1950s Chrome & Formica Dinette Set - $150

50's Style Dining Set - $150 (Adams Morgan)

Although these sets are still fairly easy to come by (there are several on Craig's List now), I never get tired of them, and this set is offered at a reasonable price. Nothing adds a more immediate retro 1950s feel to your kitchen/dining area than a chrome and formica dinette set. This set includes four chairs with what looks like original, or at least period appropriate, pink vinyl upholstery (with white piping?). Everything appears to be in good condition, but it definitely warrants a closer look. If you decide to check out this piece, look for pitting in the chrome (flaking - not the same as rust that can be polished away with steel wool), chips in the formica, tears in the vinyl, and missing bolts. Although little problems likely won't make or break the piece, finding them before you get the piece home will help you negotiate a fair price. $150 is definitely a reasonable starting place...


http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/fuo/1726247502.html

Jens Risom Danish modern dining table - $350

Jens Risom vintage modern dining table - $350 (NW DC)

This listing is for a beautiful mid century modern dining table designed by the famous Danish-American designer and architect Jens Risom (visit risom.org to learn all about him) at a fantastic price. Many of Risom's design works are considered classic examples of the period and were influential to the design of the time.

This table is one of his classic designs and appears in his 1949 catalog on the risom.org website (see image at bottom, or this link). The version in the catalog is smaller in size; the one for sale today may be a later permutation of the same design or a size variation from the same date.

In any case, you simply can not find a table of this quality anywhere for $350, and certainly not one that will hold its value so well. This is a beautiful and functional piece. The design is simple, clean, and practical - it has plenty of leg space, and is expandable / collapsible to fit your space or dinner crowd. According to the seller's description, the table is in good condition with some wear. Knowing the seller, Brandon of Cantilever Modern, I am sure that the piece is in very good overall condition. The bottom line is that if I had not just finished restoring my Heywood Wakefield wishbone table, I would be buying this table. If you need one, you should too.

Danish Modern Dining Chairs

Vintage/Retro Danish Modern Dining Chairs - Set of 6 - $240 (DC)

This is a beautiful set of six, very Danish modern dining chairs. The chairs have swooping bent wood backs and seats, which are upholstered in bright blue fabric. These chairs are very unique, and very funky. They appear to be in good condition, as the seller claims. The seller also notes, correctly, that these chairs are identical to chairs produced by Kodawood of Miami, although these are unmarked.

In any case, this is a fantastic and unique set of chairs at a very reasonable price. Would make a great addition to your Danish modern dining room.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/fuo/1044700684.html

Lane Acclaim Buffet + China Cabinet

Lane China Cabinet / Hutch - $250 (Leesburg)

This listing is for a great buffet with a resting, floating china cabinet made by Lane. The buffet has the pronounced dovetailing that was standard on furniture in Lane's Acclaim line. I looked around a bit but did not find any pictures of this particular piece in Acclaim resources online, and can therefore only assume that it was part of the Acclaim line based on its distinct design features.

Lane has always been a quality furniture company, and the Acclaim pieces are very collectible and valuable these days (particularly the tables). Because I can't find another piece like this out there, it is hard to know what its "real" value is. However, I do know that this is a great piece of mid century furniture in good condition made by a well-known manufacturer and worth well over the $250 asking price.

If you are in the market for a mid century buffet / credenza / china cabinet, this is a great find.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/fuo/1045289738.html

Mid Century Walnut Space Saving Table

Walnut Drop-Leaf Table - $350 (Dupont)

This listing is for a very functional walnut kitchen/dining table. The table can drop both leaves and become very narrow, about a foot wide by the looks of it, or extend to seat 4 comfortably. The wood grain is a very nice, natural walnut and appears to be in good condition.

The only downside here is the price - $350 is too much. However, this table has been re-posted several times over at least a month, so perhaps the seller would consider a much lower offer - like, $200. Certainly worth an email if you are in a tight living space and in the market for a mid century table.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/fuo/1014280284.html

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

Beautiful Danish modern china cabinet

Vintage Danish teak cabinet, 1960s - $500 (Bethesda)

This listing is for a beautiful and classic Danish modern china cabinet from the 1960s. The cabinet speaks for itself. It appears to be two separate pieces: a credenza / buffet / sideboard, and a resting china hutch.  This piece has the beautiful orange wood hue that is common in pieces of this style and period, and a clean facade with no adornment and simple lines.

