Categories / Books

The Life and Opinions of Maf the Dog, and of his friend Marilyn Monroe by Andrew O’Hagan – watch the animated trailer

Looking for something quirky and retro to read? How about The Life and Opinions of Maf the Dog, and of his friend Marilyn Monroe by Andrew O'Hagan. Just out in paperback, the novel is narrated by a dog – Marilyn Monroe's dog (given to her by Frank Sinatra) – talking us through the final years of her life and the world she lived in and left behind in the early 60s.

Rather than more explanation, check out the quirky 60s-style trailer for the book below, the work of Robin Davey and if you like what you see, you can pick up a copy at Amazon right now, heavily discounted to £6.50.

Categories / Cars and Bikes, eBay watch

eBay watch: Fully restored 1950s BMW Isetta 300 bubble car

Bubble

Not exactly the sexiest car on the road, but if you were to drive round your local car in this BMW Isetta 300, you'll get more attention than any other BMW around.

Originally dating to 1958, the car was bought in the UK, then shipped over to Poland for professional restoration. Check out the pictures on the site for many shots of the finished vehicle, it really does look like something special. It's even got the original number plate.

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Categories / Design and Interiors, Homeware

Sanderson 150th anniversary cushions at John Lewis

Sanderson swallow cushion

We've already featured the exhibition celebrating the 150th anniversary of Sanderson. You can now purchase some of their classic design for your home with these anniversary cushions

John Lewis is selling three cushions, each covered in a reissued Sanderson fabric that's been reproduced from designs held in their extensive archive. The light and fresh design of the Soaring Swallows cushion shown dates from the 1930s, while the other two cushions use the Tulips design from 1929 and the Rose Moss pattern from the 1950s – both floral designs that look typically 'Sanderson'. 

The Soaring Swallow cushion costs £35. 

See them online

Categories / Design and Interiors, Food and Drink

Cocktail bar light at Urban Outfitters

Cocktail bar sign

Want the finishing touch for your retro home bar? You're probably missing something like this cocktail bar light for sale at Urban Outfitters

It looks like a classic neon bar sign complete with a white cocktail glass symbol and the word 'bar' clearly written out in blue. The light plugs in and is perfectly sized for the home, measuring 30cm across. 

It costs £20, only slightly more than a couple of cocktails. 

Buy it online

Categories / Art and Photography

Aardvark Manifesto print

Mani

 
A ardvark Tea Room & Gallery is a fantastic little place in St Leonards-on-Sea. As well as serving up good food, they also use their space to showcase the work of artists and makers. But that’s not all – the Aardvark team have now moved into creating their own posters.

Pictured here is the Aardvark Manifesto print, which neatly sums up their ethos with slogans such as “Bake Cake Drink Tea” and “Love All the People”. This print is A3 size and is available either unframed (£20) or in a black aluminium frame for £40. There are two other inspirational prints which use the same black and red retro typefaces, but are A2 size and cost £25 unframed or £60 framed.

Buy the prints directly from Aardvark.

Categories / Books

Retro Fonts book and CD by Gregor Stawinski

Retrofonts

Something to appeal to the designer in all of us, the Retro Fonts book and CD by Gregor Stawinski.

The book is the focal point here, an exhaustive look at classic and vintage fonts, over 400 dating from 1830 to the end of the 20th century. All are shown in the style of old type specimen books as alphabets with sample words/phrases, shown opposite classic examples of the fonts in use in historical context. From Art Deco, Bauhaus and Swiss through to Sixties, Disco and Punk, they're all here.

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