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Hot or Not? Retro Patio Furniture from Target

2008-06-03-retrotarget.jpg

Retro Style Yellow Powder-Coated Steel Patio Furniture

 
 

The five piece set is $299 from Target (chairs available separately for $64.99).

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Hot or Not?, outdoor furniture, Target

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Comments (27)

They'll be "hot" alright. Especially in the broiling midwest sun.

posted by LBhirise on June 3rd 2008 at 5:34am
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Want. preferably in the green.

posted by theora55 on June 3rd 2008 at 10:17am
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ooh! i dig.

posted by closertotheocean on June 3rd 2008 at 10:18am
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Not into that much retro, if I want that look, I'll go raid my pack-rat grandmother's basement. ;)

posted by RedMaiko on June 3rd 2008 at 10:26am
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heck.yes.mommy.want

posted by animalhouze on June 3rd 2008 at 10:28am
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Everyone seems to have pretty negative comments about the quality in the reviews. Apparently very rusty when it arrives, rusts easily outside, and the color fades quickly.

posted by roseslaw on June 3rd 2008 at 10:29am
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My favorite review descibed a scene with everyone falling over..."The problem appears to be that your weight must be placed all the way to the rear of the chair, or else the chair zips out from underneath you like a rocket."

...but they are cute.

posted by greenpoint on June 3rd 2008 at 10:33am
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nice attempt but from the reviews on target.com not executed very well which is sad, basaue i almost thougtt of picking up a couple of chairs :(

posted by E.M.H on June 3rd 2008 at 10:36am
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Much too hot to sit on! Only those who've never experienced metal patio furniture will understand why -- once burned, twice shy!

posted by jrochest on June 3rd 2008 at 10:38am
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I'm with you EMH. I was also thinking about buying a couple of chairs for my patio but...

posted by danze on June 3rd 2008 at 10:42am
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Love the look, but I still remember how it feels when you sit on one of these chairs on a hot summer day while wearing shorts.

posted by greenish on June 3rd 2008 at 10:47am
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Nice looking but Poor execution - Probably made from recycled steel and imported from Asia.

posted by bepsf on June 3rd 2008 at 10:51am
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my family has the original chairs on which these are based and while they do rust, can burn you, and you must sit all the way back to prevent tipping (esp. if you're heavy), they are very comfortable!

I wouldn't put them in outside for long periods unless they were covered to prevent rusting. I'd say in 30 years, ours have been repainted 5-7 times but they've always been on a covered deck.

posted by Enamorada on June 3rd 2008 at 10:52am
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i bought a retro rocker and while mine does have rust, i think it adds character..wouldn't repaint it unless it gets really bad.. i love it as is..

posted by animalhouze on June 3rd 2008 at 10:54am
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For that price (and a bit of elbow grease), you can find real vintage patio sets that are far better built (from higher quality materials.

posted by phaedrus on June 3rd 2008 at 10:55am
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It got really bad reviews- if it's not rusted right out of the box, it starts rusting within 2 weeks. No thanks.

posted by canadian in swedish clothing on June 3rd 2008 at 11:36am
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My grandparents had these when I was little. I rememeber that they had the tipping problem too. They had to keep them in the shade all the time so that no one would burn their legs and backs on the hot metal. They sure are pretty though.

posted by itsabecky on June 3rd 2008 at 11:39am
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Great tip on these, once painted wax the finish with auto wax... it will help the paint last.

And yes, keep them in the shade.

I have to say, for this price you COULD find ones to refinish but i've been looking for FOUR YEARS and still only have one. I may break down and buy a target second. These seem to be less common on the west coast.

posted by DahliaCactus on June 3rd 2008 at 11:58am
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I liked the Restoration Hardware ones better, a year or two back. Cream, with cutouts?

These "motel chairs" from Vermont Country Store are kind of retro cool

http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=36359&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=728&iSubCat=780&iProductID=36359

posted by Valerie on June 3rd 2008 at 12:11pm
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I have two of the REAL retro ones, and love them. They need another coat of paint, but they are comfortable. They sit on our porch, so no need to worry about burnt butts.

posted by BambiJo on June 3rd 2008 at 12:12pm
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I'd add, if something is sturdy, don't let rust scare you. You can paint metal furniture with Rust-o-leum spray paint. I have had black iron stuff for years and I just recoat it when it's sad/fading.

posted by Valerie on June 3rd 2008 at 12:13pm
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Ok... I really wanna hate that metal monstrosity! But it's so awesome! As far as it getting hot... I thought that's what the umbrella hole was for.... some shading, less fading... as far as the rusting goes, I find that sort of dangerous, but if you're gonna spend that much, someone COULD get them sealed or somehow treated... I dunno.

posted by Djluckyonline on June 3rd 2008 at 12:24pm
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I've eyed these for years, but they're actually really cheaply made, so I've resisted. I have one chair and matching table in this style that I bought from Crate & Barrel about a dozen years back (I could KICK myself for not buying the second chair) which is so hefty and substantial, that I can't bring myself to put the wimpy Target chairs next to it.

And yes, these metal chairs get KILLER hot in the summer. i actually keep mine indoors unless I'm using it to keep it from baking too long.

posted by ridge. on June 3rd 2008 at 2:34pm
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I said "not" based on the quality. Cute, yes, but what a waste if they don't last.

posted by JohnnySlimane on June 3rd 2008 at 5:27pm
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I like it but I'd rather get it at an estate sale than Target.

posted by backgarage on June 3rd 2008 at 5:38pm
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Oh gosh, deja vu. Aunt Roberta and Uncle Bill's backyard. the chairs were red and the table was white. We had some great barbecues.

posted by Aldyth on June 4th 2008 at 11:17am
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I covet the old ones! If anyone has one and wants to put it on the market...
How do you think I would search for these on Ebay? I wonder.

posted by kushkush on June 5th 2008 at 12:25pm
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