Furniture in unconventional shapes and bold colors creates a unique environment and expresses the individuality of their owners. Here are 11 unique designs that are perfect for resting in one-of-a-kind style.
1. Bed mod. ONOS by Superstudio
Imagine sleeping on a bed like this Superstudio's ONOS model, which seems ultra-modern but actually dates back to 1968, two years after the birth of the well-known architecture studio. Important projects like this bed, mixing ergonomic shapes and new materials with a hint of playfulness, have for years influenced design internationally, making a huge impact on radical Italian design. Equipped with a perimeter shell in polyester resin and fiberglass, the bed is decidedly "pop", suitable for bold and diversified collecting ... and for those who want to dream in an original way.
Related: 5 Italian Design Brands to Know
2. Metamorphic" trapezoidal beds by Roger Tallon
Roger Tallon was one of the most important and prolific French designers. During his lifetime he created over 400 different and innovative designs, including the Téléavia P111 (one of the first portable televisions) and the TGV high-speed train. Although his thinking was mainly technical and functional, focused on problem solving and innovation, he worked on more artistic projects as well. This pair of trapezoidal beds, defined as "Metamorphic", are made of painted fiberglass, painted wood, metal and a material known by the term Spazmolla. We could almost define the design of these beds as "futuristic retro," because although they were made in 1966, they still seem to belong to the future.
3. Serpente sofa by Marzio Cecchi
Suitable for large and innovative interiors, this Serpente sofa, made up of 18 upholstered elements covered in pink vinyl with steel and glass joints, including a coffee table with wooden bowl, was created by Marzio Cecchi, the architect, designer and visionary artist. His pieces were known for combining functionality, inventiveness and beauty. Cecchi tragically died in a car accident in New York in 1990, leaving behind an oeuvre of timeless pieces of design. His creations still obtain prestigious awards, are acquired by important museums and are highly collectible.
Related: The 10 Most Popular Furniture Designers
4. Sofa mod. Bazaar by Superstudio
Related: When Art is... Curvy
The modular sofa model Bazaar fits into the revolutionary and experimental climate of the late 1960s, a period during which Italian radical design developed new form. Bazaar, with its soft curves and shell in polyester resin reinforced with glass fibers, represents one of the most iconic products ever made by Superstudio. Far from being a simple sofa, it is rather an invention of style, a symbol of a golden age for Italian made design.
5. Sunset in New York sofa by Gaetano Pesce
The eclectic architect, designer and sculptor Gaetano Pesce is one of the leading exponents of Italian design in general and of radical design in particular. In his Sunset in New York sofa, made of wood, polyurethane and fabric by the well-known manufacturing company Cassina, comfort and irony are combined. In this way, a simple piece of furniture becomes a sort of small work of art that reveals the multifaceted artistic qualities of Pesce.
Related: Industrial to Individual: The Uniqueness of Carlo Mollino
6. Sofa mod. Up4 by Gaetano Pesce with fabric by Ken Scott
Do you want to receive articles like this directly in your inbox? Sign up for our free newsletter!
Also from Gaetano Pesce comes this imaginative and colorful sofa, part of the famous UP Series, which was a series of seven models in polyurethane foam made by the artist in collaboration with the company C&B (Cassina & Busnelli), now known as B&B Italy. The Up4 sofa model, in addition to the usual polyurethane foam structure, features upholstery in fabric decorated by Ken Scott. Dubbed "the fashion gardener", Scott was one of America's most respected designers in the 1960s and became famous for a style revolution in the world of prints and fabrics, signing particularly vibrant designs. The sofa shown here is an excellent example of the bright and sunny colors that are his trademark.
7. Mae West Lips sofa by Salvador Dalí
The Mae West Lips sofa is an iconic piece of 1930s design, a joint creation of Salvador Dalí and his most important British patron, Edward James. Dalí was inspired by the American actress Mae West, known for her abundant curves, plump lips and exuberant character, which fascinated the artist. The work, in red color and with the sinuous shape of the Hollywood actress's lips, is sensual and shocking at the same time and is a joyful expression of Surrealism. Almost 90 years after its creation, this sofa is still universally recognized as one of the most famous pieces of furniture of the 20th century.
Related: A History of the Smile in Art
8. Spiral armchair by Marzio Cecchi
This chair by Marzio Cecchi has an unusual and extravagant design in the shape of a spiral. From its base it extends to form a vortex that merges with its seat and then flows into the backrest. It is truly brilliant how the designer's inventiveness has exceeded its limits with this eclectic piece of furniture that has been exhibited around the world and which, in addition to being beautiful, is also very comfortable. It's an ideal armchair for eclectic environments where design and art blend masterfully.
Related: A Brief History of Furniture Design
9. Feltri armchair by Gaetano Pesce
The Feltri armchair represents one of the most unique and unconventional design products of the 20th century and is part of the permanent collection of MoMA in New York. The structure is made of thick wool felt and a thermosetting resin which gives it rigidity and resistance; the result is a product that can be molded and yielded in the upper part and sturdy in the lower part. In designing it, Gaetano Pesce thought of a sort of primitive environment, an ancestral shelter that felt like a blanket. Those who sit on this armchair therefore have the sensation of being on a tribal throne or inside a cocoon. The bright color choices give the armchair a lively and energetic look.
Related: The World’s Best Chair
10. Mark Brazier Jones, Dolphin Tail Chair
Chairs are certainly one of the most common furnishing elements and are usually simple and linear, but some designers have given them a touch of originality. Mark Brazier-Jones has made very special chairs, like this one, with three legs instead of four, the back of which resembles the tail of a dolphin. Designed in 1989 and executed in 2001, it is made of die-cast and polished aluminum. A must for lovers of design ... and marine mammals!
11. Mark Brazier Jones, Angel chair
Also to Mark Brazier Jones we owe this "angelic" chair: the Angel Chair has a backrest that takes the shape of an angel's wings; here too we have three legs, with a decidedly original and almost contradictory shape, since the legs vaguely recall Luciferian hooves.
Related: 6 Giants of Mid-Century Modern Design
Choosing the right piece for your home is an intriguing and complex experience, as each element must represent a peculiar aesthetic taste and reflect the personality of those who live there. In this way, every single piece of furniture is an original and creative revelation.
