Kartell Furniture
Italian
The Italian design giant Kartell transformed plastic from the stuff of humble household goods into a staple of luxury design in the 1960s. Founded in Milan by Italian chemical engineer Giulio Castelli (1920–2006) and his wife Anna Ferrieri (1918–2006), Kartell began as an industrial design firm, producing useful items like ski racks for automobiles and laboratory equipment designed to replace breakable glass with sturdy plastic. Even as companies like Olivetti and Vespa were making Italian design popular in the 1950s, typewriters and scooters were relatively costly, and Castelli and Ferrieri wanted to provide Italian consumers with affordable, stylish goods.
They launched a housewares division of Kartell in 1953, making lighting fixtures and kitchen tools and accessories from colorful molded plastic. Consumers in the postwar era were initially skeptical of plastic goods, but their affordability and infinite range of styles and hues eventually won devotees. Tupperware parties in the United States made plastic storage containers ubiquitous in postwar homes, and Kartell’s ingenious designs for juicers, dustpans, and dish racks conquered Europe. Kartell designer Gino Colombini was responsible for many of these early products, and his design for the KS 1146 Bucket won the Compasso d’Oro prize in 1955.
Buoyed by its success in the home goods market, Kartell introduced its Habitat division in 1963. Designers Marco Zanuso and Richard Sapper created the K1340 (later called the K 4999) children’s chair that year, and families enjoyed their bright colors and light weight, which made them easy for kids to pick up and move. In 1965, Joe Colombo (1924–78) created one of Kartell’s few pieces of non-plastic furniture, the 4801 chair, which sits low to the ground and comprised of just three curved pieces of plywood. (In 2012, Kartell reissued the chair in plastic.) Colombo followed up on the success of the 4801 with the iconic 4867 Universal Chair in 1967, which, like Verner Panton’s S chair, is made from a single piece of plastic. The colorful, stackable injection-molded chair was an instant classic. That same year, Kartell introduced Colombo’s KD27 table lamp. Ferrierei’s cylindrical 4966 Componibili storage module debuted in 1969.
Kartell achieved international recognition for its innovative work in 1972, when a landmark exhibition curated by Emilio Ambasz called “Italy: The New Domestic Landscape” opened at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. That show introduced American audiences to the work of designers such as Gaetano Pesce; Ettore Sottsass, founder of the Memphis Group; and the firms Archizoom and Superstudio (both firms were among Italy's Radical design groups) — all of whom were using wit, humor and unorthodox materials to create a bracingly original interior aesthetic.
Castelli and Ferrieri sold Kartell to Claudio Luti, their son-in-law, in 1988, and since then, Luti has expanded the company’s roster of designers.
Kartell produced Ron Arad’s Bookworm wall shelf in 1994, and Philippe Starck’s La Marie chair in 1998. More recently, Kartell has collaborated with the Japanese collective Nendo, Spanish architect Patricia Urquiola and glass designer Tokujin Yoshioka, among many others. Kartell classics can be found in museums around the world, including MoMA, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. In 1999, Claudio Luti established the Museo Kartell to tell the company’s story, through key objects from its innovative and colorful history.
Find vintage Kartell tables, seating, table lamps and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Color: Blue
Creator: Kartell
Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Marine by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
By Kartell, Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play the dual role as both container and room divider. IT IS a go...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Resin
Kartell Upper Step Ladder in Cobalt by Alberto Meda, Paolo Rizzatto
By Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stepladder has a strong personality and great functionality. It is also a successful marriage of form and function. Its pragmatism is made possible by the technology employed by...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Kartell Bourgie Lamp in Multicolored Blue by Ferruccio Laviani
By Ferruccio Laviani, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A lamp with an inimitable style, Bourgie is one of Kartell’s best sellers, skillfully combining Classic style, richness and tradition with innovation and irony. The Baroque style bas...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Componibili 2-Tier Drawer in Blue by Anna Castelli Ferrieri
By Kartell, Anna Castelli Ferrieri
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Modular elements were designed to meet various needs and to fit into any room in your home: bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, or living room. The design solution that animates the Modular ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell x Laufen Blue-Green Wall-mounted Lucite Towel Rail, Italy
By Kartell, Laufen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kartell x Laufen Aquamarine Blue-Green Wall-mounted Lucite Towel Rail, Italy. The Kartell Rail Towel Rail is able to accommodate any contemporary bathroom with its simple form and array of transparent colors and sizes. Made out of lightweight yet solid PMMA plastic, Rail mounts easily to the wall to hold and complement your best hand or bath towels. Designed by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba.
