I thought I would start a thread on what people consider to be design classics but I would like people to keep their suggestions in the realms of the real world so dont go saying a £30,000 coffee table. What I am looking for are those things which look perfect for the task they were designed to do and do that task perfectly.

I will start it off with:

1. The Maglite torch. A 4D cell maglite to me is a classic and you can see why so many law enforcement type of people use them as it can double up as a formidable weapon!

2. The Dualit Toaster. It just looks so "right" and makes the best toast bar none! The technology is ancient, but why change it?

Tell me your perfect designs.

That is SUCH a good idea!

I agree i've never seen a dualit toaster, but now i want one it does look just right, very homey!

 

I think these chairs (Designed in 1958 for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen Denmark) are very classic... 

I like the white Charles Eames Lounge Chair also, it looks classic and modern at the same time .

Hi Beaker,

I agree ...very nice Idea..

Well I have a few (and not all I might add) ... and in no particular order... but all are items that I feel have stood the test of time and will continue to give owners much pleasure and there represent great value beyond their purchase price..

1. Knoll - Saarinen Side Tables  

2. Herman Miller - Eames plywood chairs

3. Knoll - Platner Side Tables

4. Louis Poulsen - Artichoke Pendant

5. Louis Poulsen - AJ floor Lamp

6. Frits Hansen  -  PK 80 - Day Bed 

Well thats it for now.... 

Dave:

I think these chairs (Designed in 1958 for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen Denmark) are very classic... 

I also like them, but as you inderectly point out, they were designed before the surround sound started to rule the home entertainment. For stereo sound only listening they still look cool ... (George Michael no doubt noticing the problem released a video some time ago where their design was slightly improved on - with built in loudspeakers)

i suppose the mini car was a classic ran for a lot of years and here again

 

malcolm

Le Corbusier  chair .... timeless ....

 

 

I've got one of these, and absolutely love it. Very much like B&O. 

I was more after things that are simple. Just items which are produced to do a job and end up beautiful as an afterthought. The London tube map is an example. Produced to be simple and easy to understand with no thought for decoration and now considered to be an all time classic piece of design.

The Parker 51 fountain pen.

beaker:

I was more after things that are simple. Just items which are produced to do a job and end up beautiful as an afterthought. The London tube map is an example. Produced to be simple and easy to understand with no thought for decoration and now considered to be an all time classic piece of design.

Three things which I use daily, that I consider to be designs classics.

Clipper lighter (unchanged design for as long as I can remember)

Bic biro (Not as nice as Peter's choice of pen I see)

Stanley knife (The original and best IMO)

 

Craig

beaker:

I was more after things that are simple. Just items which are produced to do a job and end up beautiful as an afterthought. The London tube map is an example. Produced to be simple and easy to understand with no thought for decoration and now considered to be an all time classic piece of design.

Good thread Beaker

I have a Maglite and a Dualit toaster + collect London underground posters and maps, so agree with you! Get your point about the 'everday' aspect too - there's something a bit exclusive about Le Courbusier chairs and the like. I have a couple of everyday classics to add:

Anglepoise lamps - I have one lighting my desk now as I write.

GPO Trimphone - I took a call on one earlier in my living room.

Paperclips - where would we be without them?

La Pavoni Europiccola lever action espresso machine - I was going to use mine after tea, but was too lazy to fire it up. Still a wonderous piece of machinery :)

Just my £0.02 worth. 

nmartin771:

Le Corbusier  chair .... timeless ....

 

No, that TV is...   !

:

Our lemon squeezer from Alessi does its job well and has such a classical design too.

 

Sorry guys, my Mac doesn't let me display the photo on my post, or even hyperlink! 

I was just about to post about Juicy Salif, but then I figured it isn't really used daily. It mostly just stands there and looks beautiful, while you use the electric one : )

Otherwise, I'm surprised no one mentioned Artemide's Tolomeo light. I have two in my apartment, one for the desk and a floor standing one and I just love them. Also, Verner Pantons S ( or Panton ) chair is another classic and a must have. I just wish I had more space.

Dave:

nmartin771:

Le Corbusier  chair .... timeless ....

 

No, that TV is...   !

Together with LE COURBISIER  .... the perfect marriage

Stars:

Our lemon squeezer from Alessi does its job well and has such a classical design too.

http://www.questodesign.com/shop/images/kitchen/alessi/PSJS_m.jpg

 

Sorry guys, my Mac doesn't let me display the photo on my post, or even hyperlink! 

Are you using Safari? I use Macs and Firefox allows you to link!

think the Victorinox Swiss-knife is such an item. Not expensive (the smaller one ) but very useless!

gorissek:

I was just about to post about Juicy Salif, but then I figured it isn't really used daily. It mostly just stands there and looks beautiful, while you use the electric one : )

Otherwise, I'm surprised no one mentioned Artemide's Tolomeo light. I have two in my appartement, one for the desk and a floor standing one and I just love them. Also, Verner Pantons S ( or Panton ) chair is another classic and a must have. I just wish I had more space.

I've owned a Juicy Salif for ages and I never used it. Looks great, though. Other everyday favourites are:

• PK 22 lounge chaire, designed by Poul Kjaerholm
• PK 24, Chaise Longue, again designed by Kjaerholm, which I prefer above LeCorbusier's LC 4
• PK 80 daybed, also designed by Kjaerholm
• Barcelona chair, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
• The K2 phonebooth, designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott
• Ray Ban Wayfarer sunglasses
• Lotek floor / table Lamp designed by Benno Premsela

j0hnbarker:

Anglepoise lamps - I have one lighting my desk now as I write.

 

They were made just down the road from my mates house. Used to have one at work until my boss decided it needed some expert repair. Might have to find the parts, and see if I can fix it. Have to agree tough a classic design.

 

Craig

They're great - so unobtrusive, but perhaps that's the mark of a classic: you don't notice it most of the time because it does its job so well.

The can opener, which I believe arrived some years after the advent of canning food.

Ring pull on beer cans - brilliant!

A little left field of the OP but Sgt Peppers album sleeve is just perfect, timeless (as is a lot of B&O of that period) and oft copied.

My favourite one I don't own, but would love to is the Le Corbusier lounger (it would have to be a prohibitively expensive original though) - I can live without one of these - but not the beer can ring pull

Chris.

Medogsfat:

Ring pull on beer cans - brilliant!

What about the B&O bottle opener then Chris? Surely that combines two of your loves? ;) 

how about a deaux chevaux? or is that too complex?

@john: i like the idea of the b&o bottle opener, too!