If you're after a talking point as much as a light for your living room, the Ettore Sottsass Callimaco floor lamp could be for you.
Designed back in 1982 by the designer most famous for Olivetti Valentine typewriter, the lamp has a base and diffuser in painted steel, a stem in painted aluminium and a handle on polished chrome plate – although you might struggle to carry it around the room/
Reissued again by Artemide, you can pick it up for £504.
Next have undergone a push lately in order to shed the image that they're only good for workwear and undies, and it seems to be working well for their womenswear section. For retro lovers, each new season has proved quite lucrative, and this Spring/Summer is no different.
The new Miami Retro collection is something of a mishmash of influences, but there are some pieces worth seeking out. The Bardot top (right) is a great, basic homage to Brigitte that's instantly recognisable. Elsewhere there is a variety of 1950s and 60s influenced pieces that are perfect everyday wardrobe fillers and very reasonable prices. It might not all be on the money, but it's certainly worth a look.
Truly original retro t-shirts are a rare delight, and while the Keep Calm and Carry On brand has the quintessentially British retro logo sewn up, a taste of Americana is worth a look-in. Retro Rags have come up with a great idea for t-shirt designs in the form of genuine vintage bar signage from across the US.
Featuring famed drinking dens from Detroit, LA, Chicago and New York, the artwork on display is well worth immortalising. Sadly, many of the bars themselves are long gone, but the iconic imagery remains uniquely placed in American culture. The two logos show are two of the many great designs, available on both men and women's tees.
Poul Christiansen designed several lights for Le Klint in the 1970s and we’ve featured some of those before. Around the same time, Christian Ræder also created a pendant light for Le Klint, The Joker, which has recently been reissued.
Designed in 1970, The Joker won first prize at the Scandinavian Lighting fair. It is available in all white or in black on white, the latter of which shows its Batman influence most.
It is available from Designer Lights, priced £142.
Missoni’s designs often have a retro feel to them, whether it is in their choice of colour or the patterns. The Parma Bath Mats are no exception, combining a bold flower design with a rich palette of colours that hark back to the 60s and 70s.
Made from high quality cotton, the mat measures 80cm in diameter and is available in six colourways. One of these mats would add a dramatic retro element to a modern white bathroom.
The Parma Mat costs £77 from Dot Maison.
Following on from the return of Artic Roll and Opal Fruits, another 70s favourite is returning to its retro roots – Wagon Wheels.
For a limited time, Wagon Wheels will be available in their original 1970s gold packaging and in a long lost flavour – caramel. According to maker Burton's, the recipe for the 'smooth caramel' Wagon Wheel (unavailable for many years) was found by researchers hunting down old packaging designs. On the back of that, it was remade, found to taste 'so good' and has now gone back in production, selling for as long as that limited stock lasts on the supermarket shelves.
So if you want one, get down to your local retailer now – expect to pay £1.15 or less for a pack of six.
