In the store: Salterini chairs

The official first day of summer is fast approaching, and what is more fitting to celebrate patio and pool time than a nice selection of Salterini chairs? We have hoop chairs with attached side tables, cantilever hoop chairs that bounce/rock and traditional Salterini hoop chairs, all in a great summer orange.

Salterini chairs with attached side tables

Salterini hoop chairs

Salterini cantilever rockers

In the store: HUGE sale

Now through May 2, we're having the biggest sale we've ever held. Almost all our vintage modern pieces are marked down, many 25-30%, quite a few 50-60% and some as much as 76% off.

If you've always wanted to shop with us but haven't yet, now is the time...even if you're not local. Call Joe and ask about shipping.

Pair of 1959 Lightolier pendants (new old stock) - $400

C. Jere Brass Lamp - $750

8 Moller Chairs - $3400

4 Salterini Chairs - $1200

Florence Knoll Sofa - $2200

Hans Wegner Sideboard -  $3400

In the store: Sizzling Salterini and Hot Homecrest

If you live in the Southern U. S. and you're like me, the coming of September signals that fall is not far away, but you know that all the wishing in the world isn't going to make the temperature drop for a while. The forecast still calls for plenty more near-100 degree days, so we suggest that you mix up a pitcher of your favorite beverage, turn on the patio mister, fire up the grill and enjoy these last few dog days of summer in real style.

We just put one set of Salterini chairs on the floor that are sure to put a smile on your face and a bright spot in someone's back yard. They were designed by Maurizio Tempestini, and they look fabulous in their new powdercoat finish in emerald green (Pantone's color of the year for 2013).

The other set is the Model 39 Casino chair by Homecrest in a flamingo pink. They're both knockouts!

Green Salterini set, designed by Maurizio Tempestini

Pink Salterini set, designed by Maurizio Tempestini

Orange slices

The latest addition to our inventory is this cheery Salterini patio set. The classic "orange slice" style has been freshly powder coated in...what else? Mod orange!

Wouldn't these be fun to have for your next cookout?

Spring will be here...eventually

Although there will inevitably be more cold weather to come, even in the mild climate of North Central Texas, spring will eventually arrive, so it's time to start making plans for outdoor entertaining.

My SIL recently found a beautiful Salterini patio set that sold before I was even able to get this post written. Still, this photo of it is inspiring me to get my own Russell Woodard set sandblasted and powdercoated before springtime officially arrives.

Recently sold Salterini set

Maybe one of these sets will make you want to clean the barbecue grill, begin to think about what kind of flowers you want to put in big pots on your patio and maybe even start the search for that perfect set of furniture.

Woodard tete-a-tete
1stdibs.com

Richard Schultz set
diamondbeachcondorental.com

Salterini double chaise
ironrenaissance.com

Woodard spun fiberglass patio set
ebay.com - galleryanderson

Woodard Sculptura set
psmodernway.com

Salterini set
ironrenaissance.com

For about three years, I've been trying to identify my patio set, which I bought on Craigslist on the super cheap. I had just about given up on finding out who manufactured it, but as it always happens, I ran across a company that restores vintage patio furniture, and they had a set. According to their identification, it's a rare Woodard set, which I suppose is why I've had such a hard time finding pictures of it anywhere.

My Woodard patio set last fall...now in desperate need of a new paint job

One last look

2011 was a great year for Mid2Mod. We opened our brick and mortar store, as well as an Etsy store. We have bigger and better things planned for 2012, which we'll be announcing very soon, but even as we move forward, I'm giving one last admiring glance over my shoulder at some of the pieces I would have been thrilled to bring home for myself.

I actually considered buying a few of them, but my SIL and I have the clear understanding that if he offers me the super-duper MIL rate and someone comes in willing to buy a piece for the full price, they take it home. The standing joke is that we're in business to make money, not to decorate my home. (Trust me, the same rule applies to things my daughter wants for their home!)

Here's my countdown of the 10 items in our store in 2011 that I loved most...the ones that got away.

10. C. Jere' Trees Metal Wall Art

9. Salterini Outdoor Chairs

8. Danish Lounge Chairs

7. Packard Bell Space Age Stereo

6. Teak Room Divider

5. Paul McCobb Northcraft Lamp

4. Ib Kofod-Larsen Shell Chairs

3. Alvar Aalto Paimio Chair

2. Adrian Pearsall Gondola Sofa

and the one I wanted most...

1. Richard Schultz Daybed for Knoll

Even though I would have loved to own these beautiful pieces, I want to thank the customers who bought them and let you know that we appreciate your business. I am certain all the pieces went to wonderful homes where they will be treasured and handled with care.

You look so familiar: Part 4 - Shells

The wrap-around back, the concave seat...whether they're made of molded plywood, metal or upholstered with wood or metal frames, these chairs all seem to take their cue from the Børge Mogensen shell chair designed in 1949 or the Hans Wegner chair designed in 1952. The legs may vary widely, and there may or may not be arms, but the contours remain quite similar.

Just as these shell chair evolved from the design of earlier molded plywood chairs, so will some of these shell chairs inspire design elements in other styles.

Børge Mogensen shell chair, 1949
danish-furniture.com

Hans Wegner shell chair - 1952
craigvandenbrulle.com

Ib Kofod-Larsen shell chair - 1950s
1stdibs.com

Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini - 1950s
trocadero.com

Hans Olsen - 1957
visavu.nl

Pierre Paulin for Artifort - 1959
edition20.com

Not all smalls

This has been a really good week for us. We scored heavily in the smalls category, as I've already shared, but we also were able to find some great large pieces too.  In fact, we had to re-set the floor and move some pieces out to make room for the new items.  Here's a quick look at some of our new stock:

1964 Emerson stereo

Rosewood dropleaf dining table

36" George Nelson cigar lamp

40" ceramic lamp, unmarked but probably Raymor

La Tour Eiffel 1887 leather chairs--apparently made by the handbag company.
(We've had these a while, but they've been stored, so they seem new.)

Hairpin leg side tables

Salterini clamshell rocker and lounger

Fireplace (working) - Nearly 8 1/2 feet tall

Rosewood and teak credenza

39" patchwork wood lamp in the style of Paul Evans

Magnus Olesen chairs - 9 of them!