Forthcoming Attractions: Early May 2016

Selection of vintage homeware sourced by H is for Home

We’ve acquired some fabulous vintage items this week.

Vintage Thomas Flammfest lidded casserole dish and Johnson Brothers Op Art coffee pot

We’ll start with two pieces for the kitchen diner – both items having a distinct Op Art feel. The coffee pot has a bold pattern of squares & circles in chocolate brown, black & white. It was produced by Johnson Bros in the late 60s or early 70s. The lidded casserole dish was made around the same time and has an equally striking design – this time, a repeating pattern of tulip heads in vibrant green & blue. It was made by Thomas of Germany. As we mentioned in the last Forthcoming Attractions post, we’re big fans of much of this company’s output.

Vintage toy Mettoy Elegant typewriter with original box

This toy typewriter is a lovely example. It’s the Mettoy Elegant model in shades of pink – complete with original box. We’ve had a few of these Mettoy typewriters, but never in this colourway before.

Small vintage Dümler & Breiden fat lava vase and Cascade glass piggy bank

Next is an old favourite – the West German fat lava. This example was produced by Dumler Breiden and has a striking, sculptural form with flashes of orange to the rim and twin handle like openings. The piggy bank was made by Cascade in the 1960s/70s. We like the design and pewter colour of the glass. You might want to use this money box for display only because there’s no stoppered hole to retrieve the coins – once they’re in, they’re in!

Small goose neck desk lamp and mid century modern teak, metal & glass wall pendant lamp

And last but not least, two nice bits of lighting. The miniature desk lamp is really cute. It dates from the 1950s/60s era and has a brass coloured flexi neck – perfect for those dramatic grey interiors perhaps. The wall lamp originates from the same period and is a real beauty. The mount is teak with brass & copper detailing – the glass shade has a wonderful swirling pattern. This piece looks good against grey too – and we can also see it hanging on a bright white wall in a pared back Mid Century Modern space.

Detail from a mid century modern teak, metal & glass wall pendant lamp

If anything has taken your fancy, most of these items have just been put into our web shop.

Typecast

'Typecast' blog post banner

Vintage 1950s/60s light green moulded plastic toy typewriter | H is for Home

We added this vintage toy typewriter to the H is for Home shop recently. A child’s Mettoy ‘Prefect’, it was one of 3 typewriters that we picked up – all in the same town… all on the same day!

Vintage 1960s 'Lilliput' typewriter | H is for Home Vintage 1960s 'Lilliput' typewriter | H is for Home

In addition to the ‘Mettoy’, we bought this ‘Lilliput’ junior typewriter with its cute tartan carry case…

vintage 1970s electric blue portable Smith Corona designed by Ghia | H is for Home vintage 1970s electric blue portable Smith Corona designed by Ghia | H is for Home

..and finally this absolutely mint electric blue Smith Corona example designed by Ghia – a company more famous for designing cars – Alfa Romeos, Fiats, Volkswagens… and even a Ford Cortina!

vintage 1970s orange Silver Reed 'Silverette' typewriter | H is for Home

We love a nice typewriter. We’ve sold a few others in our web shop – this yellow Silver Reed ‘Silverette’ was a favourite. And the boxed 1950s tin ‘Mettype’ that was snapped up on day 1 of our Child’s Play section launch.

vintage 1950s red tin Mettype typewriter | H is for Home

It’s a shame that first the word processor and then the personal computer brought on the swift demise of the typewriter, however they still have a place in many people’s hearts. Tom Hanks is a famous celebrity collector of typewriters – lugging them home from his travels round the world!

vintage 1970s/80s 'Valentine' typewriter designed by Ettore Sotsass

They’re obviously still usable (we know a good ribbon shop by the way)… and they can look just great on a desk or shelf – especially when they are as gorgeous as this iconic model… the ‘Valentine’ designed by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti… sheer beauty!