Retro To Go

Timex 80 calculator watch

2009-11-20T21:32:33+00:00

Timex went retro last year with the Timex 80 digital watch and now it's taken it a step further with the Timex 80 calculator watch.

Like the original, it offers all the basic digital functionality with a distinctly 80s twist, but this version throws in a calculator, perfect for a quick bit of arithmetic or for writing rude words on that mini screen.

Price? Yours for £75. See one of the other colour options over the page.

Find out more at the Lollipop Shoppe website

Cheetah Flight Bag by Jasper Conran at Tripp

2009-11-20T16:55:36+00:00

Luxury luggage often seems the sole property of the impossibly rich, but just because an item is functional doesn't mean you can't make it look stylish on any budget. This Cheetah Flight Bag is a perfect example, and it has some sassy fifties chic thrown in too.

The bag is from Jasper Conran's designs for Tripp, and sells itself on its classic but fiesty design. With a structured flight bag shape that's timeless, the black and white cheetah print conjures a pinup feel. The simple curved lines of the bag let the print shine, ensuring this isn't littered with design points that will make it dated.

Get it now from Debenhams for £39.99.

Find out more from the website

Lace Ponte Dress by Oasis

2009-11-20T16:10:23+00:00

With so many 80s fashion trends undergoing revival on the high street, it doesn't have to be the more obvious ones you choose. Eschewing the neon and leggings, body-conscious dressing is a great way to a classic eighties chic.

This Lace Ponte Dress from Oasis captures a subtle eighties look with style, using a form fitting sheath dress as the basis. The close fit avoids looking trashy with a knee-length hem, while another on-era trend is utilised in the lace inserts.

Get it from Oasis for £55.

Find out more from the website

“Joe Colombo - Inventing the Future” Book

2009-11-20T14:32:00+00:00

If you missed out on the exhibition of the same name a couple of years ago, then the book “Joe Colombo – Inventing the Future” is a most have for any fans of the pioneering designer.

This beautiful hardback book has 320 pages, featuring 300 images including reproductions of Colombo’s hand-drawn sketches, floor plans, objects and interiors. The book also contains essays by leading experts on Colombo’s work. As befits an iconic designer, the book has been created with great attention to detail with an emphasis on quality and design, hence the hefty price tag.

The book is available to buy from the Vitra Design Museum shop, priced just under 60 Euros.

Cassina Kanu Tub Chair

2009-11-20T14:27:00+00:00

The Cassina Kanu Chair doesn’t look the most inviting in terms of comfort, but it is certainly a stylish piece to look at.

Combining attractive curves with American black walnut finish, gives the chair a retro look which belies its recent creation in 2008 by Konstantin Grcic. It is also available in maple stained white or black.

The Cassina Kanu chair is available from Nest for £1006.

Ella Doran Geometric repeat range

2009-11-20T13:37:00+00:00

Ella Doran's new Geometrical Repeat range includes the company's first ever wallpaper design. The pattern is a softer take on op-art made from subtly shaded pyramid shapes.

The design has been digitally printed onto wallpaper which costs £110 a roll. If either the price or the look of that is too much, it's also available on table mats, coasters or a tray. Alternatively you could buy them all and really make yourself or visitors see shapes!

See them online

Modern Design Deck print by Jen Renninger

2009-11-20T13:27:00+00:00

Want a quick visual primer on key design icons? Well then you may be interested in this print of Jen Renninger's Modern Design Deck. The deck allocated a celebrated designer and a depiction of one of their famous works to each letter of the alphabet. This print shows 30 of her original illustrations for the deck (yes, some of the letters have more than one designer attached to them) going from A for Aalto to Z for Zeisel.

This print costs $49. A selection of the designs made for individual letters, including P for Panton and E for Eames, are also available at $25 each.

Buy it from Century Finds

For sale: 1960s-designed house in Jacksons Lane, London N6

2009-11-20T09:52:42+00:00

If any house can scream the 1960s, it's this three-bedroom design in Jacksons Lane, London N6.

This particular property is an end terrace on the Southwood House Estate, a triangle of residences built on the site of the former Southwood House, the work of architects Andrews, Emerson, Sherlock & Keable in the early part of that decade, 'Andrews' himself actually living in it - no doubt sold on the large communal space offered between the rows of houses, all of which is for sole use of the residents.

The house itself is unusual, but not untypical of the era, offering up three floors of accomodation that includes an open plan kitchen and dining room, sliding doors to the garden, a first floor reception room, three large double bedrooms, two bathrooms, a study and a sun room at roof level.

