It might not be the most comfortable chair you’ll ever sit in, but the Paimio Chair by Alvar Aalto is one of the more stylish pieces of seating you’ll encounter.
Amazingly, the Paimio Chair (also known as Chair 41) dates from 1931 and equally amazingly, it’s made of all wood – a natural lacquered birch frame and a seat made of bent birch plywood in black or white.
If looks mean more than comfort, this can be yours via Artek for £1,848.
Old scooters never die – they just get made into stylish seating for the home, as is the case with the Recycled Tyre Seat.
The seats are made from old scooter tyres recycled from East London mechanics’ yards, then filled with a foam cushion in a colour of your choice, creating a 600mm seat that’s both comfy and convenient – when you don’t need it, just store it away.
Take your pick from a pink, blue or yellow finish, all selling for £50.
Presumably aimed at kids, I suspect this Dr Who Tardis wardrobe is more likely to be bought by adults.
Yes, pretend you’re the doctor by nipping in and out of this self-assembly canvas construction, with the added bonus of a single rail inside for your space age clobber. Make a K9 out of a waste bin and some old wire and you’ll be ready to conquer the galaxy.
Sized at 187 x 84 x 84cm when constructed, you can pick it up for £29.99.
Let’s be honest, it’s not hard picking out the main participants at a wedding – the bride has a big dress on, the bridesmaids similar and the groom and best man usually stand uncomfortably in ill-fitting hired suits. But jut in case there is any doubt, you can now pick up Wedding Badges.
And yes, they look just like your old school badges – except ‘Prefect’ ‘Head Boy’ and ‘Head Girl’ have been replaced by ‘Bride’, ‘Groom’, ‘Best Man’ and ‘Bridesmaid’, but still keep that ‘shield’ shape and safety pin-style clasp.
Might be useful if everyone goes casual in the evening or on the stag/hen night. Whatever use you choose, they retail for £14.95 per set.
Taking its inspiration from 1950s modernism, the Fitto Chair will certainly look the part in any modern home.
Designed by Sergio Fahrer, the Coconut Chair (to use its alternative name) has a rich pau ferro wood veneer (sustainable and eco-friendly), with a soft white cushioned interior. It’s also available with a matching stool too should you wish to stretch out and take it easy.
Not cheap at £2,450, but quite possibly a design classic of the future.
Find out more at the One Eco Home website
It might look like a prop from a low-budget sci-fi movie, but this the Nava Columbia calculator is actually a piece of high-end design from the 1980s – and one you can still buy today.
The work of Sottsass Associati (the company of previously-featured Italian designer Ettore Sottsass), it does everything you would expect of your average calculator, but just looks so much more stylish – whether you go for the black or silver finish.
Originally designed in 1989, it’s available today complete with case for a little more than its price ‘in the day’ – just £31.
