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The New Memphis designs that will add a rebellious edge to your home
Rekindle the spirit of the Memphis movement with new furniture, lights, fabrics and more
When the Italian designer Ettore Sottsass founded the Memphis Group in 1980, it was considered one of the most divisive style movements of the 20th century. A mish-mash of asymmetrical shapes and primary colours, crafted from materials including terrazzo and plastic laminate, the collective’s work might once have been polarising but, now, not only are the originals being shown the love they deserve (the dedicated Memphis Milano Galleria opened in Milan earlier this year to much applause), but contemporary designers are also finding fresh inspiration in its rule-breaking ethos. We welcome the new rebels...
‘Monitor’ stool, Asa Pingree
With its deep, swooping fiberglass curves and plump velvet cushion, Asa Pingree’s ‘Monitor’ stool has a playful energy that places it firmly in the Memphis 2.0 camp. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use, we love how its minimal silhouette makes a bold statement. Approx £2,145, wescover.com
‘Rhythm’ plate, Rosenthal
Designer Bethan Laura Wood has used dynamic lines and colour-pop tones to perfectly capture the spirit of the Memphis Group in this porcelain plate for German brand Rosenthal. £32, farfetch.com
‘Candy’ cushion, Boccaccini
Reclaimed red sheepskin is deployed in a jazzy checkerboard pattern by Kate Boccaccini Meadows to create this slightly surreal cushion that will raise a smile, whether it’s placed on a sofa, armchair or bed. £220, glassette.com
‘Soft Wave’ bench, Kvadrat and Raf Simons
Handmade in Los Angeles and covered in velvety lilac velour by Kvadrat x Raf Simons, this curvy bench oozes nu-wave, post-punk attitude. Place it in a hallway with some serious artwork hanging above and let it shine. Approx £5,600, objectsforobjects.com
‘On lines’ lamp, Jean Nouvel
Like an illuminated Rubik’s cube, Jean Nouvel’s creation is designed to be endlessly reconfigured to create new colourful light effects. As much of a postmodern art piece as a lamp. £404, nemolighting.com
‘Memphis’ fabric, Christopher Farr Cloth
The geometric print and zingy colour palette of this fabric, designed by El Ultimo Grito for Christopher Farr, is perfect for injecting some irreverence and rhythm into a space. £160 per m, janeclayton.co.uk
‘NVL’ table in ‘Dune’ by Jean Nouvel Design
Distilling the essence of Jean Nouvel’s architectural style into a smaller scale piece, this dining table is characterised by its crisp geometry and clean lines, with the thin tabletop apparently floating above the base. £7,352, mdfitalia.com
‘Shape up’ five-piece light collection, Ladies & Gentlemen Studio
Memphis was all about breaking boundaries and using simple, almost childlike shapes in fresh ways and Roll & Hill have taken that irreverent attitude to the next level with this lighting system. Like a mid-air game of noughts and crosses, the abstracted forms are connected via cords and hubs and can be arranged in all manner of configurations to create a unique response to a space. Approx £11,800, ladiesandgentlemenstudio.com
‘Arvo’ knit blanket, Slowdown Studio
The bold colours and clean, graphic shapes of this blanket designed by Los Angeles-based artist Jesse Brown for Slowdown Studio have definite Memphis vibes but with a contemporary twist. Each blanket is made in the USA from organic cotton, recycled cotton and recycled polyester, making it super soft as well as sturdy. Approx £160, slowdownstudio.com
‘Staged’ shelves, Vera & Kyte
Like a mini Memphis art installation, Vera & Kyte’s shelving system is made up of different elements that serve as a background to any objects you want to display. Crafted from solid granite, the geometric blocks can be arranged to create a range of different scenes. Price on application, vera-kyte.com
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