New Dealer: Modern Living - Retro Style

The Old Cinema welcomes new dealer 'Modern Living Retro Style' to their ground floor display cabinet. Buyer Eleanor Feldman specialises in mid-20th century glassware, ceramics, studio pottery and small collectables. Included are iconic pieces from English designers such as Terence Conran, Jessie Tait and Guy Sydenham as well as German and Danish studios such as Vilroy & Bosch, and Goldscheider. The cabinet is full of bright and colourful objects, so you're guranteed not to miss it!

Celebrate sunshine, industrial style!

If this gloomy British weather is getting you down, don’t despair as the weekend forecast promises a much needed burst of sunshine! Why not celebrate with a spot of shopping and pop down to the store to see our latest industrial goods. This unusual floor lamp is sure to be a talking point in any interior. The heavy base is made from a water valve once used to control the mains water supply beneath the bustling London streets of Victorian Britain. It contrasts beautifully with the elegant curve of the street light whilst the 1930’s lamp gives this light its own kooky character.

If you’re looking to add real character to your living space why not consider this industrial shelving unit. Maybe you’re after a new place to store books or a unique way to display shoes. Whatever the purpose these shelves made from an old Victorian mangle will add vintage charm to your living space. So make sure you come down this weekend to check these beauties out because, like the sunshine, they may not be around for long!        

Military Panels from the Iron Curtain

It's a complicated world these days so it's tempting to feel nostalgic for the cold war era, especially when you can buy relics as chic as these large industrial steel panels! Sourced from an eastern European army base, these Kafkaesque panels look great as visual art, or in the kitchen as a magnet panel for all of your to-do lists. We have many available with different numbers and levels of rust, so you can choose which one would suit your Lenin photo best!  Only £60 each during the July Sale.  And if you really want to get into the spirit of things then check out these 1950s US Government issue Emergency Water Cans to stock up your Nuclear Shelter.  Drink at your own risk! 

Summer Sale Now On!

Our Summer Sale is now on.  All items are included in the sale,with reductions up to 30%
Sale prices are not listed on the website so please enquire for more information.

House of Horrors

One of the most bizarre items to turn up from America was this rusty steel mansion measuring nearly a metre high.  It is an intricate piece of artwork which seems to depict the story of a deteriotating relationship.  It begins optimistically on the ground floor, becomes tormented through the middle section, and finally ends in infidelity and murder on the top floor bedroom!  Nothing is known about the artist who created it, although a male lover is stood in front of an easel in one of the rooms which makes it tempting to assume it is somewhat autobiographical.  In any case it is a haunting sight full of heart-breaking details...

Come and check it out this weekend along with many other industrial beauties!

American Shipment, Summer 2012

Today we unloaded a 20 foot container from America packed with all sorts of mid-century industrial, including medical cabinets, dressing tables, signage, glassware and home accessories. There are some rare pieces in the mix, including a fantastic polished steel Art Deco suite. The vast majority is yet to be unpacked and priced, and many pieces will need a good cleaning, but we will have a few gifts from Uncle Sam priced and ready to go for the weekend!

French Industrial Cabinet

A fantastic example of French industrial chic, little is known about this stylish and rare cabinet, except perhaps that it was used as a larder of sorts due to the door mounted shelving and internal drawers. The cabinet has been fully stripped and polished and features a pair of very unique brass and aluminium handles. The unique array of storage options inside means that this cabinet would be perfect for office use, media storage or perhaps a gentlemans wardrobe!

Retro Kessel Chair

If you've been hunting for that perfect retro lounge chair, then look no futher. Designed by Kessel International in the 1970s, this chair has an aluminium frame and swivel base. The body has been completely reupholstered in premium Italian analine leather, making this chair extremely comfortable. Its low slung profile and gently polished frame would make a subtle but stunning addition to any vintage or retro interior.
Available now for £795

Coronation Display and Bank Holiday Hours

Everyone is in a very festive mood as we prepare to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee this weekend! Check out our Royal display using vintage flags and Coronation goods, including original 1953 tea cups which have been upcycled into rose scented candles. We also have Keith Haynes 'God Save the Queen' vinyl heart cut outs and original framed vintage Coronation flags.

We are open the entire bank holiday weekend to celebrate with you! Hours for the bank holiday weekend are listed below:

Saturday June 2nd: 10-6pm

Sunday June 3rd: 12-5pm

Monday June 4th: 12-5pm

Tuesday June 5th: 12-5pm

Enjoy yourselves, and congratulations to Queen Elizabeth II, long may she reign!

Christian Dior Silk

In 1950 the House of Dior licensed the manufacture of luxury accessories, including beautiful Silk Twill head scarves designed under head designer Marc Bohan.  We currently have two of these 1970s Christian Dior scarves mounted on silk and framed in perspex boxes.  One is a stylized flower reminiscent of a Georgia O'Keefe painting, the other a floating floral design.  Vintage luxury with a modern twist! 

Vintage 1953 Queen's Coronation Flags

Two weeks to go until the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, we now have these rare original coronation flags in stock! Produced as a souvenir in 1953, these flags are beautifully framed and in excellent condition. We have three available, as well as some other vintage royal themed accessories for your home for you to celebrate in style!

- Adam x

Mark Ardern - Decorative Arts Specialist

Mark Ardern, a sole trader for over 4 years, has a cabinet in our hallway that is a 20th century treasure trove. Stocking only the very best in 20th century design, Mark's passion lies in the Austrian and German Seccesionist periods, but you will find everything from early 20th century English studio pottery to 1950s Polish ceramics, and even a bit of 1970s Troika! Mark updates his stock frequently, so you're sure to see something new almost every week.

New Dealer - Studio 44

The Old Cinema would like to welcome Studio 44 to the ground floor showroom at the rear of the shop! Lucy Salem, owner of Studio 44, ran a stall in Portobello market for many years, and her grandmother was an interior decorator with her own shop in William Street, Knightsbridge. Lucy has worked in the fashion industry alongside contemporary designers such as Penelope Chilvers, and believes that 'it’s the details that make a home – the special pieces that say something about the person.' We think that Lucy's use of bold colours, texture and print work perfectly with her range of vintage furniture and lighting! Come and check it out this weekend x

 

New Dealer - Simon Pugh

The Old Cinema welcomes new dealer Simon Pugh to his space on the ground floor' just past our main reception area. Simon began many years ago as a porter and valuer at Christies. From there, he went on to deal antiques and design his own furniture from premises in Lillie Road and Walton Street.  He has considerable expertise in Georgian, Victorian and 20th century goods, spending the last five years sourcing specialist pieces for stores including Paul Smith, Hackett, Cath Kidston and Jigsaw.

Simon's view on design is 'I always like mixing old with new.  I have a weakness for 1970s chrome and leather, and for classic Heals design'.
Simon currently has a fantastic selection of retro furniture and accessories (including pieces by the famouse Merrow Associates), and a rare complete 66 volume set of 1950s Jazz books!

The Apprentice @ The Old Cinema

It was great fun appearing on last night's episode of The Apprentice. Lord Sugar and the teams spent a day filming with us last year, we even managed to sell something to Nick Hewer. Our showrooms provided the ideal backdrop as candidates got inspiration for their own upcycled furniture to sell in pop-up boutiques in Brick Lane.  Congratulations to Team Phoenix for winning the task!