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My favorite TV show as a child was Pee-wee’s Playhouse. The whole show exuded imagination and had a cast of characters as wild and boisterous as the set design. It wasn’t until later in life that I learned that this bold and playful aesthetic—with geometric lines and primary color combos that is often seen as emblematic of the ’80s—actually came from a small team of Italian designers and architects that called themselves the Memphis Group.
While adored by innovators like David Bowie and Karl Lagerfeld, the Memphis Group’s designs were often criticized for their radical approach. Any good postmodern movement subverts the norm, and the Italian collectsive was no different. They used cheap materials like plywood and plastic laminate to make high-end creations. To push it further, they also poked fun at the norms by using these same materials to create a line of furniture that resembled luxury hotels, with apt names like “Plaza Vanity.”
Even though the Memphis Group was only active from 1980 to 1987, their lasting impact is undeniable. To that point, enjoy my favorite picks influenced by this wacky energetic design movement in the hopes that it adds a little bit of whimsy to your life.
