I’ll be the first to admit that the Otium Sofa by La Palma does not look the most cosy but what it lacks in obvious comfort, it makes up for with its sleek appearance.
Designed by Mario Ruiz, it is made from walnut on a stainless steel base. It has principally been designed for commercial use such as waiting rooms and reception areas, where you perhaps don’t want people to get too comfortable. Two cushions designed for the sofa are available separately.
It costs £2,750 from Made in Design.
La Redoute is already promoting its Autumn Winter 2011 collection which includes this Summer of Love Duvet Cover.
Made from 100% cotton, the cover has a brown background printed with the words “peace” and “love” in retro typefaces, along with hearts, stars and CND signs. The catalogue website claims it is a tribute to the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco, but then gets things a bit wrong by mentioning the 1970s, by which time the Summer of Love had definitely ended. The duvet cover is available in three sizes (140cm, 200cm or 240cm) which are priced £27, £39 and £55 respectively. A matching flat sheet is also available.
Buy online at La Redoute.
Always nice to see one of these on eBay. While the Olivetti Valentine typewriter by Ettore Sottsass isn't as useful as it once was, it is still a design icon – and in this case, still cheap.
Designed back in 1969 (and named after its day of launch – Valentine's Day), this lightweight period gem comes with its own matching carry case to protect the inner machine, although if you bought it, you'd probably want to have it shown off on a desk or table without the casing.
It's described as being in 'absolute working and cosmetic condition', as well as having 'no scratches, dings or cracks'. No reserve, so bid away, the current price is just 62 pence.
If cool and kitsch is more important to you than cutting-edge technology in the morning, you just might be the perfect customer for this Snoopy alarm clock.
Featuring the ever-popular Peanuts character (now over 50 years old would you believe) and his sidekick Woodstock having a snooze on the dog house, the clock is an old school bell-ringing clock, which has both a light and an alarm. Which is probably why it needs a battery rather than just being a wind-up clock.
Cheap enough, you can get one online for £13.50.
I think we've waxed lyrical about Pieff before, a British company that made interesting and indeed quality items, particularly in the 1970s. While prices for other British makes (like Merrow Associates for example) have gone up, Pieff products are still very reasonable. As this Pieff Alpha armchair demonstrates.
It's a modernist-inspired design from Tim Bates, still looking very stylish 30+ years on. It has three removable cushions, pirelli seat support and a chrome frame. A 'vinyl stretcher' is fixed to the back frame to supports the two back cushions.
It's been well looked after, with only minor wear over the years, with the leather 'fed with quality leather cream' in the recent past. Bidding stands at £21 right now.
Find out more at the eBay website
50s Retro is the name of the piece, with this oak sideboard certainly living up to the name.
By that, we mean the look is certainly 1950s midcentury, although the design is a new one. For your money you get that oak construction witty a satin lacquer finish, four low angled legs and two doors to the front.
The entire thing is 120cm wide (about 4ft) and 70cm tall, selling right now for £286.
