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20 affordable retro tech gift ideas

20 affordable retro tech gift ideas

10 of the best retro alarm clocks

10 of the best retro alarm clocks

Retro reading glasses by London Mole

Retro reading glasses by London Mole

Categories / Architecture, Property

For sale: 1960s André Bruyere-designed house in Bouches du Rhône, France

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Rhone1

The current credit crunch means there are less retro houses for sale in the UK – but there are still plenty elsehwere, if you have the money. Something you’ll need yo buy this André Bruyere-designed house in Saint Remy de Provence, Bouches du Rhône, France.

Bruyere designed this in 1968, based on traditional Mediterranean architecture, but throwing in some period 60s space age for an individual feel. Not that it needs much to stand out – the huge one-floor house is sat in one hectare of land, near to a nature reserve. Yes, we’re talking complete isolation, if that’s what you want and with a roof that doubles up as a patio, plenty of space to sit back and admire the landscape.

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Categories / Design and Interiors

Lizzie Allen traditional Telephone Box wallpaper

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Telephone_wallpaper

More than a feature wall, the Lizzie Allen Telephone Box wallpaper is a huge piece of art, should you have a wall big enough to cope with it.

It’s actually a life-sized print of a traditional red telephone box, hand screen-printed on super-wide paper, each one bespoke, so in effect, also unique. And you’ll certainly be unique in your street with one of these on the wall – and if you position your phone nearby, you can lay claim to having your very own phone box.

For reference, the wallpaper (which is also offered in a gold variation) is 135cm wide and 300cm tall (that around 10ft) – so make sure you have the wall space before ordering. And at £330, it might be as well to get a professional in to hang it.

Find out more at the TfL website

Categories / Cars and Bikes

Derringer bicycle – 1920s-style eco bike

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Derringer

I don’t think these are selling anywhere in the UK (at least, not as far as we can see), but if you happen to be in the US (or fancy paying the shipping), the Derringer bicycle is a stylish way of cutting through the traffic.

Not just a retro-styled bike, the Derringer is a motorised bicycle, designed to look like a 1920s racing bike. And with a fuel economy upwards of 150 mpg from the 49cc engine (capable of up to 35mph), it’s also a cost-effective way of getting around. Even better if you use the pedals.

Plenty of distinctive designs to choose from, all the work of industrial designer Adrian Van Anz and all guaranteed to turn heads as you travel. If you want to know or want to find all those all-important prices, drop Derringer an email via the website.

Find out more at the Derringer website

Categories / Film and TV

A tribute to Reg Varney

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Reg Varney – one of Britain’s finest comic actors and of course, star of classic 60s/70s sitcom On The Buses, sadly died this weekend. But he did at least manage to rack up a fair old innings of 92 years. Interestingly, Varney was also the first man to use a cash point – opening the first machine in Enfield, North London, back in 1967. Remember that if you ever do a pub quiz.

Anyway, rather than ramble on, how about we just feature a clip – like the intro to the first On The Buses movie from 1971 – the highest grossing British movie of the year, even taking more at the box office than the year’s Bond movie (Diamonds Are Forever). If you’ve never seen the show, this clip tells you just about everything about it. Here’s to you Reg…

Categories / Art and Photography, Film and TV, Music

Christies’ Pop Culture auction in London

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Marquee
The forthcoming Pop Culture auction at Christies is something of a mixed affair, covering everything from pop art to film posters and music memorabilia. And one item in particular covers all bases.

This is a Quadrophenia poster from the 1979 movie – but it’s not any old Quadrophenia poster. This is actually a prop from the movie, announcing The Who’s upcoming residency at London’s Marquee club. I can’t say for sure whether this is a mock up or a copy of an original – maybe someone out there knows?

Sized at 76 x 51cm, it’s selling for what sounds like a fairly reasonable £300 – £500, especially when you consider how unique this item actually is. Find out about the poster and all the other lots via the link below – the auction takes place at the South Kensington auction house in London on 4th December 2008.

Find out more at the Christies website

Categories / Design and Interiors

Hans Wegner 1960s Pendant light

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Wegner_pendant

He might be known mainly for furniture designs like the Shell Chair and the Ox Chair, but he’s also turned his hand to lighting too – including the Hans Wegner Pendant light.

Dating back to 1962 (but with definite earlier modernist influences), this simplistic light is actually quite clever technically – move the aluminium shade up the cord for brighter light around the room, run it down for more focused light (round a table for example).

Look out for it in white, black or a metallic finish, priced around £460.

Find out more at the SCP website