Categories / Architecture, Books, Homeware

Shire Publications “The 1960s Home”

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Shire Publications specialises in small potted guides to history and hobbies, with an emphasis very much on the quaint and British. Published this month is The 1960s Home, the latest in their series documenting the British home throughout the Twentieth Century.

The 1960s was a rise in owner-occupiers which led to an increased interest in furnishings and luxury goods. Whilst there are many books out there already that focus on the designer furniture and styles of this period, the Shire book looks at the housing and interiors that would be typical of the average home. The little book is just 56 pages long, but covers architecture, textiles, pottery and glass, kitchen and bathrooms, mixing informative text with illustrations.

You can buy The 1960s Home directly from the Shire website, priced £6.99.

Categories / Homeware

Sanderson Dandelion Beanbag

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John Lewis is currently promoting their collection of beanbags, the best of which undoubtedly being the Sanderson Dandelion Beanbag.

Here a piece of furniture more often associated with the late 1960s and 1970s is mixed with a 1950s style fabric, but I think it works well. The Dandelion fabric is in the “Chaffinch” colourway, which is various shades of green.

The beanbag costs £95 from John Lewis.

Categories / Art and Photography

Vintage American Advertisements

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New in at Pedlars is a great selection of Vintage American Advertisements.

They date back to the 1960s and 1970s but are all in excellent condition. They advertise a range of ice cream and drink products including Bisicle (a frozen fudge lolly in two parts), Groovy Grape (presumably a grape juice), Malted Ice Milk and an ice cream cone called Drumstick. The sizes vary but all are sold framed and cost £85.

Visit Pedlars to view the whole collection.

Categories / Homeware

New York Subway Map Paperweight

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London transport system features heavily in retro-inspired products, so it makes a nice change to see something from another city, such as this New York Subway Map Paperweight.

Paperweights themselves are something of a retro item as we move away from paper and towards electronic storage (although my desk is just as swamped in paper as ever). The glass paperweights contain a small section of old New York Subway maps, with the exact part of the map varying so no two are the same. The paperweight is available in a choice of shapes, either oval or round, both priced £18.

The New York Subway Map Paperweight is available from House Inventory.

Categories / Homeware

Zoe Murphy’s Margate Collection

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Zoe Murphy specialises in reusing midcentury furniture, by restoring it and adding her own creative flourishes to the pieces, inspired by 1950s, seaside resorts, cafes and 1930s cinema.

The Margate Collection is typical of her work, consisting of retro furniture that has been revamped with illustrations that pay homage the quintessential seaside resort of Margate. Many of the patterns and bright colours are inspired by Formica tables found in seaside cafes. These are bespoke items, and Zoe Murphy is able to create design on your own vintage furniture as well as keeping a small stock of her own ready to revamp. Prices start at £650.

Visit Zoe Murphy’s website for further details.