Yes, good design can extend into the bathroom – check out the Eskimo Towelclip radiator.
In a classic paperclip design, it would look great in any home going for a pop art theme. And on a practical level, it’s sized at 800x250mm, has an output of 45 Watts, is available available in a coloured or chrome finish and is great for drying your towels.
It retails for around £350.
Previously available as a limited collector’s edition, Surf Photography of the 1960s and 1970s by LeRoy Grannis is now available as an unlimited edition from Taschen.
Surfing gradually took hold of America in the 1950s, peaking in popularity during the 60s and 70s. On hand to record that era was LeRoy Grannis, a surfer since 1931, who began photographing the scene in California and Hawaii in the early 1960s.
Another nice piece of design from Suck UK, this time with the Razorblade Mirror, which, as you can see, is based on the shape of a typical razorblade.
Designed by Phil Sims and ideal for a novelty shaving mirror or just an interesting decoration for your living room wall, it’s even got the name of the most famous razorblade-user of all on the front – Sweeney Todd. No details yet on price or availability, but you can register your interest with the company.
We’re big fans of the post-war designs of Alexander Girard as you may have noticed from our previous features on the Girard wooden dolls and Girard cushions. And now we’ve found more – these Alexander Girard Alphabet Blocks.
There’s 28 multi-sided blocks in the set, each featuring some bright and bold Girard design. Ideal as a cool learning tool for your kids, just as cool as a decorative object for the home.
Each set retails for $100 (just over £50).
Find out more at the Sparkability website
High street store Littlewoods isn’t the first place you’d expect to find great retro design, but we may have to change our opinion if they continue to produce items like these Andy Warhol-inspired cushions.
The ones featured here are the Elvis cushion, which is in polyester satin with a flock print and the Marilyn Monroe cushion, which is made of a cotton corduroy. Both retail for £19.
Even better – both are also available as duvet sets and a classic tomato soup can design is on its way. More on that when we have it.
Find out more at the Littlewoods website
Band compiling mix albums is a definite growth industry right now – it’s a shame most of them are dull or try too hard to be cool. Better to just throw together a genuinely random selection tracks and see what happens – as it the case with Nouvelle Vague – Late Night Tales.
Eclectic is an overused term, but it really does fit this album by the French cover specialists. From vintage acts including Julie London, Glen Campbell and Peggy Lee, taking in a few 60s and 70s cult acts, then moving onto the more familiar Nouvelle Vague territory of 70s and 80s alternative pop – Special AKA, Pale Fountains, Tones on Tail and This Mortal Coil.
And there’s even room for a Nouvelle Vague cover – the band’s take on Come On Eileen. It’s out this week – a definite try before you buy, but well worth a listen.
