Categories / Design and Interiors, Food and Drink, Homeware

Retro-styled whistling stovetop kettle

Stove_kettle
For most people, a kettle is just a household item of convenience – with only Dualit making any concession to design. But if you’ve got some time on your hands and want something with a cool retro look, you should check out this whistling stovetop kettle from The Linen Works.

You do need a bit of extra time because it does take long for a stovetop kettle to boil than a main-powered model. But at least you can look at the cool blue and white enamel design while you’re waiting and you get to enjoy the whistle when it’s coming to the boil.

It can be used on any cooker surface and retails for £31.50.

Find out more at The Linen Works website

Categories / Books, Music

Graceland – An Interactive Pop-Up Tour

Graceland_book
I can’t say I’m the biggest Elvis fan – apart from a few of honourable exceptions, I can take or leave him. But I’ve always been keen on visiting Graceland – just to see first hand that money doesn’t necessarily buy you style.

It doesn’t look like I can stretch to a trip this year, but I can afford the next best thing – Graceland – An Interactive Pop-Up Tour. As the name suggests, you get access to three-dimensional spreads of nine rooms on the house, including the Music Room, Television Room, Jungle Room, Trophy Room, Kitchen and Meditation Garden.

Each room also has interactive elements, including a removable cut-out pair of Elvis-like sunglasses – worth the price alone. And there’s a foreward by Priscilla Presley.

Available now from Amazon.com for $26.40

Find out more from the Amazon website

Via Cool Hunting

Categories / Retro Women's Fashion

Miss Selfridge Hexagon Dress

Hexagondress
The good news for all of us who like vintage style fashion is that the new clothes on the high street still have a great retro feel. If you are bored with the 60s style cocktail dresses, how about going for this Hexagon Dress from Miss Selfridge which has a late 60s early 70s boho look.

This black komono sleeve dress with sash tie at the waist and multi-coloured hexagon print pattern in 100% silk has more of a rock chick vibe, and looser feel from some of the more formal dresses that have been around.

At only £45 for real silk it seems like a good deal, and it does feel great to get something from the new collections rather than the end of sale dregs.

Find out more on the Miss Selfridge website

Categories / Bags, Retro Men's Fashion, Retro Women's Fashion

Suitcase Bag – made from a recycled vintage suit

Suitbag
If you’re looking for a novelty bag with a bit of a past, check out the Suitcase Bag.

It’s the work of designer Edson Raup, who uses suits picked up from charity shops in London to create hardwearing unisex bags. And just to add to your eco credentials, the adjustable carry strap is made from a car strap. The bag also features two front pockets, a zipped pocket to keep your valuables safe and a bright cerise silk lining.

Two sizes available – medium and large – retailing for £50 and £65 respectively.

Find out more at the V&A online shop

Categories / Design and Interiors

Poppy Cotton vintage fabric lampshades

Poppycotton_shades

According to the website, Poppy Cotton began when my Melissa Cotton Womack and her husband moved into a new home, with a desire to recreate the look of their favourite films of the 60s and 70s. No-one stocked suitable items, so they decided to make them – and the company was born.

The lampshades here are part of range that also includes wall hangings and pillows, all using vintage fabrics to create new items and brightly-coloured items for the retro home. The two lamps featured are around 8 inches tall and should fit easily on any lamp base.

And because they’re made from vintage cloth, they’re limited in number, so you’re getting something fairly exclusive. They retail for $50 (around £26) each.

See the full range at the Poppy Cotton website

Categories / Design and Interiors

David Mellor Chinese cutlery

Chinesecutlerygreen
The name of David Mellor may not be familiar to all of you, but he is one of the unsung heros of design in the UK. Best known for his work in the 60s and 70s he has worked on everything from industrial design to homeware. He operates on the simple principle that well-designed equipment can improve your life.

This ‘Chinese’ cutlery – originally designed in the 1970s – is back in production. With its broad flat stainless steel blades and moulded resin handles it epitomises 70s style. It won many awards at the time, and is now back to gain a new army of fans.

We have featured the green here, which we think is the most 70s looking, but you can also get it white and black. Six piece place settings retail for £65, with individual pieces from £7.10. There’s also a full 44-piece canteen if you really want to splash out.

Find out more on the David Mellor site