It's all been 'refurbished to a high standard by the current architect owners', but thankfully has been done with sympathy to the original construction. Not cheap though, they're looking for around £1,200,000, which makes the Frank Lloyd Wright house we featured yesterday something of a bargain in comparison. Then again, we are talking London prices.

More information and images at the Modern House website

Polka Dot Peacoat from Marc by Marc Jacobs

2009-11-19T16:06:22+00:00

Of all the enduring items of retro outerwear, the peacoat is the choice that never goes away. That's no bad thing, of course, and provides us with plenty of unique options whatever the season. This Polka Dot Peacoat jacket from Marc by Marc Jacobs takes a classic and gives it a cutesy twist.

The coat's shape and tailoring is kept classic and uncomplicated, with a double breasted fastening and high cut lapel. Navy fabric is given a twist with polka dots, adding something different that stays in keeping with a kitschy retro feeling.

It's available now from Matches Fashion for £290.

Find out more from the website

Fifi Babydoll Dress from Heartbreaker Fashion

2009-11-19T15:59:21+00:00

US retro brand Heartbreaker are best known for their fifties styles for women, but their 60s reproduction pieces are as accomplished as the best brands. This Fifi Babydoll Dress is a perfect piece of vintage styled clothing that doesn't put a foot wrong.

The babydoll style instantly sets this squarely in the mod sphere, and plenty of the detailing gives it that uniquely mid-sixties British look. A houndstooth print in sharp monochrome black and white is set off perfectly by black trim at the collar and high empire line. A sleeveless cut, a-line shape and high neckline complete the effortlessly retro look.

Get it online from PinUp Girl Clothing for $82.

Find out more from the website

Retro TV W/C 20th November 2009

2009-11-19T15:52:29+00:00

Barry Murphy returns once more to trawl the TV and radio guides (so you don't have to), finding anything worth tuning into this week. All listings are for UK terrestrial TV, Freeview and national radio, with the shows running from Friday 20th November to Thursday 26th November 2009.

Highlight of the week

Another disappointing listing this week I'm afraid, not much here to highlight. Channel 4's 3-D season continues with The Greatest Ever 3-D Moments (Saturday 21st, 9.20pm. Repeated Sunday 22nd, 11.10pm), so dig out your spectacles and get set for a quick run through the most memorable 3-D moments of cinema, television and pop. Ranging from the spectacular to the weird and wacky, the top ten takes in works from the pioneering days of the 1950s through to the technological marvels of the present day. Clips from Creature of the Black Lagoon, Jaws 3-D and Doctor Who are interspersed with interviews with the cast and crew of the ten best moments.

Other than that, there's a late night repeat for the Paul Weller documentary Paul Weller: into Tomorrow (BBC 4. Friday 20th, 12.40am) followed by BBC4 Sessions: Paul Weller (Friday 20th, 2.10am).

Friday 20th November

TV

The Queen in 3-D (1/2) - Channel 4. 8.00pm - 9.00pm
In 1953 two cameramen, Bob Angell and Arthur Wooster, filmed a 3-D colour newsreel they called Royal Review. The reel featured footage of Elizabeth II before and after her Coronation, and included her journey to Westminster Abbey on 2 June. She was also filmed attending events, as well as taking a trip down the Thames on the royal barge. As part of a nostalgia project, the pair shoot new 3-D footage of the Queen today, using state-of-the-art video cameras.

The Queen in 3-D (2/2) - Channel 4. 9.00pm - 10.00pm
In this second part images reveal not only more of the Queen, but also of the nation in postwar times. As much of industrial Britain is rebuilt, footage of huge chemical plants and vast machines for turning farmland into coal mines is captured. Adding a touch of glamour, the Queen Mother is filmed going on holiday by flying boat to Madeira.

Film: Friday the 13th Part III (3-D) (1982) - Channel 4. 10.00pm - 11.55pm
Horror sequel. Hockey-masked killer Jason Voorhees rises from the grave to wreak a bloody revenge, starting with another attack on the ill-fated holidaymakers at Camp Crystal Lake. Part of Channel 4's 3-D season.

Paul Weller: into Tomorrow - BBC 4. 12.40am - 2.10am
The Lennon and McCartney of the Grange Hill age was how music icon Paul Weller was once described. This intimate biography, told by Weller and those who know him, features rare and previously unseen phots and archive footage. It charts his upbringing in Woking, his early years with the Jam, the creation of the Style Council, his insecurity, his return to popularity in the early 1990s, and his view on where he finds himself now. Contributors include Weller's parents, Bruce Foxton, Boy George, Mick Talbot, Steve White, ex-wife Dee C Lee and Noel Gallagher.

