Soft, exaggerated curves and cartoon-like silhouettes-pieces that could have leapt from the pages of a comic book or the frames of an animated film. Vivid color palettes, daring combinations, psychedelic patterns, and graphic prints channel the legacy of past iconoclasts, splashing across wallpaper, seating, and statement furniture. Plastic, rubber, and lacquered metals come together to create provocative designs that blur the line between furniture and sculpture.
From cutting-edge new releases to cult reissues, we’ve rounded up 10 standout pieces that capture the essence of the pop spirit - with a distinctly contemporary twist.
Zanotta - Gomma, Jonathan De Pas, Donato D’Urbino e Paolo Lomazzi
Practical and playful, the Gomma armchair—originally designed in 1970 by Jonathan De Pas, Donato D’Urbino, and Paolo Lomazzi, and reissued by Zanotta in 2024—is more than just a fine example of good design. It’s also a reflection of the cultural and social landscape of the 1970s, a time when design was breaking away from tradition and venturing into bold, new territory.
A lasting symbol of modern design, the chair captures the era’s sense of dynamism and optimism. Its structure, made of expanded rubber, embodies the playful and informal spirit of pop culture, transforming the simple act of sitting into an enveloping, comfortable experience.
Seletti - Superfurniture, Hello again
The legacy of 1970s design comes to life in Superfurniture, the new collection by Seletti, created by the anonymous artist collective Hello Again. With the same creative, ironic, and irreverent spirit that defined postmodernism, the collection reimagines everyday furniture—tables, beds, chairs, sideboards, and bookshelves—through the lens of radical design. Iconic motifs like terrazzo patterns and Superstudio’s signature grids take center stage, while bold color pairings and playful, minimalist forms contribute to an aesthetic that challenges convention.Signature Kitchen Suite - Supernova, Elena Salmistraro
Bold, retro-pop graphics bring vibrant character to the Supernova and Vector cabinets from the Dual Code collection by Elena Salmistraro for Signature Kitchen Suite. A built-in wine cellar and an undercounter convertible fridge shed their discreet, utilitarian roles to become true style statements in the kitchen. Supernova in particular channels the vibrant aesthetic of the ’70s and ’80s, with saturated colors, iconic shapes, and graphic details—a striking blend of nostalgia and innovation.Inkiostro Bianco - Ken Scott Unconventional, Ken Scott
Bold colors and eccentric designs define the Ken Scott Unconventional wallpaper collection by Inkiostro Bianco. These vibrant wall coverings break free from the static nature of traditional surfaces, brought to life by the graphics of the American artist who, active in the 1960s–80s, revolutionized textile design, fashion, and home décor. A dynamic mix of floral and geometric elements, optical illusions, and psychedelic patterns transforms walls into true painted canvases.USM - Tessellate, Buchanan Studio​
Checkerboard patterns, soft fabrics, and luxury marble tops: Tessellate is the furniture collection created with the USM Haller system in collaboration with Buchanan Studio. The modular system of metal tubing allows for bold experimentation with graphic patterns, colors, and materials, drawing on the principles of tessellation to explore repetition and symmetry.
Queebo - Sunlight Story, Shantell Martin
The latest addition to Queebo’s Linescape line, the round pouf Sunlight Story is a vibrant expression of art woven into everyday life. Featuring the signature graphics of multidisciplinary artist Shantell Martin, the entire collection comes to life through flowing lines, handwritten texts, and stylized black-and-white illustrations—a playful synergy of fine art, design, philosophy, and imagination.
Poltronova - Farfalla, Prato e Cielo, Archizoom Associati
Farfalla, Prato and Cielo are three rugs inspired by the Farfalla pattern, originally designed by the Archizoom group in 1967 as an exploration of the sharp contrast between Art Nouveau-inspired floral decoration and the emerging Pop Art experiments of the time.In collaboration with cc-Tapis, Poltronova presents three reinterpretations—each in a different shape—based on the main elements of the original pattern. The rugs burst with primary colors and bold, geometric forms filled with decorative motifs like polka dots, checkerboards, and diagonal stripes, echoing the visual language of artists such as Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol.
Moroso - Gruuve, Patricia Urquiola
Gruuve, designed by Patricia Urquiola, captures the spirit of the 1970s, reimagining the free-form, nonconformist sofa concept through a contemporary lens. The collection’s four modules feature fluid, irregular lines designed to bring a sense of movement and energy to any space.
This is a sofa with charisma—an eye-catching presence at the heart of a living room or in public settings. A continuous line defines its sinuous silhouette, with rounded edges that flow all the way to the floor. The contrast between the more traditional front-facing seat and the relaxed, informal shape of the backrest invites conversation and social interaction.
