Marie-Antoinette, a ballet created in 2010, featured Louis Ghost Chairs in its choreography. Image courtesy of Starck.com.
It’s difficult to believe that Philippe Starck brought his Louis Ghost Chair to life less than 25 years ago: in 2022, to be precise. An ideal synthesis of classic (the Louis XV silhouette) and contemporary (according to its manufacturer, Kartell, it’s “the first transparent chair in the world made of plastic which is also available in a fire-resistant version”), the chair is proof that sometimes one can have one’s cake and eat it too, aesthetics-wise.
In the dining room of @geekvintique, the Ghost Chairs bring contemporary cool to the traditional vibe. Just as important, their transparency prevents them from adding visual heft to the already substantially furnished space.
Because it’s made of polycarbonate injected into a single mold, the Louis Ghost Chair is not only suitable for outdoor use but also surprisingly durable. The original version, that is. Knockoffs are legion, and the quality varies. Those not made from a single mold have detachable legs or arms, which makes them more prone to breakage. Others are made from a cheaper, thinner synthetic that is more vulnerable to scratches—though some happy owners of dupes swear that their acrylic versions are actually less prone to scratches and to yellowing than the polycarbonate originals.
In the dining room of Charlotte Alldis of @thriftedabode, the contrast of the sleek, almost-crystalline chairs and the weathered table is nothing short of divine.
My primary caveat regarding Louis Ghost Chairs is that I don’t find them very comfortable. The authentic versions (and quality dupes, I’m sure) do have contoured seats and curved backs, which helps. But personally after just a few minutes I find it impossible to forget that I’m sitting in a plastic—sorry, polycarbonate—chair. Your mileage may vary, of course. I did have a client who declared the chairs the most comfortable dining room seating she’d ever had, which made me wonder what she’d been sitting on previously: a chair upholstered in porcupine quills, perhaps? Though these certainly are more pleasant to sit in than many ladder-back chairs or those Tolix Chaise A chairs that were everywhere during the industrial chic craze.
Then again, a lack of comfort might be what you want in dining chairs, to discourage guests from lingering. (Oh, is that just me?) And you can mitigate any discomfort with cushions or a plush sheepskin throw. Doing so, however, also mitigates the impact of the chair’s transparency and sleekness. If that’s an issue, you could keep the cushions out of sight until it’s time for actually sitting in the chairs.
I think the addition of the throw improves the aesthetics as well as the comfort level in Kgomoto Ramano’s home. The wall mirror and mirrored vanity, the tiled floor, and the glass and acrylic vessels are all glossy and cool, so the sheepskin brings welcome softness and textural contrast.
Tl;dr: I adore the look of Louis Ghost Chairs, especially when partnered with weathered wood or in an otherwise traditional room. One in an entryway, as a functional piece of sculpture? Fabulous. One for sitting down in for dinner every evening? I’ll pass.