Retro and Vintage Furniture Guide
Apparently retro and vintage furniture is back ‘in’; whatever that means. Furniture has gone the way of clothes, music and everything else in modern culture where to look forward is to look back.
There are some great pieces of furniture or home accessories that have simply been left behind, but don’t worry. They are on their way back. Why not fit your house out with amazing old and trendy trinkets that will make people leave your house thinking ‘boy are they cool’? I did it and let me tell you something, it worked.
You can go medi-evil, 60s or those electric 80s and I can guarantee you will love it. My house looks like somewhere Ziggy bloomin Stardust would live, and I love it. So here is a selection of cool furniture from years gone by that might help you give your house some much needed bravado and character.
Chaise Longue
This piece of furniture is simply brilliant. Who wouldn’t want an upholstered couch that is in the shape of a chair? It can add edge to any living room and is also an extremely comfy place to relax. Trust me; there aren’t many better ways to spend an afternoon than lying down on your Chaise Longue listening to Fleetwood Mac, eating a large bowl of Alpen.
If you can get a nicely upholstered Chaise Longue for cheap, then do the right thing and buy it. They ooze style and will be the focal point of your living area.
The Electric Trouser Press
Not strictly a piece of furniture I know, but these pieces of kit are sensational. My friend Roger told me that in order for a hotel to have 5 stars each room must have a trouser press. I am not sure if he is telling the truth but that doesn’t detract from the fact that the trouser press is a brilliant invention.
Pop your trouser press in your bedroom, or if you are lucky enough to own one; laundry room, and you will never have to bother with ironing your trousers ever again. And let’s face it owning a trouser press in this day and age will help set you apart from the rest of the pack.
Egg Chair
This is the first piece of furniture to jump into my mind whenever someone says ‘retro’. It was designed in the late 50s and is an iconic piece of furniture from the 60s. The design was based on a chair called the ‘womb chair’ which doesn’t sound as nice, but my god is this egg comfy; and stylish.
You can hang this from the ceiling or have them on the floor but wherever your egg chair sits it will look good.
Bidet
This French piece of bathroom furniture is largely overlooked in the UK, but when you go to Europe they are everywhere. The word ‘Bidet’ is the French word for pony. It got this name is because it was thought that you sit on a bidet, much like you ride a pony. Well, I can honestly say I feel sorry for ponies if they are being ridden in this way. If you haven’t heard of a bidet let me explain. It is a mini bath for your bottom. That’s it. And it is a classy addition to your bathroom.
Bean-Bag
Not necessarily the most retro of furnishings, but my goodness is it comfy. In my opinion every home should have a bean-bag. If buses and trains had bean-bags instead of seats I think the world would be a much happier place. But that is another story for another time.
The bean-bag is versatile too. You can carry it from one room to the next, and it can be stored away easily if it isn’t needed.
All of these great furniture additions are stylish and slick and a great way to personalise your home.
very comfortable £250 the pair. 0203 5563...
£250
Winchmore Hill
£25. 01462 677122. Lechworth....
£25
Letchworth Garden City
seat, metal finish. Very sturdy.In need of...
£75
Bedford
leather, very comfortable £250 the pair. 0203...
£250
Winchmore Hill
£10
Letchworth Garden City
set of 4 or as a set of 6 are these beautiful fa...
£50
Luton
£20
Letchworth Garden City
modern Ikea style, good quality, light colour,...
£30
Hitchin
condition, suit smaller person, £125.00, Bigg...
£125
Biggleswade
minor scratches from previous move. Price: £3...
£38
Cambridge