Categories / Design and Interiors

Yahgie fabrics and cushions featuring 20th-century design classics

Yahgie

There have been hundreds of prints, fabrics, cushions and other artworks featured on this site that draw their inspiration from instantly recognisable mid-century design classics. Yahgie's fabric and cushion collection join that long list, but they do so in style. 

The cushion shown on the left is the thing for any chair addicts. The design features sketchy illustrations of the chairs, shown with their names underneath, enabling you to swot up on your design history as you recline. This pattern is also available as a cotton fabric, as is the Pop Art style pattern on the right that uses the distinctive shape of Henningsen's Artichoke lamp. 

If these designs appeal, their website is well worth an explore as Yahgie also sell wall art and tableware. 

The cushion costs $49.99 while the fabric costs $89.99 for a yard (approximately 91cm). 

Find out more online

Categories / Design and Interiors, Food and Drink

Portmeirion Originals: re-issues from the 1950s and ’60s

Portmeirion mug

2010 is Portmeirion's 50th anniversary and the celebrations began last year with the limited re-release of the Magic Garden coffee set. They're also going back to the archives for Portmeirion Originals, re-issues of some of their designs from the 1950s and 60s. 

The range uses some of Susan William-Ellis' most famous and distinctive designs. Pictured is the 1964 designed Variations mug, which apparently was one of her favourites. There's also the Dolphin mug from 1959, the Magic City from 1966 and, my favourite, the Totem mug, originally designed in 1963. 

If you can't track down one of the originals, these re-issues cost £15 each 

See them online

Categories / Cars and Bikes, eBay watch

eBay watch: 1971 Volvo P1800 E

Volvo

Fans of 1960s cult TV might recognise the caar above – Roger Moore's incarnation of The Saint drove round in a Volvo P1800 – and you can too for just over £4,000.

The model up for auction on eBay is a slightly later model, a 1971 P1800 E, but it looks every bit the part and most importantly, it's been well looked after. According to the sales blurb, the car has been 'regularly serviced and has had a lot of money spent on it' – although there are a list of improvements you should be aware of before you bid on the site.

In terms of specifics, the two-door P1800 E has a 2-litre, ful-injected engine, a manual 4 speed gear box withorking electronic overdrive (5th gear), full stainless steel exhaust, solid paint work and a fully-operational dash. Tax-exempt of course. The bidding is currently at £4,100, which is a very tempting price. See the site for many more images.

Find out more at the eBay website

Categories / Men's Fashion, Sportswear

Adidas Samba trainers are back in black for Size? exclusive

Samba2

Another Size? special, this time with the Adidas Samba, which comes in a black and red colour combo.

Still essentially the same early 60s football shoe and latter-day terrace favourite, this new version mixes a leather and nylon mesh upper in black, throwing in a a red vulcanised sole for contrast, as well as the 'Samba' name in white.

Sure to be in short supply, they sell for £54.99. Another image over the page.

Find out more at the Size? website

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Categories / Design and Interiors

Original BTC vintage-style Task floor lamp

Btc

We have featured a few Original BTC lights in the past, but the Task floor lamp is up there with the best of them. Quite literally.

Standing tall at 130cm high and designed (like all in the range) by Peter Bowles, this classic light has a spun aluminium head, chromed steel base and black satin finish, while the functionality allows you to adjust the direction of the light to pretty much anywhere.

Classic looks, very useful – what's not to like? If you want one, they sell for £320 online. Or if you want something similar, but smaller, there's also a Task table lamp.

Find out more at the John Lewis website

Categories / Homeware

Heals retro-styled Blyton picnic hamper

Picnic1

Ok, we'll admit it – we planned on featuring this as the perfect Easter accessory prior to the Easter weekend. Unfortunately the weather has turned a little, so you might want to wait a bit before using the Heals Blyton picnic hamper.

But when the sun does come out, this vintage-style kit will certainly turn heads in the open country. Designed for two people, it offers that red tin shell with a removable willow tray, along with a selection of suitable accessories – two ceramic mugs, two ceramic plates, two knife and fork sets, two embroidered cotton napkins, salt and pepper cruets, 1a mini insulated flask, a cotton plate bag and a cotton cutlery bag.

You can see that in more detail over the page and if you want one, Heals sells it online – £85 is the price.

Find out more at the Heals website

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