Categories / Books, Design and Interiors

Seventiestyle by David Heathcote

Seventiestyle
If you ever see an old copy of The House Book by Terence Conran in a junk shop or car boot sale, buy it – it’s one of the best books you can find on 70s design. Alternatively, check out Seventiestyle by David Heathcote, which references some of the images in that book and adds some more from the period, along with a commentary of the era.

It’s a publication by the excellent Museum of Domestic Design and Architecture (MODA), sized around 10 inches square and with around 65 pages – each one featuring colourful images, plus plenty of explanatory text about the image and the subject.

The fact that it has used images from The House Book is a big plus. Many of the other images come from promotional shots and advertisements from issues of Homes and Gardens, but are very much in keeping with the Conran shots. Everything is broken down into sections – for example furniture, fabrics, decoration and bathrooms, with additional sections covering further reading and places to visit.

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Categories / Gadgets and Tech

Tulip-style Smash ‘n’ Talk alarm clock

Smashandtalk
Ideal for your 70s-style pad, this Smash ‘n’ Talk alarm clock could also be just the thing to curb your aggression.

In terms of looks, it would sit well in a room that houses a Tulip table, the shape being a definite throwback to that era. However, this is also a clock with a secret – hit it and it speaks the time.

Add to that a digital display, three alarm sounds and the option of the time being spoken on the hour and it’s quite good value for the £20 price tag.

Find out more at the Kitsch 22 website

Categories / Music, Toys and Games

Sid Vicious 12-inch doll

Sid_vicious
Poor Sid – died before the big money came in and still making plenty of cash beyond the grave for someone – with products like this Sid Vicious doll.

This 12-inch figure is described as wearing a "perfect realisation of the Sex Pistols lead guitarist’s stage costume". Actually he played bass (after a fashion).  It comes with a leather jacket, the bass, black sunglasses and for some reason, interchangeable hands. Sadly, no syringe, bags of brown powder or add-on Nancy.

If it did, it might have been worth the hefty asking price – $189.95 (around £95).

Find out more at the Kid Robot website

Categories / Bags

Retrodelic Gym Bag

Retrodelic_gymbag
No, Retrodelic isn’t some kind of Austin Power-like description – it’s the name of the company. And amongst their stock is this rather stylish Retrodelic Gym Bag.

Not unlike a bowling bag, it’s available in four colours, each with a contrasting handle and logo. The bag has a wide zip opening for your kit, plus additional zipped pockets on the outside and base (a bit like the 80s Adidas holdalls), a contrast lining and glossy finish.

You can pick one up online, priced at $59 (around £30).

Find out more at the Retrodelic website

Categories / Design and Interiors

Garden Egg Chair

Garden_egg_chair
Summer is just a few months away, so it’s a good time to start saving for some cool garden furniture – and there’s nothing more hip than the Garden Egg Chair by Peter Ghyczy.

Originally launched in 1968, it’s still available now in a slightly modified form. It’s light enough to move around and comfortable enough to sit in for a whole sunny afternoon. And when closed up, it’s completely weather-proof.

The shell of the latest version is in silver metallic lacquer, with the inner cushion upholstered in Tonus 3 fabric (90% wool) in a wide range of colours.

You’ll need to save pretty seriously though – it retails for £1,375.

Find out more at the Design UK website


More retro design

Categories / Toys and Games

British Airways’ retro air hostess Sindy dolls

Sindy_ba

Sindy was the British alternative to Barbie, conceived by Pedigree Toys in 1962 and becoming a best-seller that’s still in production today. And if you head over the BA website, you can find a range of retro Sindy dolls dressed in British Airways’ air hostess uniforms from the 1950s to the 1970s.

There’s a choice of dolls for each era. The 1950s dolls wear the BEA (as it was) uniform, the 1960s dolls wear a replica of the shift dress worn by BOAC hostesses in 1967 (for flights between New York and the Caribbean) along with the more traditional uniforms of the era, while the 1970s doll wears the BEA uniform worn just before the merger of BEA and BOAC, forming the BA of today.

Each doll retails for a reasonable £12 each and is sure to be a collectable of tomorrow.

Find out more at the BA website