Latest articles from Retro To Go

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• Celia Birtwell book by Celia Birtwell and Dominic Lutyens
• Vitra Hang It All by Charles and Ray Eames - walnut and basic dark special edition
• All-new Volkswagen T2 camper van at Danbury Motor Caravans
• eBay watch: Artifort 1960s F978 lounge chair by Geoffrey Harcourt
• For sale: 1970s architect-designed four-bedroom house in Darley Dale, Matlock, Derbyshire
• Adidas London trainers reissued in navy blue suede
• Trellick With Margo Selby bag range at People Will Always Need Plates
• Lego Space Shuttle Expedition set

Celia Birtwell book by Celia Birtwell and Dominic Lutyens Posted: 21 Aug 2011 12:14 PM PDT Interestingly, no one has written a book on Celia Birtwell, so it's about time one turned up. Which happens to be this Celia Birtwell book by Celia Birtwell and Dominic Lutyens. Part life story, part feature on her work, Celia Birtwell features personal photographs and sketches of Celia, her family and friends, especially from her 'bohemian' life in the 1960s and 70s and images from her long association with David Hockney as both friend and muse. Of course, the flipside is Birtwell the designer, with the book also offering up a multitude of examples of her fashion and home fabrics. Quadrille publishes the 208-page book in hardback from 3rd October 2011, with Amazon doing discounted pre-orders for £20.99. Also, look out for Celia Birtwell: In Conversation at the V&A, which takes place on Friday 23rd September. Who knows…you might get a signed copy on the night. Find out more at the Amazon website

Vitra Hang It All by Charles and Ray Eames - walnut and basic dark special edition Posted: 21 Aug 2011 11:33 AM PDT There was a similar special edition out in the US a couple of years back, but due to rights issues, it never made it to the UK. Not to worry, the walnut and basic dark special edition Vitra Hang It All by Charles and Ray Eames is now available in the UK, should you want a variation on the classic theme. You can still buy the original 1953 midcentury design classic if you wish, but this is a more subdued limited edition, the plastic coated steel frame going darker, while the coloured balls have been replaced with wooden balls in walnut. Slightly more 'grown up' if you like. Get one while you can, £182 is the price. Find out more at the Utility website

All-new Volkswagen T2 camper van at Danbury Motor Caravans Posted: 21 Aug 2011 06:38 AM PDT Yes, there are plenty of classic models on eBay right now and pretty much all the time. Condition varies and you'll almost certainly need to spend some time and money keeping it on the road and looking good. If that sounds like hard work, you can spend even more money on a new Volkswagen T2 camper van at Danbury Motor Caravans. Of course, there are pluses and minus. The big 'minus' is that this isn't an original classic and for many, that's going to be a big problem. As for the plus, well this is a new van from the VW factory in Brazil, with a fuel injected, water-cooled modern engine, complete with electronic ignition and a catalytic converter exhaust system, along with front servo assisted disc brakes and rear drum brakes, as well as the option to run on either bio fuel or unleaded petrol. Danbury take the vans and convert them, based on the specification you demand. So if you want the front dummy cover, roof rack, added chrome, just ask for it. Likewise, you should be able to choose the finish, the kitchen, the amount of gadgets…pretty much everything. Not that there's much 'personality' in the finishes shown on the site. Of course, you can spend the money with a reputable dealer to get an high-spec rebuild too, although you'll still essentially be running an old van. It's all down to personal choice. If you opt for one of these, you'll be looking at prices from £25,999. Find out more at the Danbury website

eBay watch: Artifort 1960s F978 lounge chair by Geoffrey Harcourt Posted: 21 Aug 2011 06:08 AM PDT We're doing a bit of reading between the lines here. This is simply listed as a '1968 swivel lounge chair designed by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort' and should be taken as such. But we believe it is specifically the Artifort 1960s F978 lounge chair by Geoffrey Harcourt. We featured a reissue of the design back in 2008, which retailed then (and we suspect, retails now) for around £1,776. So we're talking a bargain here, even if it's not as perfect as a new one. For your money, you get a chair that is 'totally original', with the original upholstery, although it could 'do with a clean'. There's also a fibreglass shell and steel foot in the original black colour. Condition is described as 'good' and the price right now is £195. Find out more at the eBay website

