I told my husband recently that I was going to update our big old weathered outdoor table chairs to metal. Because the collected old farm wood chairs I love to use get damaged so easily- they are fickle to any moisture or weather and so, have to be covered with a tarp when it rains and stored in the winter. I love the look but they are better to bring out for an occasion but not leave out year round.
The table on the patio is chunky chunky and redwood so it fares better. So, vintage metal chairs of all shapes and sizes collected and curated will work perfectly with the wood table. And I happen to have several sets of them already so stay tuned for a summer styling soon.
Vintage French Patio Set
I am always eyeing beautiful old patio pieces with patina and this set perfectly fits at our home. While I snapped a few photos of it a bit ago, it is on the move so you will see it again in another spot but I love how dreamy it looked when we first brought it home with a basket of roses.
What I Love
I love all the dainty little details this set has- scrolly bits, punched seats and table and so much charm. It reminds me so much of the tables and chairs you find all over in Paris- I just adore it. I believe the seller said 1930-40’s but I am not sure- I don’t know much about how to find the age of metal furniture, I just know I like it.
Of course it has some issues, old iron sets usually have bent spots, damage and rusty patina in areas. I am okay with it and don’t mind. I love that old patina. There is one chair that has a bit more wonkiness that I am not sure we will be able to fix fully. The seller didn’t disclose the full extent before my husband ran over to pick the set up for me, so that was a bit of a surprise when it got home but I do love the set either way.
A couple things to consider with old patio furniture:
Is it Cast Iron or Wrought Iron or Aluminum: All are good, cast iron is much heavier and will get rusty. Wrought Iron is more of the handmade iron and will also rust and bends more easily than cast (which is cast in a mould) Aluminum has the look of cast iron but is lighter and easier to move. I love them all.
Check the joints for damage: It isn’t a deal breaker all of the time, but on the legs, you don’t want something unstable that could bend or break with someone sitting in it so you may want to move on to something else that is sturdy to be safe.
Too much rust: That rusted patina can be a lovely little bit of charm but too much or holes or missing parts- not good and the piece is not structurally as strong or repairable. Get the Look
But what if you don’t like the old patina but you love the look of a set like this? I have got you covered today with some beautiful get the look options. The best part of finding a reproduction you love is that you can get the vintage look, charm and style you enjoy without all the damage or wear.
Which is your favorite? I think several of these are so sweet and would be lovely for a garden party this summer.
Happy June entertaining friends!
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Most of my sets and benches are cast iron and I paint with Rust-Oleum gloss about every 5yrs. My cast aluminum sets and benches need touch up more often because paint won’t adhere without etching first. If anyone knows what will adhere to cast aluminum longer I would love to know?