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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 / Art and Photography, Design and Interiors, Travel

Vintage London Underground signs

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Underground

Part history, part interior design and quite possibly part shrewd investment – these vintage London Underground signs are certainly eye-catching.

Where are they from? Well, the Underground obviously – they were used until around 30 years ago as ‘temporary’ signage when the standard signs were obscured, perhaps because of maintenance or fault.

They’ve been rescued from a dusty storeroom, framed and mounted professionally and now are ready to give your walls a quirky pop art vibe. Email Pedlars for availability, with prices from £199.

Find out more at the Pedlars website

Categories / Homeware

Marks & Spencer Classics kettle and two-slice toaster

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Ms_kitchen

Thanks to Karen for digging up the Marks & Spencer Classics kettle and two-slice toaster.

Both offer the retro (dare I say Dualit-style) looks, but without the high prices you usually expect for kitchen appliances with a polished metal finish. The toaster has room for two rounds of bread and offers a rolling dust lid, temperature sensor and browning regulator. The kettle has a hidden heating element (so no limescale) and 360 degree rotation on the base.

The price is the same for both items – £39.50.

Find out more at the Marks & Spencer website

Categories / Design and Interiors

Frank Lloyd Wright Meyer May writing desk

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Frank_desk

Style is timeless – and this Frank Lloyd Wright Meyer May writing desk certainly proves the point.

Dating back to 1908, it still cuts a dashing figure 100 years on, even if the art of letting writing is on the decline. Ideal for sorting your correspondence, the Meyer May offers a rack of slots, two slide drawers and  just about enough room for a small laptop, should you want to catch up with your emails too.

Everything is made from natural cherry wood, with the desk produced by Cassina and selling for £2,408.

Find out more at the Nest website

Categories / Gadgets and Tech, Music

iStylophone – turn your iPhone into a Stylophone

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Istyl2

I’ve still not been sold on the idea of an iPhone, but the iStylophone could push me nearer a purchase.

No stranger to Retro To Go, the Stylophone was the original consumer-friendly electronic keyboard, even making the charts in 1970, courtesy of David Bowie’s Space Oddity. And you can re-create it on your Apple phone (and iPod Touch), replicating all the sounds and features of the original right down to an authentic look.

It’s available from December 1st from the Very Cool Software Company for around £3.

Very Cool Software Company website

Categories / Food and Drink

Mid-century style Tea & Coffee Set

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Twarmgiftsetblackcork

Designed by Finnish company Tonfisk, this tea and coffee set is a super-stylish way to take tea (or indeed coffee) and when not in use, it will look good on display (preferably on a retro sideboard).

It comprises of two handmade ceramic cups and a pot, surrounded by bracelets of laminated bentwood to insulate and act as handles. These come with a matching walnut serving tray and a removable stainless steel tea and coffee filter.

The set costs £145 and can be bought online from the Caroline McGrath website.

Categories / Kids

Violetta Textiles Children’s Clothes

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Violettadresses

You may already be aware of the website Volksfaden, which sells a huge selection of fabrics, including designs by Alexander Henry and Amy Butler. Volksfaden has recently begun a collaboration with Violetta Textiles to produce a range of children’s clothing in fabrics taken from the Volksfaden collection.

The range mainly consists of dresses, based on the traditional German dirndl dress. Pictured on the left is the “Olive” dress made from a Michael Miller fabric by the name of “Far Out Florals”, trimmed with Erin McMorris’ “Blossoms” fabric. On the right, is “Hadley” which is made from the Marrimekko-like “Poppies” fabric by Wyndams.

The dresses are available in a variety of sizes, all currently on offer at Euro 39,50. There are also shirts for boys and tunic pant suits for girls. View the whole collection on the Volksfaden website.