Category: Design and Interiors

We featured the leather version of this some time back, but as the fabric-covered Laura Ashley Brandon armchair has both a very different look and a more appealing price, we thought it was worth flagging up.

Like the leather version, this is pure 1930s style, complete with some period-style cloth upholstery to go with those 30s curves and high armrests, along with some wooden feet supports.

Take your pick from four fabrics, with all variations now in the sale – selling for £400.90, down from a previous price of over £630, which makes it something of a deal.

Find out more at the Laura Ashley website

To celebrate 30 years of one of the most famous arcade games ever created, Zippo has created a range of Pac-Man lighters in conjunction with Banpresto.

The designs are all a variation on the Pac-Man theme (like the one above), with the characters attached to a classic Zippo lighter that works pretty much like every other windproof Zippo in the world.

But before you run out to your local tobacconist, there are a couple of problems. Firstly, the lighters aren't available until November and secondly, it looks like they might be Japan only. Which probably means hunting around import and auction sites to get one. Hopefully that will not be the case – we'll keep you posted.

Zippo website

Via Akihabara News

A modern take on a gentlemen's club classic – the Baker and Belgae Self wing chair for Rume.

Something of an over-dramatic update on the wing chair, Self offers up a raked back, button detail, hardwood frame and slim legs, along with a choice of fabric or leather for the upholstered finish.

Made to order, you can get your order in now – prices start at £1,560.

Find out more at the Rume website

We have featured the table version of this in the past, but never the Verner Panton Pantop pendant light. However, as it's been just been reissued in some bold new colour options for 2009, it seems like the perfect time to put that right.

First produced back in 1980, the Pantop is distinctive for its bell-like shade, produced in metal and accompanied by a chrome ceiling  canopy, white fabric wire and an engraved Verner Panton signature.

The green version is accompanied by a pink version, both selling for £220.

Find out more at the Panik Design website

These alphabet drawers aren't influenced directly by any era or designer but do draw their inspiration from old printing blocks. Made to order from solid oak by Kent and London, each letter of the alphabet has its own drawer, so there are 26 drawers of various sizes.  

It's a very tactile piece that does seem to encourage you to run your hands over the relief of its letters and creates an urge to take out and starting inking up the drawers. Two slight problems with this though. First, the print of any of these letters would of course be back-to-front and secondly, also the price might put you off: at £2700 it's an investment for the future, rather than a customisation project.