eBay watch: Merrow Associates sideboard in need of restoration

If you're quite handy or just don't mind a bit of hard work, this Merrow Associates sideboard could prove a real steal.

It's a classic Richard Yound design from around 1970, a timeless mix of chrome and rosewood with a craftsman finish you'll rarely find on modern pieces. But this one is showing its age a little and needs some restoration. Specifically, re-chroming, some holes and a good polish of that rosewood.

It might sound like hard work, but these things regularly sell for £1,000+, so the £41 (current price) does leave you some cash to play with if you want to bring in the experts. If you want an idea of how it could look, check out the listing for one the seller previously upgraded.

Merrow Associates sideboard on eBay

Auction watch: Three Merrow Associates display cabinets available at Christies

Not one, not two but three sought-after Merrow Associates display cabinets in a single lot - and available at the Christies 20th Century Decorative Art & Design auction this month.

All three date from around 1970 and offer up a Brazilian rosewood veneer finish, along with some chrome plated steel highlights and a real attention to detail in the construction when you get up-close.

Not the smallest things you'll have in your house, with each one around 72.75 inches tall, but very useful and eye-catching. If your home can take three, the estimate is between £2,000 and £3,000. If they go for the bottom estimate, that's something of a bargain. Check out the lots at the website or at the sale, which takes place on 24th March 2010 at CChristies' South Kensington branch.

Find out more at the Christies website

Andrew Martin Delon and Belmondo side tables

Design as cool as the actors it is named after - the Delon and Belmondo side tables, courtesy of Andrew Martin.

The names aren't the only 60s things here - both are very similar to classic Merrow Associates designs, mixing a chrome frame with a dark wood top on both the Delon (left) and Belmondo (right).

Sadly, you'll need to shell out around the same for these as you would a vintage Merrow piece, with the Delon selling for £550, while the Belmondo is yours for £495.

Andrew Martin website

How much? Merrow Associates dining table sells at Christies for over £5,000

If you want an example of the rising price of Merrow Associates furniture, the recent Modern Design auction at Christies has the answer.

The Merrow Associates Extending Dining Table above went for £5,040 - a huge amount for something you could have picked up for well under £1,000 a few years back. On the plus side though, it is an unusual design - I've not seen another rosewood extender on the market.

But I have seen plenty of chrome and glass in a similar style, so if you have one of those, don't expect a similar figure. Check out the details of the table via the link below.

Find out more at the Christies website

eBay watch: Merrow Associates sideboard

A less obvious Merrow Associates design - but this Merrow Associates sideboard is certainly one of the more stylish.

It's all about the rosewood, which dominates the 6ft exterior, but check out the images of the interior on the eBay site, lots of storage, all done with plenty of style.

If you can do without the chrome hit (although it's here for the detailing), this is as good as sideboards get. Claimed to be a Richard Young design circa 1970 (although that's a stock description for any Merrow item on eBay), it's at a Buy It Now for £2,600 (quite a bit overpriced in our view).

See the full description at the eBay website

Looks like Merrow Associates: Morton retro walnut veneer console

A dark wood and chrome combination always ticks the boxes for us, so we're quite taken by the Morton walnut veneer console.

That dark wood is walnut and matched up with the chrome frame and minimalist sliding drawer, it really does produce that late 60s Merrow look.

Sized at 76 x 120 x 45cm and ideal for a variety of purposes, you can pick up the console online for £330.

Find out more at the Graham & Green website

Modern Design In Metal by Richard Stewart

After featuring Modern Design In Wood by Richard Stewart, it seems only right that we feature the companion piece - Modern Design In Metal by Richard Stewart, which is even better.

Again published in 1979, Modern Design In Metal is pretty much a must-have for anyone interested in 70s design. Covering everything from sculptural pieces to interior design, it flags up all the big names as well as some minor players worth seeking out. The name items include sculpture from Barbara Hepworth, Georg Jensen jewellery, Garrard candelabras, Heals tableware, David Mellor cutlery, Pieff and of course, Merrow Associates furniture (including a stunning Merrow desk).

A superb reference, not to mention a fascinating read. Again, this is long out of print, but Abebooks should throw a couple of copies up.

Search for a copy at the Abebooks used book website

Modern Design In Wood by Richard Stewart

Modern reference guides are fine, but books contemporary to an era are usually so much more informative. And a number of these books are sought-after by both dealers and collectors of mid-century design. One such book is Modern Design In Wood by Richard Stewart.

Printed in 1979, Modern Design In Wood is a superb reference to an era not particularly well documented - wood-based design from the late 60s and into the 1970s, with everything from sculpture and jewellery through to tables, cabinets and fitted units. It's particularly strong on stylish designs by a host of (as now) lesser-known British and European designers that are currently on the rise - and Merrow Associates features prominently.

If you spend your time browsing eBay or trawling house clearance stores, this is certainly a good book to absorb. Long out of print, but you can easily pick up used copies on Abebooks. Indeed, the book itself could well be an investment for the future.

Search for a copy at the Abebooks used book website

Eddie's Room - Merrow Associates-style house for your dog

Regular readers will know of our love for all things Merrow Associates, the high-end British design company of the late 60s/early 70s. It might be long gone, but there's plenty of furniture out there in the Merrow style - including Eddie's Room.

Eddie's Room is an indoor dog house, a really stylish mix of walnut and chrome, with a hole for your furry friend to get in and out, as well as a grey mattress to keep him or her warm.

Dog houses don't get much more stylish - although it will cost you $599 (around £300) for some canine cool.

Find out more at the Generate website

Looks like Merrow Associates: Dwell's walnut and chrome sideboard

If paying £1500+ for a Merrow Associates sideboard is a little hard to swallow, you could get the look on a budget with this walnut and chrome sideboard from Dwell.

Two large doors cover the large side storage areas, with three drawers in the centre for your bits and pieces - with the 160cm unit supported by the two chrome legs.

You can order online, priced at £395.

Find out more at the Dwell website