Founded in 1949 by Giulio and Anna Castelli, Kartell has become the world leader—and innovator—in the realm of molded plastic furniture...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Kartell Furniture
Materials
Lucite
Postmodern Dr. Glob Accent Chair Philippe Starck Kartell 80s Tuquoise + Silver!
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in Basel, BS
One in the FANTASTIC Turquoise and Silver available for this listing.
NOTE: Two additional black chairs are also available in our shop here.
Incredible color! Very cool stacking ch...
Category
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Kartell Furniture
Materials
Metal
Kartell Shanghai Vase in Blue by Mario Bellini
By Kartell, Mario Bellini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A multi-faceted vase widening from the base to the top in a swirling motion. Shanghai is like refracted light radiating from prism-like crystals with an alternating play of flashes a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Set of 2 Kartell Victoria Ghost Chairs in Powder Blue by Philippe Starck
By Philippe Starck, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This is a chair born of Classic lines with a rounded backrest that recalls the shape of antique medallions, whilst the seat is linear and geometric. Victoria ghost...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Max-Beam Side Table in Sunset Blue by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
By Kartell, Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Monolithic stool/table made of transparent plastic, with a thickness that emphasises its geometric purity. A practical, functional and versatile accessory, for use anywhere in the ho...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Resin, Plastic
Kartell Max-Beam Side Table in Aquamarine by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
By Kartell, Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Monolithic stool/table made of transparent plastic, with a thickness that emphasises its geometric purity. A practical, functional and versatile accessory, for use anywhere in the ho...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Resin, Plastic
Kartell Take Lamp in Blue by Ferruccio Laviani
By Ferruccio Laviani, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The classic icon of the bedside lamp is revisited by Kartell's technology to become an industrial product in a variety of colour shades. The shape of Take is the result of the joinin...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Kartell Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Blue by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
By Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play the dual role as both container and room divider. It is a go...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Resin
Kartell Componibili 3-Tier Drawer in Blue by Anna Castelli Ferrieri
By Kartell, Anna Castelli Ferrieri
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Modular elements were designed to meet various needs and to fit into any room in your home: bathroom, bedroom, kitchen or living room. The design solution that animates the Modular s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Set of 4 Kartell Jellies Coat Hangers in Light Blue by Patricia Urquiola
By Patricia Urquiola, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The jellies coat hangers draw their inspiration from the tableware collection of the same name designed by Patricia Urquiola for Kartell in 2014.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Trama Carafe in Light Blue by Patricia Urquiola
By Patricia Urquiola, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Trama tableware collection is a complete dinner set inspired by Japanese pottery with its characteristic and highly refined textures in natural...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Set of 16 Kartell Trama Wine Glasses in Light Blue by Patricia Urquiola
By Patricia Urquiola, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Trama tableware collection is a complete dinner set inspired by Japanese pottery with its characteristic and highly refined textures in natural earthy colours and matt finishes. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Resin, Plastic
Set of 2 Small Kartell Jellies Coat Hangers in Light Blue Y Patricia Urquiola
By Patricia Urquiola, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Jellies coat hangers draw their inspiration from the tableware collection of the same name designed by Patricia Urquiola for Kartell in 2014.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Set of 16 Small Kartell Jellies Glasses Water in Light Blue by Patricia Urquiola
By Patricia Urquiola, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A comprehensive line of glasses made from colourful and transparent PMMA plastic. The line's individuality is down to the fact that each model presents a different organic pattern th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Resin, Plastic
Set of 2 Kartell Jellies Vase in Light Blue by Patricia Urquiola
By Patricia Urquiola, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A comprehensive line of trays made from colorful and transparent PMMA plastic. The line's individuality is down to the fact that each model presents a different organic pattern that ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Resin, Plastic
