Categories / Design and Interiors

Eero Aarnio Bubble Chair

Bubble_chair
If you prefer a genuine classic as opposed to an Ikea copy, how about something that screams the 1960s – the Eero Aarnio Bubble Chair.

It was introduced in 1968, very much in the style of the Ball Chair, but a little more stripped down. The idea was to make a chair that allowed in the light, but swallows the sound – so you still feel isolated from the outside world. The shell is made of acrylic, with a chromed steel bar around the edge. There’s also a two metre chain and hooks for hanging and a silver fabric or leather inside cushioned seat.

You can still buy the Bubble Chair, but it’s not cheap. An officially-sanctioned version should cost you around £2300.

Find out more at the Finnish Design Shop

Categories / Design and Interiors

Tirup – Ikea does the Egg Chair

Ikea_egg
Ok, this isn’t quite a copy of the design classic, but the Tirup chair from Ikea has obviously taken its design influence from Arne Jacobsen’s Egg Chair.

Designed by Carl Öjerstam and available in a black/white or black/yellow colour combination, it’s made from moulded high-resilient polyurethane foam, which should mean it keeps its shape – and offer a comfortable place to sit. It’s also got a chrome swivel base and a 100 per cent cotton cushion cover.

If you can’t afford a design classic, this should keep you going until you can. It retails for £215.

Find out more at the Ikea website

Categories / Design and Interiors

Vintage caravan birdhouse

Caravan
If you’ve got the outdoor space, it’s always worth doing your bit for the birds  – and you can do it in a quirky fashion with this vintage caravan birdhouse.

It’s made of wood with a sheet metal roof and a retro look that birds surely can’t ignore. And if they take to it, you’ll have the added benefit of feeling good about yourself and your contribution to nature, as well as having the coolest birdhouse on the street.

Available from Firebox, you can pick one up for £19.95.

Find out more at the Firebox website

Categories / Architecture

Buy an authentic 60s home in Staffordshire

Staffs_1

Not a retro room, but a retro home – in fact, not even retro – this is a stylish 60s home almost unchanged from the day it was built – and you could be the next owner.

The house in Edgefields Lane, Stockton Brook in Stafffordshire is on the market for a whopping £525,000. For your money, you get an architect-designed home from 1960 that was raved about at the time by Ideal Home magazine. And all those original features are still there – including the original kitchen, bathroom and decor. There’s also underfloor heating, glass walls and "outdoor rooms"  – and all it’s all set in two acres of land.

See over the turn for a picture of the kitchen or check the estate agent’s website for even more images.

Find out more at Savill’s website

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Categories / Bags, Travel

Vintage Pan Am flight bags reissued

Panam_1
We were told some time back about the officially-sanctioned reissue of Pan Am flights bags, but the website for the bags still isn’t live. But we have found the bags for sale on one retail website – including this Pan Am Secret Agent bag.

I presume the name is because there’s so many pockets for your little gadgets in this large travel bag. In white with blue logo and piping, there’s also some nice detail if you look close – including Pan Am logo zip tags – the kind of detail you’re unlikely to find in the sweat shop copies.

This and some of the other bags are available from eModa, with prices starting at $65, with the Secret Agent bag selling for $89 (around £45). It’s a US site, but they do ship worldwide.

Find out more at the eModa website

Categories / Design and Interiors, Kids, Toys and Games

Lego lunch box

Lego_lunchbox

We’ve covered an endless number of Lego-related products in the past – and we’re not stopping now, especially as we have just discovered the Lego lunch box.

Available in a choice of colours from pink to black, there’s ample room for a sandwich and a drink in a box sized at 12.5cm x 12.5cm x 7.5cm. But note, the Lego hamburger is sadly not included.

It retails for £4.99.

Find out more at Lego store website