It's probably high street rather than high end, but the look and condition of this Guzzini-style Mushroom table lamp make it worthy of our attention.
For your money, you get a look that screams the 1970s, with that vibrant orange plastic shade and chrome plated base, both described as being in 'good' condition and looking it in the photos. There are also two small bayonet fittings inside for the bulbs.
£29.99 is the current price on eBay.
Find out more at the eBay website
Home appliances don't often come with a retro twist. Or if they do, it's usually one inspired by the 1930s. That's not the case with the Bodum Bistro electric kettle.
This particular design is inspired by the space age era of the 60s and 70s, right down to the bold orange colour – although you can opt for one of the other five colour options if it's a bit much.
Apart from that, it's a typical electric kettle, capable of holding around half a litre of water. Oh yes – it's in the sale too, priced right now at £17.85 online.
Big thanks to Matthew for spotting a real gem on eBay – this Eero Saarinen-designed Knoll Tulip dining table and four chairs.
Designed as 'as an exercise in clarifying form', the design of the Tulip table and chairs is still ahead of its time, over 50 years since its debut. This is an authentic reissue, with this particular set issued by Knoll to Cube (Manchester's architecture and design gallery) to commemorate its opening in 1998. The item was later acquired by Graeme Russell, its founding director, who is selling it now.
According to the seller, the table (diameter 920mm) is in good condition with a few scratches, while two of the four chairs are in need of some repair, but are perfectly functional. So not perfect, but at the current auction price of £500 for the set, well worth a bid.
Find out more at the eBay website
Apologies for the picture quality above, but that's actually part of the story with this Pierre Paulin Mushroom Chair.
Artifort reissued this 1960 classic a few years back, but even with the reissue, you'll be looking at well in excess of £1,500 for a licensed version. The one above is such a chair, bought three years ago in a 'dark pink wool tonus bute fabric' for £1,800 and in 'immaculate condition'.
So why no bids with two days to go? We suspect because the images are so poor on the listing. £99 is the starting price, although there's a reserve, so we've no idea if you'll bag a real bargain or not. You can always try.
We're big fans of the work of Joe Colombo, but here's something a little less obvious, although every bit as eye-catching as his mopper obvious work – the Arnolfo Di Cambio Smoke glassware.
It was described as 'the interpretation of cultivated society's new shape', as seen by Joe Colombo back in 1964. Made from blown crystal, the glasses feature a particular shape that allows them to be held in one hand along with a cigarette – ergonomically designed to be gripped from the base with a single thumb, keeping the other fingers free.
In these days of smoking being less socially acceptable, Smoke is still a great example of 60s space age design, from a man forever associated with it. Not cheap, as you might have guessed, £109 for two glasses.
Yesterday, I was discussing with regular RTG correspondent Andrew the difficulty these days of finding good space age design at a decent (aka cheap) price. A point summed up well by this Welltron Model 2002 space age ball radio.
It's a stunning piece of space age design, playing AM/FM radio in stereo sound from that ball-shaped unit, throwing in some eye-catching sliders and chrome-clad controls. it even has the original magnetic stand included.
Condition is described as 'unrestored' and 'very good above', with only marginal wear from age and of course, it works. It's the kind of thing that would have turned up in junk shops some years back and would have cost a few quid even then. But certainly nothing like the £399 being asked here. Although you can make an offer. See the listing for lots more photos.
Find out more at the eBay website
