Decorating
Master of Surprise: Philippe Starck
Philippe Starck designs with humour and invention to create delightful and unexpected objects
Frenchman Philippe Starck has turned his talented hand to everything, from designing restaurants to household objects and watches, as well as shoes for Puma, a super yacht for Steve Jobs and a mouse for Microsoft. As an industrial designer Starck believes in creating products that provide the best of design to the maximum number of people in order to improve their lives. He takes a lighthearted approach, combining surprising and inventive forms and often adding a playful twist to traditional shapes. “Everything I do is a symbol. Everything, has a meaning,” Starck was once quoted as saying in a New York Magazine interview. Here’s what you need to about Philippe Starck and his iconic pieces of contemporary design.
Starck studied at the École Camondo in Paris before establishing his first company in 1968 producing inflatable objects; he even created an inflatable house as well as a flying lamp and portable neon signage. He founded Starck Product (later renamed Ubik) in the late 1970s and began his collaborations with some of the biggest names in the business: Alessi, Vitra, Kartell, plus others.
The designer gained international attention in the early 1980s when he was commissioned to refurbish the private apartments in the Élysée Palace in Paris for French President François Mitterrand. He then went on to design interiors for hotels and restaurants in such locations as New York, Paris, Tokyo, Mexico and Madrid. Starck tailored his designs for the individual client with an aesthetic that ranged from conservative state apartments to flamboyant nightclubs.
As an industrial designer, he rethought and reinvented the most ordinary objects, developing the world’s first completely translucent polycarbonate chair, the La Marie for Kartell, in 1998. He also promoted product longevity and stipulated morality, honesty and objectivity be part of the design process.
Let’s take a look at some of Starck’s key pieces, as featured in the interiors on Houzz.
As an industrial designer, he rethought and reinvented the most ordinary objects, developing the world’s first completely translucent polycarbonate chair, the La Marie for Kartell, in 1998. He also promoted product longevity and stipulated morality, honesty and objectivity be part of the design process.
Let’s take a look at some of Starck’s key pieces, as featured in the interiors on Houzz.
Masters Chair
Starck collaborated with Eugeni Quitllet to design the Masters Chair for Kartell. It is a powerful tribute to three famous chairs: Arne Jacobsen’s Series 7; Eero Saarinen’s Tulip Armchair; and Charles and Ray Eames’ Eiffel Chair. Each is interwoven into a linear and sculptural hybrid that is light, practical and stackable. The Masters Chair received the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design’s prestigious 2010 Good Design Award.
Starck collaborated with Eugeni Quitllet to design the Masters Chair for Kartell. It is a powerful tribute to three famous chairs: Arne Jacobsen’s Series 7; Eero Saarinen’s Tulip Armchair; and Charles and Ray Eames’ Eiffel Chair. Each is interwoven into a linear and sculptural hybrid that is light, practical and stackable. The Masters Chair received the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design’s prestigious 2010 Good Design Award.
Victoria Ghost Side Chair
The Ghost Family is a series of transparent furniture made from clear and coloured polycarbonate formed in a single injection mould. Designed for Kartell, the series combines technical innovation and historical style, and the charming Victoria Ghost Side Chair’s rounded backrest recalls the shape of antique medallions, while the seat is linear and geometric.
The Ghost Family is a series of transparent furniture made from clear and coloured polycarbonate formed in a single injection mould. Designed for Kartell, the series combines technical innovation and historical style, and the charming Victoria Ghost Side Chair’s rounded backrest recalls the shape of antique medallions, while the seat is linear and geometric.
Louis Ghost Chair
The Louis Ghost Chair captures the quintessence of the Baroque era, which was intended to dazzle and amaze. Starck felt that the piece had a mix of materials and styles based on our shared memories of past eras in design.
The Louis Ghost Chair captures the quintessence of the Baroque era, which was intended to dazzle and amaze. Starck felt that the piece had a mix of materials and styles based on our shared memories of past eras in design.
Charles Bar Stool
Within the same collection, the shape of the Charles Bar Stool is reminiscent of the stools of the 1800s. Available in different heights and transparent colours, it suits a variety of spaces without adding visual barriers to a space.
A guide to buying kitchen stools
Within the same collection, the shape of the Charles Bar Stool is reminiscent of the stools of the 1800s. Available in different heights and transparent colours, it suits a variety of spaces without adding visual barriers to a space.
A guide to buying kitchen stools
Mademoiselle Chair
Starck designed the chic and playful Mademoiselle Chair for Kartell in 2005. As seen here, (behind the Louis Ghost Chair), the collection includes a series of vibrantly coloured and patterned fabrics by Missoni and Moschino:
Starck designed the chic and playful Mademoiselle Chair for Kartell in 2005. As seen here, (behind the Louis Ghost Chair), the collection includes a series of vibrantly coloured and patterned fabrics by Missoni and Moschino:
- ‘Vevey’ is a kaleidoscope of flowers in red or burnt tones;
- ‘Cartagena’ has elegant white and black flower graffiti;
- ‘Sketches’ is a patchwork print of original illustrations by Franco Moschino;
- ‘Margherite’ has a floral carpet on a black background which flows from the seat up onto the back; and
- ‘Cuori is Moschino’s iconic black and white hearts print.
Ero|S| Chair
The Ero|S| Chair, designed for Kartell, has an organic egg shape that is elegant and sophisticated, yet light and playful. A choice of colours and two different leg versions create a number of different looks. The chair can rest on a glossy aluminium rotating base with central support as seen here, or on a lightweight four-legged chrome structure as seen above.
