Craigslist score: vintage patio furniture & powder coating.
One of my all-time-favorite Craigslist finds came, just as we were moving into this house… not Victorian, not gilded, not massive: a pair of vintage patio chairs with scrolled arms.
The very first night we were here, I made a point of putting one out on the porch so I could admire our glorious new home, from my fancy new chair.
It took me a while to find this photo below, but I felt you needed to experience the glamour for yourself… if you find the color of the roof to be NOTEABLE, you should have seen the blinding gallery of NEON when we moved in– before-pictures of this house.
These chairs are what started my vintage patio fetish… and despite LOOKING, I’ve never found more of this pattern.
Over the years I’ve collected a mashup of Woodard, Salterini, random plant stands, un-matched chairs, and other misguided and plentiful idiocy that now lives behind the garage.
See all my favorite Craigslist finds here!
But those first armchairs always spoke to me in a way the others did not… and I have been LOOKING for SO LONG… but in all my auction/craigslist/crap scouring… no dice.
Until.
A three-seat sofa, two chairs, AND an ottoman.
$150.
Then in that that weird way that the universe has… Paul and I watched the Netflix series Bobby Kennedy for President… Fortunately, it wasn’t as sad as it might have been… because right at the end I got to be like: oh look, I have Bobby Kennedy’s lawn furniture.
Winning.
Although, for the record:
I’d rather have the Kennedy himself.
He might be the most attractive man to ever live.
RFK’s compassion and sincerity are POWERFUL.
You SEE it.
Also, PS– if you appreciate hottieman eyecandy: do not miss the FDR bio series The Roosevelts… that guy… SMOKING HOT.
Anyway.
Chairs.
I have not gotten them powdercoated yet… but I will— this is absolutely the way to go! EVERYTHING mid-century I’ve had done looks AMAZING… it’s outside, uncovered all year long and every spring I just scrub it down and it looks brand new.
BUT if the furniture predates (about?) 1930…? It does not take the powdercoating process as well… there are literal metallurgists among you, so perhaps you will help us better understand.
The plant stands that flank the front door are oldold, not vintageold, and when I took them to be powdercoated, the guy told me that the base metal composition would eventually affect the process and it would not last perfectly.
I got them done anyway because I was pretty sure I could WILL THEM TO BE FINE… which mostly they are. It is pitting in some of the deep detailed places. But the overall-protection has been excellent; especially since they weather the front porch (index of restoration) all year long— I think has been worth it, and Paul feels it has long out-lasted a paint job.
What I am reading: Dark Money, by Jane Mayer.
Our government could serve to PROTECT PEOPLE.
But now the Koch brothers own it.
Weirdly, this is fine and allowed and no one is mad about it.
Health.
Water.
Humanity.
Earth.
Survival.
Why NOT have the government protect these things?
For the HUMANS.
Who need to LIVE HERE.
Fascinating.
Even MORE fascinating is the way the Koch’s political movements have SUCCESSFULLY funded efforts to get humans to vote AGAINST THEIR OWN INTEREST… to LITERALLY CHOOSE their own hardship.
The rich, said to the-fooled: this is for you!
And people believed them.
Like, if I filled the house with kittens and said to Paul— THIS IS ALL FOR YOU!
ALSO I HAD TO BORROW BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM OUR FUTURE AND INCREASED THE DEBT BY ONE TRILLION DOLLARS DON’T FORGET TO THANK ME JAZZ HANDS!
I mean, obvs I have TRIED that… but Paul immediately identified my true purpose. What am I doing wrong?
December 3, 2018 @ 12:11 pm
Yes, the Greedy Rich are the Problem.
I remember the day Bobby Kennedy was Murdered.
Heartbreaking to those of us who were young then.
What a different world today, if he had become President.
And now the Greedy Rich are in Charge.
December 3, 2018 @ 12:11 pm
Love, love, love above post!! But sad that there are no cats to be found ….
Please tell me where you take your beautiful finds to be powder coated. We live on Hilton Head Island and there seems to be no one who can give me a lead to a business that does this kind of work. They just look at me very strangely and seem not to know what I am talking about ….
I have several items that would love a refresh.
looking much forward to a lead from you.
Continued happy hunting,
Monika Grot
December 3, 2018 @ 4:06 pm
Hello Monika, Now it is very common for auto body painting shops to also do powder coating. Have you tried any local auto painters. You might find some a shop much closer than PA.
December 3, 2018 @ 4:45 pm
Thanks for getting back to me so promptly. We are planning to move to VA in the not so distant future and I will try to get my treasures powder coated there – I hope.
