Some time back, we featured the Watt table lamp at John Lewis, a design inspired by the classic 1960s Ingo Maurer Bulb table lamp. It was considerably cheaper than the original, but now another similar design is available for even less money – the Idea bulb shape table lamp at B&Q.
Look at the image above, what are you thinking, some design classic from the mid to late-60s. That's what we thought when we first caught site of the Gizmo table lamp. But amazingly, this is a budget offering from B&Q of all places.
If you like Cath Kidston's London design or the retro city views of Lizzie Allen's City Gents wallpaper or indeed the the C'est Magnifique wallpaper we featured a couple of weeks ago, this La Vie Ordinaire wallpaper from B&Q could offer you a good budget option.
Like those three designs, it's decorated with illustrations of a city, in this case showing London, Paris and New York. It's a very nostalgic, touristy viewpoint so New York gets yellow cabs and the Statue of Liberty; London gets gents in suits and a girl in a rain mac holding a bulldog. The retro feel is further enhanced by the red and yellow highlights that have been used as part of the illustrations.
The paper costs £19.98 for 10 metres
Order it online
There are some really stylish and affordable lights in B&Q right now, including this B&Q Pandora opal glass globe floor lamp.
One of a series of lights using the same design (you can see the table versions on the image above), it has a distinctive 1970s space age style about it and some substance for the money. By that, I mean a glass shade and a metal stem, rather than cheaper plastic.
The floor lamp stands around 165cm tall and sells for £51.48. Also instore is an equally cool Tom Dixon-like Harika Globe table lamp. You can check that out over at our Switched On Set site.
Find out more at the B&Q website
B&Q is always a good place to look for interesting and affordable lighting without the big price tag, which this Cupola table lamp is certainly an example of.
Available in various colours (not just the red above), it reminds us of both the Verner Panton Flopwerpot light and his Panthella lamp – not a bad marriage, we have to say.
Made of metal, the lamp stands at just 38cm tall, has an in-line hand switch and needs a 40w bulb for light – the latter likely to add a couple of quid onto the modest £15.98 price tag for the lamp.
Who needs a deckchair when you can swing around in the sun in this Soltera Tropica hanging egg chair, which is available at B&Q.
This 60s-style seat is good for both indoors and out because it's freestanding and has a robust, supporting frame – no need to hand the chair from a sturdy ceiling. All you have to do is put together a few parts, slip in the provided cushion and swing away like a swinging London hipster.
The chair is made from rattan weave effect and is available online only, selling for £399.98.
