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.