Category: Design and Interiors

Officially described as a ‘sofa bench’, we prefer to call it the Ikea Stockholm console table.

The idea of a sofa bench is for extra storage behind your sofa, but in its more traditional role, this console table offers slimline storage for a hallway or indeed any narrow room on its two shelves.

And being part of the Stockholm range, it offers a 50s-style mid-century look that should fit in effortlessly with your sideboard and period seating. Made of oak and designed by Ehlén Johansson, it sells for £149.

Find out more at the Ikea website

Not a period piece, the Hidde leather armchair from Heals is a modern design with one eye fixed on the past.

To us, that past is the late 1960s, this Gerard van de Berg-designed chair offering up an egg-like shape that’s perfect for an old-style Bond Villain and a luxury soft full aniline leather that’s ideal for anyone who just wants to sink into a luxurious seat after a tough day at work.

The eat is exclusive to Heals and available in a variety of leather finishes, all for around £2,295.

Find out more at the Heals website

A pre-war classic that’s still adding some style to homes today – the Cassina Lewis coffee table by Frank Lloyd Wright.

First launched on the eve of World War II in 1939, the Lewis table is cut very much from the modernist cloth, that sharp geometric shape very indicative of the era, as well as offering two levels of storage for your living room essentials.

Take your pick from two sizes and finishes of natural cherry wood, stained walnut and stained black, with prices starting at £1,227.

Find out more at the Nest website
http://www.nest.co.uk/browse/manufacturer/cassina/-/cassina_lewis_coffee_table/

I think we’ve used the term ‘stylish simplicity’ on numerous occasions – but we make no apologies for using it again when describing the Jørgen Gammelgaard Tip Top pendant lights.

An often copied design (we picked up something similar from Habitat a few years back), the Tip Top pendant was introduced by Pandul back in 1968 and still looks the part in 2008. Essentially it’s based around a large aluminium diffuser, available in black, white and ‘natural’, with a choice of size and the option to use high for lighting up a room or lower to focus on something (like a dining table).

SCP sell them in the UK, with prices starting at £154.99.

Find out more at the SCP website

If you’re on the look out for some period Danish furniture, the Danish Homestore is well worth a look – a treasure trove of mid-century originals, including many designs that have never been re-produced.

Typical is this Hans Wegner oak double day bed for Getama. As you can guess, this is a sofa, probably dating from the 1960s, offering plenty of stylish space by day  and if you pull it out, a double bed for the night. The frame is made of oak and chrome, with that large ‘shelf’ at the back actually being a storage area – yes, you can keep the bedding in it until needed.

Clever design, still in excellent condition (the upholstery can be replaced via Getama) and yours for £1,195.

Find out more at the Danish Homestore website