The Memphis Design

Just like the appearance of the design, Memphis design also has a colorful history. The style emerged from the celebrated Memphis Design collective of Milan-based designers in the early 1980s. With combined ideas and creativity, the design style was born to add colors to the world. The style is not for the faint of heart as it is packed with bold colors, patterns, and a radical approach to design. 

A brief history of Memphis Design

The movement was spearheaded by Italian designer, Ettore Sottsass in 1980. He assembled a team of bold and daring designers from around the globe to transform the design industry. As a result of this gathering, they introduced their controversial, eye-catching, rule-breaking style that became famous around the world. The name “Memphis Design” was inspired by the Bob Dylan song, Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again, from his 1966 Blonde on Blonde album that has been playing during the night the group of designers had their first official meeting. 

The style is incorporated with pop culture and historical references. Memphis Design was the answer to the clean and linear aesthetic of midcentury modern and the minimalism of the 70s. In addition to these, it is interesting to know that Memphis Design was influenced by Art Deco and Pop Art. The design style also influenced popular culture, inspiring the set of several television shows like Pee-wee’s Playhouse and Saved By the Bell. Several celebrities also are fans of the design style. 

Characteristics of Memphis Design

  • Designed to initiate an emotional response.
  • Loud, brash, spirited, playful, uninhibited.
  • The use of bright colors is exaggerated in unique and interesting combinations.
  • Use of bold and clashing patterns
  • The use of geometric shapes.
  • The popularity of squiggles.
  • Use of materials such as terrazzo and plastic laminated in various finishes. 
  • Out of ordinary style that may clash different styles. 
  • Rounded edges and curves.

Give Your Home A Retro Appearance

Memphis art half center orange cirle with line poster in interior

A retro style in decorating your home does not only focus on one aspect. It actually encompasses different decades of styles. These have been influenced by several trends and styles from the past. Although the term “retro” refers to something in the past, it actually describes the decor from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. A retro design style has a fun and lively feel that is characterized by bright colors, wild designs, and an overall sense of flair. The retro design style requires a bold approach and likewise requires a certain personality to achieve it. Bring the design style to your home with the elements and inspiration below. 

Furniture

Furniture pieces in retro style have an abstract feel to them. It also seems like every piece is almost fighting to be the focal point of the room. The sofas are usually broad and elongated that are also decorated with multi-colored pillows. The materials used in barstools are usually shiny and metallic along with bright red seats. The retro design style is also complete when Mitt chairs and puzzle-piece ottomans are added.

Colors

Choosing the colors that help achieve the design style is not that hard. You can choose from avocado green, mustard yellow, brown, black, white, and red. The combination of purple and hot pink is great to achieve the style. You can also have mixes of bright orange, green, indigo blue, and yellow. The retro era is also popular for tie-dyed fabrics, checkered patterns, and elaborate paisley prints. 

Textures

Go retro with shag carpeting, smooth plastics, soft vinyl, and crushed velvet. When achieving the style, remember to go bold.

Accents and flooring

When it comes to decorating, there is actually no limit. Add accents and accessories like fuzzy throw rugs, door beads, lava lamps, skate tables, and scoop stools. It is also common to see bold and unusual art and sculptures. These pieces tend to be abstract in nature rather than simple still-life and landscapes. When it comes to flooring choose from natural wood, shag carpeting, and a bold mix of tiles. Placed in a checkerboard pattern. 

Lighting

Get the retro style with floor lamps and lamps with square or tasseled shades. You can also choose a swag multi-colored chandelier that plugs into a wall socket and feature a dangling cord draped from hook to hook. 

Final thoughts

The retro design style is fun and exciting. There’s no doubt about that! It is all about the blending of shapes, textures, and colors. The furniture of the retro era is sturdy, durable, and functional. Achieving the design style is requires attention to detail and it is important to be versatile with the materials and decors available. Remember, anything goes, and do not tone down a retro-style decor.

Memphis art half pink triangle and line poster

memphis art half pink triangle and line poster

Art that shows the combination of shapes and colors. Triangle represents manifestation, enlightenment, revelation, and a higher perspective. The color pink symbolizes youth, good health, and playfulness. While green is the color of renewal, life, nature, and energy.

Memphis art whole and half circles poster

memphis art whole and half circles poster

Shapes add depth to your walls. They may also represent who you are. Circles, like in this art, represent the notions of totality, wholeness, original perfection, and infinity. This trendy art will make any room appear perfect for any occasion.

Memphis Design In Your Living Room? Why Not!

