Southern Fried Furniture

When I see these classic relics of Americana a few things quickly come to mind:

Old people.

Sweet Tea.

Old people drinking sweet tea.

My parents (unrelated to previous 'old people' reference...)

Hot, quiet, Alabama summer nights.

The green, green grass of my Dad's backyard.

Hickory chips on the grill.

I could go on, but I won't...instead, I'd like to plop down in one of these vintage metal gliders or chairs with my glass of sweet tea (preferably served in a ridiculously large plastic cup leftover from a circa 1994 Auburn football game...). Any one of these Craigslist options would make my DC rowhouse feel miles away from the sirens of Georgia Avenue, the construction of Sherman Avenue, and, most disturbingly, the psychotic wailings of my ill-behaved seven year old neighbor...

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/fuo/2823538622.html

http://frederick.craigslist.org/atq/2738306833.html

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/fuo/2826330741.html

$1300 - Finn Juhl Lounge Chair

This Model 133 teak chair designed by Danish icon Finn Juhl would be a splurge for anyone...I couldn't help but post it. If you're looking to build a quintessential mid century collection, this is an excellent place to start. Prices on the interwebs are fairly varied, so I can't get a pulse on whether or not this price is about right - Architonic values it at $500 while eBay touts a single chair for $995 and a pair for a whopping $4,800. I'm sure the chair is in exellent shape if, as the ad claims, it has truly had only one owner since its purchase in 1957.

After Juhl's death, his commonlaw wife left their home untouched and it was eventually turned into a museum. Check out these pics from The Mid-Century Modernist. Architonic has a great selection of Juhl's prolific work as well. If I actually owned this, I wonder if I'd have a hard time letting anyone actually sit in it....

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/fuo/2825550000.html

Off the List - Flea Market Field Trip

I spent Saturday afternoon with my lovely friend and neighbor Lena and we stopped at a great flea market located at Florida and 14th. This place is amazing and is chalk full of rare finds, colorful characters, and great food (ok, I haven't tasted it but smells inticing...) all packed into a lot that used to house a fine establishment by the name of Latino Auto Sales. It was an empty lot for far too long, and I'm glad to see it get some use!

Marty, whose business card touts "Antiques, Collectibles and Curious Items from Other Eras and Neat Old Stuff," had this 1950s RCA Listening chair. It was in immaculate shape and he informs me that it can be yours for a cool $300...I found this pair on ebay. Marty says you can find him all over, but be sure to visit him at the Gaithersburg Antique & Collectible Show - February 11-12 at the Montgomery Couty Fairgrounds. He was interesting and knowlegdeable about all of his offerings.

And what self-respecting collector/hipster/design snob doesn't love metal type...? There was a dealer who had 3 tables overflowing with the stuff. I wanted it all.

I also met Leonard (Leonard, if you're reading this and I got your name wrong...I'm so sorry! Please correct me!). He had some really unique finds and I personally scored a set of 1950s National Parks felt pennants. He also had a collection of Fire King bowls, vintage glasses, and a super sweet 1950s hand ice crusher.

Be sure to check these guys out, every Saturday at Florida & 14th. While I love Craigslist, it sometimes doesn't hold a candle to getting out in the world on a sunny weekend (with a dear friend as company!), and finding something amazing along the way;)

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/gms/2822727478.html

$30 - Mid Century Child's Chair

This wee little chrome Mid Century chair would look great even if you don't have a wee little human to sit in it...maybe it's a nice space filler for that awkward empty corner next to your desk or TV? I could see my gorgeous friend Kendra using it to hold her lovely succulent collection...get everything you need to start you own succulent collection from Etsy. And here are some other wee bitty Mid Century chairs featured by Dwell Magazine.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/fuo/2813007249.html

Photo of Kendra courtesy of Mathew Hluch, an amazingly talented photographer - check out his beautiful work!

$125 - Danish Mid Century Rocker Frame

POW POW! This is a gorgeous frame that, from the looks of it, just needs a little love! The ad speculates that it's either walnut or teak - both of which clean up to a beautiful color. No telling what the joints are like, and you'll need to do a little cushion creation, but it's cheaper and has a million times more personality than this CB2 version.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/fuo/2804327838.html