two-piece Postmodern Curved Sectional in its original unique fabric - An off-white performance fabric with a textured swirl design. In great condition but it is vin...
Fabric
Postmodern Sculpted Modular Sofa by Carter
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Experience the epitome of postmodern design with the Sculpted Modular Sofa by Carter. This stunning piece features a unique combination of side, corner, and curved sections, allowing...
Fabric
Modular Postmodern Sectional Attributed to Vladimir Kagan for Preview
By Preview
Located in Chicago, IL
Two corner pieces and two straight pieces. Reupholstered in a nubby brown fabric. Price is for the set. Contact us if you'd like to purchase a single item.
Fabric
Sold
H 29 in W 106 in D 106 in
Large Postmodern Serpentine Sectional with Stacked Base after Vladimir Kagan
By Weiman Preview Furniture, Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Interesting postmodern style sofa with a serpentine like shape. Great organic L shape sofa with an overall foot print of 106” x 106”. Back height is 29” and seat height is 17.5”. Sof...
Upholstery
Sold
H 32.25 in W 108 in D 36 in
'Molto+Di' Postmodern Sectional by Ammannati & Giampiero for i4 Mariani, Signed
By Titina Ammannati and Giampiero Vitelli, i4 Mariani
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Postmodern sectional sofa was designed by Antonietta Ammannati and Giampiero Vitelli in 1988 for Italian maker i4 Mariani and was featured in a number of movies throughout the l...
Leather
Sold
H 29 in W 148 in D 110.5 in
Molto+Di Postmodern Sectional by Ammannati & Giampiero for i4 Mariani Pace, 1988
By Titina Ammannati and Giampiero Vitelli, i4 Mariani
Located in Hamburg, PA
A very unique sectional sofa by Antonietta Ammannati and Giampiero Vitelli. The architect and designers created this innovative design sofa in 1988. The elegant sofa is missing some ...
Leather
Sold
H 33 in W 118 in D 58 in
Midcentury Italian Postmodern Curved Semi-Circular Serpentine Sectional Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A unique and stylish sofa made in Italy from the 1980s. It features 3 separate pieces with a sculptural form. Fabric is original with light general wear.
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 28 in W 160.5 in D 124.5 in
Large Postmodern Channeled 4-Piece Modular Sectional Sofa Attr. Steve Chase
By Steve Chase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed and made in the 1980s following the post-modern movement, this sofa was likely produced by Steve Chase. Its construction is certainly consistent with Chase sofas, with a sol...
Upholstery, Wood
Postmodern Henredon Parsons 5 Piece Sectional Sofa
By Henredon
Located in Asheville, NC
Postmodern 5-piece Parson-style sectional sofa by Henredon. Stamped under the cushions for authenticity, this piece has original upholstery that exhibits some fading from sun exposur...
Upholstery
1980s Postmodern Curved Two Piece Sectional
By Adrian Pearsall, Bernhardt
Located in Houston, TX
Gorgeous postmodern two piece curved sectional freshly reupholstered in olive velvet, c.1980s. While unmarked, the design is very reminiscent of those by Bernhardt Flair Division and...
Velvet
Vintage 1980s Postmodern Custom Sectional Featuring Unique Wave Curves
By Karl Springer
Located in Bartlett, IL
Unique custom gray curved sectional sofa chaise. A vintage beauty sure to make an impactful statement in any interior space. Upholstery fabric features a lovely pattern set in a gray...
Fabric
6 Piece Postmodern Modular Sectional- attributed to De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
W430 D215 H30 6 pieces left Straight (3) W60 D34 H30 SW59 SD23 SH16 - $1000 Curved (2) W65 D36 H30 SW50 SD24 SH16 -$1200 outward Curved(0) W68 D37 H30 SW67 SD24 SH16 OTTOMAN (1...
Leather
Postmodern Eight-Piece Serpentine Sectional Sofa
By Preview
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Exceptional Postmodern eight-piece serpentine sectional sofa by Preview Furniture Corporation, circa 1980s. This glamorous sculptural modular sofa in the style of De Sede DS 600 non ...
