after 245 long post , My finger gets tired, scrolling to look at the current new reply, so I think i will let this one fall into archive haven and start a new one. So Here it is, What is your best bargain ever!!!!!
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Eva Zeisel "Museum White" dinnerware set
A few years ago, I decided that my motley assortment of mismatched, patterned 1950's dinnerware needed a rethink-- time to replace with a complete set, in solid white.
I found a lovely set in a thrift shop-- off-white porcelain, subtle biormorphic design, fantastic condition. Set was much larger than I needed (70+ pieces, including large serving bowls and platters), but the price was right ($50 for all!). Not exactly the Russel Wright of my dreams, I told myself, but perfectly serviceable.
After owning and using it for a couple of years, I decided to see if I could add some serving pieces, via Ebay. That's when I realized that my beautiful white dinnerware, marked only "Castleton", was a miraculous find-- Eva Zeisel's "Museum White" pattern, worth thousands!
teak armchair
I got this armchair at an auction for two bucks. It has no marks or labels and could very well be American, especially judging by the hideously cheesy acrylic upholstery fabric. I have seen lots of American furniture with fabric like this but not Danish-made. Though maybe it was reupholstered in the 70's, I dunno.
It was a recliner but the mechanism isn't working, which is ok with me. It's very comfortable upright.
Anyway, it was absolutely filthy when I got it---years of grime and body oil and possibly nicotine on the wood, especially the arm rests. We called it the DNA chair. I got the crud off with Murphy's Oil Soap and then rinsed, let it dry, and did a few coats of Danish oil finish.
I replaced all of the padding. I also took the sinuous springs off the seat (one was broken) and replaced them with elastic webbing.
The new fabric is Maharam's Pebble wool in the Wenge colorway (actually darker brown than it looks here). The fabric is sort of a grospoint weave but with wool boucle yarns. It's the kind of thing you want to run your hands over repeatedly---fuzzy and warm and texture-y. I didn't put the headrest back on but I did keep the clips in case I decide later that I want it.
Unfortunately the original ottoman wasn't with it. Maybe I'll get that at another auction someday for two more bucks.
very nice, congrats on a...
very nice, congrats on a beautifull find!
the 'new' fabric does suit the chair very well.
i especially like the high back, very elegant seen from the back..
i myself picked up a 'maralunga' one-seater this week, designed by vico magistretti, for cassina. paid 10 euros for it in a charity shop. must have been stocked in an old store somewhere, it still has all its tags, and the alpaca-wool covering is still brandnew (although its an early version).
mine's back does still work 🙂
yep
Yep, I did it myself. I've done quite a bit of upholstering over the years. Right now I'm re-doing this 8' sofa that matched the 6' love seat (below) that I did for my daughter. We're keeping the big one. I built the back up and converted it to a tight back since I hate loose back cushions. The new fabric on the short one is a heavy wool flannel by Knoll. It was very unforgiving, unlike the Maharam Pebble. Totally flat and smooth so every little pucker shows. Nice fabric otherwise, though! I'm using something different on the big one.
!5yrs ago i found this...
!5yrs ago i found this chair at a yard sale in the Catskills. I used the owners phone and called a
friend with a truck and an extra 20 bucks. I sat in it until he arrived. I had no idea what it was,
but i loved it. (i paid 60 and that was big bucks for a yard sale)
Found out later it was Warren Mcarthur. 
p.s.
I have the arm bits.
...
p.s.
I have the arm bits.
when i had it recovered, near where i work, i stopped in almost every day.
They did such a crappy job that i would not let them do the arms.
(they did use original horse hair etc, but the seat was crooked!)
The original footprint is original and i have before photos.
This one i found on a...
This one i found on a garbage heap in soho last month...
http://www.lottaliving.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=11547
Woof-
I would call it a...
Woof-
I would call it a classic friction cam lock? Tube aluminum, very strong. the
slight angle is original. I think a ring lock is present but hard to see. Cast
aluminum bracket, when pressed, releases the backrest. And does a full
recline. No notches, and grabs as desired. The rest of the chair and footstool
is spun aluminum. I've never needed to give it anything but a damp dust
cloth. (not much of a house-keeper so once in 15 years)
The letter 'M' is cast in the bracket.
I've not seen one like it, but Warren Mcarthur was a character. Seems he spent
his life creating even though he was from a very wealthy family.
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