Categories / Design and Interiors, Sportswear

Makaha 1963 – the original skateboard

Makaha If you have a copy of Phaidon’s Design Classics (and everyone really should), you’ll notice at number 609 is the Makaha Skateboard – the first professional-quality skateboard to hit the stores in 1963. And if you want to own a piece of history, you’ll be pleased to know that the skateboard’s originator, Larry Stevenson, is selling reproductions of his original boards.

The Makaha 1963 is a reissue of the first board – 29" solid oak or ash deck hand-crafted to the exact design and dimensions as the original. It comes equipped with NOS SureGrip loose ball bearing trucks and Makaha clay wheels, plus original 1963 decal. The trucks are not drilled through – they’re attached with wood screws exactly as they were in the 60s.

Selling with a collectible booklet and DVD, stock is limited, with each board retailing for $159.99 (around £82). Or if you’re feeling a little more flush, check out the Originator Limited Edition Signature Series – a repro 70s board with patented kicktail and signed by Larry Stevenson – yours for $399.99 (around £205).

Find out more at the Makaha Skateboards website

And big thanks to Leslie for the tip off!

Categories / Design and Interiors, Kids

Panton Junior Chair

Pantonjunior Quite a while ago we featured the limited edition Panton Chair, well now manufacturers Vitra have brought out a new smaller version for kids called Panton Junior.

The Panton Chair is great for children – it comes in a range of bright colours and has a smooth curved shape, which makes it as great to play with as sit on.

Soon after its introduction Verner Panton began to consider the idea of producing a child-size version of the chair, but this was unfeasible 35 years ago when the chair was first designed. Now it is possible – approximately 25% smaller, making it perfect for children.

It’s available in seven colours and costs around £104.

Find out more on the Vitra site.

Categories / Design and Interiors

Jonathan Adler retro cushions

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Not cheap, especially for something you throw around, but we really love these retro cushions from Jonathan Adler.

The two featured here are "Mod Model" and "Studio 54", but there’s a range of stylish and indeed retro designs available. The above two are needlepoint cushions with a feather/down insert and sized at 16 inches x 16 inches. Each retails for $165 (around £90) and the company ships worldwide.

Find out more at the Jonathan Adler website

Categories / Design and Interiors

Vintage phone salt and pepper shakers

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Check out the website of Dutch designer Henk Stallinga for some weird and wonderful product designs, including these inspired vintage phone salt and pepper shakers.

Retro in two ways. The first is obvious – both of the condiments are created from unused ear and mouth pieces from ivory-coloured vintage telephones. The second is the mounting – which is an indicator from a vintage Mini.

Unfortunately, you can’t yet buy direct from Stallinga’s website, but you can pick up these quirky pieces from the Charles and Marie website, priced at a very reasonable $22 (just over £11).

Find out more at the Charles and Marie website

Categories / Design and Interiors, Watches

Verner Panton Geometri watch

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Verner Panton’s Geometri design has been around since 1960 – but it’s still very widely used and is every bit a contemporary design as we approach 2007.

Amongst it’s many current uses is this Verner Panton Geometri watch. It’s a very simple timepiece using this very simple design – a square steel frame for the case, no numbers/markers and a plain black strap. Anything else would probably look too fussy.

It comes in a presentation box and is available online – expect to pay around $120 (just over £60).

Find out more at the Retromodern website

Categories / Design and Interiors, Music

Limited edition Elvis Presley pen

Elvis_pen
Elvis might well have left the building around 30 years ago, but his merchandising bandwagon is still going strong.

This limited On Stage Elvis Presley pen is available as an edition of 1935 worldwide. It’s a roller ball pen, featuring an Elvis silhouette and delivered in an Elvis box.

Just the right side of cheesy and available for $95 online (around £48).

Find out more at the Acme website