DeLonghi claims that the Icona kettle evokes ‘the sleek and sophisticated glamour of the 1950s’. We just think it’s a rather smart retro-styled home appliance that doesn’t cost the earth.
Designed by Dario De Prà and available in five high gloss colours, the Icona has a 3Kw rapid boil, cord storage, twin power lights and a removable, a washable scale filter and just about everything else you would expect.
It’s priced at £59.99.
Find out more at the DeLonghi website
Back in September of last year, we mentioned the Space Invaders LED doormat was available in the US. Well, now you can get on in the UK.
If you missed it, here’s a recap. First, it’s a doormat, keeping muddy feet off your nice new carpet. But it’s also a novelty item, featuring flashing LED aliens to impress your friends and deter the unwanted salesmen.
The flashing image thankfully work on a motion sensor, so you’ll not be annoyed by it all day and power is via 4x AAA batteries. Yours from Firebox for £39.95.
One of the most recognisable sites in Liverpool has been immortalised in a mug – the Liverpool Radio City Tower mug by People Will Always Need Plates.
The tower, also known as St John’s Beacon, has a number of similarities to the Post Office (BT) Tower, with both completed in the 1960s and both once featuring revolving restaurants. These days, the Radio City Tower (as the name suggests) is the home of the local radio station, but still stands tall and proud in the city centre.
The mugs have been created in conjunction with Utility Design (the only retailers) as part of a set that features a range of Liverpool landmarks. Each one retails for £11 from April, but you can order one of the limited edition pieces now.
Some months back we featured the Rekindle coffee table – a mid-century-style design, reminiscent of the classic G-Plan coffee table from the 1960s. Well, now there’s the Rekindle desk.
And it’s very much more of the same, with those mid-century-inspired wooden curves supporting a top that’s around 54 inches across, so ideal as either a desk or small dining table.
It’s self-assembly (but requires no tools) and environmentally-friendly. You can order one online for $425, which is around £210.
Find out more at the Vitamin D website
It’s not easy carrying off a retro look on the beach or by the pool – but these Hartford swimming shorts could help.
Saying that, it would take a brave soul to carry these off. Available in a range of brightly coloured 70s-style designs, they have contrast stitching, side pockets, a velcro-fasteing back pocket, mesh lining and a drawstring waist.
If you want to make a splash this summer, they retail for £64.99.
Discoo has bagged a UK exclusive on the 80th anniversary Pan Am collection of bags, including some very limited edition pieces – like the Pan Am 1950s Hawaiian vanity cases.
These are exact replicas of the original cases given to Pan Am’s first class passengers in the 1950s, featuring artwork by US artist Norman Rockwell. As you can see, they are made from a cream leather with bold red and orange interior, with some super-cool detailing, not least those Pan Am fasteners.
Quantities are so limited, Discoo is only offering these as pre-order. So if you want one, get your name down via the website. They retail for £125.
