We’re big fans of the post-war designs of Alexander Girard as you may have noticed from our previous features on the Girard wooden dolls and Girard cushions. And now we’ve found more – these Alexander Girard Alphabet Blocks.
There’s 28 multi-sided blocks in the set, each featuring some bright and bold Girard design. Ideal as a cool learning tool for your kids, just as cool as a decorative object for the home.
Each set retails for $100 (just over £50).
Find out more at the Sparkability website
High street store Littlewoods isn’t the first place you’d expect to find great retro design, but we may have to change our opinion if they continue to produce items like these Andy Warhol-inspired cushions.
The ones featured here are the Elvis cushion, which is in polyester satin with a flock print and the Marilyn Monroe cushion, which is made of a cotton corduroy. Both retail for £19.
Even better – both are also available as duvet sets and a classic tomato soup can design is on its way. More on that when we have it.
Find out more at the Littlewoods website
Band compiling mix albums is a definite growth industry right now – it’s a shame most of them are dull or try too hard to be cool. Better to just throw together a genuinely random selection tracks and see what happens – as it the case with Nouvelle Vague – Late Night Tales.
Eclectic is an overused term, but it really does fit this album by the French cover specialists. From vintage acts including Julie London, Glen Campbell and Peggy Lee, taking in a few 60s and 70s cult acts, then moving onto the more familiar Nouvelle Vague territory of 70s and 80s alternative pop – Special AKA, Pale Fountains, Tones on Tail and This Mortal Coil.
And there’s even room for a Nouvelle Vague cover – the band’s take on Come On Eileen. It’s out this week – a definite try before you buy, but well worth a listen.
We’ve covered numerous retro radios in the past – mainly DAB radios for the UK market. But this Radio-One retro Bakelite radio is even more authentically vintage.
Available in the US, it’s made from a butterscotch-coloured bakelite, but substitutes the vintage workings for a modern-day AM/FM receiver, with tuning via the front dial. There’s also the usual power and volume controls, along with mains power.
Available online and worth a look if you go for that period look, you can pick one up for $250 (around £130).
Most of the big-name design goes for its price on eBay, but if you look carefully, there’s still some great items lurking about – like this 1970s Flying Saucer light fitting.
I don’t know much more about it than what’s listed on the site, but it’s certainly an original piece fro the 70s, in an unusual (but quite contemporary) shade of blue and complete with light connection. Spot on for any space age home.
Seems to be on good condition, with just a few light scratches – and if you can get it for not much more than its current price of £32, you’re onto a real bargain that should rise in price over the years.
See more images and the full description at the eBay website
As we’re deep into the winter sports season, it’s a good time to highlight a Retro Retreat in the Alps – the King’s Parc Hotel in Verbier, Switzerland.
The King’s Parc Hotel, Verbier has 17 suites, all with alpine views and balconies and handy for skiing and nightlife. However, what sets it apart is the interior. Full of 60s/70s charm, with fake fur covers on the beds, a lounge with vintage sofas and stylish modern-day artwork, a bar with authentic 60s décor and a restaurant that goes back even further, with Italian wood panelling from the 1920s.
If all that sounds like your thing, be warned – it’s not cheap. Prices vary dependent on the time of the year, with prices starting from around £151 for bed and breakfast.
Visit the King’s Parc Hotel website
