Category: Design and Interiors

We seem to be on a bit of  50s tip today – not intentionally, but with so much great design from the era, it’s hardly surprising. And the Wilhem Braun-Feldweg Mondello pendant lamp is very much an unsung example.

The work of industrial designer Braun-Feldweg in 1959, the lamp is based on the ‘drop-like bubbles’ formed in glass blowing. Indeed, the shade itself is made of Triplex opal glass, with a matt nickel-plated holder and rosette and a cloth-covered cable completing the light.

Both simplistic and stylish, it’s unlikely to date for many years to come – if ever. Yours for £185.

Find out more at the Manufactum website

Not an armchair in the traditional sense, but the Cherner armchair is every bit the design classic.

Originally hitting the market in 1958, it’s a moulded plywood armchair ergonomically designed for comfort, with the added bonus of being a stylish looker too, thanks to the curves and graduated thickness of the wood.

This reissue has been remade using the original drawings and moulds, with a choice of walnut, ebony and natural finishes. Prices start at £850.

Find out more at the Nest website

Cement and style are rarely seen in the same sentence, but if you’re on the look out for a designer seat for indoor/outdoor (or conservatory use), the Willy Guhl Loop Chair could be for you.

Dating back to 1954, the Loop is made of Eternit, widely used in the building trade and offering a mix of cement and (would you believe) air to offer something structurally strong, but at the same time light and easy to manipulate – as the curves of the Loop (and accompanying table) shows.

A modernist classic now back on the market, it’s yours for £350.

Find out more at the TwentyTwentyOne website

It might look old and indeed it might look designer – but the Dwell curved swivelling armchair is neither.

Packing those ‘Bond villain’ looks, the chair has a brushed stainless steel swivel base, a wooden frame and plenty of padding from the cushions, covered in a mix of terylene, viscose and acrylic.

£245 gets you one of these right now, but it might be best to hold on – Dwell is knocking 40 per cent off a good chunk of its products from Boxing Day.

Find out more at the Dwell website

You can match it with the Paimio Chair or you can enjoy the Alvar Aalto Paimio 606 side table for the modernist classic that it is.

A gem of 1930s design, the Paimio is a circular side table with a chrome-plated steel tube construction, couple with a birch plywood top lacquered in black, white or a more bold orange.

Not the most expensive design classic on the market either, priced at £235.

Find out more at the TwentyTwentyOne website

Remember the British Design Classics postage stamps? Well, it seems they’ve prompted some of the companies involved to dig deep into the archives – including Anglepoise, which as re-introduced its classic Anglepoise Original 1227 table lamp.

It has been reissued before, but with some alterations – this version is true to the original and indeed the image on the stamp. That means a choice of three colours and the original 1930s George Carwardine shape, with aluminium arms and joints, a weighted base and the original shade. In fact the only difference is the bulb – an energy-saving version is supplied.

Out now and yours for around £110.

Find out more at the Anglepoise website

Thanks to Simon for the tip off!