Category: Design and Interiors

Love Is… instantly brings up an era – the 1970s. The illustrations were originally created in the 1960s by Kim Casali as love notes for her husband-to-be Roberto before being made commercially available from 1970.

Although not as common as in its heyday, Love Is… designs are still available, with the company now run by Kim Casali’s son Stefano. And the images are more widely merchandised today – typified by this Love Is… alarm clock.

Available in red or pink, it’s an old-style bell-ringing alarm clock with a typical Love Is… design on the face – in this case, "Love Is…spending time with you".

You can pick one up online for £9.99.

Find out more at Totally Funky website

You can still find good (and affordable) rosewood and metal coffee tables from the 60s and 70s if you hunt around – and they still look the incredibly stylish in any living room. But if hunting round for a period piece seems like hard work, similar examples are available on the high street – like this Bo Concept coffee table.

Unlike some of the higher-end vintage tables, this is a rosewood-coloured veneer, not the real thing, but no-one will know. Matched with the chrome legs, it’s certain to add some retro cool to your living room. Available now, it retails for £349.

Find out more from the Bo Concept website

German ceramics of the 60s and 70s are a growing area of collecting, and you may have seen our article on Fat Lava, that tells you all about it. But if you can’t find an original German vase then how about buying this look-a-like, 3 colour onion vase from Debenhams?

It just shows that the 70s look is finally back as a key influence in interior design. This vase has all the characteristics you would expect to find on an original piece: the bright colours, organic shape, and thick dipped layer glaze.

You could just look out for the real thing at a local charity shop (if you are lucky), or you could buy this one and get the look for £15.

Find out more on the Debenhams website

You may have seen the coasters we featured from MOMA with Charles and Ray Eames chairs on, well if you liked those then you’ll probably also like these Dot coasters designed by the couple.

With great 50s style they feature a classic dot pattern in contrasting colours. You get a set of four, and they would grace the table of any modernist home, and are a great way to get some classic design without huge cost.

You can buy them online for only £15, so a lot less than a classic Eames chair.

Find out more on the Places And Spaces website

Hidden amongst the uniform product lines at Ikea is the occasional piece of smart design, in this case the Koge rug.

Designed by Cina Kjellsson, it’s very much reminiscent of early 60s pieces, with an abstract design on plain background. The nylon rug is 200cm x 82cm, has a rubber backing to keep it in place and retails for £34.99.

Find out more at the Ikea website