1950s Chrome & Formica Kitchen Table & Chairs

Retro 50's Diner Table and 4 Chairs - $100 (Alexandria)

This listing is for the quintessential 1950s kitchen table and chairs, trimmed in chrome with a Formica top. Although these are quite common, this is a nice looking set and has a silverware drawer built in to the table (a fairly common, but convenient feature). Overall there is nothing spectacular here, but nothing will give your kitchen more retro flair than a set like this. They are very easy to clean and will stay structurally sound forever.

Before buying make sure to check the chrome for pitting. Surface rust is very easy to remove but pitting (flaking) is essentially irreparable and will spread over time.

Overall a nice set, and not even the cheapest set from Ikea will cost $100 or less.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/fuo/1019943640.html

Eames Molded Plastic Chair

Eames / Herman Miller Fiberglass Armshell Chair - $185 (Tenleytown)

This listing is for an elephant gray Eames molded plastic armchair produced by Herman Miller. See my post from last week for details about this piece as well as a great video of the original manufacturing process.

According to the listing, the bottom of this chair is stamped "September 25 1957" and, of course, bears the original marking from Herman Miller. These chairs are very collectible, but also very durable, and so there are still plenty around and many are in good condition. This particular chair seems to be in good condition overall, as the seller states, and has the original glides and bolts.

Gray is a fairly popular color, and the armchair version of these seem to be more valuable and collectible. However, this style of base (sometimes called "H" base) is probably the least valuable. Prices for these are all over the map, depending on the year of production, condition, color, and base configuration, so it is difficult to say whether this is a good price or not. In any case, it is certainly not an outrageous price, and if you are looking for an Eames molded plastic chair, this is certainly a good option.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/fuo/1014144923.html

Steelcase Chairs (Ignore the Desk)

1970s Steelcase Office Chairs - $75 (Alexandria)

Please look past the ugly desk - or in front of it rather... I did, and that is how I ended up spotting the very cool Steelcase chair in seemingly good condition. The seller claims to have many of these, although it is not clear if they are all white with powder blue. I hope so, however, because this one looks fantastic.

Steelcase has been making high quality office furniture for many years and my efforts to dig up information on this particular chair online revealed only that it is from the 70s. Although I did see a post on Steelcase just last week over at The Mid-Century Modernist.

These are being offered for $75 each, which is high. I'm sure the seller will negotiate down to a more reasonable $30-50... After all, there are a lot of these out there, and he has a lot to get rid of. Certainly worht a shot!

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/fuo/1005238667.html

Set of Eames Herman Miller Side Chairs

Four Vintage Herman Miller Fiberglass Chairs - $400 (Alexandria)

Here is a listing for a set of four Eames molded plastic/fiberglass side chairs made by Herman Miller. These classic mid century chairs were designed by Charles and Ray Eames and were first presented at the Museum of Modern Art in 1948. They were/are produced by Herman Miller in a variety of colors and with one of three base styles--four-legged (as shown), wire, and rocker--and were the first "plastic" chairs to be mass produced. The material is plastic resin reinforced with fiberglass, sometimes called "Zenaloy" after Zenith Plastics with whom Eames/Herman Miller collaborated.

These four chairs are a beautiful orange color and appear to be in good condition. The seller does note that there is some wear and tarnish to the bases, but that all parts are intact and there are no chips to the shells. They still bear the original stamps and stickers. These chairs have held up well over the years, and continue to be produced, meaning that there are a lot of them on the market at any given time. Nevertheless, they generally sell for over $100 a piece individually, with some discounts for sets. At $400, the price for this set is certainly reasonable and better than you would find in a store, but I wouldn't call it a great deal. As always, there may be some wiggle room in there.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/fuo/996419432.html

Finally, while fact checking for this post I came across some really neat resources on these chairs that may be of interest. For example, this Herman Miller catalog page from 1951, and the video below, made for Herman Miller to describe, in detail, the manufacturing process for these chairs. Enjoy!

Four Vinyl Chairs 1950s

4 Retro Red and White Vinyl Chairs - $80 (Rockville)

This listing is for a set of four 1950s chrome and vinyl chairs.  These were a common accompaniment to matching formica tables at the time and came in a wide range of colors and patters.  This particular set has a unique patterned backrest (original) and a reupholstered red seat. Judging by the picture, the chrome is in good condition, but it is certainly worth inspecting - rust is easily removable, but pitting to the chrome is not.

Overall, a great price for four vintage chairs, especially if you have the formica table to match. This would look great in your vintage kitchen ...

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/fuo/995826943.html

Knoll Bertoia Side Chairs (4)

Knoll Bertoia Wire Chairs (set of 4) - $500 (Montgomery Village)

This listing is for a set of four wire chairs produced by Knoll and designed by Harry Bertoia. As you probably know, these "Bertoia Side Chairs" are among the most classic and instantly recognizable of the period, and were introduced in 1952. And it is for a good reason - they are beautiful.