Set of 4 Kartell Jellies Round Trays in Light Blue by Patricia Urquiola
By Patricia Urquiola, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A comprehensive line of trays made from colorful and transparent PMMA plastic. The line's individuality is down to the fact that each model presents a different organic pattern that ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Resin, Plastic
Set of 2 Kartell Charles Ghost Small Stools in Powder Blue by Philippe Starck
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The shape conjures up stools of the 1800s and the line of the legs is rounded and slightly upturned, an icon of the Classic high stool. Charles Ghost is constructed from a single blo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Set of 16 Large Kartell Jellies Glasses in Light Blue by Patricia Urquiola
By Patricia Urquiola, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A comprehensive line of glasses made from colorful and transparent PMMA plastic. The line's individuality is down to the fact that each model presents a different organic pattern tha...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Resin, Plastic
Kartell Jellies Carafe in Light Blue by Patricia Urquiola
By Patricia Urquiola, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A comprehensive line of carafes made from colourful and transparent PMMA plastic. The line's individuality is down to the fact that each model presents a different organic pattern th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Resin, Plastic
Kartell U Shine Vase in Blue by Eugeni Quitllet
By Eugeni Quitllet, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Eugeni Quitllet designs a precious collection of decorative vases made of transparent PMMA. The line is composed of a vase and a table centre, distinctive for their elegant geometry ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Resin
Set of 16 Kartell Trama Water Glasses in Light Blue by Patricia Urquiola
By Patricia Urquiola, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Trama tableware collection is a complete dinner set inspired by Japanese pottery with its characteristic and highly refined textures in natural...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Resin, Plastic
Set of 4 Kartell Jellies Espresso Cup in Light Blue by Patricia Urquiola
By Patricia Urquiola, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Jellies Family, which heralded a new way of perceiving tableware by using transparent products moulded with various relief patterns, has been expanded to include new elements suc...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Cindy Lamp in Blue by Ferruccio Laviani
By Ferruccio Laviani, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The typical table lamp of the seventies given new form and color. The Cindy lamp with a conical lampshade and rounded teardrop base comes in a broad range o...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Thierry Table by Piero Lissoni in Blue
By Piero Lissoni, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Thierry is a family of highly characteristic occasional tables that make an inspired use of colour. Each table can have 3 or 4 different colours and can be assembled in various ways....
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Battery Lamp in Blue by Ferruccio Laviani
By Ferruccio Laviani, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Battery is an iconic compact lampshade. It is made from transparent PMMA and truly embodies innovation, being 100% rechargeable when plugged in and with a battery life of up to 8 hou...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Resin
Kartell Pumo Sky Blue by Fabio Novembre
By Fabio Novembre, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pumo is a brand-new multi-purpose container that recalls the shapes of the traditional Apulian object of good omen, now revised for Kartell with a multi-faceted lid, also ideal as a ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Kartell Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell All Saints Mirror in Aquamarine by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
By Kartell, Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Round mirror with a transparent or colored PMMA frame, with a unique pleated effect. The possibility of applying transparency even to gold and chrome, makes this mirror an extremely ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Resin
Kartell Infinity Modular Bottle-Holder in Blue by Ron Arad
By Kartell, Ron Arad
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Infinity is a colourful and curvilinear, modular bottle-holder. The elements which form the bottle-holder can be fastened together to form an indefinite number of rings inside which ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Kabuki Floor Lamp in Light Blue by Ferruccio Laviani
By Kartell, Ferruccio Laviani
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Kabuki floor lamp is injection molded. The sophisticated injection technology used makes it possible to crate a woven structure similar to lace with a unique perforated surface t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Set of 2 Medium Kartell Jellies Coat Hangers in Blue by Patricia Urquiola
By Kartell, Patricia Urquiola
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Jellies coat hangers draw their inspiration from the tableware collection of the same name designed by Patricia Urquiola for Kartell in 2014.
