Categories / Homeware

John Jenkins Studio Desk

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In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Festival of Britain, Heal’s has gone all out with the promotion of 1950s-inspired products, many of which we’ve mentioned here before. One that is new to us, and definitely worth looking at, is the John Jenkins Studio Desk, created exclusively for Heal’s.

The desk is made from a combination of oak and walnut veneer and features a drop-down work surface. The rest of the unit provide a good amount of storage space, although if that isn’t enough for you, there are other office units in the same range.

The desk costs £895 from Heal’s.

Categories / Architecture, Homeware

Battersea Blanket by Mary Penny

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A cosy blanket is always useful, whether for wrapping around yourself to keep warm or to lay out your picnic on in summer.

This Battersea Blanket by Mary Penny is more stylish than the traditional tartan blanket and being designed by a graduate of the Royal College of Art, is perhaps closer to a piece of art than your usual bedding. The iconic London landmark Battersea Power Station has been woven into the blanket in bold colours against a subdued background on one side, with the colours reversed on the other . It measures 140cm by 190cm and is made from 100% Lambswool.

Buy from Thorsten Van Elten for £215.

Categories / Books, eBay watch

eBay watch: Original Festival of Britain Design in the Festival book

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Do a search for Festival of Britain on eBay, you'll be amazed at what you find. Everything from stamps and coins through to glasses and teapots, most of it for not a lot of cash. Why an I telling you this? Well, this year is the 60th anniversary of the Festival of Britain, a celebration of post-war Britain and all it offered. Lots of reproduction material is likely to hit the market, but something like this original Design In The Festival book is far more interesting – and not too expensive.

It's an original publication produced by the Council of Industrial Design and according to the seller, one of the 'scarcer publications' of the event. Certain to appeal to midcentury fans, it is a fully illustrated review of British goods including sections on furniture, textiles, ceramics, electrical appliances, motor cars and cameras. Also numerous pages of contemporary advertisements, many in full colour.

132 pages including covers and in 'generally very good clean condition', the book is up now at £14.95.

Find out more at the eBay website

Categories / Design and Interiors

Pukeberg Table Lamp

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The Pukeberg Glass Factory in Sweden was founded way back in the 1970s, but it’s the designs from the 1960s that interest us the most, such as this Pukeberg Table Lamp.

This design dates back to 1960 and is made from original tins from the Pukeberg Glass Factory. The lamp is made from matt opal glass and stands at 30cm tall.

It costs just over £213 plus shipping costs from the Scandinavian Design Center.

Categories / eBay watch

eBay watch: 1970s Peil and Putzler ceiling lamp

Holm

Love the colour, but also love the face that it's not unlike a Holmegaard vase for your ceiling. The Peil and Putzler ceiling lamp that is.

Out of the 1970s (as you might have guessed), it is actually glass rather than plastic in construction, with the orange outer contrasted by a white inner glaze. The bulb casing is apparently fitted with three retractable prongs, which thread through the lampshade.

Condition? 'Very good' according to the seller, with a 'few very small chips' on the bottom rim of the lampshade on the white glaze, but 'hardly noticeable'. If you want it, right now it's at 99 pence.

Find out more at the eBay website

Categories / Homeware

London Bus Lights

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If your home is looking rather bare now you’ve taken down your Royal Wedding bunting, perhaps you could hang up some of these London Bus Lights instead.

Each wooden bus is shaped like a classic bright red London bus and has a small bulb inside it. There are 12 buses on the string. Probably best suited to a child’s bedroom, they lose some of their appeal if you are forced to travel on the real thing each day!

The lights cost £38.95 per string from Vinegar Hill.