Cotton, Silk, Upholstery, Hardwood
$19,900 / set
H 28.75 in W 35.44 in D 37.41 in
Rimo Maturi for Mimo Padova Modular Sofa Nuvolone in Leather, Italy, 1970s
By Mimo Padova
Located in Almelo, NL
Large modular sofa Rimo Maturi for Mimo Padova model ´Nuvolone´ in leather, Italy, 1970s Large modular sofa / landscape sofa by Italian designer Rimo Maturi for manufacturer Mimo Pa...
Leather
$16,391
H 27.56 in W 66.93 in D 36.62 in
Italian 20th Century Beige "Soriana" Leather Sofa By Tobia Scarpa For Cassina
By Cassina, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A beautiful “Soriana“ leather sofa by Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, made in Italy around the latter part of the 20th century. Finished in a very rare cognac colour leather, it is lovely ...
Metal
Fantastic Six-Piece Sectional Sofa by Preview
By Preview
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Fantastic six-piece Preview sectional sofa. This set will need to be re-upholstered but that's what you designers are looking for right? Great for that smaller space or add to a sect...
Upholstery
$28,500
H 28 in W 145 in D 38 in
De Sede DS600 'Nonstop' 15-Piece Sectional Sofa Set, Curry Nappa Leather
By Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich, and Ueli Berger, De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
15-piece De Sede DS600 sectional sofa. Designed by Ueli Berger, Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, and Heinz Ulrich for De Sede, the DS600 consists of individual modular units that zip together ...
Leather, Felt
$11,142 / set
H 28.75 in W 187.01 in D 37.41 in
Vintage DS46 Modular Leather Sofa from De Sede, 1970s, Set of 5
By De Sede
Located in Rouen, FR
Emblématique du savoir-faire suisse, ce DS-46 signé De Sede est composé de 5 modules indépendants tapissés en cuir de buffle pleine fleur. Le set a été entièrement rénové par nos at...
Leather
$6,240Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 30 in W 137 in D 68 in
Wonderful Curved Serpentine Two-Piece Adrian Pearsall Style Sectional Sofa
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful curved serpentine two-piece Adrian Pearsall style sofa sectional. There are no words to describe how fabulous this sofa sectional is with its unusual biscuit tufting and cu...
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Curved Serpentine Sectional Sofa by Weiman
By Weiman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Sleek and modern, this sofa was produced by Weiman Preview, dating to the 1980s. It features an elegant three-piece design, with the main body set upon an upholstered plinth-style ba...
Fabric, Upholstery
$55,500
H 30 in W 216.54 in D 39.37 in
De Sede, DS-600 Modular Sectional Sofa, White Leather, Black Felt, 21st c.
By De Sede
Located in Stamford, CT
De Sede, Mid-Century Modern, Non-Stop DS-600, Modular Sectional Sofa, Off-White Leather, Felt, 2020s Designed in 1972 by Ueli Berger, Eleonora Peduzzi Riva, Hans Ulrich & Klaus Vogt...
Leather, Wood
$9,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 27 in W 148 in D 104 in
Stunning 4-Piece Erwin Lambeth Circular Curved Sofa Sectional Mid-Century Modern
By Erwin Lambeth
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stunning 4-piece circular Erwin Lambeth sectional sofa. This vintage sectional sofa is quality through and through from the down-filled seat cushions to the thick ebonized plinth bas...
Upholstery, Wood
$10,354 / set
H 25.2 in W 108.27 in D 57.49 in
Swiss Original Vintage De Sede DS-11 Modular Sofa, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Renens, CH
De Sede five-piece modular sofa DS-11 in beautiful crème colored leather: The leather is a patchwork design made from soft, cream pigmented aniline leather, which typically gives a v...
Leather
Original COR Jalis Ecksofa Design Couch Sofa Module Podest
By COR
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Ecksofa vom deutschen Traditionshersteller COR aus dem Jahr 2017 zum Verkauf an. Es handelt sich um das Modell "Jalis", bei dem die Sitzmodule hier auf z...
