The Swiss love all things design, and those in the Swiss German-speaking area of the country have a particular penchant at the moment for vintage 1950s and 60s furniture. Zürich residents in particular love this period, so it's no surprise to find the city is home to two essential addresses for retro furniture with a modern edge. Hidden down a little alleyway in the Niederdorf is Time Tunnel (7 Stussihofstatt) one of Zürich coolest shops, a hairdresser full of retro designs and with its own in-house DJ spinning minimal electro grooves. Over in Zürich West is Bogen 33 (Geroldstrasse 33) where a series of old railway arches are cluttered up with old shop front letters converted into funky lamps, stylish sofas, retro toys and all kinds of desirable objects.
Max Bill's Bauhaus style is hugely popular, thanks to his very simple style for everyday objects, keeping to his theme of moral purpose through design. His beechwood chair for Horgen-Glarus is the one to keep an eye out for.
Another Swiss design classic is the original landi chair by Hans Coray in 1939, currently being reissued. Also look for old Swiss Airline containers, little metal shoeboxes (standard in Swiss households in the 1950s) and the type 600 lamp, a cult classic thanks to its appearance in a Jacques Tati film, made by Lucerne-based design studio Baltensweiler.
