Exploring the Pastel Memphis Collection: Playful Shapes & Soft Hues
The Memphis design movement exploded onto the scene in 1981, challenging minimalism with bold colors, graphic patterns, and playful forms. Today’s “Memphis Collection” reimagines that spirit through a soothing pastel palette, marrying the movement’s trademark geometry with a fresh, soft aesthetic. In this article, we’ll dive into the inspiration, design highlights, and styling ideas for incorporating these charming pieces into your home or studio.

The Inspiration Behind the Collection


  • Memphis Roots: Founded by Ettore Sottsass in Milan, the original Memphis Group rebelled against the austere—embracing vibrant laminates, asymmetry, and Pop Art references.
  • Pastel Reinterpretation: Our collection softens the original’s electric neons and harsh contrasts, opting instead for minty aquas, blush pinks, buttery yellows, and sky blues. The result is playful yet gentle on the eye, perfect for modern interiors craving a touch of whimsy without sensory overload.

Signature Pieces & Design Details


Zig-Zag Candleholders

  • Silhouetted by dramatic angular cuts, these candleholders pair a serrated “lightning bolt” form with a rounded teal base—melding sharp lines and curves in true Memphis fashion.
Sculptural Vases

  • From ribbed pink cylinders to hollowed-out yellow orbs, each vase plays with positive and negative space. The texture contrasts—smooth surfaces against fluted accents—invite both sight and touch.
Handle-Accented Pitchers & Mugs

  • Oversized loops, squiggly handles, and bulbous bodies turn everyday drinkware into art objects. Imagine a hot cocoa served in a turquoise mug sporting raised polka dots, or flowers arranged in the double-grip pink pitcher.
Modular Display Staircase

  • The stepped plinths in pastel yellow and powder blue not only stage these objects beautifully but also echo the Memphis love for unexpected podiums and platforms.
How to Style Your Space
  • Gallery Vibe: Arrange several pieces together on wall-mounted ledges or on a media console. Keep the backdrop neutral—soft white or dove gray—to let the pastels pop.
  • Contrast with Naturals: Pair the collection against natural materials—weathered wood, jute rugs, or woven rattan—to balance the synthetic feel with organic warmth.
  • Monochrome Accent Wall: Choose one of the collection’s hues (e.g., pale pink) and paint an accent wall. Display the objects in a single-shelf layout to create an immersive color story.
  • Botanical Pairings: Complement the smooth, abstract forms with delicate blooms like white daisies or Queen Anne’s lace. The softness of real petals contrasts beautifully with the bold geometry.
Bringing Memphis into Everyday Life
While originally conceptual art pieces, today’s Memphis-inspired objects are fully functional. Use them as:

  • Flower Vases: Show off single stems or eclectic bouquet arrangements.
  • Candleholders: Accent a dining table or mantel with sculptural candlelight.
  • Decorative Objects: Lend personality to bookshelves, entryway consoles, or office desks.

  • Because of their eye-catching forms, a single piece can become a conversation starter—or gather several to create a miniature “art installation” right in your living room.
Why We Love This Collection
  • Mood-Lifting Pastels: Softer on the senses than traditional Memphis brights, yet still unmistakably playful.
  • Tactile Variety: From smooth surfaces to bold textures, each object invites interaction.
  • Versatile Functionality: Decorative enough for style, practical enough for daily use.
  • Statement-Making: Reinvents your space with a touch of ’80s avant-garde cool, updated for 21st-century tastes.
Conclusion
This pastel Memphis Collection proves that bold design doesn’t always need high-octane color to make an impact. By pairing geometric fun with soft hues, it creates a joyful, approachable take on one of design history’s most iconoclastic movements. Whether you’re a devoted Memphis aficionado or simply seeking a fresh accent for your home, these sculptural vases, candleholders, and drinkware pieces bring an artful, happiness-boosting vibe wherever they live.

Ready to play with color and form? Explore the full collection on our shop page, and bring a slice of playful design history into your home today.
Explore the full collection on Thangs