Louis Ghost Chair

Jessica Zernike

History
Design

This playful and daring chair was designed as a fresh, modern take on ponderous and flourish Louis XVI chairs found in places like the Palace of Versailles or mansions of French aristocrats. The Louis Ghost Chair is a flamboyant hybrid of classical style and modern technology. This extraordinary piece of furniture with its extravagant and intriguing appeal, makes a great, dazzling addition to any modern interior.

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History
Design

History

The design of the Louis Ghost Chair was conceived by Philippe Starck, an innovative French industrial and interior designer in 2002. However, the history of the chair’s form dates back to the 18th century. Starck drew inspiration from the French decorative style developed during the reign of Louis XVI. The style known in art history as a mix of ornamental Rococo and more acetic Neoclassicism. Starck successfully reinvented the opulent Baroque form and brought it back into the 21st century. The prototype of the Louis Ghost Chair was first brought to the lime light at the International Furniture Fair in Milan in 2002. Well received by the critics and public, the chair was an instant success and was soon after launched into mass-production. It is commercially available under the Kartell brand. The chair is manufactured in Italy.

Design

The chair can be described as the quintessence of Baroque clad in a contemporary, exciting attire. The overall appearance of the chair is extraordinarily appealing and stylish, which should come as no surprise since it is one of the items on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It is very proportional and well-balanced and the use of the transparent polycarbonate makes it look both airy and light. In contrast to fully-upholstered furniture, it does not obstruct the room in which it is placed but enhances the perception of spaciousness, making it a perfect chair for modern “tiny” living.

Although the chair looks like a masterpiece of modern art, it is fully functional and very comfortable. Despite its translucent and evanescent appearance, the chair is famous for its durability. This delicate-looking piece of furniture is weather, scratch and shock resistant. The chair is injection molded in a single piece. The seamless form of the chair, without any joints and binders, makes it even more robust and stable. Additionally, it can also be stacked six high to save storage space.

The oval back rest and slightly undulated arm rests create a form that should be familiar to anyone who has heard of Versailles. The high level of comfort can be attributed to the deep seat pan and waterfall seat edge, which reduces the pressure exerted on the back side of the user’s thighs. The chair was originally available only in the translucent, clear plastic. Today, customers can order their Louis Ghost Chairs in either translucent or opaque variants. The translucent chair is available in five colours: Crystal, Smoke Grey, Straw Yellow, Sunset Orange and Ice Blue. However, the opaque version can only be white or black, both with a glossy surface finish. Despite its young age, Starck’s creation has already become a modern classic. The cutting-edge futuristic design, combined with the innovative use of materials, has earned the chair a very special place in the history of interior design.

Louis Ghost Stackable Armchair by Philippe Starck

Louis Ghost is an injection-molded chair inspired by the Louis XV chair and its Baroque inspiration. It was designed by Philippe Starck to amaze, inspire, and beguile. Despite its evanescent appearance, Louis Ghost is stable and strong; it can withstand collisions and the effects of weather, while being stackable up to six high. It's a very charismatic product with enormous aesthetic appeal--perfect for every setting from domestic to professional.

Louis Ghost Stackable Armchair by Philippe Starck

The Louis Ghost chair, created by Philippe Starck, is the world's first injection-molded polycarbonate chair. It is inspired by the Louis XV chair and the baroque ideotype but reinterpreted by Starck to amaze, inspire and beguile.

Josette King Louis Back Stacking Side Chair in Transparent Clear

The Kelly Clarkson Side Chair showcases a sleek modern design and French country style. Hand-curated by Kelly Clarkson, this statement-making seat is crafted from clear acrylic and features a traditional, king Louis-style backrest with cabriole legs for a barely-there look with classic sensibilities. Embossed piping and beaded edges lend this piece an additional antique appeal.

Bernadette King Louis Back Stacking Arm Chair in Clear

The Transparent Louis Thonet Chair is made of polycarbonate, which is a clear plastic material. The chair has an oval back that is inspired by the high-backed King Louis style with sloping arms and angled legs. This modern looking armchair is water-resistant so it can be used both indoors in your dining room or outdoors on your patio.

Anaissa King Louis Back Arm Chair in Clear

The Anaissa Chair is a sleek and modern statement piece constructed of 100% polycarbonate. It offers incredible durability for indoor or outdoor use, making it a chic yet comfortable addition to your lavish patio, elegant dining room, or swanky master bedroom.

Ailine King Louis Back Arm Chair in Yellow

It can be used in residential and commercial settings to add a touch of style to any room.

Bralynne Oval Back Ghost Chair - Arms in Transparent Crystal - Stackable Side Chair

This set of four transparent plastic King Louis-style armchairs offers elegant, streamlined seating without visually crowding a room. Their backs reach up to support a touch of elegance and their material reflects light, adding brightness and glamour to your space. This stackable set of four accent chairs is easy to store when not in use.

Lou Lou Ghost Child's Size Stackable Armchair by Philippe Starck

Lou Lou Ghost is a baby version of Louis Ghost, which is inspired by the classic shape, material and ergonomics of its predecessor. It also comes with graphics from the Kid's world that can be customized.

Rademacher Stacking Side Chair in Clear

This side chair adds a touch of glamour to your decor, makes any space look more elegant, and is a very light and comfortable article. It can also be used for commercial or residential use.