King bar stool with prototype end table.
We Love Lucite!
Our interior designer customers have given us so much positive feedback on our addition of clear acrylic lucite to the Gabby line of furniture and lighting, that we felt the need to share why we love this material and why we absolutely had to add it to our line.
1. Lucite is a material rich in history. Like a superstar’s comeback, it may have had some seedy years, but now is hotter than ever. We’re all still trying to forget the stripper shoes, Vegas, and the 1980’s, but in 1931 both DuPont and Rohm & Haas created a transparent, durable, and flexible material that first served the WWII war effort in airplane windshields and submarine periscopes. In the 50’s it became a fashionably modern material in rings, handbags, and chairs, tables, or even beds like in L’Oréal founder Helena Rubinstein’s famously modern New York City apartment. Today it has gained extreme popularity as an eclectic and retro furniture addition to any room.
2. Lucite is un-pretentious clear acrylic with a 93% transparency rate. It stands out ironically by letting the materials around it be seen and even highlighted. It’s just a utilitarian acrylic resin called Poly(methyl methacrylate), a thermoplastic often used in sheet form as a shatter-resistant or lightweight alternative to soda-lime glass. While not bulletproof like polycarbonate, it is extremely durable, with a high melting point of 320 °F (160 °C). It’s paintable, easy to clean, odorless and OSHA classified as non-hazardous.
3. Lucite is uber Modern, transitional and sometimes contemporary. A break thru polymer in the 30’s, chic and fashionable in the 50’s and hollywood retro glam today. The material is a mid-century modern throwback to the form-follows-function days of post-war exploration and invention. Rocket to today, its eclectic mix but transitional style nature is at home in any space.
Cindy Bunching Tables by Gabby
4. Lucite is Waterproof. Family friendly and whimsical. Never fear the red kook-aid again. Spaghetti tonight? Bring it on!
5. Lucite is UV resistant. Ultra violet light won’t break it down like plastic. In fact it is used in windows. The material is outdoor friendly and coastal friendly. All plastics come from petroleum and natural gas, and will become brittle and crack when left outside. Acrylic is made from natural gas and is completely inert in solid form and will NOT yellow in direct sunlight.
6. Lucite is in good company. Other famous designers and thought leaders have showcased this material in their work. Famous mid-century modern designers like Karl Springer, Vladimir Kagan, Charles Hollis Jones and Gaetano Sciolari. And more recently avant guard industrial designers like Phillipe Stark, who brought international attention to the material with his Louis Ghost Chair.
Magnolia Nesting Tables by Gabby
7. Lucite is magical. It scintillates and sparkles playing with light as a reflective medium. It bends light and can be used as a light redirecting source.
8. Lucite really showcases details when mixed with other materials. Notice how the gold trim really stands out on our nesting tables.
9. Lucite is always warm. It’s a non-conductor of heat or cold. Your arm won’t get frozen like if you rest in on metal.
10. Lucite lets you see the view through the window. Want to really notice a dining table? Surround it with clear plastic chairs. Want to show off an 200 year old apothecary used as a bar table? Line it with transparent acrylic bar stools. How about featuring the marquetry on a custom kitchen island? Try seating it with see thru plexi counter stools. Want to show off 18th century needle point settee? Use a scintillating pair of lucite nesting tables. You get the point.
Explore Gabby lucite furniture and lighting.
The post Let’s get this clear…10 reasons we love Lucite Acrylic appeared first on Gabby.