Retro Patio Furniture

I've always admired the no-nonsense design of mid-century outdoor furniture. The curved lines and bright powder-coated metal remind me of cars from the same era -- clean-lined, yet fun. However, finding vintage pieces in decent condition is hard, and refinishing those that are in bad condition is even harder. Trust me, my father paid me to re-paint his patio set when I was in college and it was a bear of a job.

That doesn't mean you and I can't get a fix of retro style for our yards. Many contemporary companies are manufacturing metal patio furniture clearly inspired by the middle part of the last century. Plus, many of these designs are more affordable than present-day styles. Here are a few of our favorite finds for this summer:


Plow & Hearth, the venerable garden catalog has a selection of red, white and blue pieces perfect for summer parties.