Monika
December 3, 2018 @ 12:13 pm
I once bought an upholstered chair at an auction for $1. 1960’s pale green brocade and slippery, pre-Herculon and probably to make it stain resistant. I later saw that identical chair in “Goodfellas,” so I owned a chair that was in the movies! Not as cool as your furniture, though! and what a steal!
December 3, 2018 @ 12:20 pm
OMG!!! STEAL!!!!! AMAZING FIND!!!! THRILLED (& envious!) for you!!!!
December 3, 2018 @ 12:27 pm
Patience paid off! I completely agree with you about people voting against their own interests — have never understood why women in particular do this. Rachel Maddow has done some great reporting on “dark” money in politics. We need to vote for people who will eliminate lobbyists and PACS and simplly give all qualified candidates the same amount of money and they can use it as they please, but no more from outside sources. The Kochs, Mercers and Waltons are among the worst!
December 3, 2018 @ 9:12 pm
Rachel Maddow is the bomb
December 3, 2018 @ 12:39 pm
I am so happy for you!!
December 3, 2018 @ 12:44 pm
Why oh why are you bringing politics into your otherwise awesome blog?? You are going to tick off 50% of your readers either way! I for one am incredibly sick of discussing politics. No one and I mean no one is going to change another person’s mind in regards to how they want to vote. Not even using sarcasm, threats or bullying will change someone’s mind. So please, please, please just stick to your usual funny posts. Thank you!
December 3, 2018 @ 1:13 pm
I agree, Karyn. Sometimes bloggers feel the need to deviate from their particular topic, but I personally find it tiresome. If I want to read a political blog for entertainment purposes, then I will find one. (I won’t, because… well, just because.). But I delight in the adventures of Victoria Elizabeth Barnes, and her house, and her cats, and her amazing big gilded treasures, and of course, her special relationship with her wonderful husband, Paul. I come here for that, knowing I will be entertained and leave with a smile on my face. On the other side of the coin, it is her blog and she can write what she wants.
December 3, 2018 @ 4:07 pm
Karyn,
AMEN. Well said.
Victoria has created a wonderful blog. We come here to enjoy the challenges of creative design, NOT to argue over politics.
If Victoria continues to interject political commentary, I will delete her blog. I believed it was one of the only sources of relief from the ugliness. Looks like I was wrong.
Paula
December 3, 2018 @ 6:12 pm
I have to agree. We get politics shoved in our face every darn day. I read your wonderfully funny and totally delightful blog to get away from political discourse. Please keep politics out of your blog.
December 3, 2018 @ 9:34 pm
Go find another blog to read. This is Victoria’s blog, not yours. I’m sure she is well aware of the “risks”, and I put that in quotes because there’s really no risk for her if you stop reading her blog, but she is aware that people may stop reading.
It’s incredibly rude to tell someone how to write their own blog. Where’s yours? Let’s critique it and tell you what to do.
Stop telling people how to live their lives.
December 3, 2018 @ 12:54 pm
Politics are our future. Big drag when you realize someone you like and respect is calling you out. Right, Karyn?
December 3, 2018 @ 1:04 pm
That was uncalled for. You have no idea what Karyn’s politics are. Relationships trump politics every time.
December 3, 2018 @ 9:35 pm
Well said! She must be a Republican – they LOVE telling other people how to live.
December 3, 2018 @ 12:59 pm
I have no idea why you even notice other men, with Paul to look at.
Love your furniture.
I’m no fan of the Koch brothers, but there are big-money interests on both sides of the aisle, all of them globalists who care nothing for the interests of ordinary people. They’re globalists because they benefit from it financially. Those benefits make it worthwhile for them to support whatever causes work to their advantage. George Soros, I’m looking at you too. The Kennedys, both John and Robert, would be appalled. Those of you who are younger cannot imagine how politics has changed during the lifetime of this seventy-something.
December 3, 2018 @ 1:55 pm
Kay, the year I graduated from College I went to work for OEO and Sarge Shriver in Appalachia. John Kennedy President, Country involved, folks spoke to their elected leaders, and generally got a response. Today, it is as you mentioned totally different. A person we know worked for a local bank. She volunteered for a political group in opposition to the elected Republican Senator. For a reason unknown to mankind, he writes a letter to the Bank President complaining about a bank employee working for the opposition. Gal was a VP in bank, and was terminated. Out cry, not from employee, but folks in his area. I wrote him a letter stating this inappropriate behavior. He wrote back, ” it is no one’s business but to voters in my area.” Advised him I knew of this from my family in his area. Some one reported him to Senate Ethics Committee, who did nothing, but the voters did do something, he was soundly removed from office 11/6/2018. Bank suffered also, with folks moving deposits elsewhere. We can not get tired or fed up, we need to be vigilant that is how I get to be 75 in a few days.
