Friday, January 14, 2011

Latest articles from Retro To Go

Latest articles from Retro To Go


For sale: Grade II-listed three-bedroom Frank Lloyd Wright-style property in Solihull, West Midlands

Posted: 14 Jan 2011 01:12 PM PST

Sol1

Hidden away in the Midlands is a grade II-listed midcentury property - this three-bedroom Frank Lloyd Wright-style property in Solihull, West Midlands.

It's a bizarre house, at least in terms of the interior and what we can see of the exterior. It was apparently built in the late 50s and has been listed due to its 'distinctive architectural style'. It's also only been up for sale once since being built. Until now that it.

Sol2

Sat away from a road and in woodland, this chalet-style house is built of oak, cedar and Shropshire clay brick, with plenty of original features within, including wardrobes concealed behind oak-strip walls and a full height, unusually-shaped, brick fireplace.

Despite only having three bedrooms, there is an option to split one  to get it four bedrooms. On top of that, there's a reception hall, an open-plan sitting and dining room, galley-style kitchen, a utility room, shower room, a family bathroom and store room. Outside there's an open fronted double garage and 0.67 acres of land.

More images and details on the agent's site, with an asking price of £850,000.

Find out more at the Mayfair Property website

1970s Puma Basket trainers reissued

Posted: 14 Jan 2011 08:27 AM PST

Puma_basket

If you're a fan of Puma, you might like to know that the Puma Basket trainers are back on the shelves.

A limited edition reissue, this much loved basketball shoe and pre-cursor to the classic Clyde is back with an original shape and colourway, specifically white with a deep red stripe on the side and heel, gold slipping in for the branding.

The upper is a premium leather and the price online is £55.

Find out more at the End Clothing website

Lego Minifigure ice cube maker

Posted: 14 Jan 2011 08:16 AM PST

Lego

Back in the dark days of 2006, we featured a Lego ice cube maker, which knocked out frozen blocks the shape of lego bricks. Well, now the company has gone one better with the Lego Minifigure ice cube maker.

I think you've guessed how this works and what it does - just add water to the blue tray and in a matter of an hour or so, you'll have your own mini army of Minifigures, ready to pop into a glass, as well as impress your mates.

It's available via the Lego store right now, £3.99 gets you one.

Find out more at the Lego store website

eBay watch: 1970s Fiat X1/9 by Bertone sports car

Posted: 14 Jan 2011 07:53 AM PST

Fiat

Looking for a head-turning retro sports car that doesn't cost a fortune? Right now, this 1970s Fiat X1/9 by Bertone sports car could fit the bill.

The car was produced by Fiat from 1972 - 1982, this one being a 1978 version with a 1300cc engine and removable hard top that looks, on first glance, like being a perfect example. But read the write-up and you'll see it's had some restoration, but needs more - a dent to the driver's door needs sorting for a start.

Saying that, it's it's described as a 'great driving' car and has just 48,000 miles on the clock, so if you're willing to do the work, it could be a winner. Right now, bidding is at £210.

Find out more at the eBay website

Zeitgeist and Glamour: Photography of the '60s and '70s

Posted: 14 Jan 2011 07:29 AM PST

Zeit

Want to know how the other half lived in the middle of the 20th century? You'll get an insight in this new book, Zeitgeist and Glamour: Photography of the '60s and '70s.

The images are from the Nicola Erni Collection, featuring iconic people, places, and events of the era - the likes of Jackie Kennedy, Mick Jagger, Maria Callas and Truman Capote as well as places like Warhol's Factory, Studio 54 and London's hip nightclubs. Or take a trip round Saint-Tropez, St. Moritz, Paris or  Rome via the lenses of Diane Arbus, Richard Avedon, Francesco Scavullo, Robert Mapplethorpe, Lord Snowdon, Andy Warhol and others.

An introductory essay covering the era's cultural scene finishes off this 368-page hardback book, which is published by Prestel on 28th February 2011. Amazon is doing pre-orders right now for £26 (down from the RRP of £40).

Find out more about the book at the Amazon website

Fontana Arte 1950s 2198 table light range by Archivio Storico

Posted: 14 Jan 2011 07:08 AM PST

Font

It might not look it, but this design is well over 50 years old - the Fontana Arte 1950s 2198 table light range by Archivio Storico that is.

