Categories / Design and Interiors

Tesco does a budget Pumpkin-style chair

Sphere

We love the Pumpkin chair. An early 70s design classic from Pierre Paulin and originally produced for Georges Pompidou's private apartment in the Élysée Palace, this space age gem went into mass production for the very first time in 2008, appearing most recently as an annviversary edition. But with prices starting at a very minimum £900 (and usually much more), it's not cheap. So here's an alternative – the Tesco Sphere chair.

Ok, it doesn't have the finesse of the Paulin original, it just wouldn't. But it does offer up a similar profile, with a circular shape, slightly raised back and a choice of fabric or leather construction. The fabric is in red, the leather in black.

If you are trying to re-create that 70s space age look, the Sphere chair offers the shape and the style without the big price tag. How cheap? Well, the fabric chair is yours online for £144.99, the leather discounted for £129.99. Even better, Tesco has discount code on its site right now that knocks another £10 off both prices.

Find out more at the Tesco Direct website

Categories / Women's Fashion

Embroidered Skirt by Culture

Culture

While miniskirts rule supreme for sixties looks, a more demure length is the order of the day for a variety of other retro eras. This Embroidered Skirt by Culture is a great choice for lovers of many vintage looks, suiting both a fifties and seventies aesthetic.

The combination of Americana and folk styles suits this skirt to both those looks, with a below knee length managing to avoid frumpiness thanks to a well tailored cut. The A-line flaring and high waistline create the desired silhouette, while a simplistic floral embroidery adds an element of girlish appeal.

Get it now from Oli for £38.

Find out more from the website

Categories / eBay watch

eBay watch: 1970s desk lamp

Lamp

Quirky and cheap, that's what we like about this 1970s desk lamp.

It's an eye-catching piece of modernist-inspired design, the lampshade made of sheet metal, lacquered white on the inside to maximise light reflection with the top part of the stem in chrome, the bottom being metal that's lacquered orange, all combining to create a lamp that's easy to direct over your work.

It's described as in 'good condition and in full working order', but there is the the odd age-related mark, all of which are outlined on the site. Price? Right now it's a very tasty 99 pence.

Find out more at the eBay website

Categories / Design and Interiors

Satin Metal Onion table lamp by Verner Panton

Onion

A distinctive piece of lighting, but the Satin Metal Onion table lamp by Verner Panton comes at a price.

The design dates back to 1977, with the lamp made of satin metal vertical, compressed lamellae to create that 'Onion' shape. The result os something sculptural that gives out atmospheric, indirect light.

Finished off with a transparent wire and requiring a 100W clear bulb for that light, this 80cm tall light is yours for £1,225.

Find out more at the Panik Design website

Categories / eBay watch

eBay watch: 1970s eyeball-style ceiling light and wall lights

Orange1

If the colour doesn't convince you, the design is almost certainly a giveaway of the origins of this 1970s eyeball-style ceiling light and wall lights.

Yes, that's right, not just the light above, some wall lights thrown it too. But let's look at the main fitting first. That being a distinctive thing with chrome ceiling rose, orange 'stem' and three eyeball-style spotlights for targeting light around the room.

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Categories / eBay watch

eBay watch: 1970s Prinztronic LED digital clock

Prinz

Big thanks to Andrew for sending us this rather interesting oddity on eBay – a Prinztronic LED digital clock.

What's particularly interesting in this item is the condition, listed as 'boxed and unused' from its original shelf date of 1979. Which means it's not got a scratch on it and works as intended from day one.

For your money, you get a clock very much 'of its era', with that LED display, auto brightness control, snozze, finger touch controls and of course, packaging and instructions. Price? Right now just £1.99.

Find out more at the eBay website