Author: Justine Harvey

Categories / Books, Toys and Games

McDonald’s Pre-Happy Meal Toys from the Fifties, Sixties and Seventies

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Apparently there are serious collectors of the toys given away with McDonald’s meals. Hence the need for this book “McDonald's Pre-Happy Meal Toys from the Fifties, Sixties and Seventies” by Joyce and Terry Losonsky.

Although I’m not a collector of such toys myself, I’m intrigued by this book as a record of a bygone age. The authors have produced similar guides covering more recent times since the Happy Meal was introduced in 1979, but this period looks more interesting. As well as photographs of the toys, the book also includes detials of jingles, slogs and advertisements used, so it should be a fascinating read for anyone with an interest in advertising too.

It is available to buy from Amazon for just under £20.

Categories / Design and Interiors, Homeware

Cassina Goteborg Dining Chair

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The Goteborg Dining Chair is over seventy years old with the approximate dates of its design being lists as 1934-1937. It was designed by the Swedish architect and designer, Erik Gunnar Asplund.

Asplund played a central role in the development of Scandinavian architecture and design of twentieth century with his work influencing big names in design such as Alvar Aalto and Arne Jacobsen. It is still being manufactured by Cassina and is available to buy online from Nest with a choice of fabric or leather upholstery.

With the current 10% discount, the chair costs around £625 for fabric or just over £670 for leather. Visit Nest to see all the options.

Categories / Homeware

1970s Style “Mystic” Bedding Range

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If you like 1970s patterned bedding, but aren’t keen on the thought of second-hand, the Mystic Bedding range recreates the look of that era.

The duvet cover features appliqued wheels in shades of brown set against cream background and is available in sizes ranging from single to super kingsize. Pillows are sold separately, in a choice of standard or boudoir size. Prices for the duvet covers range from £39 to £68 with pillows costing £9.75 – £14.50.

They are available to buy online or in store from John Lewis.

Categories / Art and Photography

“The Universe of Keith Haring” at ICA, London

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Keithharingfilm

Keith Haring’s art adorns a huge array of products, many of which we’ve featured here before, however, beyond his anti-elitist ethos, I for one know hardly anything about the artist. That could change with the ICA’s screening of “The Universe of Keith Haring”.

The documentary directed by Chistina Clausen features archive footage and interviews with many of his contemporaries and admirers including Grace Jones, Madonna, Yoko Ono, David LaChapelle and Andy Warhol.

It is showing on 28 February at 8.30 at the ICA. For further details and bookings visit the ICA website.

Categories / Architecture, Homeware

Mackintosh’s Buildings Tea Towel

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Drying dishes is never interesting, but perhaps it could be improved for fans of the architecture in general and the Modern Movement in particular with this tea towel depicting Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Buildings.

It features seven of his most famous buildings in Glasgow including the Willow Tea Rooms, The Glasgow School of Art and The Lighthouse.

It costs £6.20 and is available to buy from one of the very buildings it shows, The Lighthouse.

Categories / Homeware

Hand-woven Fruit Cushions

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Fruitcushions

Last year we highlighted posters by Enzo Mari from 1963 which featured bold fruit prints, to which the Pear and Apple designs in this small collection of hand-woven cushions bear a striking resemblance.

The cushions are made of pure wool with a graphic image of the fruit on one side and a stylised cross section of it on the reverse. As well as the apple and pear, there is also a lemon variation and the cross-section detail of that design reminded me of another iconic design, the Stone Roses eponymous album artwork.

The cushions are available to buy online from Couverture for the rather high (or extortionate depending on your outlook)  price of £179 for the large version, or slightly friendlier price of £89 for the smaller. Visit the Couverture website to buy.