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 thisĀ 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–Ā before-pictures of this house.
These chairs are what started my vintage patio fetishā¦ and despite LOOKING, I’ve never found more of this pattern.
Over the years Iāve 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 notā¦ and I have been LOOKING for SO LONGā¦ but in all my auction/craigslist/crap scouringā¦ no dice.
Until.
A three-seat sofa, two chairs, AND an ottoman.
$150.
Then in that that weird way that the universe hasā¦ Paul and I watched the Netflix series Bobby Kennedy for Presidentā¦ Fortunately, it wasn’t as sad as it might have beenā¦ because right at the end I got to be like: oh look, I have Bobby Kennedy’s lawn furniture.
Winning.
Although, for the record:
Iād rather have the Kennedy himself.
He might be the most attractive man to ever live.
RFKās compassion and sincerity are POWERFUL.
You SEE it.
Also, PS– if you appreciate hottieman eyecandy: do not miss the FDR bio series The Rooseveltsā¦ that guyā¦ SMOKING HOT.
Anyway.
Chairs.
I have not gotten them powdercoated yetā¦ but I willā 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?) 1930ā¦? 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 FINEā¦ 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 longā I think has been worth it, and Paul feels it has long out-lasted a paint job.
What I am reading:Ā 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 Kochās 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 Paulā THIS IS ALL FOR YOU!
ALSO I HAD TO BORROW BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM OUR FUTURE AND INCREASED THE DEBT BY ONE TRILLION DOLLARS DONāT 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?
March 7, 2019 @ 12:52 pm
I love your wrought iron posts. My wife thinks I have an obsession for Woodard patio furniture. first Craigslist find was Orleans table and four chairs, I was happy for 5 days until I found Woodard Chantilly Rose table and 6 chairs in Mamie Pink. just Google 1957 Woodard Chantilly Rose and you will see what the set looks like. it even has 8 porcelen roses under the glass tabletop.
still collecting.
July 7, 2020 @ 4:54 pm
I just bought the same set on Facebook marketplace. Pretty sure the manufacturer is Molla. Love these vintage sets! Did you have your cushions recovered or buy them new? Any suggestions on where to get them done? Also in the philly area.
May 14, 2021 @ 9:11 pm
I just found a pair of chairs and ottoman that is exactly like your set, no couch though. Do you know any details about when they were made, or what company made them? I am just curious.