The Ero|S| Chair, designed for Kartell, has an organic egg shape that is elegant and sophisticated, yet light and playful. A choice of colours and two different leg versions create a number of different looks. The chair can rest on a glossy aluminium rotating base with central support as seen here, or on a lightweight four-legged chrome structure as seen above.
246 Passion Chair and Caprice Chair
Starck designed the compact and well-proportioned 246 Passion Chair and Caprice Side Chair for Cassina. Both have slender legs and a wrap-around shape that envelopes the sitter. The chairs are made from chromium-plated steel with ash wood or stained American walnut, and fabric or quilted leather. Pictured in the dining setting above are the Caprice (side chair) and Passion (with arms).
Starck designed the compact and well-proportioned 246 Passion Chair and Caprice Side Chair for Cassina. Both have slender legs and a wrap-around shape that envelopes the sitter. The chairs are made from chromium-plated steel with ash wood or stained American walnut, and fabric or quilted leather. Pictured in the dining setting above are the Caprice (side chair) and Passion (with arms).
Bubble Club Sofa and Armchair, and Prince AHA Stools
Starck pioneered a new concept in furniture when he developed for Kartell the Bubble Club Sofa and Armchair: an industrial sofa made entirely of plastic (mass-tinted polypropylene). The Bubble Club has a minimalist silhouette, reminiscent of ‘granny’s sofa’ and is aptly named for its soft and rounded curves and almost cartoon-like character.
The sofa and chair are available in white, terracotta (seen here), pale green, pale grey, black and pale yellow. Note that the stools on this balcony are also a Starck design; they are called Prince AHA Stools, and are often used as handy side tables.
Starck pioneered a new concept in furniture when he developed for Kartell the Bubble Club Sofa and Armchair: an industrial sofa made entirely of plastic (mass-tinted polypropylene). The Bubble Club has a minimalist silhouette, reminiscent of ‘granny’s sofa’ and is aptly named for its soft and rounded curves and almost cartoon-like character.
The sofa and chair are available in white, terracotta (seen here), pale green, pale grey, black and pale yellow. Note that the stools on this balcony are also a Starck design; they are called Prince AHA Stools, and are often used as handy side tables.
Attila Gnome Stool/Side Table
For Kartell, Starck took the ubiquitous garden gnome and turned it into a kitschy stool/side table, held up by a cheerful character that will never lose his charm.
For Kartell, Starck took the ubiquitous garden gnome and turned it into a kitschy stool/side table, held up by a cheerful character that will never lose his charm.
Starck Tube Freestanding Bath
Designed for Duravit, this Philippe Starck tub is the kind you spend time soaking in. Freestanding and deep, it’s designed for comfort and probably bubble baths.
See more freestanding baths
Designed for Duravit, this Philippe Starck tub is the kind you spend time soaking in. Freestanding and deep, it’s designed for comfort and probably bubble baths.
See more freestanding baths
Romeo Louis II Pendant
Designed for Flos, the Romeo Louis II Pendant is a suspension lamp providing diffused light with a crystal-cut shade. The external diffuser is crystal that has been mouth-blown, ground by hand and acid-polished, and the pressed-glass internal diffuser is etched outside and sandblasted inside.
Designed for Flos, the Romeo Louis II Pendant is a suspension lamp providing diffused light with a crystal-cut shade. The external diffuser is crystal that has been mouth-blown, ground by hand and acid-polished, and the pressed-glass internal diffuser is etched outside and sandblasted inside.
Gun Lamps
Starck is also a master of deeply thoughtful design. His gun lamp collection for Flos in 2005 was created as a political statement by the peace-loving Starck, as a response to the often violent society that we live in today. There are three lamps in the group, including the bedside handgun lamp seen above, the table lamp, seen here, as well as a floor lamp. The bases are cast aluminium with injection-moulded polymer which have a polished gold-plated finish; the shade diffusers are matt black with silk-screened gold printing on the inside.
Starck is also a master of deeply thoughtful design. His gun lamp collection for Flos in 2005 was created as a political statement by the peace-loving Starck, as a response to the often violent society that we live in today. There are three lamps in the group, including the bedside handgun lamp seen above, the table lamp, seen here, as well as a floor lamp. The bases are cast aluminium with injection-moulded polymer which have a polished gold-plated finish; the shade diffusers are matt black with silk-screened gold printing on the inside.
Cicatrices De Luxe 5 Pendant
This playful pendant, which Starck also designed for Flos, provides light through five individually blown and hand-cut leaded crystal vases secured to a clear glass platform.
How lighting can set the right mood
This playful pendant, which Starck also designed for Flos, provides light through five individually blown and hand-cut leaded crystal vases secured to a clear glass platform.
How lighting can set the right mood
Juicy Salif Citrus Squeezer
This juicer has become an iconic object that is not only associated with the design genius of Philippe Starck, but also of the Italian kitchen utensil company, Alessi. The juicer has a space age shape but is surprisingly functional. It was sketched by Starck during a holiday by the sea in Italy, on a pizzeria napkin. It comes in cast aluminium or bronze.
TELL US
Do you have Philippe Starck furniture, lighting, fittings or homeware designs in your home? Upload a picture to the Comments section below.
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This juicer has become an iconic object that is not only associated with the design genius of Philippe Starck, but also of the Italian kitchen utensil company, Alessi. The juicer has a space age shape but is surprisingly functional. It was sketched by Starck during a holiday by the sea in Italy, on a pizzeria napkin. It comes in cast aluminium or bronze.
TELL US
Do you have Philippe Starck furniture, lighting, fittings or homeware designs in your home? Upload a picture to the Comments section below.
MORE
Browse more beautiful furniture and design products