Forthcoming Attractions: Late August 2018

Collection of vintage and antique homeware for sale at H is for Home

Here’s a sneak preview of some of the items heading to our web shop this week… and what an eclectic mix it is too! From mid-century modern classics to rustic vintage industrial.

antique wooden stool with traces of original green paint | H is for Home Vintage leather medicine ball | H is for Home

The gorgeous little work stool likely came from a workshop or factory. It’s got a lovely patina with traces of original green paint – lots of marks and indentations indicating a busy & useful life! The stool’s not finished yet though. Still strong & sturdy, it would function as a little step stool, chair-side mug or book holder, small work bench for crafting or even a display stand.

The vintage leather medicine ball also has a very attractive patina – like a freshly-fallen conker! It would still function perfectly well for its original use; i.e. physical exercise. Alternatively, you don’t have to move a muscle and just stare at it – perhaps occasionally lift it up and give it a rub… it’s very tactile. It looks great amongst other vintage sports items or alongside a stack of vintage leather cases.

Blue & white vintage Cathrineholm coffee pot | H is for Home Vintage desk lamp produced by Prova of Italy | H is for Home

Then there’s an absolute classic piece of mid-century modern design – namely the Cathrineholm coffee pot designed by Grete Prytz Kittelsen, with lotus leaf pattern by Arne Clausen. We only pick these up when condition is very good. This one certainly is that and comes in the very pleasing pale blue & white colourway. Ready for use or display (it’s another object that you’re allowed to just look at and admire!).

Last, but not least – and dating from a similar era – we have a lovely vintage desk lamp produced by Prova. It’s a very nice design – good looking and practical. The head can move up & down and side to side. We’ve had quite a few of these over the years in various colourways and we’re big fans.

Designer Desire: Enzo Mari

Mosaic of Enzo Mari designs | H is for Home

Enzo Mari is an Italian product designer who is, in our opinion, under-valued and -appreciated. He’s a life-long communist and infamous firebrand known for his staunch views on design and life in general. “Design is dead” and “form is everything” are statements made during his regular outbursts.

He states that during his design process, he’s more interested in pleasing the factory worker than the consumer. Evidence of this can be seen in his 1973 Proposta per un’autoprogettazione – a manual for creating a collection of basic, DIY furniture simply using plain planks of wood and nails.

He’s produced designs for brands such as Driade, Poltronova, Alessi, KPM Berlin and, most famously, Danese Milano. It was only when researching Mari that I discovered he designed the ‘Mama’ range for Le Creuset in 1972.

Many of his designs are still in production and are available from Houzz and Made in Design, Vintage and discontinued examples are for sale at Connox, eBay, Etsy and Pomono.

Portrait of Enzo Maricredit

Additional image credits:

1st Dibs

Designer Desire: Ettore Sottsass

Mosaic of Ettore Sottsass product designs | H is for Home

One of the things near the top of my wish list is a cherry red vintage Valentine typewriter designed by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti in 1968. The ones in good condition and complete with their carry cases sell for over a hundred pounds on eBay.

We love lots of his product and furniture designs, although much of his output from the Memphis Group period isn’t our cup of tea – perhaps it’s because we were both hip & trendy young adults in the 80s and we don’t need reminding of the time! 🙂

Ettore Sottsass

Image credits:

NY Times | 1st Dibs | MOMA | V&A | eBay | Utility Design | Amazon