Lucite. Plexiglas. Perspex. This synthetic organic product, which was developed more than 75 years ago, has been used to create chairs, handbags and airplane windshields. It is transparent but can be tinted. It is sturdy, and scratches on its surface often can be buffed away. Interior designers like Lucite because it is elegant and does not take up visual space. It disappears and makes small spaces airy. It is glamorous and modern.

After pulling together some photos of Lucite furniture, I decided to search 1stDibs to see what Lucite pieces were available for sale. While there, I happened to find a pair of bar stools that match the ones in the Traditional Home photo below:

"A custom table, 1970s Lucite-and-brass bar stools, and Farrow and Ball 'Silvergate' wallpaper create a glamorous corner in the billiards room."
Interior design by Melanie Elston, Melanie Elston Interiors.
Architecture by Morgante-Wilson Architects.
Photography by Werner Straube.
Text by Lisa Cregan.
"Chicago Apartment With Delightful Color" produced by Jenny Bradley.


Set of 2 Lucite/brass/vinyl bar stools. Circa 1970s.
$3,900
Offered by Thomas Brillet Inc. via 1stDibs.

I then began to try to match items photographed in magazines with Lucite items available for sale. Here is what I found . . .

"An Eero Aarnio bubble chair imbues [Lisa] Sherry's bohemian decor with a witty dose of mod style."
Bald Head Island retreat of interior designer Lisa Sherry and her family.
Interior design by Lisa Sherry.
Photography by Patrick Cline.
Art direction by Michelle Adams.
"Island Sanctuary" written by Robert Leleux.
Lonny (June - July 2012).

Original bubble chair with indoor stand by Eero Aarnio. 1960's Italy. Metal and acrylic.
$3,400

"A sleek, shapely chair [Jan Showers's 'Daphne Chair'], also with Lucite legs, takes center stage in Rocci's dressing area."
Tulsa home of Bret and Rocci Chandler.
Interior design by Jan Showers and Zara Taitt, Jan Showers and Associates.
Photography by Werner Straube.

Vintage 1960's Lucite swivel chair. Cocoa silk fabric treatment. Manufactured by the Reflectone Corporation.
$1,100
"Amanda Nisbet covered a chocolate-finish Somerset Bay dining table with an acrylic top to step up the allure of her Lucite cube stools. 'Amanda liked the idea of relating to the sea . . . but with brighter, a little more punched-up colors.' Instead of wielding a calm sea- or sky-blue palette, Nisbet introduced brilliant bursts of peacock blue in the living and dining areas. That hue, in silk on the Lucite dining stools, triggers a tart visual rush that dissolves into deliciousness, like the first bite into a sour-apple gum ball. 'Plus, I love that little bit of elegance you get with Lucite,' says the designer."
Traditional Home's Oceans 3 Showhouse at the Panoramic View resort in Montauk.
Interior design by Amanda Nisbet, Amanda Nisbet Design Inc.
Photography by John Bessler.
"Oceans 3 Showhouse: The Bold and the Beautiful" written by Candace Ord Manroe.
Mid Century Lucite rolling stool. Upholstered in white vinyl. 1960's.
$500

"Bright pinks, oranges, and yellows are what the eldest daughter wanted for her bedroom and lounge-style sitting area."
Home in Greenwich, Connecticut.
Interior design by Sally Markham.
Photography by Pieter Estersohn.
"Romantic is Tailored" by Stephen Henderson.
House Beautiful (November 2006).
 "Pair of 'Buttercup' chairs in clear Lucite from Estelle and Erwine Laverne's Invisible Group. Designed in 1957 for Laverne International, this boldly modern concept, the Invisible Group, helped usher in an era of plastic furniture design. The Buttercup remains a progressive-looking design, still used in film to represent futurism. These chairs were recently acquired from the original owner who purchased the chairs in 1963. A rare and iconic example of Mid-Century modern seating."
$8,500

"A Russian writing table is set directly in front of the windows, where striped silk drapery panels frame a lovely view of the outdoors. To temper the solemnity of the table, a Lucite chair has a shocking pink seat."
A woman's bedroom suite.
Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club Showhouse 2007.
New York, New York.
Interior design by Jamie Drake, Drake Design Associates.
Photography by Tria Giovan.
Text by Krissa Rossbund.
"Statements of Style 2007" produced by Bonnie Maharan.
Traditional Home.

Lucite vanity chair with upholstered seat cushion by Grosfield House, American 1930s.

 
"In [Georgia] Tapert Howe’s office, the desk consists of a stone top set on Lucite bases the designer found in Palm Beach, and the chair is 1970s Knoll; the antique mirror was found in India, the artworks are pages from an Andy Warhol book, and the mahogany armchair is vintage."
West Hollywood apartment of decorator Georgia Tappert Howe.
Interior decoration by Georgia Tappert Howe, Carolina George.
Photography by William Abranowicz.
"On Location" by Ingrid Abramovitch.
Elle Decor (March 2012).
Vintage Lucite table base with glass top.
"Base of two etched Lucite v-shaped pieces that can be configured to fit a variety of table tops. Circa 1970."
$1,500.

"In the living area, a custom-made Lucite-and-steel cocktail table, a Biedermeier chest, and a pair of étagères by Oly; the drawing is by Andy Warhol, and the rug is by ABC Carpet and Home."
West Hollywood apartment of decorator Georgia Tappert Howe.
Interior decoration by Georgia Tappert Howe, Carolina George.
Photography by William Abranowicz.
"On Location" by Ingrid Abramovitch.
Elle Decor (March 2012).

Brass, Lucite, and glass center table. Italy, circa 1970s.

"The rich chocolate of the chair pairs well with neutral draperies and a Lucite table [Scott Arthur Yerkey Oval Balustrade Side Table]."
Traditional Home Ritz-Carlton Showcase Apartment.
Interior design by Frank Ponterio, Frank Ponterio Interior Design.
Photography by Werner Straube.
Written by Rebecca Christian.
"Ritz-Carlton Showcase Apartment" produced by Hilary Rose and Jo Ann McVicker.

Pair of scalloped Lucite side tables. Mid 20th century.
$3,600

"A Lucite vanity is juxtaposed with a gilt etagere in the daughter's room."
Prewar Greenwich Village apartment of photographer Romaine Orthwein.
Interior design by Fawn Galli, Fawn Galli Interior Design.
Photography by Jonny Valiant.
House Beautiful (March 2012).

1940's Lucite dressing table with adjustable mirror.
$24,000



George II chair with tufted leatherette cushion by Plexi-Craft.

"A corner of [Carol] Curtis's dressing room."
Carol Curtis's Atlanta home.
Interior design by Carol Curtis and her daughter Sarah Norwood.
Photography by J. Savage Gibson.
"A Makeover With Mood" by Christopher Petkanas.
House Beautiful (February 2008).

 Photography by Colleen Duffley.

Greek Key Scroll Table. Can also be custom made as a console table.

“Reproduction Eames Bikini chairs encircle the wood-and-aluminum dining room table found at Conran's. The Lucite "soap bubble" fixture was designed by the architects. The curtains here, and in other room of the house, are a 110-inch-wide cotton from Brunschwig and Fils.”
Home of Fred Doss and John Gicking.
"The Simplify Fantasy" by Carol Prisant.
House Beautiful (August 2006).


The Soneca Pendant Lamp was "created exclusively for CB2 in partnership with husband-and-wife design duo Robert and Cortney Novogratz."
Amber acrylic globe with stainless steel canopy.
$149 from CB2.

This vintage Lucite handbag caught my eye. It would be lovely on a woman's arm or adorning a dressing room.


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