This is a great piece of furniture, and appears to be in solid condition.  Offered at $500, but surely there is some wiggle room there...

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/fuo/994424030.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

Modern wood and chrome table

Solid wood table - $200 (Falls Church)

This is a beautiful, modern, solid wood table with chrome legs that appears to be in good condition. According to the seller the table shows some signs of wear, but clearly the problems are cosmetic and reparable.  I love the clean look of this table, with its simple chrome legs supporting the straight, rectangular wood slab, which is finished in a very modern stain. 

The style of the table also lends itself to many different situations; I could see this in a kitchen, dining room, work space, or even as a desk. Reasonably priced at $200, which, as the seller notes, is cheaper than a particle board table from Ikea!

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/fuo/976959546.html

China cabinet

Mid Century Modern China Cabinet - $200 (Arlington)

This listing is for a nice looking mid century china cabinet which appears to be in good condition. The piece has a simple and classic style, with a great profile. This would be a very functional and stylish addition to similar dining room decor. A great piece to display your mid century china, ceramics, or collectibles - and reasonably priced at $200.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/fuo/976858539.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

Formica kitchen table

Blue/White Retro Table - $45 (Carroll Valley, PA)

A great price for this unique Formica kitchen table; light blue and pearl with floral inlays on the top, and chrome legs and trim.... nice 50s style!

The chrome shows a good amount of rust which will certainly clean up partially with some brasso and steel wool, and with luck would disappear completely, as long as the chrome is not pitted. In either case, at this price it shouldn't matter too much, but it would definitely be worth asking the seller.

With a little bit of cleanup this would make a beautiful and unique kitchen table. The only downside is that the table is all the way in PA... so be prepared for a road trip.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/fuo/972076847.html

Art Deco dining set

8 Piece Waterfall DECO Dining Set - $900 (NW)

This Art Deco waterfall style dining set includes a table and 5 chairs, a buffet / credenza, and a china cabinet. Although this style is not for everyone, I am a fan, and this set is very representative of this era - early to mid 1900s.

These pieces are veneer, and therefore complicated to restore, so it is important to inspect their condition to know the true value. Overall, $900 for a dining set is a good deal; however, the set does seem to be missing one armchair (includes just 5 chairs). Also note that the seller says the price is negotiable, and he/she will sell pieces individually, which could be a good thing depending on your need.

Overall a nice set for those of you who enjoy Art Deco furniture in this style.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/fuo/972073775.html

Next up in the line of floating top china cabinets...

Scan china with wood and glass - $299 (Potomac)

For some reason everyone seems to be selling their floating top china cabinet this week (see earlier posts)...  This is a newer looking piece by Scan with a floating top, glass-front cabinet and what looks like veneer all around.  Not as nice as some of the older cabinets in this style, but still a simple, functional design that will go well among other modern furniture. I am, in general, a big fan of this style of cabinet for its dual functions in displaying items on top and in the pass-through area, as well as providing hidden storage below through a combination of cabinets and drawers.

The cabinet is offered at a reasonable price, but the seller will also take offers and I think it would be fair to offer at least $50 less for this piece.

Overall not the most amazing piece of furniture in this style, but still a good one, and certainly a good find for the modern collector on a budget.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/fuo/968243878.html

Mid century china hutch!

China hutch - $150 (Winchester, VA)

This is shaping up to be a great weekend for those of you looking to furnish your dining room.  I love the style on this china cabinet; it has a nice combination of vertical and horizontal lines and a great wheat/blonde stain that shows off the natural color of the wood.  This is piece is definitely worth the $150 asking price... beautiful and functional. Take it!!

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/fuo/966077709.html

Beautiful Scandinavian modern dining set!!

Three-piece Scandinavian dining set - $750 (Potomac Falls)

This is a beautiful three-piece, modern Scandinavian dining room set, which seemingly includes a buffet/credenza, a china cabinet combo, and a table and chairs, possibly, although the listing is unclear.  The china cabinet and credenza are both beautiful - very clean, very simple, very modern.  I am huge fan of floating top china cabinets, and this one looks fantastic, with a rich natural wood color on all the pieces.  Unfortunately, you can't see the table or chairs clearly in the picture... however, $750 is a good deal even if just the two pieces are included, so the table and chairs are really just a bonus.

If I had room for this, I would not be posting it here! Better contact the seller quickly if you are interested.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/fuo/965475946.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