Memphis design style is making a comeback. Many homeowners and designers these days prefer the colorful trend in their living spaces. In fact, the design style is also used in fashion and interior design all around the globe. The colorful interior appearance can totally satisfy your cravings when it comes to room decorations. 

What is Memphis design style?

Memphis design is all about patterns, geometric figures of Art Deco, the color palette of Pop Art, and 1950s kitsch inspiration. The combination of these inspirations brings an elegant and modern touch to your home. These traits are what make the Memphis design style adored by many homeowners and designers. If you want this style in the living room, try to add the elements that will help you be successful in your project.

Achieve the design style in the living room

If you are wondering how to achieve the design style in your living room, here are some cool ideas that will make you successful with your decorating project. Some materials of the Memphis design style can easily be incorporated into the living room. Examples of these are laminate and terrazzo materials for the flooring, tables, lamps, bright and multi-colored objects, shapes, rectangular or circular chair legs, and patterns with different geometric shapes and colors. 

The use of bold colors and unique shapes are vital to achieving the Memphis design style. With contrasting floor decor, furniture pieces with bold colors along with colored art can bring the retro appeal that you have been longing for. 

Geometric shapes are likewise keys to a fantastic living room. There are many ways to add this element to the walls. Installing wallpaper and the display of posters can easily make the wall look like the ones seen in the movies that became popular during the 80s. 

In addition to these, the colors are supposed to be fun and exciting. The geometric shapes are also great addition to boost the appearance. 

You can also add a minimalist style to blend with the Memphis style. Armstrong floor can help achieve the look and this can be personalized in black or white. The good thing about this idea is that Memphis design style does not follow a strict rule. You can always be flexible to make the living room look more desirable.

Roaring Colors – The 80s Design Style

Feeling nostalgic? Worry no more as the1980s interior design style will spice up your room. We have seen the style and have loved them. In fact, you saw the style in various films, such as The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and Back To The Future. Think about natural materials, geometric patterns, and bold colors.

The 1980s is one of the most interesting decades in America at least. The economy was booming, technology was having remarkable advances, women entering the workforce, pop culture idols, and others. Those who lived and witnessed the decade will surely say that they had the best time of their life. Want to have that retro effect in your home? Here are some of the monumental design trends that have changed the lives of many individuals. 

Memphis Design

The first thing that comes to your mind when it comes to the 80s design style are bright colors, bold shapes, squiggly lines, and funky furniture. These characteristics are what Memphis design is all about. The style was conceptualized by the Memphis Design Group. The group was composed of designers from Milan, Italy, and was established in the early 80s. With the characteristics from the previous decade, the group started creating bold and colorful furniture pieces and home decor designs. The help of pop culture made the Memphis design popular among homeowners and designers. 

Walls made of glass-blocks

The 80s design style is never complete without glass-block walls. These are sometimes used as a substitute for traditional windows or shower walls. Oftentimes, this type of wall is used to let in more natural light. The use of this material is energy-efficient, appealing, and practical. Glass-blocks may be old but are still used in many homes and establishments. 

Tropical prints

The love for plants did not just start recently. It can be traced back to the 80s and even before that. Tropical prints became a major trend in the 80s and can be seen anywhere. In addition to these, homeowners loved to add indoor plants as well as faux plants. Not only that they give medical and ecological benefits, but also to the aesthetics of the house. 

Lucite furniture

Lucite and acrylic plaster were first developed in the 1920s and 1930s. They somehow became famous in the 60s and 70s. However, it was in the 80s that clear furniture became popular. Instead of using glass furniture of the 1920s, you can easily achieve the 80s design with plastic or Lucite furniture. Many of them are affordable and trendy that will help you achieve the 80s style. 

Pastel colors

Pastel room design was likewise popular during the 1980s. This includes shades of soft pinks, purples, and seafoam green. Small amounts of pastel colors or even covering the whole room can make a difference. 

Floral prints

It was all about florals during the 80s. You can see them everywhere: bedding, sofa, upholstery, accent decor, wallpaper, posters, and even clothing. Along with ruffles, the combination makes fantastic home decor. The decor was also heavily used in Shabby Chic design.

Achieve the Memphis Design Style In Your Home

Art wall 132

If you were born during the 1980s or 1990s, then you may be familiar with the Memphis design movement. The design style is characterized to be bright, geometric, and heavily stylized. It may not be for everyone but the Memphis design style has a timeless appearance that serves as an inspiration for other styles. Memphis design style is one of the hottest looks in home interior these days. Read on to learn more about it and see if it suits your taste.

The features of Memphis design style

Since time immemorial, art and interior design have harmonized with each other. Although, the traits may be confusing as they can also be seen in other styles. There are still unique characteristics that are loved by homeowners and designers. Here are the key elements that you will find interesting.