Film: Don't Look Now (1973) - ITV 1. 1.10am - 3.00am
Atmospheric supernatural thriller starring Donald Sutherland. Following the drowning of their daughter, John and Laura Baxter go to Venice where they meet a woman who claims to be able to communicate with the dead child, and are soon drawn towards a mysterious and forbidding fate.

Film: Patrick (1978) - BBC 2. 2.10am - 3.10am
Australian thriller starring Robert Thompson as the comatose Patrick who develops a passion for nurse Susan Penhaligon which leads to a series of increasingly malevolent telekinetic happenings.

BBC4 Sessions: Paul Weller - BBC 4. 2.10am - 3.10am
Includes songs from 22 Dreams, along with some classics from the solo and Jam era. Special guests include Eliza Carthy, Graham Coxon and Oasis guitarist Gem Archer.

Saturday 21st November

TV

The Greatest Ever 3-D Moments - Channel 4. 9.20pm - 10.20pm
Dig out your spectacles and get set for a quick run through the most memorable 3-D moments of cinema, television and pop. Ranging from the spectacular to the weird and wacky, the top ten takes in works from the pioneering days of the 1950s through to the technological marvels of the present day. Clips from Creature of the Black Lagoon, Jaws 3-D and Doctor Who are interspersed with interviews with the cast and crew of the ten best moments.

The Thick of it (5/8) - BBC 2. 10.10pm - 10.40pm
New. Series Three. Nichola Murray and shadow minister Peter Mannion take part in a Radio 5 Live debate on Richard Bacon's late-night phone-in, but when breaking news makes things very difficult for the politicians, Malcolm and the Opposition PR guru Stewart Pearson are swift to respond.

Film: Friday the 13th Part III (3-D) (1982) - Channel 4. 10.20pm - 12.10am
Horror sequel. Hockey-masked killer Jason Voorhees rises from the grave to wreak a bloody revenge, starting with another attack on the ill-fated holidaymakers at Camp Crystal Lake. Part of Channel 4's 3-D season.

The Unseen Spike Milligan - More4. 11.25pm - 12.30am
An intimate insight into the life of the troubled comedy legend.

Film: Dracula (1979) - Channel 4. 1.35am - 3.30am
Horror starring Frank Langella and Laurence Olivier. A wolf-like creature flees a storm-struck ship off the Yorkshire coast before vanishing into the night. The next day, an unlisted survivor is found in a cave.

Radio

Sounds of the 60s - BBC Radio 2. 8.00am - 10.00am
Brian Matthew spins two hours of hits, B -sides and album tracks.

The Funk and Soul Show - BBC 6 Music. 6.00pm - 9.00pm
3 hours of funk, soul and blues presented by Craig Charles.

Sunday 22nd November

TV

Derren Brown Presents the 3-D Magic Spectacular - Channel 4. 10.00pm - 11.10pm
The host presents some of Britain's leading performers as they dazzle audiences with some amazing trickery, plus archive 3-D footage of some of the world's greatest magic tricks.

Channel 4. 11.10pm - 12.10am
The Greatest Ever 3-D Moments - Dig out your spectacles and get set for a quick run through the most memorable 3-D moments of cinema, television and pop. Ranging from the spectacular to the weird and wacky, the top ten takes in works from the pioneering days of the 1950s through to the technological marvels of the present day. Clips from Creature of the Black Lagoon, Jaws 3-D and Doctor Who are interspersed with interviews with the cast and crew of the ten best moments.

Storyville: Hi Society - the Wonderful World of Nicky Haslam - BBC 4. 12.15am - 1.15am
Documentary providing a look at the life of Nicky Haslam, the renowned socialite whose popularity with royalty and rock stars has helped him become one of the most successful interior designers.

Monday 23rd November

TV

Gracie! - BBC 4. 9.00pm - 10.20pm
New. Jane Horrocks stars as Gracie Fields in this romantic drama about the singer from Rochdale who, in the 1930s, became the nation's darling, reflecting the spirit of the age.

Tuesday 24th November

TV

The Sweeney - ITV 4. 8.00pm - 9.00pm
The Flying Squad trails a jewel thief who impersonates a policeman to carry out a heist.

Auf Wiedershen, Pet - ITV 4. 9.00pm - 11.10pm
Double bill of the classic comedy drama. A new face joins the gang.

