Get their look: Memphis-inspired artist’s home

Memphis-inspired artist's home in Manchester city centre

We often choose an artist’s residence as our weekly featured Get their look home. Today, it’s a Memphis-inspired, new-build, city centre flat; a little bit of Italy in the middle of Manchester.

On his Instagram feed, Michael Pybus titles his home like he would a work of modern art; Home (Living room, kitchen, studio, hallway) 2022 – 61m² / 656ft².

His living space is a seamless meld of high-end, vintage Italian design and classic, mass-produced IKEA with a backdrop of bright, primary colours.

Pybus explains his taste in a recent Apartment Therapy interview:

My style is quite plasticky, hard edged and artificial but I also do really appreciate nature and natural forms which is what drew me to setting up and growing a mini coral reef.

Get their look

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Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Virgil Abloh x IKEA MARKERAD Receipt rug
Virgil Abloh x IKEA MARKERAD Receipt rug
Lilac retro microwave
Lilac retro microwave
Tahiti table lamp by Ettore Sottsass in 1981 for Memphis Milano
Tahiti table lamp by Ettore Sottsass in 1981 for Memphis Milano
Svarva floor lamp designed in 2009 by Front Designers for IKEA
Svarva floor lamp designed in 2009 by Front Designers for IKEA
Orbital floor lamp by Ferruccio Laviani in 1992 for Foscarini
Orbital floor lamp by Ferruccio Laviani in 1992 for Foscarini
Oceanic lamp by Michele de Lucchi designed in 1981 for Memphis Milano
Oceanic lamp by Michele de Lucchi designed in 1981 for Memphis Milano
Red and Blue chair by Gerrit T. Rietveld designed in 1918 for Cassina
Red and Blue chair by Gerrit T. Rietveld designed in 1918 for Cassina
Virgil Abloh x IKEA MARKERAD Receipt rug
Virgil Abloh x IKEA MARKERAD Receipt rug
Lilac retro microwave
Lilac retro microwave
Tahiti table lamp by Ettore Sottsass in 1981 for Memphis Milano
Tahiti table lamp by Ettore Sottsass in 1981 for Memphis Milano
Svarva floor lamp designed in 2009 by Front Designers for IKEA
Svarva floor lamp designed in 2009 by Front Designers for IKEA
Orbital floor lamp by Ferruccio Laviani in 1992 for Foscarini
Orbital floor lamp by Ferruccio Laviani in 1992 for Foscarini
Oceanic lamp by Michele de Lucchi designed in 1981 for Memphis Milano
Oceanic lamp by Michele de Lucchi designed in 1981 for Memphis Milano
Red and Blue chair by Gerrit T. Rietveld designed in 1918 for Cassina
Red and Blue chair by Gerrit T. Rietveld designed in 1918 for Cassina

Get their look: Memphis meets Midcentury Modern

Memphis meets Midcentury Moderncredit

Designer, Joost Janszen lives in this Amsterdam apartment with his partner, Martijn. Their love of colour and vintage design is immediately apparent from this little snapshot.

They carry off the Memphis meets Midcentury Modern vibe with aplomb. Joost cites Le Corbusier and Ettore Sottsass as influences.

Check out Joost’s Instagram stream for even more colour & texture inspiration!

  1. Modular shelving unit designed by Pool Cadovius for Royal System
  2. Iris planter + Chevron stand
  3. Hay Slit table
  4. Set of 2 Dorso stacking stools designed by James Uren
  5. Vintage ‘Moment’ sofa by Niels Gammelgaard for IKEA
  6. Super-large print fabric (on sofa)
  7. Jago extra large rug, deep red

Get their look: Memphis meets Midcentury Modern | H is for Home

Get their look

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Jago extra large rug, deep red
Jago extra large rug, deep red
‘Moment’ sofa by Niels Gammelgaard for IKEA
‘Moment’ sofa by Niels Gammelgaard for IKEA
Hay Slit table
Hay Slit table
Set of 2 Dorso stacking stools designed by James Uren
Set of 2 Dorso stacking stools designed by James Uren
Iris planter + Chevron stand
Iris planter + Chevron stand
Shelving unit by Poul Cadovius for Royal System
Shelving unit by Poul Cadovius for Royal System
Jago extra large rug, deep red
Jago extra large rug, deep red
‘Moment’ sofa by Niels Gammelgaard for IKEA
‘Moment’ sofa by Niels Gammelgaard for IKEA
Hay Slit table
Hay Slit table
Set of 2 Dorso stacking stools designed by James Uren
Set of 2 Dorso stacking stools designed by James Uren
Iris planter + Chevron stand
Iris planter + Chevron stand
Shelving unit by Poul Cadovius for Royal System
Shelving unit by Poul Cadovius for Royal System
Jago extra large rug, deep red
Jago extra large rug, deep red
‘Moment’ sofa by Niels Gammelgaard for IKEA
‘Moment’ sofa by Niels Gammelgaard for IKEA
Hay Slit table
Hay Slit table
Set of 2 Dorso stacking stools designed by James Uren
Set of 2 Dorso stacking stools designed by James Uren
Iris planter + Chevron stand
Iris planter + Chevron stand
Shelving unit by Poul Cadovius for Royal System
Shelving unit by Poul Cadovius for Royal System

Designer Desire: Ettore Sottsass

Mosaic of Ettore Sottsass product designs | H is for Home

One of the things near the top of my wish list is a cherry red vintage Valentine typewriter designed by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti in 1968. The ones in good condition and complete with their carry cases sell for over a hundred pounds on eBay.

We love lots of his product and furniture designs, although much of his output from the Memphis Group period isn’t our cup of tea – perhaps it’s because we were both hip & trendy young adults in the 80s and we don’t need reminding of the time! 🙂

Ettore Sottsass

Image credits:

NY Times | 1st Dibs | MOMA | V&A | eBay | Utility Design | Amazon