POISE & BALANCE

Designed by the automotive engineer George Carwardine, the ANGLEPOISE lamp is based on the ability of a new type of spring invented by Carwardine in 1932 to remain in position after being moved in every conceivable direction. Efficient and energy-saving, the Anglepoise has remained in production ever since. This bright yellow version is a later one, probably 1970s, that I have just rescued from a life of grime. When I discovered it I couldn't tell that underneath the dirt, dust and grease there was a vibrant yellow finish!

CATCH A FEW RAYS

Thanks to everyone who called in yesterday to say hello - great to see some familiar faces amongst the huge crowd. Thanks as usual to the Flea Team for all their hard work and it was great to see the new outdoor pitches in full swing. Yesterday was bright and sunny, today is cold wet and dull and the forecast is worse, so to brighten up your screen a fantastic Sunray Tennis Set (or TV set in US) by Crown Devon just to remind us what the sun looks like.

CLOCKWORK ORANGE

....well not exactly clockwork but battery and mains, 2 out of 3 ain't bad! This groovy Philips portable record player is a real 'go anywhere' piece of kit. A full size record player it can handle LPs and singles and all folds down into its own small case. An eye popping bright orange colour it just screams 1970s retro. Groovy baby.

GAY FANTASY!!!

The weeks seem to be flying by .... it's Dublin Flea time again this Sunday. One my recent finds on display will be this fantastic Alfred Meakin teaset from the 1950s with the brilliant pattern name "Gay Fantasy". Patterns and shapes found in nature where a big theme in the 50s (see Stig Lindberg ceramics) and the nice clean graphics and colour of this pattern are can be seen in the modern designs of Orla Kiely and Cath Kidston.

HAVE A DECO...

I can't resist a nice iconic piece of Art Deco and they don't come much better than this very modern looking teapot by Clarice Cliff. The pattern is 'Sunshine Bands' and it's hard to imagine with this shape and colour that it was made in 1929!!

EASY TIGER...

The latest addition to our retro home collection is this fab bedroom stool. In fabulous condition with original tiger stripe fabric it comes complete with its own little makers tab - "A STOOLETTE PRODUCT"! Very cute, very fifties and very useful. It will be making the trip to the Dublin Brocante this Sunday - come along and say hello.

SINGLE MAN - SINGLE LIGHT

No self respecting retro fan should be without a brightly coloured stylish desk lamp, and they don't come brighter than this - even when it's switched off! This fantastic little eyeball lamp and several other vintage lights will be accompanying me on an unscheduled visit to the Dublin Brocante this Sunday in Newmarket Square. Come along and see the light!

ffrench LESSONS

These fantastic hand painted pots were made in the early 60s by John ffrench for Arklow pottery.
Born in 1919 ffrench worked in Ireland and USA and travelled extensively before setting up Arklow Pottery in 1962. These beautiful graphic pots with brightly coloured interiors show the influence of Matisse and Miro who inspired his use of colour and pattern. Look out for examples of his early work, they are still available - I found these recently at a car boot sale!!

STIG OF THE MONTH - MARCH

A selection of hand painted lidded gourds by Stig Lindberg from the 1950s.

GONE TO POT

Anyone into retro ceramics should check out pieces from the Hornsea factory. Their head designer from the 1950s on was John Clappison, and he produced some of the most influential and striking designs of the 50s and 60s. His work is now widely collected and after the publication of "Gone To Pot - the Life & Work of John Clappison" in 2007, the Gaurdian recommended John, Stig Lindberg, Jens Quistgaard and Ernest Race as the designers to collect before prices sky rocket. I have a collection of slipware vases and some of them will be making an appearance at the Empire Vintage Sunday in Belfast this weekend. Come along and say hello!

KOKO NUT

I really like the ceramic pieces made by Hjordis Oldfors, who worked for Upsala-Ekeby from 1952-59.

All her pieces are hand made each one slightly different, and are extremely hard to find. I particularly like the Kokos range (literally translated as coconut), and I have had a couple of bowls over the years but this recent arrival is the first large vase I have been able to get my hands on. They are really tactile pieces with rich matte dark chocolate finish incised with deep cuts of bright yellow glaze. Very understated and extremely elegant.