When the sun finally shines each year I find myself dreaming of cinematic bike rides through wooded river banks. While that level of fantasy might be slightly ridiculous, some of you might just like to invest in these fantastic saddlebags for just such an occasion.
From La Redoute, these Torrent bags are available in this great daisy print or the classic red gingham shopper pattern. They’re made of waxed fabric to ensure water resistance and cost a pretty reasonable £29.
Summer is the perfect time to shed your faithful black coat in favour of something a little more… well… sunny.
This gingham jacket from New Look is a perfect example of retro summer wear that’s both pretty and practical. With a little bit of rockabilly style fit for Wanda Jackson, this ruched number is perfect for teaming with some 50s style pedal pushers and stepping out in the summer sun.
It’s available from New Look online or in the shops for £22. And when they call it ‘Rushed’ I’m pretty sure that’s a terrible spelling error.
Afro Coffee doesn’t just offer tea and coffee in stylish packaging, it also creates some very eye-catching retro design.
Based in Cape Town, South Africa, Afro Coffee has developed from a themed coffee house to a design-conscious retailer, with designs based on ‘a Pan African view of contemporary urban Africa’ – highlighting how cool this culture is. And the side effect is some very cool merchandise, including t-shirts, bags, mugs and even a wine carrier that doubles up as a cool retro radio (above).
The items have been limited to the local network so far, but an online shop is due to launch in the next couple of months (with worldwide shipping), as well as a new store in Austria. See the website for more details or check out an interview with the people behind the company at the PingMag website.
A 1960s classic is back in 2008 – Quasar inflatable furniture, courtesy of Branex.
First available in 1969, the Quasar range (designed by Quasar Khanh) was seen as a reaction to traditional solid structures – becoming a big favourite amongst the hippy generation. But its more than a political statement – Quasar furniture is easily transportable, solid (small strips are added to the structure for support and shape) and made of triple strength PVC. And of course, there’s those space age looks.
The models offered by Branex are the a Chesterfield sofa, a Satellite armchair and a Pouf stool. All are available in a choice of white or orange and, you’ll be pleased to know, with a repair kit, with prices starting at around £75.
Homeware specialist Menu has launched a limited edition range of egg cups, bowls and mugs featuring the designs of Verner Panton.
Based on the designer’s geometric patterns and using bold colours, the range includes an egg cup complete with a lid that can retain heat and also flatten out – so you have somewhere to keep your shell pieces. Also available is a large bowl and a thermal mug, both using the same designs.
All are made from high-quality porcelain, with an acid-resistant glaze that’s lead and cadmium-free. All are in limited quantities and sold in gift boxes, with a pack of four bowls selling for £24.95, four egg cups for £19.95 and four mugs for £29.95. Images of the other items over the page.
Find out more at the Menu website
Remember the Karlstad sofa from Ikea? It was ‘inspired by’ the classic 1954 Florence Knoll sofa, but with a more modern twist. And if you liked that, you’ll be pleased to know Ikea has added a new model – the Karlstad Corner Sofa.
As the name suggests, this is an extended version of the original two-seater, offers a two plus three or three plus two arrangement for the corner of your home, available in that ‘Knoll’ finish or a more plain black or dark brown.
No matter what option you go for, it retails for £1,349.
Find out more at the Ikea website
