Shopping Craigslist: Vintage Patio Set

I love to shop yard sales and second hand shops for furniture, but without a car of my own, I don't get to go thrifting very often.  To me, Craigslist.com is the next best thing.  Or, maybe it really is the best option since you can window shop online at all hours! 

Since moving into our house almost 5 years ago and having a yard for the first time in over ten years, I really wanted a patio set.  As with most big-ticket items, money was an issue.  Sets that we could afford were not sturdy enough for our needs.  Joe is a big guy.  So are most of the men in our families.  We needed something that we wouldn't have to replace the following summer. 

That first summer passed without us finding an affordable outdoor table and chairs set.  At the end of that summer (and each one after), I vowed that I would save up all winter long to get a sturdy set the next summer.  Yeah, never happened.  Other (more important) things came up. 

Every once in a while, I find the time to browse the furniture section on craigslist.  Last Sunday, after Grace was in bed, I browsed the listings hoping to find a dresser for the big girl room that I want to get started on very soon. 

I didn't find a dresser that I liked, but I did end up seeing a listing for a Vintage Wrought Iron Patio Set, $100.  I clicked on the listing and saw this: 

Joe was still awake, so I showed him the listing asking if he thought he'd be able to stop and look at it on his way home from work the next day.  So, we set up an appointment to take a look at the set.  Since the address was on Joe's way home from work, he went alone to check it out and decide if we would purchase or not. 

I was so excited when I looked out the kitchen window and saw Joe's pick up truck full of our new (to us) patio furniture!  Here's a picture of it after it was hauled out of the back of the pick up: 

I love it!  I'm so glad we waited until we found the perfect set for us and a price we could afford!  Round table, 2 chairs, 2 benches and they even included a heavy umbrella stand.  This is so much more my style than any of the patio furniture sold in retail stores right now.  It's an older set (not sure how "vintage" it really is), it could use some cushions, an umbrella and maybe a new coat of paint in the next year (or maybe two).  I'm thinking yellow!


I'll be linking this post to the following blog carnivals and linky parties: 

• Thrift Share Monday
• The Penny Worthy Project 
• Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays
• White Wednesday
• Penny Pinching Party
• Works for Me Wednesday
• Vintage Thingie Thursday
• Treasure Hunt Thursday
• Thrifty Thursday
• Treasures and Trinkets Thursday
• Thrifty Things Friday
• Frugal Friday
• I'm Lovin' It
• Homemaker Monday
• Making a Home