There are a few things to note about these chairs and this particular listing:

1. There are a lot of reproductions of this chair out there, and I am not expert in distinguishing... do your homework and directly ask the seller how he knows these are authentic.

2. New reproductions sell for about $150 a chair (set of 4 would cost $600).

3. Vintage originals of this chair sell for around $250-300 a piece (eBay).

4. The chairs are still in production and sell for over $400 each (DWR)

5. The chairs in this posting have been painted black. That certainly does not help the value, but I don't know how much of an impact it may have.

Overall, $500 for these chairs, even if they are a reproduction (seller says they are real), is a good deal. On top of that, he states that the price is negotiable. A great find if you are in the market for a set like this.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/fuo/990465477.html

Heywood Wakefield dining set

Heywood Wakefield dining table and 4 chairs - $575

This is listing is for a Heywood Wakefield M989 drop leaf extension table and 4 chairs (M525, I believe) in original wheat stain. This is a beautiful set that appears to be in good, usable condition. Neither the table nor chairs are the most popular Heywood Wakefield styles, but that also means they are much more reasonable in price. Overall this is a great price for this set, which will surely hold its value over time. 

As with all HW furniture, these are strongly constructed from solid birch; they will hold up nicely, and can be easily refinished or reupholstered if desired.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/fuo/988703145.html

Danish modern chairs

Six Danish Dining Chairs - $250 (Fairfax)

This listing is for a set of six Danish modern style dining chairs. These have a distinct Danish modern style, plus a little bit of flair. Overall the upholstery looks to be in good condition, although the posting does indicate (and show) some wear on one of the chairs. These would be a great addition to your mid century dining room, and are offered at a very reasonable price. The seller is also willing to take offers, and I think you could take them away for $200. It is always nice to find a full set of six chairs still together after all these years.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/fuo/979786681.html

Mid Century Arm Chairs

Retro, Funky Powder Blue Chairs (Pair) - $350 (Eastern Shore)

I was originally not going to post these, because they are a bit expensive, but after looking at the listing again I have had a change of heart.  These chairs are beautiful.  I love the color, the condition of the original vinyl upholstery looks good, and the design is fantastic - what a dramatic profile created by those arms!

And it is always nice to find a pair like this still together.  These would make a great addition to your modern living room, lounge, or library; they look quite comfortable.  Although I originally thought these were overpriced, I now think the pricing is pretty fair given their style and condition, and the seller's willingness to offer (free?) curbside delivery...  And, you will not find a new set of arm chairs at this price, and certainly not a new set with this quality of design and construction.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/fuo/974161803.html

Danish modern side chairs

Danish Modern Style Arm Chairs - $70 (Hunt Valley, MD)

Here are two beautiful arm chairs by Lane with a very Danish modern, mid century style. The upholstery looks flawless (corroborated by the seller), and matches the dark natural wood stain beautifully.

These are simple, elegant chairs that were probably once part of a dining set, but as a pair would work well as desk chairs or as side chairs for your living room.

Given the condition, $70 for the pair is a reasonable price, although it never hurts to negotiate.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/fuo/971948964.html

Dining room set

Wood Dining Set for Sale - $800 (Reston)

Let me start by saying that I definitely would not pay $800 for this set. That said, I am sure that the seller will be willing to take offers - even low ones. I love these chairs (there are 6); they have a very unique style that is reminiscent of some other Danish modern pieces I have seen in the past. Although it's a bit hard to tell from the photo, the credenza also appears to have a classic modern style with nice horizontal lines. The china cabinet is less exciting, particularly the trim around the top (which seems a mismatch), but as part of the set it's not half bad and is certainly a functional piece.

At the right price, I think this would be a great modern dining set.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/fuo/964082837.html

SCAN table and chairs

Solid Teak Dining Room Table and Chairs - $400 (Centreville)

For $400, this table and 4 chairs combo is generally a bit pricey for my Craig's List taste.  However, a new solid wood table from IKEA will set you back $350 without chairs, so taking that into consideration I have decided to include it here.  Not to mention that this price is probably negotiable. Especially if you say you'll take it, and then show up with only $350 (someone did this to us).

From what I can tell, the wood grain and stain have a standard Danish / Scandanavian style that would go well with other similar Danish and/or mid century decor.  The chairs seem to be in good shape, in spite of the bland but easily replaced upholstery.  The downside is that this seems to be a large table and there are only 4 chairs...  Also, the pictures don't show the table legs.

If you are in the market for a table, this one would definitely be worth a look and some questions to the seller about condition and construction, because frankly, these pictures are terrible.  I'm consistently amazed at how much trouble people have taking pictures... all you have to do is get the full object in the frame and press a button - that's it. 

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/fuo/957317060.html