Living with Vintage Lucite

A Lucite coffee table base in my maximal bohemian rental. Photo by Dabito.

There are many reasons we love vintage furniture – the feel, the stories and equally important, the lower impact on our earth.

We love the look of acrylic furniture and acrylic details on furniture–but the new stuff is very toxic to our environment. The manufacturing process involves highly toxic substances, toxic fumes and acrylic plastic is not easily recycled nor readily biodegradable. So when we opt for lucite, we like to go vintage.

Acrylic’s history started in the late 19th century. However, it was not until the early 1930’s that it went into production. Different companies marketed acrylic under several different patents. As a result, it is most widely known as Lucite and Plexiglas.

Lucite table base in my old rental apartment, Photo by Teri Lynn Fisher for Anthology Magazine

Lucite’s history started with WWII plane windows. However, after the war, it found a new life in the fashion world. Lucite handbag handles and jewelry were all the rage. Together with art sculptures, furniture followed suit. From drawer pulls to dining room tables, Lucite seems to always feel modern. I found the above Lucite table base on the sidewalk about ten years ago and have kept it around due to it’s versatility.

Lucite sighted in Marika’s modern bohemian home. Photo by Dabito.

A clear Lucite coffee table provides a clean palate for a modern–bohemian vignette in Marika Wagle’s living room. The table was a hand-me-down from her grandmother. We love how you can see all the color and pattern through the table.

Amhalise’s nomadic boho dining room, photo by Dabito.

Nomadic–bohemian Amhalise Morgan’s acrylic dining room chairs allow you to have a better look at her cozy patternful rug.

From The New Bohemian Handbook: Come Home to Good Vibes, photo by Dabito.

A clear bookcase in Erica Reitman’s living room stores her favorite treasures, books, and personal ephemera without creating a dark library mood.

So let’s be clear (hehe), we love vintage Lucite. Below we have rounded up a few of our favorite Lucite pieces that we think you will enjoy from our partner site, Chairish.  To see all of this month’s favorites, go here.

1. 1960’s Mid-Century Lucite Stool
2. Sculpture – Lucite by Norman Mercer
3. Ritts Lucite Bookends – A Pair
4. 1970’s Lucite Dining Chairs – Set of 4
5. Sculpture – Lucite Sculpture by Norman Mercer
6. Lucite Octagonal Lamp
7. Modern Lucite & Brass Chair
8. Vintage Lucite Vanity Stool
9. Palatnik Op Art Lucite Elephant
10. Lucite and Brass Cocktail Table
11. Brass & Lucite Sconces, A Pair

 

from Jungalow http://ift.tt/2zRM0yO