Kartell Used: Vintage Design Classics in Plastic

Vintage and second hand Kartell Interior - innovation and style in your home

Kartell collection with innovative design, famous icons and design classics with immediate availability.

What makes the Kartell collection from 2nd home special?
The Kartell collection by 2nd home includes carefully curated vintage and second-hand pieces that are characterized by innovative design, high-quality materials and excellent craftsmanship. Special products include the Ghost chair series by Philippe Starck , lamps by Achille Castiglioni, designs by Gae Aulenti, Joe Colombo and Anna Castelli Ferrieri.

Kartell used instead of new: one-off pieces with a history, not mass production.

Kartell Used: Vintage Design Classics in Plastic

  • Kartell made plastic acceptable in the living room. Our focus lies on the brand's Mirrors and Lamps, joined by tables and shelving that you will find again among the Coffee and side tables.

    What the brand stands for

    • Injection moulding as a design tool, not as a saving
    • Transparent and coloured plastics in furniture quality
    • Designs by Philippe Starck, Ferruccio Laviani and Anna Castelli Ferrieri
    • Shapes that stack, swivel or slide into one another

    Milan since 1949

    Founded by Giulio Castelli, a chemical engineer, Kartell was a materials laboratory with design ambition from the outset. The Componibili units and the later Starck designs stand in collections from Milan to New York today.

  • Sustainability: plastic that stays

    Plastic has a poor reputation, usually deservedly, but rarely with furniture made this way. A Kartell piece from the seventies is still intact today and will be in twenty years. The longer it stays in use, the better its balance sheet looks.

    How to use Kartell

    Transparent pieces work where a solid item would block the room: in a narrow hallway, in front of a window, in a small kitchen. Coloured acrylic, by contrast, is an accent and tolerates no competition. One piece per room is almost always enough.

    What the experts look for

    • An embossed logo on the underside or inner edge
    • Scratches in acrylic: shallow ones sand out, deep ones do not
    • Yellowing on clear plastic, often the result of sunlight
    • On lamps: original socket and cable, tested

    Keep browsing

    More icons of post-war modernism can be found under Design classics, coloured objects among the Glass decoration.

Frequently asked questions and answers

How do I recognise genuine Kartell?

Originals carry an embossed mark or a label with the logotype, often with the model name, on the underside. Material quality is a clue too: Kartell plastic looks dense and cleanly finished, without burrs.

Which Kartell classics can be found here?

Regularly the Componibili by Anna Castelli Ferrieri, Louis Ghost by Philippe Starck and the Bourgie lamp. Plus earlier designs by Joe Colombo and Gae Aulenti when they come in.

Does old Kartell plastic yellow, and what helps?

Early ABS pieces can darken over the years, which is part of the material's history. Direct sun speeds it up, so better not by a south-facing window. We show the condition of every piece honestly in the photos.

Why buy Kartell used?

Many early Kartell designs are no longer produced and can only be found used. And on current models you pay noticeably less for the same design when buying used.

Are these vintage pieces or simply used Kartell pieces?

Both terms apply: vintage describes age and design language, used describes the history. How old a piece is and its condition is always stated with the item.

How do I sell Kartell pieces through 2nd home?

Yes. On the Sell page you describe your piece with photos, we check it and come back with an assessment and the next steps.

How do you ship Kartell pieces?

Larger pieces travel by forwarding agent to the address you choose, smaller ones by parcel service. The shipping price is shown on the product page before you order.

Can I see a piece in person before buying?

It depends on the location. Many of our sellers allow a viewing by appointment. Just contact us with the item you are interested in.

  • curation, selection and active search

    Every product you find on 2nd home comes from our curation and quality process . This includes our Kartell furniture and lighting - from new to used and vintage.

    Our team is constantly looking for trends and new items to offer you high-quality vintage and second-hand goods and plenty of inspiration.

    And if you are looking for something specific, you can contact us at any time.

  • Delivery

    At 2nd home you don't have to wait long for delivery, our furniture , carpets , lights and decorative objects are available for immediate delivery. Another advantage when you buy vintage and second hand.

    For more information about shipping and delivery , see Returns & Refunds .

  • service

    At 2nd home we place great importance on quality and customer satisfaction. Although we offer vintage and second-hand furniture, we carefully inspect each piece.

    If you have any questions, our customer service will help you You can find further information about our buyer protection, guarantee and right of return in our cancellation policy .

  • sustainability

    By selling second-hand furniture, we promote reuse and reduce the consumption of resources. At the same time, we reduce CO2 emissions.

    You can find out more on our sustainability page.

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