It's just stylish and simple. Available in two sizes, this table lamp with dimmer, which was designed back in 1954, has a diffuser in satin white blown glass, with a stem in pear wood and a base in painted metal.

Prices start at £334. if you like the look and want something even bigger, there's also a floor lamp variation too.

Find out more at the Panik Design website

Vintage typewriter cushion at Dwell

Posted: 14 Jan 2011 05:58 AM PST

Typewriter cushons
We've already featured Dwell's Bertoia-like wire chair, part of their new collection. There are accessories worthy of note for retro fans too, such as this vintage typewriter cushion

It's a very simple black and white design with the outline of the telephone displayed against faint, typewritten text. If you really want to celebrate vintage home accessories, there's also a similar cushion available that features the outline of a telephone. 

Available now, the cushion costs £24.95

Buy it online

Fashion for Jewels: 100 Years of Styles and Icons

Posted: 14 Jan 2011 05:06 AM PST

Fashion for jewels
If you're a book loving fan of jewellery, it's been a very good week for you here on the site. Earlier this week we showed you Vintage Jewellery and now it's the turn of Fashion for Jewels: 100 Years of Styles and Icons

The book is written by Carol Woolton, the jewellery editor of British Vogue, so she knows what she's talking about when discussing stylish gems. The book also makes use of Conde Nast's vast picture library to provide some luscious imagery and to illustrate famous jewellery wearers such as Coco Chanel and Jackie O or prestige companies like Boucheron, Van Clef & Arpels.

It's a lot cheaper than a precious necklace too, priced at a very reasonable £25, though it's currently available for £16.23 from Amazon.

1970s cotton floral fabric at The Vintage Fabric Market

Posted: 14 Jan 2011 04:30 AM PST

1970s fabric


Let your inner flower child run wild with this beautiful 100% cotton 1970s floral fabric. It's heavy-weight and perfect for when you're feeling arts and crafty.

The weighting of the material would suit cushion covers, or some other small project, as it's 18 x 22 inches, and there's only two samples in this design available.

Be quick to get yours for the bargain price of £3 (postage and packing included) from The Vintage Fabric Market

Typewriter key earrings from HauteKeys

Posted: 14 Jan 2011 04:00 AM PST

Typewriter earrings
 
If you're looking for something truly unique, these made to order, typewriter key earrings are for you. Long gone are the days of the typewriter but you can hang these little pieces of history, mounted in sterling silver, off your ears for a quirky and stylish accessory.

Simply pick any two typewriter keys (initials, numbers or symbols) and they will be made for you by HauteKeys.

It doesn't stop at earrings either, bracelets, necklaces and cuff links are all available, starting at $22.00 (£14.22) and you can find out more on the Etsy website.

 

Disco Mirror Ball with Rotation Motor

Posted: 14 Jan 2011 02:09 AM PST

Disco-mirror-ball-with-rotation-motor-4709-p 
Are you gripped by the desire to bring give your lounge a Seventies disco makeover? Most people probably aren't, but should that be your thing, then this Disco Mirror Ball is pretty much an essential accessory.

This particularly mirror ball comes with a motor which rotates the ball, just like the ones in discos and ballrooms., although it 25cm diameter, it is a bit smaller and more suitable for the average home.

It costs £29 from Rockett St George.

Joseph Joseph Vinyl Chopping Board

Posted: 14 Jan 2011 02:05 AM PST

5533411590000_Red_l1 
Joseph Joseph's products often have a retro theme and this Vinyl Chopping Board, exclusive to Urban Outfitters, is no exception.

Shaped like a record, it is made from toughened glass - a real vinyl record won't be much use against a sharp knife. It measures 30cm in diameter, which also makes it the same size as a traditional 12 inch record or album. The record label features a bold tomato design, as a nice little parody of the Apple label logo.

It costs £15 from Urban Outfitters.

Don't Be So Quick to Overlook the Maserati Grecale Folgore

If the GranTurismo Folgore is a guide, this Grecale Folgore could be surprisingly competitive. The EV GT was one of the year's best surp...