Check list
Anthony Teasdale on this month’s must haves
Claudia Varosio movie posters
With so much generic artwork about, it’s difficult to make your interiors stand out. That’s why this set of reworked classic movie posters really hits the spot. Claudia Varosio has taken 40 of the world’s greatest films and designed a completely new poster for each one in her trademark ’60s-influenced style. The results are fantastic. With titles like Taxi Driver, To Kill A Mockingbird and Magnolia to choose from, you won’t be short of inspiration, no matter what your colour scheme. $18, www.etsy.com ***
Sanyo Xacti G100 camcorder
Thanks to the success of the YouTube-friendly Flip Mini, the old, Super 8-style pistol-grip camcorders have become increasingly dominant in the home movie market, due to their slimline size and ease of use. The new Sanyo G100 is a prime example. The camcorder shoots movies in 1080i high definition, offers 12x zoom, 2.7in LCD display and can shoot stills and movies simultaneously. Speaking of which, the in-built stills camera is real winner, boasting a hefty 14MP sensor, easily good enough for those on-the-move photos. All this, and it’ll fit in the pocket of your jeans too. Action! £229, www.uk.sanyo.com ****
Oliver Peoples 1987 Collection
Now the sun is showing its face again, it’s time to start thinking about sunglasses. This summer, instead of going down the usual Ray Ban/Gucci route, why not search out the new (old) range from Oliver Peoples, the brand made famous by yuppie killer Patrick Bateman in American Psycho? Reflecting the obsession with all things ’50s at the end of the ’80s, these retro-looking spectacles come in an assortment of both frames and lenses. Think Mickey Rourke on Coney Island in Angel Heart and you’ll get the picture. Time to dig out that Brylcreem and grow the quiff while you’re at it. From £120, www.oliverpeoples.com ****
Samo Pictor shower column
When you’re on a business trip, one of the perks is getting back to the hotel for a really good shower. Which is why this Samo three-in-one shower is so tempting. Not only does it look like it’s been built by design-obsessed Italians (it has), but it boasts three different ways of getting you wet – a standard-issue shower head at the top, a waterfall-imitating slit just below it and, our favourite, a set of jets that coat the whole of your body in a fine mist of H2O. Something to really get out of bed for. Price: Depends on region www.samo.it ****
Videopresence video conferencing
While face-to-face meetings are always best, Videopresence, Britain’s leading teleconferencing providers, offer a pretty good alternative.
Their systems provide high-definition video feeds through a smallish 6.5Mbs of bandwidth. It’s all safe, secure and razor sharp. The package includes table, chairs and immersive decor and is versatile enough to fit into most standard-size rooms, so you can turn any modest boardroom into a high-tech command centre. From £60,000, www.. videopresence.com ****
