Author: Justine Harvey

Ken Eardley has created a collection of ceramics with distinctively retro patterns, with designs reminiscent of Scandinavian folk art and Orla Kiely’s designs.

Eardley’s background is in textile but has moved into ceramics, which on the basis of his current collection, he certainly has a talent for. The range includes mugs (priced £19 for the small version, £24 for the large), bowls (£24 for a sugar bowl up to £68 for a salad bowl), plates (£24 for a side plate, £35 for a dinner plate, £84 for a serving platter), jugs and vases (both from £24). All of the pieces are hand-made using glazed earthenware.

You can view and buy the whole collection online at Yellowhouse Art.

Part of the range made exclusively for John Lewis, Nick Munro has created two mirrors that would work well with retro décor.

Pictured here is the Vanish Mirror which is so named because the concentric rectangles pattern gives the illusion of a distant vanishing point. To me, it also suggests 1960s interiors. The other design, Bubbles, is just as retro looking, featuring multiple cut-out circles of varying sizes, to create an eye-catching design, although probably not a suitable mirror to look in for applying make-up.

Both designs cost £195 from John Lewis.

The recent spate of union jack products has left me rather bored of the red, white and blue pattern, but the Albert Chair by Melanie Porter is a different matter.

The knitwear designer has taken a vintage chair and reupholstered it with a handknitted cable union jack. The result is a great statement piece of furniture. The Albert Chair costs £2,500.

Contact Melanie Porter via her website for full details.