Kartell's Bubble Club family, designed by Philippe Starck, is one of those rare furniture ranges that looks just as at home on a terrace as it does in a living room. Here we explain what the sofa, armchair and table are, what they are made from, and how to use them both indoors and out.
What is Bubble Club?
Bubble Club is Philippe Starck's playful take on traditional, comfortable furniture. The Bubble Club Sofa reimagines the classic "grandma's sofa" as an industrial piece, and the Bubble Club Armchair does the same for the old-fashioned armchair. Both have soft, rounded arms set against a more rational, straighter backrest, giving them a simple silhouette you will recognise straight away.
What makes the shapes possible is rotational moulding, the industrial process that turns a cosy, familiar outline into a single sculptural form. The Bubble Club Table completes the family, made with the same process and in the same finishes and colours as the sofa and armchair, so the three always match.
Using Bubble Club outdoors
The sofa and armchair are made from weatherproof polyethylene, and Kartell describes the group as an "industrial lounge" for a garden, terrace or poolside. That makes them a practical choice for British gardens, where furniture often has to cope with whatever the weather brings.
A few ideas for outside:
- Terrace lounge: place the sofa against a wall or hedge, with a pair of armchairs facing it and the table in the middle. It creates an outdoor room that feels as settled as a sitting room.
- Poolside or by the water: a single armchair and table make a neat spot for a drink and a book.
- Small courtyard: the rounded shapes soften hard paving and brick. If space is tight, one armchair and the table may be all you need.
Add an outdoor cushion or throw for chillier evenings, and bring textiles in when the weather turns. The polyethylene itself is designed for life outside.
Bringing Bubble Club indoors
Because the pieces are so sculptural, they work just as well inside. In a sunroom or garden room, Bubble Club bridges the gap between house and garden beautifully, especially if you use the same pieces on the terrace beyond the doors. The continuity makes both spaces feel larger.
In a living room, an armchair in a strong colour can act as a piece of pop sculpture alongside a more traditional sofa. The contrast between the grandma-inspired curves and the industrial material is part of the fun. In a family room or playroom, sturdy polyethylene seating is a practical choice.
A tip: indoors, add a sheepskin or a soft cushion to the seat to warm up the look, and team the table with a lamp or a stack of books so it reads as part of the room rather than borrowed from the garden.
Choosing colours
The Bubble Club table is offered in colours including Zinc White, Light Grey, Ochre and Powder, matching the sofa and armchair. Some simple rules of thumb:
- Zinc White looks crisp against green planting and modern architecture.
- Light Grey is the easiest to blend with stone, slate or concrete paving.
- Ochre brings warmth to a shady terrace or a cool, north-facing room.
- Powder is softer and works well with pale timber and natural textures.
You can keep the whole set in one colour for a calm, unified look, or mix two shades, such as a sofa in one tone and armchairs in another, for something more playful. Because the table comes in the same finishes, it is easy to tie a mixed set back together.
Putting a set together
Think about how you will use the space before you buy. For conversation, a sofa with two armchairs and a central table is hard to beat. For a quieter reading corner, a single armchair and table is enough. And if you want to move furniture between inside and out with the seasons, the armchair and table are the easiest pieces to relocate.
See the full range in our Kartell Bubble Club collection, browse more pieces in our outdoor furniture collection, or visit the shop in Somerset and talk to the team about the right combination for your home and garden.
