Category: Design and Interiors

I can’t say I ever used to visit Marks and Spencer – years of playing it safe led to a dull and lifeless range of clothes and home design. But things seems to have changed over the past 18 months – the clothing is worth a look and their homeware in particular has come on considerably.

A recent example is this Deco Glass Mirror. If you’re going for an Art Deco period vibe in your home, this mirror is ideal for hanging over the fireplace – and if you mix it with some original pieces, no-one will know it’s off the high street.

Sized a 47cm x 34.5cm, you can pick one up for £39.50.

Find out more at the Marks and Spencer website

More retro design

As I’m sure most readers already know, there’s a lot more to Manchester than the Arndale Centre. If you’ve been to the city in the last few months, and were near the Art Gallery, you might have noticed the image of a neatly dressed urbane European man, 3 button suited and his pipe at a jokey angle, friendly grin on his face, reclining on a plastic bodied, oval-padded throne. It’s not an image that tends to fit into the same compartment in your mind as ‘Art Gallery’, but if you passed it by, you missed one of the year’s top exhibitions! 

This weekend, me and my other half decided to combine a visit to the city with a great night at the famous Hideaway Club, and an afternoon taking in a little design culture at the Joe Colombo exhibition. So it was a short hop on the train to Manchester Piccadilly, Friday evening relaxing over an Italian meal and some ruinously priced cocktails at our hotel, and (somehow) we managed to surface in time for the 10 o’clock opening of the exhibition the next day.

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There’s plenty of wallpaper options around these days, but Jenny Wilkinson’s Wallpaper By Numbers offers something extra – you can colour it in yourself.

Yes, reminiscent of those felt tip poster art kits you had as a kid, there’s a range of designs available, which can all be painted in your choice of colour – using felt pens or emulsion paint.

The pineapple design is probably the best to go for if you’re after a 70s look, but check out the website for the full range. Prices on request.

Find out more at the Jenny Wilkinson website

This might look like an example of sixties seating, but this cow print swivel chair is actually a modern piece, but very much in the style of a vintage chair.

As the name suggests quirky chair does indeed swivel, thanks to the rotating chrome base. The cow print is something you’ll either love or hate. But wait – you don’t need to have it. Other covers are indeed available – including a particularly kitsch leopard print and a more toned-down plain red.

As it’s not a design classic, the price comes down considerably. You can pick this up for £232.

Find out more at the Febland Group website

Many homes still go for the old-fashioned net curtain to keep nosey passers-by from staring in their homes. But sadly, net curtains aren’t cool and they get easily dirty. So here’s a contemporary alternative – Emma Jeffs adhesive window films.

They still do the same job – allowing light in, but keeping your privacy from the outside world. Just buy the adhesive, stick it on your window and you’re done. The film comes packaged in a roll of 100 x 120 cm and there’s some great and indeed retro designs to choose from.

You can buy online, prices are around £47 per roll.

Find out more at the Emma Jeffs website