Category: Design and Interiors

The name is something of a mouthful, but the Chichibio telephone stand by Gino Levi Montalcini is pure modernist simplicity.

It’s a functional item, every bit as useful today as it was back in 1932 – the year of its introduction. Except this stand has those sleek modernist lines and subtle curves, made from chrome-plated tubular steel, with layered plastic shelves for your phone book and phone in black or white.

The downside? Well, it’s got to be the whopping price. The Chichibio will set you back £823 – but let’s be honest, this is a design classic.

Find out more at the Panik Design website

Everyone needs an occasional table, but when they look as good as the Marimekko tray table, you might want to use the tables more than just the odd occasion.

The tray is sat on a stainless steel stand, collapsible when you don’t require it, while the top is made from laminated plywood – connecting to the legs when needed, but able to be used separately if required.

And there are plenty of designs to choose from – effectively the pick of Marimekko’s classic designs from the past 50 years. For a tray and stand, expect to pay around £190.

Find out more at the Scandinavian Design Center website

OK, we’re not for a minute claiming that the Asda Cilla pendant light is anywhere near the same league as the Tom Dixon Copper shade. But if you want the look for very little cash, the supermarket variation might be worth a look.

We have featured the Dixon shade (left) in the past, it’s one of our favourites and if you want a 70s-style shade with a classy finish, this metalised copper mirror pendant is hard to beat and a solid investment. You can pick one up for around £155.

But if your budget is super-tight, the Asda Cilla pendant light might be worth a look. It’s actually steel with a ‘copper look’ and easy to fit on any standard fitting. The price? An extremely cheap £15.

More on the Tom Dixon Copper shade

More on the Asda Cilla pendant light

Before the advent of minimalist living, many home had large wall units for the family books and collectables. And as we start to clutter up our lives again, that 70s-style wall unit is back, including the Claudia.

Designed by Andrius Minucius and standing well over 6ft tall, the Claudia unit packs a variety of slots for your books, ornaments and photos, not to mention three large drawers for storing everything you’d rather keep hidden.

It’s made of solid oak and finished with linseed oil, selling from £1,780.

Find out more at the Wood Empire website

Mini fridges in various guises have been around for some time, and they always seem to surface around this time of year in aid of students. Whether it’s for yourself or for a retro style loving friend, this 50s styled mini vending machine is one of the best looking.

It holds 18 cans of soft drink and dispenses them quickly and easily. Keeping them chilled, it’s portable too. The best part is the mock chrome additions which make this piece of kit wonderfully kitsch.

It’s available online from Neiman Marcus for $160.

Find out more from the website

Whether you use it as an office chair, easy chair or dining chair, the Cassina LC7 chair will do it with some style.

The work of Le Corbusier from way back in 1928, the LC7 is still a classy piece of design, offering up a seat with revolving back for ease of movement, a polished chrome frame and polyurethane foam cushioning with a leather finish for the seat and back support.

Produced by Cassina in black or white under license from the Foundation Le Corbusier and featuring a stamped signature and serial number, it sells for  the not inconsiderable sum of £1,304.

Find out more at the Nest website