I was running embarrassingly late for my ceramics class. I estimate an hour and a half late. I was at the corner of 64 and Church and there they stood. Four mid century (heavily used but lightly rusted) lawn chairs. My head spun “exorcist style” and yet I kept going. Then the itch started. I continued north, but the itch got stronger. I’m no match for the itch. I made an illegal U in front of the San Raphael library and headed back at break neck speed. I had to get there before a “Wee Wah Weedah Wagon Bumpity Bump” saw them. In my haste, I left the table behind. The scrap guys got it and I now live with the constant pain of regret.
The phrase “getting it cheap is part of the esthetic” is by my photographer friend D Gorton. I blatantly stole this weekly concept from Petrea over at Pasadena Daily Photo.
Good deal! They just need a little de-rusting and a coat of paint. The best deal is when you are not paying anything.
Oh wow! We had four of those chairs in the early 70’s when I was a wee lad. How cool to see them again.
GZ
Did the guys ever return? I can’t believe you still have your bracelets.
Cool chairs, they will make for a nice mesh pattern on the back your legs. Off to the sand blaster with them (look for an old machine shop willing to barter…offer them an artistic plug on your blog), then nice coat of primer and top coats. Always a primer coat for bare metal.
PA, in honor of your Tuesdays, I checked out a dumpster parked in a driveway. A bunch of oriental carpets rested on top. Don’t know if they were real or not, but two women came out of the house and said, real belligerantly, “Can we HELP you.” I mumbled something and slunk away. Maybe they know the Italian grocer.
These would be easy to rehab. Let’s talk. I think I need them for my side yard. Barter or $. Do you need a chihuahua?
Did you ever actually make it to your ceramics class?
Chairs: I would want to strip’em, do a polishing and a clear seal. Kind of like this. Or this
Metal is a nice look. I did that to an old painted wall heater and it was really stunning. Old and modern at the same time.
Of course, color is probably easier
So, what color are you going to paint them? A great find.
Got to be striped/primed/painted??? Really? What am I missing??
What ceramics class?
I nearly made an ubrupt stop tonight on PV dr N. to pick up a what appeared to be a light-blue-wicker-love-seat patio chair for you…but there was no way to get it into the Accord. I suppose the thought counts for something.
You’re right Tash, they should just stay the way they are. Patrizzi is such a design snob. Holy crap. the stories I could tell.
Vanda: Alas, getting it for nothing is the best esthetic. It guides my home decor choices. (although by the time I get done revamping them, it will cost me).
GZ: 70’s?, I thought they were earlier.
JC. I go on M.I.A. sights once in awhile, but so far, no. A friend of mine still has her John McCain bracelet. I imagine it’s worth some bucks. Yes, I said it.
D. I hadn’t thought about it (waffle legs). All that work to look forward to, now you know why I passed them up at first.
AH: Maybe they’re related. Be bold, hold your ground, make them feel guilty about starving children in a “Stan” country. Are they still there? Lets go back.
Susan: thats exactly what I was thinking, I sure do need a chihuahua.
Patrizi: eventually I did get to ceramics breathless from my thrill of the hunt. I did the same thing to my wall heater using a spray paint just for that situation. If I leave them as metal, I’ll most likely be branded.
John E: Any suggestions?
Tash: are you a fan of country french? I think that’s the look when you leave things “as is” I’m semi fluent in mud (Sat) and pixels (Wed). That is why I have a little truck. No room for people but perfect for curbside treasures.
Truth be known, I need to get the weed wacker up and going before I take on this project but I have an idea of where I’d like to place the chairs.
I stole the weekly thing from somewhere else and I don’t even remember where. It’s been in blogging forever, so you didn’t steal it from me.
These are a good find. You are a happy hunter.