Author: modculture

Categories / Design and Interiors, Homeware

SEBO Felix Fun retro vacuum cleaner

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Sebo_felix_2
Has there even been a retro vacuum cleaner? Well, there is now and it’s called the SEBO Felix Fun retro vacuum cleaner.

It’s very much the traditional cleaner, upright, but with a base that’s flat to the floor. And it’s got a telescopic handle to keep everything compact when you’ve finished sweeping up. It also comes apart to give you a mini-vacuum for cleaning stairs or upholstery.

But the big selling point is surely the design – in a superbly retro orange and purple colour scheme and pattern, adding a 70s slant to a very modern vac.

The Felix Fun costs around £230 and is available from many high street electrical retailers.

SEBO website

Categories / Music

Bid for Marc Bolan’s Flying V guitar at Christies

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Bolan_v
The Christies’ Pop Memorabilia auction is always worth a close inspection and the first details of the forthcoming April sale are now available – including this guitar once owned by Marc Bolan.

The guitar is a 1970 Gibson Flying V electric guitar, used extensively by Marc Bolan in the 1970s, most notably on Top Of The Pops in 1972, performing his Get It On single. If you want it, you’ll have to bid between £30,000 – £50,000. And from a similar era, you can pick up one of the Ziggy Stardust costumes from 1973 (estimate £4,000 – £6,000).

Check out the Christies’ website for the full listings. The auction takes place on Thursday 26th April at the South Kensington auction rooms.

Find out more at the Christies website

Categories / Gadgets and Tech, Toys and Games

Robot Calculator – just like a vintage robot

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Robot_calculator
We’ve featured plenty of robots in the past – and any number of everyday items that look like robots (like the robot toilet roll holder). Well, here’s another – the Robot Calculator.

Manufactured by Hog Wild, it has all the regular calculating buttons you would need, an easy-to-read LCD and a sleep mode that shuts down if not in use. But unlike other calculators, this one looks like a 1950s robot, even standing up on your desk for added effect.

An absolute bargain too – just $8.99 (around £4.50).

Find out more at the Kleargear website

Via Urban Retro Lifestyle

Categories / Theatre

Absolute Beginners – the play

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Absolute_beginners_play

Absolute Beginners didn’t work as a film, but I have much higher hopes for the theatrical production at the Lyric Theatre in London, which runs from 26th April – 26th May 2007.

The plot stays faithful to the must-read book – a young modernist photographer’s take on life on the streets of late 50s West London, played out against a backdrop of emerging racial hatred – and the theatre promises sets that faithfully re-create that late 50s coffee bar vibe.

Read more

Categories / Design and Interiors, eBay watch, Gadgets and Tech

eBay Watch: Welltron 2002 AM/FM radio

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Welltron_radio
More great futuristic design for sale on eBay – this time the Welltron 2002 AM/FM radio.

Just by looking at it, you’ll know it dates from around 1970, with a design inspired by a bowling ball (size, weight and carrying holes). Except this particular ball plays music – AM and FM radio through two built-in speakers, with sockets for extension speakers, a record deck, headphones and an FM antenna.

It’s currently at a tempting £16 – but with eight days to go as I write. it could get much, much higher.

See more images and the full details at the eBay website

Categories / Design and Interiors, Food and Drink

Orla Kiely limited edition easter egg and mug

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Orla_easter
Looking for a retro-inspired easter gift? You can’t go far wrong with this Orla Kiely limited edition easter egg and mug.

It’s pretty much what you would expect – a stylish Japanese mug with retro stem print design and a Butler’s milk chocolate easter egg sat inside.

A really smart gift – and much more eye-catching that the Buttons egg you’ll probably get back in return. It’s available now in limited quantities from selected stores (including Selfridges) and online for £16.99.

Find out more at the Orla Kiely website