Author: Julia Grant

Categories / Gadgets and Tech

Radio-One retro Bakelite radio

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Bakelite_radio
We’ve covered numerous retro radios in the past – mainly DAB radios for the UK market. But this Radio-One retro Bakelite radio is even more authentically vintage.

Available in the US, it’s made from a butterscotch-coloured bakelite, but substitutes the vintage workings for a modern-day AM/FM receiver, with tuning via the front dial. There’s also the usual power and volume controls, along with mains power.

Available online and worth a look if you go for that period look, you can pick one up for $250 (around £130).

Find out more at the Kate’s Paperie website

Categories / Design and Interiors, eBay watch

eBay Watch: 70s Flying Saucer light fitting

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Blue_light
Most of the big-name design goes for its price on eBay, but if you look carefully, there’s still some great items lurking about – like this 1970s Flying Saucer light fitting.

I don’t know much more about it than what’s listed on the site, but it’s certainly an original piece fro the 70s, in an unusual (but quite contemporary) shade of blue and complete with light connection. Spot on for any space age home.

Seems to be on good condition, with just a few light scratches – and if you can get it for not much more than its current price of £32, you’re onto a real bargain that should rise in price over the years.

See more images and the full description at the eBay website

Categories / Travel

Retro Retreats: King’s Parc Hotel Switzerland

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Kings_parc
As we’re deep into the winter sports season, it’s a good time to highlight a Retro Retreat in the Alps – the King’s Parc Hotel in Verbier, Switzerland.

The King’s Parc Hotel, Verbier has 17 suites, all with alpine views and balconies and handy for skiing and nightlife. However, what sets it apart is the interior. Full of 60s/70s charm, with fake fur covers on the beds, a lounge with vintage sofas and stylish modern-day artwork, a bar with authentic 60s décor and a restaurant that goes back even further, with Italian wood panelling from the 1920s.

If all that sounds like your thing, be warned – it’s not cheap. Prices vary dependent on the time of the year, with prices starting from around £151 for bed and breakfast.

Visit the King’s Parc Hotel website

Categories / Design and Interiors, Gadgets and Tech

Sonic Chair – the Ball Chair with built-in speakers

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Sonic_chair

Eero Aarnio’s Ball Chair has been turning heads since 1962 – a design so forward-looking that it’s been pointless trying to update it. Until now – with the introduction of the Sonic Chair.

The Sonic Chair is the Ball Chair with sound. It has input jacks so you can wire up your portable (or fixed) player of choice, playing music through the satellite speakers placed all over the inside of the structure (even in the seat and backrest). And once you’re inside listening to your music, the structure acts as acoustic insulation, protecting you from outside sounds and background noise.

Read more

Categories / Cars and Bikes

Evel Knievel replica motorcycle helmet

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Evel_helmet
For the casual Evel Knievel fan, there’s the Evel Knievel Stunt Set toy, for the obsessive fan, there’s the Evel Knievel replica helmet.

An exact replica of the great man’s headwear, it’s hand-painted onto an original pre-1980 helmet and detailed using real gold leaf. An actual Evel autograph and picture of Evel signing the helmet, along with a padded helmet bag complete the set.

And you just know it isn’t going to be cheap. It’s priced at $1299 (around £670) and comes with a certificate of authenticity to justify the outlay.

Find out more at the Evel One website

Categories / Gadgets and Tech, Toys and Games

Nintendo NES Controller Wallet

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Nintendo_wallet
One for the gaming geeks and in particular retro gaming geeks – the Nintendo NES Controller Wallet.

A description isn’t really necessary – this is a canvas wallet with a replica image of an original Nintendo controller sewn on the front, there’s not much else to say.

However, I will mention that it’s officially licensed, it has pockets for credit cards and photo ID and costs just $10 (just over £5). And if you bought the Nintendo NES Power Mints, the Nintendo NES alarm clock or the Nintendo Mushroom Scarf, this is definitely for you.

Find out more at the 80s Tees website