Fabric, Wood
2 Piece Directional Sofa Designed by Paul Mccobb
By Milo Baughman, Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Bensalem, PA
Two piece directional sofa designed by Paul Mccobb smaller section is 62 inches feel free to reach out with any questions
Brass
$2,550Sale Price|40% Off
H 28 in W 80 in D 35 in
Post modern beautiful beige leather 3 seat sofa by Busnelli
By Busnelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful soft Beige Leather 3 seat Sofa by Busnelli. Rare time capsule sofa in amazing condition. Great post modern design. circa 1980. Made in Italy. Located in Brooklyn NYC 28” H...
Leather
Mid-Century Post Modern Loveseat or Sofa Produced by Preview Furniture
By Preview
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sculptural base with floating front sofa made by Preview circa 1992. It features the original tweed fabric in good condition. Could use cleaning before use.
Fabric
$6,500
H 26 in W 128 in D 97 in
Handsome Milo Baughman style Selig 6 Piece Cube Sofa Sectional Mid-Century
By Milo Baughman
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful 6 piece Milo Baughman style cube sectional sofa. This "playpen" sectional was made by Selig. There is some minor wear to the back of some of the pieces with minor rips and ...
Upholstery
$21,217Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 33 in W 118 in D 35 in
Roy McMackin Postmodern Romanesque Sectional Sofa, Domestic Furniture, 1990s, US
By Roy McMakin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Roy McMackin Postmodern Romanesque Sectional Sofa, Domestic Furniture, 1990s, USA. Provenance: Commission directly from the artist by the current consignor Sofa: 32.75" H x 83" W...
Textile, Wood
$3,600
H 60.24 in W 17.72 in D 37.41 in
Swiss Alpine wardrobe consisting of a row of drawers and a storage door
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Swiss Alpine wardrobe consisting of a row of drawers and a storage door with a painted decoration of Swiss folk art motifs circa 1850
Wood
Pair of Tenfold 3T Wall Sconces by Luft Tanaka, Mirror Polished
By Luft Tanaka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Tenfold 3T Wall Sconce in Mirror Polished FInish by Luft Tanaka Studio Brutalism meets glam. Wall light inspired by brutalist design and Op Art composed of interlocking mirr...
Aluminum, Steel
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool This White Oak Chile Counter Stool is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The stool is chunky and modern...
Wood, Oak
Cobra Art Deco Desk Lamp
By Faries
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Streamline art deco cobra lamp by Faries. In original condition with brass lampshade and polished nickel base.
Chrome
$2,900
H 30 in W 26 in D 24.5 in
Set of Four Tripod Memphis Dining Chairs in the Manner of Michele de Lucchi
By Michele de Lucchi
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful set of four steel and wood dining chairs from the Memphis period in the manner of Italian designer Michele De Lucchi. Newly powder coated satin black and the seat and bac...
Steel
$7,500
H 28.5 in W 143 in D 87 in
Large Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Two-Piece Sectional Sofa, Labeled
By Harvey Probber
Located in St. Louis, MO
Large Mid-Century Modern 1950s Harvey Probber two-piece sectional sofa with mahogany tapered legs. Sofa has original fabric, it needs to be reupholstered and foam replaced. There is ...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Chinese Famille Noir Mille Fleur Assembled Service
Located in Austin, TX
A large assembled set of Chinese porcelain mille fleur wares. The set featuring a full tea service, as well as various plates, cups, and saucers. All piece in the mille fleur, or tho...
Porcelain
Todd Merrill Custom Sectional Sofa with Schumacher Snow Leopard
By Schumacher, Todd Merrill
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Monumental bespoke 9 piece modular sectional sofa having a double-tufted back designed by Todd Merrill for a Samantha Todhunter design installation. Dramatic scale and presence inspi...
Brass
$3,305 / item
H 14 in W 48 in D 8 in
4-foot Pendant Light in Black Walnut with Brass Fixtures by Hinterland Design
By Hinterland Design
Located in Vancouver, BC
It’s believed that ancient Egyptians may have had the technology to harness electricity and create light thousands of years ago. This technology is referred to as the light of the De...
Brass
Art Nouveau Table Lamp in the Style of Hector Guimard
By Sofar
Located in Rebais, FR
Art Nouveau Bronze and glasses lamp with nickel painted finish.
