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...]

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

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I’ve recently discovered Lovely’s Vintage Emporium website – and I must say, simply lovely it is! As a huge fan of wearing and buying vintage clothes, for us busy folk – it can often be a frustrating and smelly experience! Don’t get me wrong – if you’ve got some time and patience, it can also be immensely rewarding finding an absolute gem that fits you perfectly.

Well, I certainly don’t mind paying a premium to have the cream of the crop beautifully displayed, styled & presented to you in a really super way – and that’s exactly what Lovely’s Vintage Emporium does perfectly…….I hasten to add -  you really don’t have to pay that much of a premium. With categories such as shopping by trends, era, sizes, under £25, & designer – you can really zone in to what floats your boat without the boring trawl.  But what really makes the site good is “Lovely”, who is Lynette Bateman – stylist and fashion journalist, simply has great taste  – so pretty much all of her collections are stylish and cool.

Here’s a selection of our favourite few items… happy shopping!

1970s Ozzie Clark for Radley

1960s Green Dress – just £65! (50% off)

1960′s Guy Laroche – stunning black dress.

A Finally – get your knee highs socks and hot pants out….

1970s Sun Visor

If only Geography lessons at school were this stylish and colourful – perhaps I  would have passed?! A very good friend had just launched her collection of beautiful vintage French school maps. They make stunning, decorative statements and can be a nostalgic reminder of a travelled past.

Retro maps have a really amazing collection from 1930s to 1970s…all from all different part of the world and some much rarer than others. [Read more...]

It’s that time of of year when I’m getting really fed up with winter and start day dreaming and planning my holiday! In case you are too – I can’t recommend enough a beautiful campsite situated the foothills of the Pyrenees in France called BelRepyre.

This place is vintage heaven! Owned by Coline and Perry – who have lovingly restored 10 beautiful and original airstream trailers for you to hire – all dotted around and nestled within a lovely peaceful campsite, with great walks and stunning views. [Read more...]

Tic-Toc, Tic-Toc. Time is precious…why not think about a gorgeous Mid Century mantle clock as a gift for someone who needs a bit more time in their lives?

We have these three in stock in our webstore here right now….all working perfectly and would grace a mantelpiece or bedside table!

Stylish Smiths 1960s Brass cased mantle clock

1970s Westclock Alarm Clock

1970's Smith Teak and glass mantle clock

For the first time  in over  hundred years Old Spitalfields Market will be opening it’s doors on Saturday. Great news for collectors and lovers of vintage – Every month the market will be host to two distinctly different vintage markets.

Spitalfields Market is a great London institution – in a huge old Victorian building with a metal and glass roof, surrounded by cool shops and restaurants – the center of the building is filled with traditional market stalls and 100′s of eclectic independent traders selling their finest wares. [Read more...]

Seeing as it’s approaching the season to be jolly – I shall be posting over the next few weeks some cool Vintage-y places to go in December. Sorry non Londoners – im keeping my eyes peeled for decent stuff elsewhere  -  please let us know if you know of any great Vintage days or nights out!

Dennis Severs House in Spitalfields is an amazing and unique experience. They always have a wonderful Christmas  installation and run a series of Silent Nights – you go at your own pace on a sensory exploration of the different rooms and floors for the house. Each room takes you back to a moment in time between 1724- 1914. The attention to detail and period makes the visit a domestic history lesson as well stepping into an artist’s canvas. The late Dennis Severs was an artist who lived in the house and spent years re creating each room to stimulate your senses….It really is a magical experience. Get your Christmas booking in soon – they run out of slots quickly (or you can go on Sundays without a booking)