It’s that time of the year again design and vintage lovers – the Midcentury Show at the Nursery Pavilion at Lords Cricket ground in St John’s Wood, London.

For those of you that have visited one of Modern Show’s events, you’ll know they are wonderfully curated and filled to the rafters with supremely tasteful mid 20th century furniture and homewares. Whether sourcing for a project, looking for a rare classic or you’re happy to find a stand out affordable vintage piece that you love – this is the show for you.

Retropolitan will of course be there, alongside some of the best mid-century modern dealers in the UK  – all bringing their finest wares to the show.

It’s advisable to buy tickets in advance directly from the website www.modernshows.com. as you can jump the queue. Tickets are also available on the day.

Hope to see you there, come and say hello!

For more information and to visit the best online vintage marketplace in the UK click here

I thought I’d let you all into one of my best vintage secrets…an amazing potion that cleans and revives vintage wood. From antique mahogany to 1960s teak, this recipe works wonders and often fixes a piece of furniture you’d think would need a professional polish. I use this on all furniture and also wooden bowls, cheeseboards…in fact any real wood with a little wear should appreciate this make over.

First up, wash, rinse & keep your plastic washing up bottle next time it finishes.  The ingredients you need to buy are as follows – Methylated Spirits, Pure Turpentine (it’s important to use pure – the one that artist’s use to clean their expensive brushes) and Boiled Linseed Oil…all available from most good hardware stores.

Then you need to need to make up the washing up bottle bottle with three parts of each ingredient. I use a Pyrex measuring jug and measure out approx 200mls to start with of each liquid so I have a nice equal measure. The potion should look almost golden, but when you shake it – it should go a cloudy creamy colour.

To apply, shake the washing up bottle and cloud up the liquid, squirt generously onto some wadding or a soft clean cloth and wipe firmly and thoroughly over the wooden surface …you’ll be amazed how much dirt can come of a piece of wood, straight after wipe any excess off with a pure cotton cloth. The meths and turps should do all the cleaning whilst the linseed oil will do the reviving and hiding any light scratches. If the wood is really dirty repeat the whole process again.

Call me a little odd – but I love the smell too!  Hope this works as well as it down for you as it has for me….good luck and let me know how you get on.

Get ready design lovers – it’s that time  of the year again. The fabulous, amazing Midcentury Modern Show happening at Dulwich College on Sunday March 17th. Four light filled rooms filled with drop dead gorgeous furniture and homewares from the mid 20th Century. Discover rare design classics to stylish and affordable quality vintage goods – all from the best mid-century dealers sharing their passion under one roof!!!! [Read more...]

Some of you may already know…I have a thing about tiles from the 1950-70s. I’ve started to collect them and one day I hope to have a white tiled kitchen, with my beautiful collection of retro tiles randomly placed throughout.

Decorative Tiles are a wonderful fusion of art and manufacture -  I suppose the tile’s heyday, especially in Britain, was the Victorian era – from grand Gothic buildings with decadent tiled floor to ceiling walls, to the every day home featuring tiled fireplace surrounds.  You only have to look around you, from London tube stations to pre 1930′s doorways & hallways  and it’s not hard to find a good example of a beautiful period tile.

But what I love and want to celebrate here is the mid 20th century tile – [Read more...]

It’s a rare thing here at Retro HQ that I’d advocate some reproduction furniture – however, G Plans new range developed in collaboration with the clever folk at Hemingway design is definitely worth mention. Let’s face it with G Plan’s mid century heritage and The Hemingway’s passion & experience in all things vintage – there’s no real surprise they’ve pulled it off. [Read more...]

Enjoy the funky festive tune from Mr. Retropolitan’s record label!

A big 2012 thank you to all our customers and everyone who reads and enjoys our blog. Wishing you a super and relaxing festive holiday and here’s hoping for a vintage year ahead.

We will be open-ish for those of you who want to fit in some sofa shopping. Slightly slowed down by turkey and mince pies, we can’t promise a speedy delivery service, but just get in touch with us at enquiries@retropolitan.co.uk if you need anything urgently and we’ll do our very best. Have a great one and see you in 2013!

It’s that time of the year when we make sure Retropolitan has lots of lovely stock for you to choose from for gifts. From quirky stocking fillers from under £30 to stunning collector’s pieces that will accrue in value.

If you’re stuck with choice we also offer gift vouchers and gift receipts (allowing any recipient to exchange a gift for up to 21 days after purchase) and we gift wrap everything with vintage ribbons!

Last posting day in time for Christmas is the 21st December – we post items every day, first class. We can send express delivery if requested.

So here’s one more top Christmas list for you to add to the mix for the coolest and most unique presents available this week!….

1. Produced in 1960-1962 – these lovely set of Lemington glasses were designed by a one of the great British glass designers Ronald Stennett-Willson for Osram. In the original box. Great for beer and wine.

Click here for more info here

[Read more...]

Time to be excited again, the best design event of the year is happening very soon….. The Midcentury Modern Show at Dulwich College on Sunday 2nd December.

If you haven’t been before, I can’t recommend it enough. Packed to the rafters with vintage design classics and collectables, so plenty of beautiful presents for yourself and loads of great original gifts for Christmas. Retropolitan will be in our usual place in the North Cloister – why don’t you pop along, say hello and admire our beautiful wares!?

Here’s what they say…..

The mother of all destinations for 20C design classics and modern collectables, media-backed by Elle Decoration and a Time Out top London attraction.

Midcentury Modern has fast established itself as the number one destination for sourcing the antiques of the future without the huge retail mark-up. Designed as an unpretentious one stop shop for busy people who love collecting beautiful pieces for their homes, you can find everything for the eclectic home at this much-loved one day show from an original Eames rocker [Read more...]

We were delighted to receive issue 4 of the beautifully produced Midcentury Magazine.  It really had come on leaps and bounds since it’s first issue last year – thicker, glossier and full of really good features and to die for products -  we’re keeping all of our back copies neatly stacked on the 60′s Rosewood coffee table! [Read more...]

Do you love the idea of vintage fashion but have no clue where to start? Or perhaps you’re feeling a little left out by an absence of retro clothing shops in your hometown? Whether you’re after a quiet afternoon’s browse or some serious shopping time, vintage fairs are an excellent way to dip your toe into the fashion water. Here’s a selection of the best fairs coming up over the next few weeks – just in time for those Christmas presents! This week’s post is written by our guest blogger – Josie Samson. [Read more...]