Analogue Chic

Well, I’ve coined this phrase, ‘analogue chic’ (using the French spelling, because it’s prettier) to describe my style in decor and fashion.  But what does it mean, really?

Since today is "Digital Transition" or "Death to Analog TV Day", I decided to start this series to explore some aspects of design that inspires and influences me.

I shudder to think of all the older, still functional television sets that are going to be discarded on sidewalks and in dumps – the environmental impact of the chemicals and metals in there, as well as the loss of maybe some really cool looking TVs.  It’s really the final chapter on the 20th century – I would argue that TV was the defining invention of the last century.  It’s a symbol of our (U.S. culture’s) obsession with technology, distraction/entertainment, instant gratification…

Photos via Flickr: The Rocketeer, Lee Sutton, VintageLooks.com, VintageLooks.com, Pine and Wine, Jon Williamson, matthetube

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A continuation of my sporadic series, What is Analogue Chic?

I got some great leads last week on analog-reinterpreted music equipment.

Lovely bamboo-cased electronics by Elium Studio, available at Lexon.

A wooden turntable from Brooklyn-based furniture design company BDDW.  I did not see this on their website, it may have been a one off, but it is intriguing and lovely.

Today our lifes (sic) are surrounded by incredibely (sic) flat, compact, multifunctional and boring machines. There is a basic human need for real, analog and touchable things… – Florian Busco via PFSK

There is something so humanistic and soothing about natural material – and yet, manufactured materials that are designed to look natural, like faux wood grain, is so repulsive, it feels like a betrayal.

Via PFSK.

Not a Jeopardy answer. An occasional, very sporadic feature in which I gush about stylish relics of the analogue era, or modern analogue design.

I’m an analogue girl in a digital world… – Erykah Badu

Still from Desk Set, starring Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, and some fantastic outfits. Via aatombomb.

A range of young artists who use "obsolete" technologies to create their work. (click if you love innovation and craftsmanship.)

An incredible hobby-turned-business-turned-archive of major historical significance. (click if you love vinyl.)

The death rattle of typewriter manufacturing, fact and fiction. (click if you love clacking keys and dinging bells.)