A stylish (and indeed useful) addition to any bar, the Metrokane 50s-style ice crusher actually dates back to the 1930s.
The design is based on an original art deco piece, put back in production by Metrokane in a mix of acrylic and chrome, with the handle and heavy duty blades meaning you don’t need batteries or mains power for crushing.
Shop around for a good price, with the crusher selling in the UK for around £34, cheaper in the US at around $45.
Find out more at the Silver Nutmeg website
That isn’t a typo. The Rootmaster Bustaurant is a vegan restaurant in an old bus, and from there a new word, "bustaurant", has been created. It is currently parked in Elys Yard off Brick Lane in London.
The lower deck has been converted into a kitchen with a takeaway hatch, whilst the upstairs now offers seating for 28 diners. The bus can also be hired for private parties, although you have to adhere to their strict vegan policy. Lentils, tofu and brown rice do feature heavily in their dishes, but many of them do sound pretty good. They also sell organic wines and beers.
For those of your interested in such matters, the bus is one of the later examples of the RML, number 2690 which entered into service with London Transport at Aldenham depot in September 1967 and was in service until 2004.
Further details of Rootmaster’s philosophy, menus and history can be found on their website.
The design of the knife block is not something that I imagine has changed much over the last century and they tend to be functional rather than stylish. The Kitchen Devils Retro Knife Block claims to be retro because of the attractive curved design of the wooden block, rather than being filled with old unsharpened knives!
However, for once it is not the retro style that is this product’s biggest selling point – that would be the price. Previously on sale in selected Debenhams’ stores for £100, it has now been reduced to just £30. For that bargain price, you get five stainless steel, dishwasher-safe knives and the block.
It can be bought online from the Debenhams’ website.
Some time ago, we dug up a 1970s Guzzini Ball picnic set on eBay. But if you want to walk into a store and buy a new one, you now can with the Guzzini Pic Boll.
It’s a slight update of that 70s classic, keeping that same principle of everything plastic in a plastic ball, but now with a bit more colour and a slightly more contemporary feel. For your money you get 2x containers, 1x tray, 6x flat plates, 6x deep plates, 6x fruit plates and 6x beakers – all dishwasher safe.
Summer is rapidly approaching, so get your orders in now – it’s priced around £50.
Perfect for DJs, vinyl lovers, drinkers or all three – the Technics Headshell Bottle Opener Keyring.
Shaped like the business end of your deck, it is made of a high quality alloy and worthy of a mention just as a novelty keyring. But with a shape that’s ideal for opening bottles, it becomes almost essential.
Especially when it retails for just £7.50.
Freud Living Retro Espresso Cups are made from Stoke-on-Trent’s finest china, but their style is pure Italian retro.
They are available in a choice of five colours, with the black, brown or cream options being the most stylish (the pink and blue are a bit too much like baby shades for my tastes).
Their design allows them to be stacked easily. They are sold in pairs for £16.95, but if you want four, you can get your second pair of just £13.95 more.
To view the range visit the Freud Living website.