Dimensions: Height: 2.38 in.; Dia...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell I Shine in Blue by Eugeni Quitllet
By Kartell, Eugeni Quitllet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Eugeni Quitllet designs a precious collection of decorative vases made of transparent PMMA. The line is composed of a vase and a table centre, distinctive for their elegant geometry ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Resin
Kartell Roy Stool in Blue by Alessandro Mendini
By Alessandro Mendini, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A Chinese-style stool featuring a pattern in homage to Roy Lichtenstein with the dots from his paintings.
Available in White, Black, Powder, Blue & Petroleum.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Light Air Table Lamp in Crystal & Light Blue by Eugeni Quitllet
By Kartell, Eugeni Quitllet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An illusionist table lamp, a suspended light that eludes the laws of gravity. Light-air is essential, modern and rational, but at the same time it produces a magic effect. Its struct...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Small FL/Y Pendant Light in Sky Blue by Ferruccio Laviani
By Kartell, Ferruccio Laviani
Located in Brooklyn, NY
FL/Y pendant light small in sky blue. It is a collection of pendant lamps designed by Ferruccio Laviani in 2002.
Dimensions: Shade height: 11 in.; Diameter: 15 in.; Unit weight: 1...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Resin
Kartell Medium FL/Y Pendant Light in Blue by Ferruccio Laviani
By Ferruccio Laviani, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An essential lamp which is characterized by the “subtle interpretations of the theme. Made in transparent methacrylate in blue, the cover is not perfectly hemispherical but the cut-o...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Resin
Kartell Mini Kabuki Desk Lamp in Blue by Ferruccio Laviani
By Kartell, Ferruccio Laviani
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A mini version of the lamp in a complex thermoplastic polymer with a characteristic perforated surface, from which the light diffuses.
Dimensions: Height: 27.56 in.; Width: 11.8 i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Roy Stool in Petroleum by Alessandro Mendini
By Alessandro Mendini, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A Chinese-style stool featuring a pattern in homage to Roy Lichtenstein with the dots from his paintings.
Available in white, black, powder, blue & petroleum.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Taj Mini Table Lamps in Light Blue by Ferruccio Laviani
By Kartell, Ferruccio Laviani
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Taj mini is the small version of the three-dimensional lamp which becomes a luminous sculpture that fits perfectly into every corner of the home, thanks to it...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Foliage Armchair in Teal by Patricia Urquiola
By Patricia Urquiola, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Foliage collection is a family of soft chairs. The key players are a two-seater sofa and an armchair, that seem to have grown "naturally": the frame provides support for a comfortabl...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Velvet
Set of 2 Kartell Charles Ghost Medium Stools in Powder Blue by Philippe Starck
By Philippe Starck, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The shape conjures up stools of the 1800s and the line of the legs is rounded and slightly upturned, an icon of the classic high stool. Charles Ghost is constructed from a single blo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Kartell Foliage Sofa Teal by Patricia Urquiola
By Patricia Urquiola, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Foliage collection is a family of soft chairs. The key players are a two-seater sofa and an armchair, that seem to have grown "naturally": the frame provides support for a comfortabl...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Set of 2 Kartell Charles Ghost Large Stools in Powder Blue by Philippe Starck
By Philippe Starck, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The shape conjures up stools of the 1800s and the line of the legs is rounded and slightly upturned, an icon of the classic high stool. Charles Ghost is constructed from a single blo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Set of 16 Small Kartell Jellies Glasses in Light Blue by Patricia Urquiola
By Patricia Urquiola, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A comprehensive line of glasses made from colorful and transparent PMMA plastic. The line's individuality is down to the fact that each model presents a different organic pattern tha...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Resin, Plastic
Kartell Aledin Dec Desk Lamp in Blue by Alberto e Francesco Meda
