Dwell’s Oval Sideboard isn’t a show-stopping design, but it is a simple, practical and reasonably priced item of retro-inspired furniture.
The sideboard has a gentle curved edge to it, which suggest a midcentury influence and it offers a decent amount of storage space behind its two doors. It is available in either the walnut veneer finish pictured above or a white gloss lacquer.
The sideboard costs £699 from Dwell.
Not just as retro design, according to John Lewis, its new Leon armchair was actually developed from an original 1960s vintage piece.
The end result is a mix between a classic win chair and a mid-century design, offering a curved button back, slightly flared arms and angled, walnut-stained legs. All of that upholstered in a high-end velvet fabric.
All of that for £850 online.
Find out more at the John Lewis website
Absolutely love this design. Indeed, if I had a room big enough to take it, I would be all this large 1970s Italian wall shelving unit for it.
As I said above, it's an Italian design from the 1970s, reminding me of Biba if you like – 70s with an art nouveau twist. You can imagine it getting pride of place in a hip, extravagant home 'back in the day'. Indeed, the seller claims it was 'probably originally from Heals'.
In terms of the details, it's 172cm in height and 242cm in length, as well as being a mix of glass shelves, glass dividers and that metal frame and dark base. It does come apart from easy transporting, you'll be pleased to know. Condition seems to be good, see the small print for the detail and the price right now is a 'buy it now' or 'best offer' of £1,200.
Find out more at the eBay website
It might even pass as the real deal, but even if it doesn't, the Half Moon table lamp at Marks & Spencer is an affordable and stylish design for your home.
Screaming the art deco era, the lamp is a mix of metal and glass, the former for the stand and base, glass used for the shade. All combining to produce something incredibly eye-catching for the money.
How much? Just £59 for one.
If you are London based, you may want to check out some of the events designed to celebrated 100 years of Michelin House.
This distinctive building, on the corner of Fulham Road, was commissioned by the Michelin company as their first British HQ. They moved out in 1985 when it was bought by Terence Conran and Paul Hamlyn. The building now hosts the Conran Shop as well as the Bibendum oyster bar and remains as architecturally interesting as ever, decorated with stained glass, ornate tiles and combining a curious mixture of Art Nouveau and Art Deco influences.
Currently the front of the shop and a small display is devoted to the building's history, including some archive photographs and original advertising posters. As part of the celebrations, six of these iconic pieces of Michelin advertising, selected from their historic archive, have been re-issued by the Conran Shop on canvas – including the distinctive design above.
Unfortunately the prints are currently available in store only but prices start at £99 for a 72 x 52cm print.
Find out more about the prints and other instore events online.
More quirky wallpaper, this time courtesy of Barneby Gates and their Promenade design.
You may remember their This Other Eden wallpaper, which appeared to be composed of old photographs. This design also has a vintage appearance, looking like a traditional toile design. Peer a bit closer (there's a close-up over the page to help you) and you'll see an extraordinary range of characters, based on changing fashions of the twentieth-century. So you get a fully decked out teddy boy talking to a flapper boy, or a punk addressing an Edwardian lady. The characters promenade even takes them past iconic temples to fashion such as the Biba store.
The design is great fun and is sure to be a talking point for many more years. It costs £65 a roll.
Buy it from Rockett St George
