2007 is fading away and organised types may already want to plan ahead with a 2008 calendar. And what better way to prepare for the future than with a calendar that harks back to the past, as does the "Fabulous 50s Advertising" Calendar.
As its name suggests, each month is illustrated by a magazine advertisements from the 1950s for electrical goods, homewares, and beauty products, and they are rather fabulous.
You can order one for £9.99 directly from the publisher teNeues.
We featured the Paulistano chair some time back – it’s a design classic and indeed a Brazilian take on Bauhaus by Mendes da Rocha, dating back to 1957. 50 years on and it’s had a makeover – with the result being this Missoni Special Edition Paulistano chair.
This new version is a collaboration with the Missoni fashion house, cleverly using a reversible coloured flowers and stripe design on the stainless steel frame – which means you get both designs for the one chair, or if you like, two different chairs.
You can pick up the special edition chair now from Bodie & Fou, priced at £775.
The “Hello There” Chair may have the sauciness of Lesley Phillips or British seaside postcards, but it is in fact a Dutch product.
Designed by Jeremy Harvey in 1979, it was reissued by Artifort in 2001, although it still seems surprisingly hard to find in the UK. Our Showhome currently has one yellow ‘Hello There’ for sale priced £290, but for a greater selection, you may have to look overseas.
Unicahome is selling them in sets of four in a choice of red, black, grey, white or metallic aluminium. They cost $1539 for the set, around £770 although the shipping will obviously bump that price up.
Yes, Ikea is cheap, it’s not always that bright and colourful. Bemz offers loose covers specifically for the Ikea range – and its latest Metropolis Collection by Katarina Wiklund claims inspiration from 1950s and 1960s Scandinavian design.
According to Bemz, that means "warm, luminous gold tones and cool hues of blue and green paired with earth neutral colours which invigorate the retro, moody look with an updated, edgy feel". On a more practical note, the covers are durable, will not shrink and are machine washable.
Check out the full range at the Benz website – and if you like one, free swatches are available.
There’s a definite 50s vibe about this Elsie sofa and armchair range from SCP – right down to the period name!
Designed by Russell Pinch, there is the option of an armchair and two and three-seater sofas in the range, all compact and upright, with elasticated webbing covering the foam-covered solid beech frame and with stained oak for legs.
In the right house, especially surrounded by mid-century furnishings, this would really look the part. Prices start at £1190 for the armchair, rising beyond £1570 for a sofa.
Find out more at the SCP website
Always confusing your Jacobsens with your Saarinens? This Alphabet of Modern Classics poster should steer you in the right direction.
A stylish and colourful piece of artwork, with a classic piece of modern design for each letter of the alphabet. It’s been created by Blue Ant Studio, with the option of printing on 1200dpi digital paper with a matte finish, attached to heavy stock black cardboard. Alternatively, you can have it created ready to hang in a plywood frame.
The unframed print retails for $35 (around £18), with the framed version selling for $95 (£50). Prices include shipping within the US – alternatively, contact the sellers for a price including shipping elsewhere.
Find out more at the Blue Ant Studio website
