Category: Design and Interiors

Based on an original linen/drapery cabinet, the Heal’s Archive storage unit is adaptable enough to store a lot more than your spare handkerchiefs.

Made of American white oak, it’s actually three units in one. First up, there’s a bottom level sideboard with three doors and three glass-fronted extension drawers. Then there’s a second unit with a further six glass-fronted drawers and finally, a top unit with six lift-up doors on glass lift struts.

All of that obviously comes at a price, with the individual units start at £1,095. And there’s no point shopping around – this is exclusive to Heal’s.

Find out more at the Heal’s website

Early in 2007, we drew your attention to the Aldo Londi’s Rimini Rosso Cat, which had been re-issued by Bitossi to celebrate the centenary of his birth. Londi also produced the Rimini Blu line for Bitossi, which has been in production since 1953 and reproductions of the animal series are now on sale at the National Gallery shop.

The collection includes a lion, horse, porcupine, cat and bird, with this rather random assortment of creatures apparently representing the divisions of a traditional Italian city, which each had heraldic symbols. Prices range from £25 up to £100 depending on the size of the piece.

Visit the National Gallery website to see the other pieces.

40 years old and still looking way ahead of the modern market, the Anatomia chair by Ahti Kotikoski is classic piece of Finnish design.

It was originally an entry in a competition, specifically the Chair -68 competition for young designers. A jury including Arne Jacobsen and Robin Day picked the reinforced white plastic chair for its ‘construction, comfort and figure’.

It’s now available again in the original plastic and different colours or if you want to pay a little more, with a leather inner seating for extra comfort. The upmarket version retails for 1,890 Euros.

Find out more at the Finnish Design Shop website

Nifty recycling or clever design? The Vintage Flash Camera Clock is probably both.

Handmade by US artist Debra Dresler, it probably looks better than it functions, with that added battery-operated clock the only working part, with some existing camera parts amended to work with it. Surely a bit more work could have made that huge flash go off as an early morning alarm?

Oh well, maybe next time. As it is, the Vintage Flash Camera Clock retails for $165, which is around £85.

Find out more at the Uncommon Goods website

I’m getting slightly obsessed with the designs on Isamu Noguchi, not least because they look so far ahead of their time. The Isamu Noguchi coffee table was designed in 1944 – and this reissue from Vitra over 60 years later still looks as sharp and modern as anything in your living room.

Available with a choice of varnished wooden base (black ash, maple, or walnut), this symmetrical/organic design features a heavy glass surface sat on two interlocking and identical base elements – creating something that’s as much sculpture as furniture.

Prices vary dependent on your finish, but start at £930.

Find out more at the Utility Design website