Categories / Cars and Bikes, eBay watch

eBay watch: 1970s Lotus Esprit S2

Lotus

Here's a car that will turn heads at the petrol station. Indeed, if you buy this 1978 Lotus Esprit S2, you'll probably be spending a lot of time down the petrol station.

It's a car that pretty much screams the 70s, motoring excess oozes from every corner. And with so many sharp edges on the design, that's an awful lot of corners. This second-generation Esprit has a 1,973cc engine, a mileage of just 49,000 and a good amount of work done on it, to the point that it drives well enough, without any 'smoke or rattles', says the current owner. On the downside, it apparently needs painting, some minor bodywork repairs and some work to the windscreen, not to mention new tyres.

So a mixed bag, but if you're prepared to do a bit of work (or to get someone else to do it), this Lotus Esprit S2 could be a car to impress. After all, a first-generation Lotus Esprit was good enough for James Bond in The Spy Who Loved Me. Although sadly, this one doesn't turn into a submarine. £1,320 is the current price.

Find out more at the eBay website

Categories / Design and Interiors, Homeware

Retro-styled bathroom scales from Bengt Ek Design

Scales

If you're paying attention to details, you don't want something as basic as a pair of scales ruining that retro look in your home. Thankfully that's where these bathroom scales from Bengt Ek design come in. 

Rather than referencing a specific design (and to be honest, I've not read up on the design history of the bathroom scale), these introduce some 60s touches onto this humble object. They're made from curved aluminium while the rolling red pointer and white counter are housed under a nice bubble roof. 

Want something good to look at while you keep up the efforts to look good? These scales cost 186,60 euros

Buy them from Cosas

Categories / Design and Interiors

Deco-inspired Alto wallpaper at Urban Outfitters

Nouveau paper

Here's a Art Deco-inspired design updated for the twenty-first century with the Alto wallpaper from Urban Outfitters

The design, from a company called Temparer, uses a distinctive Deco pattern, which is reproduced in a bright red colour against powder blue. The actual definition of wallpaper has been updated too: it comes with self-adhesive backing to make it easy to apply and also to take down when you get a bit bored of it. 

The paper comes in rolls of 10m long for £78 each. 

Buy it from Urban Outfitters

Categories / Design and Interiors

John Lewis midcentury-style Rigby sideboard

Rigby

We featured the dining furniture from the range yesterday, but while we were digging that out, we also noticed this similarly-styled Rigby sideboard at John Lewis.

It's new in at the store (in fact, it's actually on pre-order), once again inspired by midcentury Scandinavian design, supported by those splayed legs and constructed by in solid American oak that's veneered to create its distinctive look.

Plenty of storage within (see over the page for it open), with a price tag of £499 if you want one.

Find out more at the John Lewis website

Read more

Categories / Women's Fashion

Silk and Chiffon Dress from Day Birger et Mikkelsen

Daybluedreams

The floating fabrics and cuts of summer bring a whole new retro aesthetic back into play on both the high street and designer catwalks, moving away from sharp sixties cuts to a more seventies folk and hippy look. This Day Birger et Mikkelsen dress taps into that look to create a vintage silhouette.

The layering of silks and chiffons makes for a rather demure dress, in keeping with the wholesome end of retro folk style. The dress uses an A-line cut combined with button front and sheer three-quarter sleeves to evoke a distinctly English countryside look, both easy to wear and lastingly retro.

Get it online from Matches Fashion for £178.

Find out more from the website

Categories / Women's Fashion

Pleated Shoulder Shirt from NW3 by Hobbs

Nw3hobbs

Hobbs has long traded on their talent for a classically English aesthetic, trading on Heritage designs with a wearable modernity. Their NW3 diffusion range features easy and versatile wardrobe fillers that are perfect for retro lovers, like this Pleated Shoulder Shirt.

The cut of this shirt, with a slim high collar, button front, capped sleeves and pleating, creates a classic British style that's ideal for a sixties or seventies luxurious aesthetic. The burnt orange shade fits ideally with a vintage inspired look, while modernity is added with a loose fabric and modern sleeving shape.

Get it online from ASOS for £85.

Find out more from the website