Imagine... Dame Shirley Bassey: the Girl from Tiger Bay - BBC 1. 10.35pm - 11.35pm
A profile of the Welsh singer on the release of an album of songs composed for her by, among others, Gary Barlow, Rufus Wainwright and KT Tunstall.

Dame Shirley Bassey: Electric Proms - BBC 4. 11.35 pm - 12.35am
The Welsh diva celebrates 50 years in showbusiness with a special performance at London's Roundhouse, featuring classic songs from her repertoire as well as tracks from her new album The Performance.

Duets: The Andy Williams Show - BBC 4. 12.35am - 1.35am
A selection of the veteran performer's duets recorded during his decade-long run as host of a weekly variety show on the American network NBC. Featuring Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, Johnny Mathis, Judy Garland and Ray Charles.

Wednesday 25th November

TV

Film: Carry on Dick (1974) - Channel 4. 1.40pm - 3.25pm
Saucy comedy starring Sid James. In Georgian England all travellers are fair game to highwayman Dick Turpin. The Bow Street runners are at their wits end: little do they know that Dick has the most ingenious of disguises.

Flight of the Conchords (7/12) - BBC 4. 10.00pm - 10.30pm
Series one. Bret and Jermaine go to war with a fruit vendor.

Thursday 26th November

TV

Film: The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) - Channel 4. 1.25pm - 3.25pm
Stylish romantic crime caper starring Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway. Millionaire Thomas Crown plans an ingenious bank robbery and finds himself drawn into a battle of wits with top insurance investigator Vicky Anderson.

The Professionals - ITV 4. 7.00pm - 8.00pm
A "ghost" with a vendetta causes chaos.

Gracie! - BBC 4. 10.00pm - 11.20pm
Jane Horrocks stars as Gracie Fields in this romantic drama about the singer from Rochdale who, in the 1930s, became the nation's darling, reflecting the spirit of the age.

The Thick of it (5/8) - BBC 4. 11.20pm - 11.50pm
Series Three. Nichola Murray and shadow minister Peter Mannion take part in a Radio 5 Live debate on Richard Bacon's late-night phone-in, but when breaking news makes things very difficult for the politicians, Malcolm and the Opposition PR guru Stewart Pearson are swift to respond.

Café Lamp

2009-11-19T14:24:00+00:00

If the Giant Flower Pot Pendant Lamp featured last week is just too big, both physically and price-wise, then how about this Café Lamp?

Available in a choice of red, cream or silver, the style suggests 1950s cafes. The lamps are made by a family-run Welsh metal spinning company that used to specialise in making miners lamps but is now turning this expertise to making lighting fixtures.

The lamps cost £46.50 and are supplied with a rose and wire, from Pedlars.

Vince Guaraldi Trio “A Charlie Brown Christmas” LP

2009-11-19T14:20:00+00:00

Only the coldest of hearts could fail to be melted by a Charlie Brown Christmas but if watching this classic film isn’t enough then the USA Urban Outfitters is selling the soundtrack on vinyl.

The LP features 12 tracks played by the Vince Guaraldi Trio who composed numerous other scores for the cartoon series. The soundtrack was originally released in 1965, reissued in 1988 and available now exclusively at Urban Outfitters, priced $24. Urban Outfitters are also selling “This Tree Needs You” replicas of the bedraggled Christmas tree from the film and Linus’ blankets too, so you can recreate the Charlie Brown Christmas in your own home.

Visit Urban Outfitters to buy.

Nautical tea cup and saucer from welovekaoru

2009-11-19T13:56:00+00:00

Nautical looks are a long standing staple for retro clothing scene and they seem to be moving slowly into homewares – probably because historically most things used on boats are practical but not pretty. This nautically inspired tea cup and saucer made by welovekaoru happily fulfils both those categories.

While the old-fashioned looking anchor bearing the words 'Steady as she goes' taps into the trend for designs bearing sailor-style tattoos, the hand-painted blue stripe against the white of the cup and saucer keeps it looking nice and fresh. It's the perfect thing for teaming with one of the many sailor inspired outfits out there.

The tea cup and saucer costs £22.

Buy it from My Deco

80s edition of Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour cream

2009-11-19T13:33:00+00:00

Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour cream has attracted a bit of a cult following since it was introduced in the 1930s. Devoted fans claim the cream can be used for everything, from cuts and scrapes to as a lip balm, and so may be eager to know it's being released in limited edition 80s packaging.

Though the cream is unchanged, the bright pink, yellow, orange and lime green colour scheme with collage-style lettering is a million miles away from the classic red and white packaging normally associated with the brand, so it'll be interesting to see how this one sells.

A pot costs £15.30 from Debenhams