For sale: 1970s architect-designed four-bedroom house in Darley Dale, Matlock, Derbyshire Posted: 21 Aug 2011 04:46 AM PDT Not the most stunning house you might see from the outside (although not a bad looking place in truth), this 1970s architect-designed four-bedroom house in Darley Dale, Matlock, Derbyshire really come to life inside - where it remains largely unchanged from that original era. Yes, the fittings and decoration of this place are straight out of a mid to late '70s design book. Which is probably when the house dates from. The kitchen is almost a museum piece, as is the stunning wood-clad living room and double-level conservatory. Throw in a picturesque location in the Peak District and you've got something really special. Designed for the architect's own family, the design takes advantage of those views and the light, with all rooms south-facing. Once up that 'in and out driveway' and past the attached 'porte-cochere' you enter via the reception hall with cloakroom/WC, which leads to a sitting room with vaulted ceiling, which also has sliding folding doors to the double storey dining room/conservatory with spiral staircase and floor to ceiling windows, not to mention views over the Derwent Valley). There's also the period fitted kitchen with a range of built in appliances, a master bedroom with en-suite bathroom/WC and a staircase that leads to the lower ground floor, where there is a games/hobby room, laundry room and three further bedrooms plus shower room/WC. Three quarters of the acre of land outside contains natural woodland, a patio, sun terrace and potting shed/greenhouse. More images on the listing and if you like it, £649,999 is the asking price. More details and images at the Zoopla at eBay website Via WowHaus

Adidas London trainers reissued in navy blue suede Posted: 21 Aug 2011 02:43 AM PDT it is the trainer reissue that keeps on giving, with the latest release of the Adidas London trainers coming in a navy blue suede. Originally a 1970s shoe as part of the Adidas City Series, it's back here in much the same shape, but with an upper in navy blue suede, along with white detailing and a chocolate gum sole, plus that dimpled tongue. You can pick up a pair right now online at the Size? store, with a price of £57. Find out more at the Size? website Via His Knibs

Trellick With Margo Selby bag range at People Will Always Need Plates Posted: 21 Aug 2011 02:34 AM PDT We saw the two collaborate on some Bus Blind fabric earlier in the year, but we haven't previously encountered Trellick With Margo Selby bag range at People Will Always Need Plates. As the name suggests, the range is inspired by the facade of Goldfinger's iconic Trellick Tower, with a choice of colours and designs - a blowing bag, pencil case/make-up bag, purse, washbag and weekender bag. Oh yesa, there are also cushions too, which obviously aren't bags, but we'll not quibble over the detail. The bowling bag is available in two colour options and sized at 35 x 23cm, with leather contrasting the Trellick cloth. £160 is the price for this, see the rest of the range on the website. Find out more at the PWANP website

Lego Space Shuttle Expedition set Posted: 21 Aug 2011 02:12 AM PDT It might have ceased flying this year, but the Space Shuttle will always be an icon of the 80s, when it changed the face of space travel. It could change the face of a wet Sunday afternoon too if you invest in the Lego Space Shuttle Expedition set, especially if you have kids to entertain. Yes, you can recreate the craft, with a Lego version standing at standing 44cm tall and around 25.5cm from wing tip to wing tip. The model features realistic engines, retractable landing gear, an opening cockpit with seats for two astronauts, opening cargo compartment with a crane that can hold the satellite and a ground maintenance vehicle. There are also three minifigures - one male, one female and a service crew member. All of which needs building, which might be trickier than you imagine. if you want it, you can buy it from the online Lego store for £81.99. Find out more at the Lego website

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