Category: Design and Interiors

A stunning modern light fitting, with its roots firmly in the 1960s – the Autoban by De La Espada Octopus.

The light is a collaborative effort between Autoban and De La Espada, producing a Sputnik-style fitting made of powder-coated aluminium, that coating going firmly down the retro route with a choice of white and orange.

And it’s not just one light – there’s a single Octopus with six adjustable arms and bulbs or a double Octopus (above), whichs adds another six arms. If you want impact in a room, this offers that and more. Prices start at £795.

Find out more at the De La Espada website

It is always good to have a small stash of cards on hand for birthdays and occasions you may have forgotten. I was therefore pleased to see that artist Jenn Ski is now selling a set of cards featuring her abstract retro images.

Available in packs of four, each with a different design, the cards are made from high quality linen card and are supplied with brightly coloured envelopes.

They cost $7 (approximately £4) and can be ordered via Jenn Ski’s website.

Another piece of design that defies its age – the Carlo Mollino Arabesco coffee table.

The coffee table was first introduced back in 1949, a typical example of Mollino’s trademark bent ply work, supporting a thick tempered curved glass top with the aid of stainless steel discs. And there’s a lower shelf too, should you need extra storage for your magazines.

It;s now been reissued by Zanottoa with a beech or cherry wood veneer, both priced at £1,849.

Find out more at the Panik Design website

Looking every bit the contemporary piece of home design, it’s hard to believe that Le Corbusier designed the LC5.F sofa/day bed back in 1934.

Over 70 years on, it’s still practical too, a hard-wearing sofa in black or white leather with a polished chrome-plated steel frame. But there’s more to it than that – the back cushions can be lowered to increase the width of the sofa seat to create a day bed or stylish single bed.

Obviously it’s not going to come cheap. Cassina has reissued it under license (complete with stamped signature and serial number), selling for £4,964.

Find out more at the Nest website

A mid-century classic is back on the market, with SCP bagging the exclusive on the George Nelson Bubble Lamp collection.

The lamps went into production in 1947, produced by Howard Miller in several variations from the early 50s through to 1979. The range is now back at SCP, as authentic as an original – made using the original specifications and using the original Howard Miller tooling.

Check out the collection at the site, although we would recommend the uber-sylish Ball Light (above), which is priced from £245.

Find out more at the SCP website

Another gem from the Orla Kiely range for Heals – the Lusk armchair.

Based on the classic easy chair of the 1950s and 60s, this armchair has a hardwood frame, walnut stained, beech tapered legs, foam seat pad and a fibre topper that offers medium to form support.

Various colour options are available, all retailing for £1,395.

Find out more at the Heals website