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Trending: Ghost Chairs

This clear polycarbonate chair trend originated with a design by Phillippe Starck for contemporary furniture company Kartell. Starck is the mastermind behind their cool and fitting name too : ghost chairs. Just like a ghost, these chairs are present in the room without being too imposing. Their transparent yet sturdy design allows them full functionality, but prevents them from taking up too much visual space.

Ghost Chair

Above, the original Starck Ghost Chair

At first glance the Ghost chair may appear to only fit well with other contemporary, avant-garde pieces, but we’re seeing architects and interior designers instead melding the chair into all styles and rooms. It's a versatile and fascinating piece of furniture that can fuse into any kind of space thanks to its transparent nature. 

Here, ghost chairs are used as dining room chairs in a contemporary space. They meld nicely with the beige walls and hardwood flooring without looking intrusive.

Adams Beasley

Adams + Beasley Associates

Architectural Kitchens uses a modified ghost chair in the form of barstools. The fusion of the contemporary chairs with the traditional kitchen space is unexpected, but works nonetheless in maintaining the room's clean lines and white palette.

Architectural Kitchens

Kitchen by Architectural Kitchens

Ghost chairs also work in rooms with richer colors and textures. Below, the California Closets home office space is a mix of dark and light, with the ghost chairs somewhere in-between the two color schemes.

California Closets

California Closets

An elegant room designed by LDa Architecture & Interiors uses a ghost chair for additional seating in the corner. At first glance, the chair is hardly visible, which seems to be the point. Ghost chairs add comfortable seating that disappears into the background when not in use.

lDA

Interior design by LDa Architecture & Interiors

A kitchen incorporates modified ghost chairs in the form of barstools. Upholstered cushions give the modern chairs a cozier feel.

Lda

Architecture by LDa Architecture & Interiors; Photography by Michael J. Lee

Ghost chairs can also be used in elegant dining settings. Demonstrated by Oak Hill Architects, the chairs again blend into the background and don't take away from the more pronounced aspects of the space, like the Oriental rug, crystal chandeliers, and wall mural.

Oak Hill

Oak Hill

Architecture by Oak Hill Architects

The ghost chair takes on a unique twist by Calligaris. The back of the chair is transparent while the aluminum frame and polycarbon seat is available in glossy black, glossy white, or glossy burgundy lacquer. 

iL Decor

The Wien Kitchen Chair by Calligaris; available at IL Decor

Of course, some spaces may call for a more visible chair. To get the same contemporary effect while adding some color, we suggest the Wien chair in a transparent hue, like the lime green piece below.

iL Decor

iL Decor

The Ice Sled Dining Chair by Calligaris, available at IL Decor

Roche Bobois takes on the trend with The LOOP Chair. The stackable polycarbonate chair is available in seven transparent finishes

Roche Bobois Loop Chair

The LOOP Chair designed by Cedric Ragot; available at Roche Bobois

Whether you're using the original Starck Louis chair, or one of its many adapted versions, the end result is sure to make a stylish statement. 

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