Categories / Gadgets and Tech

Vita Audio R2 DAB radio with walnut finish

Vitra
Call me shallow, but I can’t resist a gadget with a nice wood finish. They always sit so well on the Merrow Associates furniture – far better than the white plastic stuff.

The latest candidate for the cash is this Vita Audio R2 DAB radio system. The stylish exterior packs in a DAB (digital) and FM radio, and it can be attached to an MP3 player, CD player or other related gadget for playback through the 20w amplifier. Except of course, that wouldn’t be in wood, so would no longer look hip.

Add to that a clock alarm with sleep and snooze functions and that just about covers it. You can pick one up for around £220.

Find out more at the Vita Audio website

Categories / Cars and Bikes

Pashley Princess Sovereign bike

Pashley_bike

The sun is starting to creep out – an ideal time to get out and do some exercise. And if that means getting a bike and indeed something traditional, check out the Pashley Princess Sovereign Hybrid bike.

It’s not one for racing or getting up mountains, but if you want something for nipping round the town or city, this is it. It’s got a traditionally lugged and brazed frame, five gears, polished alloy rims, a traditional spring seat, that all-important basket and it’s available in a choice of sizes from 18 to 22 inch.

A bike that should be with you for years – and one that will always look timeless. It retails for just short of £500.

Find out more at the Evans Cycles website

Categories / Cars and Bikes

Final version of the new Fiat 500 unveiled

Fiat_500

We’ve followed the progress of the new version of the Fiat 500 for some months now, but the final version has now been unveiled – and it should be available from summer onwards.

The new Fiat 500 is very much out of the same mould as the original, right down to the classic badge on the front and the retro-styled interior. But at the same time it looks very much like a modern city car. And it’s still small – three doors and measuring 355cm long, 165cm wide and 149cm tall – however, it should seem bigger inside thanks to the glass roof panel.

It’s getting the official launch in Turin on 4th July, 50 years after the original 500 was unveiled, with the car hitting Fiat dealers in Italy soon after. Here in the UK, we’ll have to wait a little longer – the range will not be available until early 2008, with a convertible version expected in around a year’s time.

Future classic or another classic ruined? let us know below…

Fiat website

More images at the Auto Express website

Categories / Design and Interiors, Food and Drink, Homeware

Francis Francis! X1 classic espresso machine

X1

If you’re a coffee lover, you probably need an espresso machine in the home. And if you are a design lover, you will probably like the look of the Francis Francis! X1 classic espresso machine.

Fantastic retro styling that should impress friends and neighbours (the work of leading Italian architect and designer Luca Trazzi) and easy espresso from a machine that’s easy to operate for single servings without any mess. Or if you fancy a longer drink, a separate stainless steel steam nozzle heats milk for cappuccino and latte.

It’s available in a never-ending range of colours (including the ones above) or a stainless steel option from a number of high street stores. The coloured model retails for £375, with the stainless steel option going for around £475.

Find out more at the Francis Francis! website

Categories / Design and Interiors, Gadgets and Tech

Space age Music Sofa

Music_sofa_2

A while back, we featured the Sonic Chair, a modern-day take on Eero Aarnio’s Ball Chair with built-in speakers. And now, along similar lines, comes the Music Sofa.

Designed by Giongkun Wuqiongkun, it’s actually a chair more than a sofa, but has a superb space age design that would fit effortlessly into your 70s-style pad. But this is no ordinary chair – it has a built-in CD player and built-in speakers for your tunes. And it’s got a wireless connection, so you can stream music from around the house.

Clever stuff, but still a prototype right now, with production likely later this year.

Find out more at the Yanko Design website

Categories / Toys and Games

William & Son luxury Monopoly set

Luxury_monopoly

Monopoly is available today in an endless number of variations, as well as being available on various computers and games consoles. But you can’t beat the original – and you can’t get a more stylish version than the William & Son luxury Monopoly set.

It’s the Monopoly set for real property tycoons. This handmade leather set also comes with a leather dice shaker, a leather wallet for each player and some sterling silver pieces. All that’s missing is real money as opposed to the toy variety that comes as standard.

Available in red or a colour of your choice by order, it retails for £3,995.

Find out more at the William & Son website