Category: Design and Interiors

A modern design with a nod to a bygone age – the John Lewis Swing Chair.

Perfect for that 1950s vibe, the swing Chair has plenty of curves, no arms, but plenty of comfort from the substantial front and back cushioning, which is attached to a screwed wooden frame. Digging those  splayed, beech stained dark wood legs too.

Two colour options available for that Harlequin Pasha upholstery, with the price of each one at £799. See a side view of the chair over the page.

Find out more at the John Lewis website

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Trust me, you'll be desperate to splash the cash once you've browsed the 20th Century Decorative Art and Design sale at Christies.

It takes place on 24th March 2010 at the South Kensington showroom, packing in everything frim larger furniture items through to lighting and glassware, with a strong showing for midcentury and space age designs.

The Joe Colombo Tube Chair above is one such example. It's from 1969, has a little bit of minor detailing missing, but has been re-upholstered (with the original covering thrown in as part of the deal). It's up for between £2,000 – £3,000. Also check out the set of three Merrow Associates display cabinets, they're featured on our Merrow Associates site.

Find out more at the Christies website

A chair fit for a Bond villain – indeed, the De Sede DS51 armchair was actually designed at the height of the Bond series.

First produced back in 1971 and offering a mix of classic looks and contemporary styling today, the DS51 offers up nice details like hand-sewn seat and back cushions (made from high end leather of course for comfort), along with a contrasting chrome base and a swivel mechanism for when you're working on those villainous plans.

Unfortunately only affluent supervillains need apply – prices start at £4,330.

Find out more at the Chaplins website

Midcentury design isn't the first thing you might associate with Ikea, but if you dig deep enough, you can find the odd gem lurking on the shelves, like the newly-introduced Vate table lamp range.

It's Ikea's take on the classic 1950s Akari table lamps by Isamu Noguchi, reissues of which sell for just under £160. The Ikea lights (which are in no way attributed directly with Noguchi) are much cheaper, offering up two designs (another pictured over the page), a handmade rice paper shade on a steel frame and of course, some ambient light for your table.

Prices start at £7.99.

Find out more at the Ikea website

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