Beautiful Things: The items on our shopping list this month, from instant cameras to invisible teapots
Votteler Chair
£POA, walterknoll.de
This Walter Knoll armchair, based on a 1956-design by Arno Votteler, is a perfect example of Scandinavian objectivity and austerity. The angular volume of the upholstery rests on a delicate tubular steel framework, while the armrests are made from elegantly shaped solid wood. German industrial designer and academic Votteler, who founded the Institute of Interior Design and Furniture Design, is famous for creating minimalist pieces of home and office furniture that combined utility with comfort. His original pieces are now highly sought-after and command lofty prices on the second-hand market.
Impossible I-1 instant camera
£269.99, uk.impossible-project.com
When Polaroid stopped making film for its iconic instant cameras in 2008, Impossible bought its last remaining factory, saving countless cameras from obsolescence. Now the company has finally realised its goal of producing its own camera, the beautifully designed I-1.
The distinctive “ring flash” can adapt to the ambient light to prevent washed out portraits and you can shoot in manual mode, giving you control of the aperture, shutter speed, flash and focal distance. Even better, there’s an app that allows you to use your phone as a remote trigger, set a timer and experiment with effects including double exposures.
Illustrated copy of The Shining
£49.95 from foliosociety.co.uk
Stephen King’s The Shining is generally accepted as the horror writer’s masterpiece, a Freudian portrait of a descent into madness and despair. A new hardcover edition of the book from the folio society is a must-have for horror fans, featuring 11 colour illustrations from the brilliant Edward Kinsella, an award-winning artist whose work has featured in publications including The New Yorker and The Atlantic.
Kinsella’s dark, surreal style marries a painterly attention to detail with an expert grasp of graphic design, bringing to life some of the iconic scenes from the book. Some, such as a wide-eyed woman lying in a bath of blood, are viscerally shocking, while others, like the image of Danny Torrance and his mother in their car (pictured) are more subtly haunting. The book, which features an image of a monstrous wasp on the cover, also includes an introduction by Stephen King.
Vaughan Horsman’s M10
£8,500, thoughtform.co.uk
This wall-art entitled Masterplan #10 – as seen on the cover of April’s Bespoke magazine – would bring a splash of colour to a sophisticated living room.
Zoe Arcs rug
£POA, paolalenti.it
These rugs are created by painstakingly spiralling and sewing together lengths of brightly coloured rope, and are available in a range of sizes and hues.
Nature Poet Classics
£10 each, faber.co.uk
These beautiful hardback books collect the works of six of our most beloved nature poets, packaging them up with new artwork from leading printmakers and gorgeous covers from artists including Angela Harding.
Oriental glass teapot
£70, fortnumandmason.com
Kick your morning brew up a notch with this see-through teapot, made especially for Fortnum & Mason, which allows you to watch your fragrant loose leaf teas swirl mesmerisingly as they infuse the hot water.
Ashby shoulder bag
£575, uk.burberry.com
Hand-painted and eminently totable, this canvas check and leather satchel boasts classy tassles and, for less hassle, a detachable purse pocket for pertinent and prompt purchasing. Inspired by equestrian designs.
MiP Robot
$99, store.wowwee.com
Who needs friends when you can buy a robot? Meet MiP from Wowwee designs, a well-balanced chap that can carry items, navigate your house with the help of a smartphone app and do battle with other MiPs.