Categories / Homeware

Reproduction Victorian Tiles

William-de-morgan-animal-tiles

In the quest for modernity, thousands of homes were probably striped of their original Victorian tiling some time ago, but with the popularity of roll-top baths showing no signs of abating, you may want to add these Reproduction Victorian Tiles to your bathroom to complete the look.

The tiles are recreations of genuine 19th Century designs. Pictured here are animal theme collection which were designed by arts and crafts pottery designer William De Morgan in 1879 and include an owl, pelican, fish, antelope and dodo in green. There is also a set depicting bird in blue created by Pre-Raphaelite architect and designer Philip Webb in 1859 for William Morris’ Red House and some blue floral designs by Morris himself.

The animal collection cost £27.50 per tile and the others cost £17.95 each from Robert Opie Collection. They also sell period-style plain tiles for £5.95 each because you probably wouldn’t want to tile your wall completely with dodos!

Categories / Design and Interiors

Victorian Bench by Michael Warren Design

Vic_bench

An update on an object you might still see everyday – the Victorian Bench by Michael Warren Design.

Yes, a classic bench, the kind you might see in any park of age and a design that recalls 'traditonal values' and 'invites passers by to sit and enjoy conversation and sunshine,' according to the designer. You don't need a park to enjoy it either, should look great in any garden.

The construction materials aren't clear, but it's certainly a wood of some sort. But we do know the price – £400. Contact Michael Warren Design for stockists.

Michael Warren Design website

Categories / Cars and Bikes

Penny Farthing bicycle gets a modern makeover

Penny

It's an icon of the Victorian age – and now you can get yourself a Penny Farthing, albeit with a modern twist.

It's more or less an accurate replica of the original in shape, with the front wheel a hefty 36 inches, while the rear wheel shrinks down to around 12 inches. The seat, as you can see, is perched high on that angled frame, giving you an elevated view of the world and indeed, the road.

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Categories / Architecture, Food and Drink, Homeware

The Macbeth pub tea towel from Soulful Toaster

Macbeth

Soulful Toaster are currently stocking a couple of tea towels featuring London architectural landmarks. One shows the Trellick Tower but as that building comes up so often on this site, how about going a bit further back in time with this tea towel showing the Victorian Macbeth pub in Hoxton, East London? 

It's a fascinating building: originally being built as a gin distillery, using water from its own underground spring. The words 'Hoxton distillery' can still be read at the top of the building, and indeed at the top of this tea towel. It's now a pub and a live music venue (it also gained notoriety for Amy Winehouse's ex-husband attacking its landlord). The design is screen-printed onto white cotton and is made, appropriately enough, in East London. 

This tea towel costs £9.50, as does the design showing the Trellick Tower.

Buy it online

Categories / Christmas

Daniel Heath’s Circus baubles

Daniel heath bauble

You may remember Daniel Heath's High Wire wallpaper, a whimsical slice of Victoriana based around life in the Big Top. Well, for an alternative look for your Christmas tree, you may want to invest in these circus baubles. They are made from wood that has been screen-printed with some of his imagery of animals flying through rings of fire and acrobats performing feats of daring. Each bauble is hung on copper wire. 

These baubles are just a selection available from the Shop Floor Project's Bauble exhibition, a selection of unusual and beautifully crafted objects for bedecking your tree with. The beauty and the craftsmanship comes at a price however: these baubles cost £28 each. 

See them online

Categories / Art and Photography, Music

Wilton’s Music Hall anniversary poster from New North Press

Wilton Music Hall

Wilton's Music Hall is a rare surviving example of a Victorian music hall. Situated in east London, it celebrates its 150 year anniversary in 2009. This poster from New North Press lists the colourful history of the building's neighbourhood over the time of its existence as well as the building's various incarnations: from music hall to Methodist mission hall to rag warehouse. The poster draws its style from its subject matter and looks like a traditional billing poster. 

The poster is hand-printed and is an edition of 150. Each print costs £100, of which 10% goes to Wilton's Music Hall Trust. 

Buy it online