Category: Design and Interiors

A design classic from over 50 years ago – yet the Fritz Hansen PK31 easy chair will still fit effortlessly into a modern home if you have the cash to spare.

Designed by Poul Kjaerholm back in 1958, this was experiment in finding the ideal form, although I suspect you'll be more interested in those eye-catching sharp lines, matt chromed spring steel base and soft seating that's covered in leather. Stylish and comfortable – not always the case with classic design.

Sadly, it doesn't come cheap – prices start at around £7,600.

Find out more at the Nest website

It might not be the first place you'd think of looking, but Argos does have the odd retro gem lurking if you're on a budget, including the 1970s-style Chrome sofa and armchair.

Very much in that late 60s/1970s area, the kind of are companies like Merrow Associates and Pieff operated in so successfully. This isn't quite so high end, but it does offer the look for not a lot of cash – a chrome frame with black (or white) leatherette covering those foam cushions.

The two-seater sofa sells for £199.99, while the armchair (pictured over the page) is £129.99. There's also a footstool for the chair, that sells for £79.99.

Find out more at the Argos website

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The new Heal's range is slowly trickling in, with the new Heal's ReDiscovers collection including this very stylish Contour oak sideboard by Samuel Chan.

Very much inspired by midcentury design, it has those wood-turned 'trumpet legs', plenty of curves, a timeless look and a real attention to detail – super-thin 10mm sections and solid oak cross-band lipping are applied entirely by hand for example. Two doors hide storage, while two drawers offer room for your bits and pieces.

The Contour oak sideboard sells for £1,495 and if you like the look, there's also an AV unit, coffee table and console table with the same look. You can see an image of the console table over the page. All are available to order from Heal's right now.

Find out more at the Heals website

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A stunning piece of modernist design is back to wow us in 2010 – the Fontana Arte 0024 hanging lamp by Gio Ponti.

Still looking ahead of its time, this 1931 design has a chrome-plated brass frame, transparent, tempered glass disks and a central diffuser in sandblasted glass. A pair of bulbs within creating that glowing light.

It's sized at 53 x 53cm and sells for £1,647. Not cheap, but relatively cheap compared to the larger (141.5 x 138.5cm) 0024XXL version – that retails for £22,090.

Find out more at the Panik Design website