Categories / Design and Interiors, Retro rooms

Retro Rooms: David Steel

Steel1 A big thank you to David Steel for being the first person to show off his Retro Room – or in his case Rooms.

David has just moved into a new place in the North East of England – always a good opportunity to make your mark without having to deal with accumulated clutter most of us tend to build up.

Read on after the turn for more images of David’s place. And if you want either your house, a room or even a corner of a room to feature on Retro To Go, just email over your pictures to [email protected] and we’ll do the rest.

Read more

Categories / Music

Tip for 2007: Candie Payne

Candie_payne When an artist’s MySpace page lists Dusty In Memphis, Marlena Shaw, Billie Holiday, Serge Gainsbourg, John Barry, Roberta Flack, Peggy Lee, Nina Simone, Minnie Riperton, the Band and Jonathon Richman as influences, they’ve got to be worth a look, as is the case with Candie Payne.

Candie mixes the big and bold sixties-style production with her own distinctive voice, producing superb retro-styled pop that really does stand out from the crowd. She released one single this year (‘All I Need To Hear), with an album and single out early in 2007.

If you want to hear the girl in action, check out the tunes on her MySpace page – I guarantee you’ll like what you hear.

Visit the Candie Payne MySpace site

Categories / Design and Interiors, Sportswear

Makaha 1963 – the original skateboard

Makaha If you have a copy of Phaidon’s Design Classics (and everyone really should), you’ll notice at number 609 is the Makaha Skateboard – the first professional-quality skateboard to hit the stores in 1963. And if you want to own a piece of history, you’ll be pleased to know that the skateboard’s originator, Larry Stevenson, is selling reproductions of his original boards.

The Makaha 1963 is a reissue of the first board – 29" solid oak or ash deck hand-crafted to the exact design and dimensions as the original. It comes equipped with NOS SureGrip loose ball bearing trucks and Makaha clay wheels, plus original 1963 decal. The trucks are not drilled through – they’re attached with wood screws exactly as they were in the 60s.

Selling with a collectible booklet and DVD, stock is limited, with each board retailing for $159.99 (around £82). Or if you’re feeling a little more flush, check out the Originator Limited Edition Signature Series – a repro 70s board with patented kicktail and signed by Larry Stevenson – yours for $399.99 (around £205).

Find out more at the Makaha Skateboards website

And big thanks to Leslie for the tip off!

Categories / Design and Interiors, Kids

Panton Junior Chair

Pantonjunior Quite a while ago we featured the limited edition Panton Chair, well now manufacturers Vitra have brought out a new smaller version for kids called Panton Junior.

The Panton Chair is great for children – it comes in a range of bright colours and has a smooth curved shape, which makes it as great to play with as sit on.

Soon after its introduction Verner Panton began to consider the idea of producing a child-size version of the chair, but this was unfeasible 35 years ago when the chair was first designed. Now it is possible – approximately 25% smaller, making it perfect for children.

It’s available in seven colours and costs around £104.

Find out more on the Vitra site.

Categories / Retro Women's Fashion

Bubble Hem Parka

Bubblehemparka If you are looking for a warm casual winter coat for those long walks, how about this Bubble Hem Parka from Top Shop?

In light grey, it’s not quite the traditional fish tail parka, but rather one with a modern twist. It is three quarter length and has a draw string hem and waist, with lots of pockets for your gloves, change and bits and bobs. 60% wool and 40% polyester, it is also machine washable which makes it practical for everyday wear.

For £60 it doesn’t seem like a bad buy.

Find out more on the Top Shop website.

Categories / Gadgets and Tech

Space Age Talking Alarm Clock

Spaceageclock
Very retro looks, but very modern at the same time is this Space Age Talking Alarm Clock.

The looks are very 60s/70s – ideal for your space age pad. However, it’s not just a nostalgia piece, it’s got a modern digital display and it speaks the time (if you hit it on the top) as well as offering an hourly vocal reminder of the time if you want it. And you get a choice of alarms too – talking, as well as a cuckoo, a cockerel and a "mystery" sound.

Available now in retro orange, along with black and white, you can pick it up for around £20.

Find out more at Crazy About Gadgets