Design + Decorate: Mad Men Moment

Posted: 27/03/12

Helen Costello

Follow: Best Homewares, Design Tips, Interiors, Mad Men

The most stylish programme on tv is back – and not a moment too soon. Let the mid-century style obsession re-commence. Of course, in an ideal world we would all pick up the sort of uber-cool vintage pieces that grace the walls at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce for a steal, while wandering around a conveniently local flea market, but as we all know that can be a bit hit and miss.

There are specialist shows and a host of amazing mid-century sites where you can swoon over the real Sixties deal, but if your budget can't always stretch to the genuine articles, we've scoured the high street to bring you the best mid-century inspired pieces around, at purse-friendly prices.

Go mad – and get the look:

Design + Decorate: Mad Men moment

Into the blue
<p> </p> <div> </div> <div> The Rimini ceramic vases created in the early Fifties by Aldo Londi look as cool today as they ever did.</div> <div> </div> <div> Aldo Londi Rimini vases, £31-£104 at <a href="http://www.heals.co.uk">Heal’s</a></div> <div> </div>
Hard at work
<p> </p> <div> I’ve seen Don Draper himself slaving away under the light of something very similar. Perfect for that retro office feel.</div> <div> </div> <div> Judith table lamp, £225 at <a href="http://www.gong.co.uk">Gong</a></div>
Make mine a dry one
<p> </p> <div> Office-based drinking was taken to Olympic heights back in the day and they certainly did it in style.</div> <div> </div> <div> Set of 6 classic stemmed Martini glasses, £14.99 at <a href="http://www.drinkstuff.com">Drinkstuff</a>  </div>
Kitscher sounds
<p> </p> <div> Classic styling with state-of-the-art DAB technology. Available in a range of bang on-trend sorbet shades.</div> <div> </div> <div> Revival DAB radio in leaf (other colours available), £145.82 at <a href="http://www.johnlewis.com">John Lewis</a></div>
On the side
<p> </p> <div> </div> <div> The attention to styling detail here is fabulous and very genuinely 1950s. The perfect place to pop that six o’clock drinks tray.</div> <div> </div> <div> Mid-century two tone buffet cabinet, £692 at <a href="http://www.artisanti.com">Artisanti</a></div>
Measure for measure
<p> </p> <div> </div> <div> A cheap, cheerful and very practical way to bring back a bygone kitchen era.</div> <div> </div> <div> Tala 1960 Cook’s dry measure, £6.40 at <a href="http://www.johnlewis.com/231339404/Product.aspx">John Lewis </a></div> <div> </div>
Hold the phone
<p> </p> <div> Classic styling meets modern day technology, this Mad Men-tastic ‘phone has a standard BT connection, last number redial, push button operation, tone or pulse dialling and a volume control for the earpiece.</div> <div> </div> <div> Wild & Wolf telephone, £58 at <a href="http://www.heals.co.uk">Heal’s</a></div>
Wall to wall style
<p> </p> <div> </div> <div> For those who want to take mid-century styling one step further.</div> <div> </div> <div> Grid by Hemingway wallpaper, £30 a roll at <a href="http://www.grahambrown.com/uk/product/50-256/Grid">Graham & Brown</a></div> <div> </div>
Take a seat
<p> </p> <div> </div> <div> This great corner chair in delicious raspberry is a modern take on the 1950s diner look.</div> <div> </div> <div> Jersey chair, raspberry red, £199 at <a href="http://www.made.com">MADE.COM</a></div>
Make like Joan
<p> </p> <div> </div> <div> This shapely decanter features an ingenious multifunctional stopper that can be used as a shot glass or measure.</div> <div> </div> <div> LSA Hour Glass Decanter, £42 at <a href="http://www.heals.co.uk">Heal’s</a></div>
Look at me
<p> </p> <div> </div> <div> The perfect display space for all those hard-won mid-century flea market finds.</div> <div> Edith shelving unit by Kay + Stemmer, £405-£505 at <a href="http://www.heals.co.uk">Heal’s</a></div>
Spread a little happiness
<p> </p> <div> </div> <div> Contemporary, but with a retro edge, we love this sunny yellow two-seater by rising star James Harrison.</div> <div> </div> <div> Jonah two seater sofa, sunshine yellow, £599 at <a href="http://www.made.com">MADE.COM</a></div> <div> </div>
And so to bed
<p> </p> <div> </div> <div> An impressively authentic looking home for your nightly water and books stash.</div> <div> </div> <div> Mid-century one drawer bedside cabinet, £254 at <a href="http://www.artisanti.com">Artisanti</a></div>
Colour me Sixties
<p> </p> <div> </div> <div> It’s the grey/yellow/red colour combination that gives the perfect Sixties pop art feel.</div> <div> </div> <div> Mondrian large coffee table set, £99 at <a href="http://www.made.com">MADE.COM</a></div>