December 3, 2018 @ 3:00 pm
Kay, the behaviors of the Koch brothers are NOT found on both sides of the aisles. That is using the old trick of “but what about” to deflect from the issue, in this case the villains behind dark money. Victoria, thank you for your reflection on the book you are reading. Reasoned and critical thinking on any topic is always appreciated. However, I must say . . . you ruined milk for me! LOL Loved your post, as always!
December 3, 2018 @ 9:37 pm
Hmmmm… complaining about “globalists” and George Soros? These are anti-semetic dog-whistles. If you’re going to do this, you should be aware of this fact. Add in the whataboutism and OMG BOTH SIDES ARE BAD, and you sound like a typical republican.
Get new talking points, because these are played out.
December 3, 2018 @ 1:11 pm
I love this post exactly the way it is. I missed both of those documentaries thank you for the recommendations.
December 3, 2018 @ 1:11 pm
I sincerely and wholeheartedly love your blog to bits…but please don’t go down the politics road, I beg of you. I see so many in the entertainment field (which you most certainly are so entertaining and brilliant with your impeccable taste and style) who shoot themselves in the foot and then alienate half their fans.
December 3, 2018 @ 4:15 pm
Hi Hilary,
I find it fascinating that some folks will tell bloggers not to mention politics. Certainly if and or when they start their own blogs they should be free to post on any subject they wish. Why should Victoria’s readers tell her certain subjects are verboten?
The way I see it , you can skim over the political or any other writings that you might object to or just quit this particular blog. Just as VEB is free to publish whatever opinions she would like, you too have a choice in your reading.
December 3, 2018 @ 4:34 pm
Absolutely correct.
December 3, 2018 @ 1:19 pm
Here in the Deep South (Birmingham), once upon a time a lot of this type of iron furniture was made here, including by some of my former in-laws once removed. (Don’t ask.) My patio is full and I have sold or given away some I wish I could get back. If you ever come South to do any craigslisting/antiquing, hit some estate sales and bring your van.
Politic away — we are on the same page.
December 3, 2018 @ 1:29 pm
I’m here for the politics. Please stop writing about craigslist.
December 3, 2018 @ 1:54 pm
well done:)
December 3, 2018 @ 7:19 pm
Mary Lang, I laughed out loud. Thank you.
December 3, 2018 @ 1:40 pm
Read you sporadically, so forced by interest to watch several at a time. In Phila area where do you get powder coating, bought two chaise lounges and a canopy swing at a garage sale. They also had dining table and six chairs and side chairs. Now wish we had bought them, but . . There is no time in history more important than now politically. As a Country we need to remain informed and involved and fight off the revulsion and tiredness of the situation. If our forefathers had surrendered, we might be in a different place. Live in suburban Phila area, please can you share the Company that does this marvelous work.
December 3, 2018 @ 1:47 pm
The patio furniture is gorgeous. You are a Craigslist inspiration.
December 3, 2018 @ 1:50 pm
I Love and truly enjoy your Blog and seeing all your finds and learn so much! Its so fun. I do a lot of Craigslisting too,still haven’t found a “Kingdom Mirror”–lol or any near as large as that The Pian0 made Kitchen Island- I tell people about and more from your Blog in my conversations. I am wondering– where and I cannot find a picture of your Piano all done with the marble on the top and in place. Do you have one you could please post or direct me where I find a pic of it finished? Thanks ahead,-Valery
December 3, 2018 @ 2:03 pm
I am a longtime collector of Brown Jordan Calcutta and occasionally sell pieces since I moved and the new patio is smaller. People always ask if the pieces are powder coated and sometimes reject pieces that aren’t. But the originals were not powder coated, they are a smooth, satin finish. Powder coating is a newish development. I don’t get it.
December 3, 2018 @ 2:37 pm
Powdercoating works on an electrolysis basis….and the cast portions of the chair may be made out of white metal (AKA potmetal) which has a lower conductivity…..all that said, powdercoating is not a forever thing. I spent well over a dozen years as a designer who designed and built things that were powdercoated…..It will eventually start to pit. You MIGHT ask an auto body shop to paint them instead…..a good enamel job will last as long.
December 4, 2018 @ 11:08 am
That’s exactly what I do. I take the Calcutta pieces (which are cast aluminum) to the auto body shop for a finish that’s long-term satin perfection. And a lot less expensive!
December 3, 2018 @ 2:39 pm
AMEN re your political comments! And congrats re the craigslist find. Love CL. Except I have a Mini Cooper and it’s hard to get stuff home!
December 3, 2018 @ 4:14 pm
I enjoy listening to points of view from funny, intelligent women. It’s imperative, now more than ever, that we embrace womens’ voices. So, thank you, VEB!