  • Mixed patterns – the design style is heavy on patterns and the most common are geometric shapes with whimsical organic forms (squiggles or spirals). The pattern can be added to wallpaper, furniture upholstery, and other items like planters. 
  • Vivid colors – the colors are bright and electric. The colors are balanced against a monochromatic background such as white and black. The vivid colors can be yellow, hot pink, aquamarine, purple, and cherry red. 

Achieve the style with these cool ideas

Getting the style in your home is not that difficult as many have assumed. With the materials that we have today, there will be a lot of ways to be successful with your project.

  • Patterned wallpaper – achieving the patterns and colors with the use of paint and brush may be challenging. However, there is an easy way to add them to your walls and this is through the use of patterned wallpapers. Before installing the wallpaper, try to obtain a test sample and see if the design blends in your home. 
  • Terrazzo flooring – this type of flooring features irregular fragments of different materials like glass, marble, and others. These are combined together and set with a smooth, polished glaze. Terrazzo flooring is a perfect decor that will complement the Memphis design style. 
  • Lots of accessories – add accessories to your rooms with planters, coffee mugs, throws, curtains, dinnerware, lampshades, and storage bins. These will surely make a cool toom interior and help you achieve the Memphis look. 

Final thoughts

The Memphis interior design style is all about making everything bold and dashing. The truth is that there is no strict rule when it comes to adding materials and other decorative items. Open your mind and try to be experimental. For instance, you can pair pastels and neons or add shapes that will suit your preference. Remember that the objective is to create a playful-looking room interior. Another interesting thing about the Memphis style is that you can easily incorporate other styles. Add a modern touch with trendy wall decors such as posters to give your room a fresh appearance. 

If you are worried about the expenses, there are always creative ways to still be successful. Try to search online for good deals. These items may not be brand new but they will make everything look perfect especially with good quality materials.

The Memphis Design Style

Art wall 124

The Memphis interior design is making its comeback and becoming more popular than before. The design style started in the 80s and has evolved ever since. A design movement that began in 1981, it has influenced many artists and most works are featured in local and international publications. 

What is the Memphis design style?

The Memphis style is one of the most popular and prominent styles in the world. It is known for the use of neon, primary and pastel colors, geometric shapes, and bold, repetitive patterns. You cannot deny that the elements and beauty that the design style has, influenced many people and other design styles. 

The origin of Memphis design style

Memphis design movement started in 1981 in Milan, Italy. It was founded by Designer Ettore Sottsass along with other 22 designers and architects. The group was inspired by the song of Bob Dylan, “Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again”, which was played repeatedly during the first meeting of the group. 

After the meeting, the group went on to create furniture, fabric, patterns, ceramics, and other products. The products have the traits of Postmodern style blended with styles of the 50s kitsch, Art Deco, and Pop Art. 

Though the use of clashing colors and bad taste has challenged the universally accepted design standards during those times. However, these days, we can safely say that the designs created by the Memphis Group were groundbreaking. These ideas opened up the minds of many experts and have influenced other design styles. 

How is it making its comeback? 

Memphis design started to come back in 2005 in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) exhibited a survey of the designs of Sottsass one year before he died. After his death, more individuals and experts became interested in the Memphis style. It influenced high fashion houses Missoni, Karl Lagerfield, and Christian Dior. 

In 2014, one of the founding members of the group, Nathalie Du Pasquier, designed a collection of patterns for American Apparel. In 2016, the brand Supreme released products that were designed by Alessandro Mendini who appeared in the first Memphis show. 

While it is popular in many designer clothes, the elements and traits were used and seen in various films and TV shows. Examples of which are Saved by the Bell and Pee Wee’s Playhouse. The style was likewise seen in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice. 

Characteristics of the style

Here are the key characteristics of the Memphis design style:

  • Use of bright colors in unorthodox combinations.
  • Loud, brash, spirited, playful, uninhibited.
  • It was designed to provoke an emotional response. 
  • Bold, clashing patterns.
  • Black and white graphics.
  • Use of simple geometric shapes. 
  • Rounded edges and curves.
  • Use of squiggles. 
  • Materials such as terrazzo and plastic laminated in different finishes. 
  • Out of the ordinary shapes in place of conventional ones. 

Circles, arc and four lines no1 poster

Circles, arc and four lines no. 1 poster

If designing your walls is a bit of a problem, then create a focal point with our graphical prints. With shapes, lines, and colors, you can easily add depth and texture to your walls. What makes them even more remarkable is their versatility in which you can display them in any room and still create the right atmosphere that you and your family will love.