By Kartell, Francesco Meda, Alberto Meda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Aledin Dec is defined by the faceted decoration of its cone-shaped diffuser. The luminous beam throws a wider and more atmospheric light which well lends itself to residential applic...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Set of 2 Kartell Charles Ghost Large Stools in Light Blue by Philippe Starck
By Philippe Starck, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The shape conjures up stools of the 1800s and the line of the legs is rounded and slightly upturned, an icon of the classic high stool. Charles Ghost is constructed from a single blo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Kartell Madame Chair in New York Print by Philippe Starck and La Double J
By Philippe Starck, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Thanks to its neutral colour palette, this chair makes the ideal furniture piece for inserting in sophisticated residential interiors or the most refined contract projects.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Set of 4 Kartell Jellies Oval Trays in Light Blue by Patricia Urquiola
By Patricia Urquiola, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A comprehensive line of trays made from colorful and transparent PMMA plastic. The line's individuality is down to the fact that each model presents a different organic pattern that ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Resin, Plastic
Kartell Easy Pendant Light in Blue by Ferruccio Laviani
By Kartell, Ferruccio Laviani
Located in Brooklyn, NY
On its own or with its two sisters, easy enchants and excites with plays of color and light once turned on, the transparent polycarbonate enhanced by a myriad of reflections. Easy is...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Kartell furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of plastic and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Kartell furniture, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 219 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 904 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Kartell were created in the modern style in europe during the 21st century and contemporary. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Driade, Philippe Starck, and Gervasoni. Prices for Kartell furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $80 and can go as high as $18,400, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $671.
Creators Similar to Kartell
Questions About Kartell Furniture
- What is Kartell known for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Kartell is known largely for producing contemporary furniture out of plastic. The Italian company, founded in 1949, helped elevate the material, proving that it was suitable for designer furniture. You can find a collection of Kartell furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
- What is the history of Kartell?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024The history of Kartell starts with an Italian chemical engineer named Giulio Castelli and his wife, Anna Ferrieri. The couple founded Kartell in Milan as an industrial design firm, producing utilitarian items like ski racks for automobiles and laboratory equipment designed to replace breakable glass with sturdy plastic. Even as companies like Olivetti and Vespa were making Italian design popular in the 1950s, typewriters and scooters were relatively costly, and Castelli and Ferrieri wanted to provide Italian consumers with affordable, stylish goods. They launched a housewares division of Kartell in 1953, making lighting fixtures and kitchen tools and accessories from colorful molded plastic. Buoyed by its success in the home goods market, Kartell introduced its Habitat division in 1963. Kartell achieved international recognition for its innovative work in 1972, when a landmark exhibition curated by Emilio Ambasz called "Italy: The New Domestic Landscape" opened at New York's Museum of Modern Art. Castelli and Ferrieri sold Kartell to Claudio Luti, their son-in-law, in 1988, and since then, Luti has expanded the company's roster of designers. On 1stDibs, explore a large selection of Kartell furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 25, 2024How you clean Kartell plastic depends on the piece. Often, the best way to clean plastic furniture is with lukewarm water and mild dish soap. However, recommended cleaning methods vary. For the best results, refer to the manufacturer's care instructions that accompany your furniture. Shop a collection of Kartell furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Kartell Louis Ghost chairs are made of lucite. Designed by Phillipe Starck for Kartell in 2002, this clear chair is crafted from a single piece of plastic, making it a beautifully elegant piece. On 1stDibs, find a range of authentic Kartell Ghost chairs from top sellers.