Category: Design and Interiors

A 1950s lighting classic is back in 2009 – but don't expect to be picking up the Louis Poulsen Ph Louvre suspension light for a post-war price.

Its a stunning light fitting, designed back in 1957 by Poul Henningsen for the Adventist Church in Skodsborg, Denmark. Clever stuff too – the Ph Louvre is a glare-free light, with all 13 shades (mounted on 4 legs) offering up light at exactly the same angle, creating what's described as 'optimal, even illumination'.

Stylish looks, clever design – you just know it's going to be pricey. And it is. The reissue of the Ph Louvre suspension light is yours for £3,864. Saying that, this is a timeless classic – possibly the only light you'll ever need to buy for your living room.

Find out more at the Panik Design website

You probably know that gift-wrapping your presents is terribly environmentally unsound, but somehow gifts aren’t as good without it. Thankfully Green Apple has a good selection of Recycled Gift Wrap.

This does not mean that it is paper from a previously received gift (although you can always go down that route yourself), but rather it is made from recycled paper. Moreover, the design options definitely favour retro styles. These include several retro-influenced designs by Lisa Jones and Sukie’s Alphabet design. The paper is of high quality and cost between £1.20 and £1.50 per sheet.

Visit the Green Apple website to see all of the options.

Yesterday we featured one half of the new Muji v Thonet range, the bentwood table and chairs. Today we're checking the other half, this time inspired by the company's modernist designs of the 1920s – and including the tubular steel desk by Konstantin Grcic.

Hip German designer Konstantin Grcic has been given the chance to update the company's iconic Bauhaus-like tubular steel designs, adding a slightly contemporary twist, but effectively (and thankfully) leaving the look very much in the 20s. Which means one of the coolest desk designs ever has had a designer overhaul and comes in with a high street price tag.

How much? Well, prices being quoted are around £250 for the desk, with the chair pictured expected to sell for around £215. Again, these are due from August and initially, only from the Muji flagship store on London's Tottenham Court Road.

Muji website

Art deco design doesn't have to mean spending a small fortune at antique houses and specialist shops, you can get something with the look for a more modest outlay on the high street – like the John Lewis Overmantel mirror for example.

it absolutely screams the art deco era, with that angular overlapping design perfect for anyone  looking for a 20s or 30s look in their home. It's sized around 107cm high and around 86cm wide, sold with fixings for the mirror itself, but not for your wall (as that depends on the wall it's going on).

Available online and probably instore, the John Lewis Overmantel mirror is yours for £195.

Find out more at the John Lewis website