Frequently Bought Together
Designed by Giancarlo Piretti in 1970 for Anonima Castelli of Bologna, the Plona is a study in disappearing furniture — a sculptural acrylic-and-chrome stool that folds nearly flat on a hidden three-disc hinge. Our reproduction set of 2 brings this celebrated piece of Italian design into your dining room, studio, or guest closet.
About Giancarlo Piretti
Giancarlo Piretti (Italian, born 1940) joined Anonima Castelli in Bologna as a young designer in the 1960s and built his reputation on furniture that solved a single problem with elegant precision. His 1969 Plia chair was an engineering breakthrough: a three-disc hinge that pinned the seat, back and leg frames together so they collapsed into a profile barely thicker than two stacked plates. The design won the Compasso d'Oro in 1971 and entered the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. The Plona stool extends that vocabulary to counter height with the same hinge and the signature acrylic-and-chrome material pairing.
Materials & Craftsmanship
Our reproduction stays true to Piretti's original specification:
- Seat and back: single-piece molded acrylic, available in six colorways from translucent amber to solid off-white.
- Frame: chrome-plated tubular steel, 2 mm wall thickness, polished to a mirror finish.
- Hinge: the signature three-disc folding mechanism — two outer discs sandwich a central disc that locks the legs, seat and back into one pivot point.
- Floor protection: molded caps on each leg foot to protect wood and tile floors.
Each stool is inspected for finish, hinge alignment and acrylic clarity before shipping.
Specifications
| Quantity | Set of 2 |
|---|---|
| Seat height | 18.5" / 47 cm |
| Width | 21.7" / 55 cm |
| Depth (unfolded) | 17.3" / 44 cm |
| Folded thickness | Approximately 4.3" / 11 cm — flat enough to slide behind a sofa or into a closet |
| Package dimensions | 22"W × 25.2"L × 4.3"H |
| Frame | Chrome-plated tubular steel (2 mm wall) |
| Seat material | Molded acrylic |
| Color options | Amber Translucent (TEA), Crystal Clear (TPS), Emerald Green (GRN), Smoke Grey Translucent (SMK), Transparent Blue (BLU), Off-White (WHT) |
| Assembly | None — ships fully assembled and ready to unfold |
| Package contents | 2 folding stools, product care manual |
Care & Assembly
No assembly is required. Each stool arrives folded flat; to open, hold the seat with one hand and pull the back frame gently away from the leg frame until the hinge clicks into its upright position. Reverse the motion to close — never force the hinge.
To care for the acrylic, wipe with a soft microfiber cloth and a mild soap-and-water solution. Avoid abrasive sponges, ammonia-based glass cleaners and alcohol wipes, all of which can cloud or craze the surface over time. Polish the chrome frame with a dry microfiber cloth; for fingerprints, a small amount of chrome cleaner applied to the cloth (never sprayed directly onto the frame) keeps the finish bright. A drop of light machine oil on the hinge once a year keeps the fold smooth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mix colors within a set?
Each listing ships as a matched pair in a single color. To build a mixed set — for example, one Crystal Clear paired with one Amber Translucent — order two single-color sets or contact us before purchase and we can arrange a split shipment.
How thin do they fold for storage?
Folded, each stool sits at roughly 4.3 inches deep — slim enough to slide behind a sofa, into a coat closet or under a bed. A folded pair takes up less floor space than a single dining chair, which is exactly what made Piretti's original Plia so revolutionary for small Italian apartments.
Are they sturdy enough for daily dining?
Yes. The 2 mm chrome-plated steel frame and the locked three-disc hinge are rated for everyday adult use and support around 250 lbs (113 kg). Many owners use them as primary counter or bar seating and fold them only when entertaining larger groups.
Will the acrylic scratch?
Acrylic is softer than glass and can pick up fine marks if cleaned with abrasive cloths. Treated like a lens — soft cloth, mild soap, no solvents — the seat stays clear and glossy. Light surface marks can be buffed out with a plastic polish.
Are they stackable when unfolded?
No — the Plona is designed to fold, not stack. The space-saving move is to collapse them flat and lean them against a wall or hang them on a coat hook. Folded stools can be stored side-by-side with cloth between them to protect the acrylic.
Shipping & Returns
Free US shipping (typically arrives within 2 weeks). 30-day free returns. See our shipping policy and refund policy.
| Color |
Amber Translucent, Crystal Clear, Emerald Green, Transparent Blue, Off-White |
|---|
