Category: Design and Interiors

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

eBay watch: Braun Atelier 1-81 radio and stereo record player by Hans Gugelot and Dieter Rams

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Braun

This site isn't knocked up randomly you know – having just flagged up the excellent Braun design book, we have one the company's finest designs – the Braun Atelier 1-81 radio and stereo record player by Hans Gugelot and Dieter Rams.

It could be one of the most stylish audio system ever made and yes, some of the functionality of this early 60s system isn't exactly 2009 (no iPod connectivity for sure), but it should fit effortlessly into any home.

It's in full working order and excellent condition, although the electrics might need sorting out for your country (it's selling out of Germany). You'll also need some speakers too. Which makes the £600 asking price a little rich. Saying that, it is a classic piece of design, unlikely to ever be remade. Looking at it that way, the Braun Atelier 1-81 could be a shrewd investment for the future.

Find out more at the eBay website

Categories / Books, Design and Interiors, Kids

Kid Made Modern book

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Kid made modern

Do you want your kids to know their Alexander Calder from their Alexander Girard? Well, rather than giving them too long a lecture in the history of design, try this Kid Made Modern book. Written by Todd Oldham it uses mid-century designers as the starting base for 52 different craft projects for kids. It details how to make a cardboard fort inspired by Luis Barragan or window decorations in the style of Russel Wright or even decorate a few wooden spoons to create an alternative version of the Girard dolls.

The projects look so much fun you may find yourself joining in! 

The book is for sale for £11.45 on Amazon

Categories / Design and Interiors

Frank Lloyd Wright Taliesin 2 floor light by Yamagiwa

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Wright_light

Ok, sit back and relax, I want to tell you the story of the Frank Lloyd Wright Taliesin 2 floor light, now reissued by Yamagiwa.

The original design was produced as a pendant light for a gymnasium back in 1933, but was modified for domestic use in the 1950s. Impressed with the indirect lighting effect produced by the ceiling lights, Frank Lloyd Wright amended the design to a floor lamp for his own Taliesin home – and this is that design.

A totem-like mix of cherry wood and incandescent bulbs (for the glowing light), it works either as a piece of domestic sculpture or functional design, not to mention a piece of hstory for your home. It retails for just over £1,000.

Find out more at the Panik Design website

Categories / Books, Design and Interiors, Homeware

Braun: Fifty Years of Design and Innovation book by Bernd Polster

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Braun

With the Less and More Dieter Rams exhibition running at London's Design Museum right now, it seems like the perfect time to release Braun: Fifty Years of Design and Innovation by Bernd Polster.

Rams, of course, was the design driving force for the German lifestyle brand, producing iconic designs for Braun's flagship electronics and home appliances, designs that have massively influenced the modern era – just look at Apple's current roster of products against Braun's output of the 60s and 70s for a compare and contrast exercise.

Braun's systematic approach and design principles are highlighted in this 504-page hardback book, supported by 560 illustrations and photographs which combine to show how product deesign became every but as important as product functionality. Available now, it sells for just under £28.

Find out more at the Amazon website

Via Switched On Set

Categories / Design and Interiors

Eero Aarnio Parabel space age dining table

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Parabel

A stunning piece of retro design, but the Eero Aarnio Parabel dining table by Adelta doesn't come cheap.

Using his favoured fibreglass, Aarnio has produced this stunning piece of space age design, part sculpture, part practical dining furniture that's certain to be with you for some years to come.

It stands around 72cm high, with a diameter of 130cm, selling for 3,400 Euros. If that's a bit rich (and a bit large), there's also a side table with a similar look, selling for 1,460 Euros.

Find out more at the Finnish Design Shop website

Categories / Design and Interiors

Lagom’s Alexander Girard greeting cards

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Girard card

We're huge fans of the mid-century designs work of Alexander Girard here, though sometimes it's a little tricky to find affordable version of his work for sale. We featured these notecards quite a while back but unfortunately they no longer seem to be available. It's exciting news then that Lagom have been selected by the Girard estate to publish a range of greeting cards for sale in the UK. 

There are twelve attractive cards available which include reproductions of some of his best known designs. Each card costs £1.79 and apparently there's some gift wrap to follow. Watch this space…

See the range online