Categories / eBay watch

eBay watch: Serviced and restored 1950s Dansette Major record player

Dansette

We love a record player, as you might have noticed, with this 1950s Dansette Major record player just catching our eye.

It appeals for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it's a Dansette, an icon of an era and still a functional record player in its own right. But even better, this one has been fully serviced and restored by a Dansette service engineer, so everything works, from the valves to the auto-changer. It even comes with the relevant paperwork and stylus details.

It is worth noting that this late-50s player is in original, rather than restored condition, so expect some wear over the years. However, it is described as being in 'excellent clean' condition, with original bronzed hinges, lid fasteners, and carry handle mounts, as well as the original black and gold model label, and address label. Right now, the bidding is at £10.50 with no reserve.

Find out more at the eBay website

Categories / Design and Interiors

Festival of Britain shop at Culture Label

Fest

If you happen to have missed it, this week is 60 years since the iconic Festival of Britain took place in London. To mark this milestone, arty online shopping portal Culture Label has set up a Festival of Britain store, packed with products relating to the event.

In truth, some are more relevant than others, although all are worth a browse. Our favourite is undoubtedly the superb Southbank Centre x Lizzie Allen Festival of Britain Wallpaper. It's a bespoke wallpaper, made in very small runs and using traditional, hand crafted processes, with this particular design celebrating the energy and vigour of the Festival of Britain, featuring both participants and the Southbank itself.

Unlikely to work for a whole room (not least, because of cost), it would look superb as a feature wall. Each roll is 10m long and sells for £370.

Find out more at the Culture Label website

Categories / Women's Fashion

Jet Pocket Shirt from Dorothy Perkins

Jetpocket

Much of the fifties reproduction fashion available both in the mainstream and from dedicated retro brands leans heavily on a hyper feminine look. But from the decade that truly brought menswear into womens fashion there's plenty of untapped influences to be explored.

This Jet Pocket Shirt from Dorothy Perkins is a great fifties-styled piece that manages to combine a masculine influence with some feminine flair. The use of a bowling/diner style collar and pocket detailing creates an instantly rockabilly mood, with the sleeveless cut and loose fit keeping things just androgynous enough.

It's available from Dorothy Perkins for £20.

Find out more from the website

Categories / Women's Fashion

Alice Ivory Dress from Monsoon

Aliceivory

Denim is the flavour of the moment for high street designers this summer, feeding well into the resurgence of seventies influence. The versatile fabric isn't limited to jeans and jackets, however, as shown by this decidedly more delicate Alice Dress from Monsoon.

The dress starts with a fifties-look swing dress shape, with delicate straps and a full circle skirt creating a light and summery silhouette. The addition of a denim applique design adds some eighties influence into the dress, in fitting with the 1980s love of fifties fashion updates.

It's available now from Monsoon for £180.

Find out more from the website

Categories / Women's Fashion

Tres Noir Sunglasses by Heartbreaker Fashion

Tresnoir

Oversized shades have stayed at the forefront of mainstream fashion for many summers now, offering a myriad of mid-20th century styles at affordable prices. If you're after something out of the ordinary, however, Heartbreaker Fashion have the answer with these Tres Noir Sunglasses.

Eschewing the later sixties and seventies rounded styles, they've opted for a fifties influenced cats eye shape. However, this pair aren't as difficult to get away with as many similar looks, thanks to a larger lens and rounded lines throughout.

Get yours from Heartbreaker Fashion online for $90.

Find out more from the website

Categories / Homeware

Mid-Century Colours by Kevin McCloud for Fired Earth

MIDCENTURY
Kevin McCloud, more commonly know for poking around building projects on Channel 4's Grand Designs, has created a range of Mid-Century style paint colours for Fired Earth.

Inspired by the upcoming 60th anniversary of The Festival of Britain, the collection includes six authentic shades to capture the spirit of the iconic event. From the zingy Race Yellow to the more muted Skylon Grey, the range is the perfect finishing touch to any aspiring 50s home.

Prices start at £29.50 for a 2.5L can. Visit the website for more details.