1960s

The 1960s is a decades marked by dramatic inventions and a celebration of colour and designs.

By the early 1960s there was a new generation of designers who were rejecting the solid values of the 1950s organic modernist theme by experimenting with exciting new materials such as plastic. They were using these new materials to creative new furniture in vivid colours with fluid shapes. They emphasized informality and dramatically sculptural outlines.

Builders also began to construct sample homes in the 1960s which were called 'project homes' - constructed very cheaply, were built to meet the needs of middle class people.

Chicago house designed by Richard Himmel in the late 1960s

Features polyurethane floors and furnishings in plexiglas, vinyl and chrome.

http://www.architecturaldigest.com/architecture/2008-09/1960s_slideshow_092008

Garden Egg Chair, 1968

Peter Ghyzczy (Hungarian)

Tangerine and Yellow

Museum no. W.8-2007

Victoria and Albert Museum's Cold war Modern exhibition.

The design incorporates typical elements of the period:

- A space age look, UFO-like form, bright coloured plastic lacquer, portability and the informal lounging quality of the low seat.

http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/g/the-garden-egg-chair/

Donna Up5, 1969

Gaetano Pesce

Production: 1970-3

Manufacturer: C & B Italia (Cassina & Busnelli)

92 x 117 x 137; seat height 40cm, circumference 60cm

Polyurethane foam, cold foam-molded, nylon-jersey

http://www.design-museum.de/en/collection/100-masterpieces/detailseiten/ups-und-up6-donna-pesce.html

"Donna" is a fantastic example of Gaetano Pesce's fondness for anthropomorphic shapes. The chair was designed to resembled a "prehistoric, female fertility figure, with a ball attached to symbolize captivity." 

http://www.design-museum.de/en/collection/100-masterpieces/detailseiten/ups-und-up6-donna-pesce.html

Pesce states "In this design I have expressed my idea of women. A woman is always confined, a prisoner of herself against her will. For this reason I wanted to give this chair the shape of a woman with a ball chained to her foot to use the traditional image of a prisoner."Gaetano Pesce, “Progetti n. 34, 44. Serie di imbottiti ‘UP’,” in Mario Mastropietro. Un’ Industria per il Design (Milan, 1982), 212.

Lava Lamp

Edward Craven Walker

Iconic symbol of the psychedelic 1960s

Walker was inspired to create this brightly coloured lamp after admiring an oil and water-based ornament he has spotted.  In 1963 he set up a company (now known as Mathmos) to research, develop and market his invention. Mathmos is named after a lava-like substance.

These lamps were very popular for this "wax shapes that formed, rose and sank because of the heat of tungsten bulbs."

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-23754303

'Floppy Poppy' Marimekko

Art Nouveau inspired print designed in 1967 for Sanderson Fabrics by Diana and Derek Collard.

It's a vibrant pink, red, gold and green psychedelic furnishing fabrics in a gorgeous medium weight sanitized cotton.

http://blog.fabulousvintage.com.au/tag/design/

Marimekko was founded in 1951 by Finnish couple Armi and Viljo and translates to "Mary-dress."

They are renowned for their bold, effusive textiles and readymade product and have become a very respect and popular name within the design industry. 

In the 1960s, bold prints and boxy fashions became the height of all fashion in Finland and abroad, launching Marimekko into the international sphere.

http://www.finnishdesign.com/finnish-design-companies/marimekko/history-of-marimekko