Categories / Design and Interiors, Gadgets and Tech

Sonic Chair – the Ball Chair with built-in speakers

Sonic_chair

Eero Aarnio’s Ball Chair has been turning heads since 1962 – a design so forward-looking that it’s been pointless trying to update it. Until now – with the introduction of the Sonic Chair.

The Sonic Chair is the Ball Chair with sound. It has input jacks so you can wire up your portable (or fixed) player of choice, playing music through the satellite speakers placed all over the inside of the structure (even in the seat and backrest). And once you’re inside listening to your music, the structure acts as acoustic insulation, protecting you from outside sounds and background noise.

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Categories / Cars and Bikes

Evel Knievel replica motorcycle helmet

Evel_helmet
For the casual Evel Knievel fan, there’s the Evel Knievel Stunt Set toy, for the obsessive fan, there’s the Evel Knievel replica helmet.

An exact replica of the great man’s headwear, it’s hand-painted onto an original pre-1980 helmet and detailed using real gold leaf. An actual Evel autograph and picture of Evel signing the helmet, along with a padded helmet bag complete the set.

And you just know it isn’t going to be cheap. It’s priced at $1299 (around £670) and comes with a certificate of authenticity to justify the outlay.

Find out more at the Evel One website

Categories / Gadgets and Tech, Toys and Games

Nintendo NES Controller Wallet

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One for the gaming geeks and in particular retro gaming geeks – the Nintendo NES Controller Wallet.

A description isn’t really necessary – this is a canvas wallet with a replica image of an original Nintendo controller sewn on the front, there’s not much else to say.

However, I will mention that it’s officially licensed, it has pockets for credit cards and photo ID and costs just $10 (just over £5). And if you bought the Nintendo NES Power Mints, the Nintendo NES alarm clock or the Nintendo Mushroom Scarf, this is definitely for you.

Find out more at the 80s Tees website

Categories / Design and Interiors, Homeware

Bjarne Bo vintage graters and slicers

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If you’re looking for something to brighten up your kitchen, check out these vintage graters and slicers by Bjarne Bo.

Dating back to 1965 and available in a range of bright colours, you can opt for  the grater, which is  made from a very strong melamine or the slicer/mandolin, also made of melamine but with a metal blade.

Note these are vintage (not repro) items, with the condition classed as "good". You can pick one up for £8.50 or one of each for £16.

Find out more at the Classic Modern website

Categories / Cars and Bikes

Retro motoring with the Morgan Aero 8

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Morgan is the oldest privately-owned motor company in the world, working very much at its own pace and slow to bring in new designs. After all, if it’s what the customers already want, why change?

The most recent design is the Aero 8, introduced in 2000 and the first new design since 1968. And still maintaining a styling that look nearer 1928. However, that look does hide a very modern BMW 4.4 litre V8 engine, which can do 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 160mph, with the added "thrill" of no anti-lock braking, no traction control and no airbags. Not to mention the aluminium and wood chassis.

Want one? Well, you’ll have to wait around a year for a new one and pay out something like £55,000. Or alternatively, you can pick up a used model. Shop around and you should be able to find a 2001 model with around 5,000 on the clock (these are low-use cars) for around £35,000 from a dealer or £32,000 privately.

Find out more at the Morgan Cars website

Categories / Design and Interiors

George Nelson Zootimer clock range

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If you saw these clocks in your local store, you’d think they were new designs for a child’s bedroom. Well, they are aimed at children, but these Zootimer clocks by George Nelson date back to 1965.

Now reissued by Vitra, the range includes The Owl Clock (Omar), The Fish Clock (Fernando) and The Tucan Clock (Talulah) – each shaped like the animal in question. They’re wall clocks, with a printed plastic face and sized at H 10.25 x W 11.5 x D 1.5 inches.

You can pick them up for around £72 each. Not cheap, but when your kids grow out if it, you’ll still have a design classic.

Find out more at the Retrospec website