Bronze
George Smith Mohair Velvet Ottoman Sofa Banquette
By George Smith
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Monumental bespoke mohair velvet tufted sectional banquette sofa custom designed by George Smith, London UK. The grand "ottoman sofa" was commissioned by Samantha Todhunter Design fo...
Mohair, Hardwood
$20,571
H 34.65 in W 145.67 in D 141.74 in
Modular Sofa in Red and Patterned Upholstery by Roche Bobois, France 1980s
By Roche Bobois
Located in Meulebeke, BE
A vibrant and sculptural modular sofa from Roche Bobois, produced in France during the 1980s, a decade in which the brand embraced bold forms, expressive textiles, and a spirit of pl...
Fabric
Art Deco Small Chest of Drawers
Located in New York, NY
A small Art Deco chest of drawers. Amboyna and ebonized fruitwood with fluted leg details and patinated brass pulls.
Ebony, Amboyna
$10,285 / set
H 27.17 in W 33.47 in D 94.49 in
Saporiti Italia Confidential Sofa, Armchair and Ottoman Living Room Set, 1970s
By Saporiti
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This living room set is from Italian manufacture Saporiti Italia and the model is confidential design by Alberto Rosselli. It consist a 3-seat sofa, an armchair and a rare ottoman. ...
Upholstery, Plastic, Leather
$27,500
H 68 in W 70.5 in D 21 in
Italian Mid-Century Dresser by Gio Ponti, 1950s, White Lacquer & Gold
By Gio Ponti
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Mid-Century (1950s) white lacquered dresser with 2 doors centering a Pair of gilt framed drawers under a gold glass top supporting a large mirror with brass trim and handles ...
Brass
$8,625Sale Price|25% Off
H 28 in W 118 in D 34 in
1970s Milo Baughman Light Beige Chrome Plinth Base Sectional
By Milo Baughman
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, sectional you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beautiful cotton velvet upholstery sectional ...
Upholstery, Wood
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.
An antique, new or vintage sectional sofa is a versatile and practical style of seating that makes for a great addition to your living space.
A traditional sofa is typically a long upholstered seat that features a back and arms and is intended for two or more people, whereas a sectional sofa consists of multiple pieces that can be arranged in several different layouts. While a conventional couch or sofa can definitely seat a fixed number of houseguests, sectional sofas allow for customizing. We all know that maximizing your square footage in a small space can prove difficult, so the modular characteristics of sectional sofas are especially appealing when you’re thinking about design ideas for your modest-sized living room. This furnishing can be arranged in a semicircle, an L-shape or other configuration and will seat more people than a standard sofa will.
When it comes to home decor, the trick is to find a balance between functionality and style. Sectional sofas are available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors and fabric options, so you’re sure to find one that perfectly complements your interiors and needs. But there are several factors to consider when choosing the perfect sectional sofa for your space.
According to Charleston designer Angie Hranowsky, “the most important thing to know when choosing the perfect sofa is its purpose. Is it for conversation or for watching TV and lounging? Then you can determine the right depth and seat height.”
The size of your sectional sofa will depend on how much real estate you’re working with in your living room and exactly how you use the space. If you’re trying to define a common area in your sprawling loft apartment or you’ve got a large family to think about, a large, sleek contemporary sectional or sculptural sectional sofa designed by Milo Baughman, say, could be ideal for comfort as well as a conversation piece, particularly if you intend to entertain with regularity. Think about seat height and depth — high seats, for example, can yield an air of formality that might not be a great fit for your crowd.
For movie nights, holiday parties or the occasional but totally fabulous dinner party, a large sectional sofa means getting multiple uses out of a singular piece of seating. In smaller rooms, it might make sense to position your small sectional sofa against the wall, whereas in a wide-open space, the sofa’s components can occupy the center of the room. Measure accordingly and make sure your doorways can accommodate on delivery day.
Bring comfort and class to your living space with a sectional sofa from the world’s best dealers on 1stDibs. For your mid-century modern-inspired living room, find fun spage-age sectional sofas, chic leather sectional sofas and a range of vintage mid-century sectional sofas designed by the likes of Harvey Probber, Vladimir Kagan and others.