On a walk round Habitat last week for something substantial to sit on, a couple of things for the wall actually drew my attention – these retro-style maps of London and Paris by Alice Tait.
They're canvas prints, each one with a really cool retro illustration of the major sights of each city. Slightly informative, very eye-catching.
Each one is 60 x 80cm and is digital image printed onto a canvas backing. They sell for £89. An image of the Paris map is over the page.
We were very sad to hear of the death of Robin Day, aged 95, last week. We did think about doing a tribute, but in truth, we've been a tribute site to Robin Day's designs pretty much since the day started – everything from the classic Polo Chair to more eccentric designs like the 4-4000 chair for Hille, now long gone, but often seen on eBay. But after a check through our records, we realised we haven't featured one of his most recognisable designs – the Habitat Days Forum armchair and sofas.
Yes, if you've been in Habitat in the past few years, you'll have seen this impressive midcentury-inspired design. It's available as an armchair or as a two, three or four-seater sofa, all with that oak frame (stained as ash or walnut) and with a choice of colours for the Italian leather upholstery. All of that stands on slim chrome legs.
A very stylish design and a tribute to the enduring appeal of Robin Day. It sells from £1,100 for the armchair or £1,650 for the sofa. If you happen to be in the Manchester area, here's a tip – you might find them heavily discounted at the Habitat clearance store there.
It's a reissue, but this Habitat Perspex Table Light is still a rarely-seen item.
Originally sold in the early 70s in Habitat stores, this is a late 90s reissue in a clear perspex, as opposed to the 'smoked' original. Everything else is as it was, right down to the flatpack – you'll still have to make it yourself when you get it through the post.
It's been 'used' but us described as being in 'great condition', with a good price too right now – just £9.30.
Not a model dating back to the late 60s, but this Verner Panton Peacock Chair is still a sought-after design.
It was designed by Panton back in 1969 and even now, it's a real head-turner. This particular version is the one sold by Habitat for a very short time in the late 1990s. Not cheap then and not cheap to find one now.
Both the metal frame and seven circular cushions are said to be in 'fantastic' condition, which makes the current price of £31.03 something of a steal. Not something you'll see again in a hurry.
Sometimes it's the littlest things that make the most difference to your day. Take for example this robot earphone tidy from Habitat.
Small but perfectly formed, in the shape of a classic 1950s robot, this plastic creature will help stop your earphone cables getting tangled up.
A fun price too, at just £2.
Buy it online
Not the most eye-catching item we've ever featured, but this Finnmirror mirror has some style and a very low price tag.
It's a Scandinavian design, produced by Finnmirror in Finland around 1970 and sold in Habitat stores 'back in the day'. It's very much of that era – a rounded, plastic frame in a pale grey.
There is some slight damage to the rear – check the description for that – but nothing too alarming by the sound of it. If you want to go for it, the mirror is just 99p right now.
