Amazing Fretwork Iron Chair
Are you ready for a Lookiloos smackdown? We’d love you to weigh in on this good-natured competition between two Lookiloos founders, Julia Prodis Sulek and Desiree Northend, who had a Lucy-and-Ethel tug-of-war over a set of very hip, very vintage chairs. The coolest part? They each paid under $40 per chair, but spotted a nearly identical reproduction at a chic Carmel shop for $625. Using their own sense of style and bargain shopping, Julia and Desiree made their chairs their own. Which do you like best? (You won’t hurt their feelings, really.)
By Julia Prodis Sulek
When Desiree told me she had just purchased four Asian fretwork chairs, I was happy for her. Really. It didn’t matter to me — that much — that I 
considered myself the fretwork girl. I so adored the geometric, intersecting lines of the Asian style, whether on the back of a chair or along a balcony railing, that I made a file of fretwork photos just to gaze at longingly. Trendy interior designer Kelly Whearstler was making wallpaper with the motif. Surely, Desiree must have known my inner obsession! And now, with one grand purchase, she would luxuriate in … well … what should have been mine, mine, all mine?
My mouth went dry as she described the 1960s-era high-backed chairs. They were made of sturdy iron for the outdoors and rolled on casters. I felt faint when she told me she got them for the bargain price of $39 each at Not Too Shabby, a home and garden shop on South Bascom Avenue. It’s one of those places you just never know what treasure you might find. Desiree bought four chairs. Three were left. I desperately wanted 
them. But would I be breaking some friendship code by adorning my backyard with the same spectacular chairs? I flashed back to an episode of I Love Lucy, where Lucy and Ethel fell in love with the same dress to wear to their “show,” and each promised the other that neither would buy it. Well, they both did, and while singing “Friendship” in the identical dresses on stage, they began plucking each other’s dresses apart! Well, call me Ethel to Desiree’s Lucy.
In our case, with Desiree’s gracious permission, I bought the remaining three. Since one of them had lost a caster and the odd-number of three remained, I bargained with Not Too Shabby owner Vikki Graham and purchased each for $29 a piece — a $30 savings compared to Desiree’s bargain.
Not only did a Carmel shop called Partington Ridge sell a reproduction for $625 a piece, but Val Perez-Ibardolasa, who owns Retro At Home in Emeryville, a chic mid-century modern shop, figured that a vintage set like the one we bought could fetch upwards of $5,000!
The only problem with our chairs? They needed cushions, the somewhat unusual size of 19 inches square. I priced custom cushions at an upholstery shop at $100 — and that didn’t even count the fabric. Determined to find a cheaper solution, I was amazed to find fabulous, retro-style cushions in orange and brown floral at JC Penny for a sale price of $19.99 a piece! I bought a second set to keep in reserve. I kept the chairs in their bronze-green patina, set them under my orange tree and admired the scene. Perfect for a spring afternoon with a glass or lemonade or an evening glass with a glass of wine.
Well, Desiree, you’ve seen mine. Now show me yours! And let our readers decide whose they like best. Don’t worry. We can handle it. Like Lucy and Ethel, they remained great friends, no matter what.
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By Desiree Northend
The gauntlet has been thrown–a challenge. Well, this girl never backs down from a challenge. Slightly competitive–you betcha! (Please no Sarah Palin references). It’s a family trait I’ve passed down for better or worse. Just ask any kid of mine.
Now, Julia — my wonderful partner in crime at Looikiloos — seems to think she is the only one who can appreciate fretwork. I didn’t realize I had broken the cardinal rule “Thou shalt not admire fretwork, if your Lookiloos partner has already claimed it.” That was my faux pas. Besides, as you can see, there was plenty of fretwork to go around and I was only too happy to share in the bounty. Take a deep cleansing breath, Julia.
As soon as I saw the chairs, I knew I had to have them. I have wanted outdoor iron furniture since my boys 
were in their fort-building phase and demolished those old, nylon folding lawn chairs. I wanted something substantial, something that could really take a beating and still look fabulous when not in use as the corners of a castle. What really drew me to these particular chairs was the high wing back shape as well as that fretwork. But I wasn’t wild about the color — a muddy bronze. And they needed cushions. I consider myself a crafty type, so to complement the wrought iron fence in my backyard, I pulled out a can of gloss black spray paint and went for it. I first considered sewing my own cushions, top and bottom, with fabric I purchased years ago from reprodepot.com. But when Julia told me she found the perfect size bottom cushions in a variety of colors at JC Penny, that was too good to pass up. I bought the last four poppy-colored ones. (I hated to tell her that when I went, the cushions were on close-out and I got them for 40 percent less than what she paid. But, she did get the chairs at a cheaper price, so we’re even right?) I made my own top cushions with my own favorite 
fabric, fluffed them up a bit, and now admire the whole set from my kitchen window. At the end of the day, I think we both did pretty darn well. Don’t you? Please leave a comment and let us know your opinion.
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I love the finish and the fabric Julia chose. It makes the chair even more inviting to sit and and sip a glass of wine in.
Thanks Lisa. OK, Des, that’s one for me! — julia
For me, Julia’s choices are the ones that I would pick for myself. So warm and friendly.
I really like that Julia kept the bronze-green patina on the chairs and paired that background with lovely orange/brown cushions that both blend and compliment that patina and also shows off the chairs beautiful design all at the same time.
I love these chairs! They would be fabulous in my yard so if they turn up missing you know where they are. You both did a great job but I’m always a fan of an original finish.
I love Desiree’s pillows and the combination of colors.
Hi Des, Hi Mrs.Sulek I really can’t decide. I love them both !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Really a difficult choice! I love the original bronze of Julia’s chairs and the retro fabric she chose, but seeing Desiree’s chairs makes me want to paint all my mismatched patio furniture black and recover my cushions in a bright red print. So, my vote goes for Desiree. Thanks for a great article.
Gotta Vote for Des, like the whole color set up she did best. Might be because as a child of the 50-60’s burned out long ago on the big prints and orange and browns nice though they are.Glad both of you got such deals!!!
Desiree! Julia’s cushions are fabulous retro and look so bright in her garden. But Desiree’s look is just as relaxing and more formal in a way, all even and black.
I’d have to go with Desiree. I love the look of dark wrought iron and the accent pillows are wonderfully fun.
Love the natural finish and pattern of Julia’s chairs – where can I get mine?
I love the sophisticated minimalism of Desiree’s chairs.
I like Des’ chairs better. I think they’re colorful but not overwhelming. I like the fact that she painted them like her iron fencing and firepit.
My vote is for Desiree!!!
I have to vote for Desiree’s…I really like the “travel theme” of the pillows. Plus, I like the contrast against the black chairs.
I vote Des!
Great finds, both. I think the bronzy patina and retro cushions Julia chose narrowly wins in my opinion. I think all the chairs look fabulous and I can’t believe the price. Congrats.
I vote for Des. She has excellent taste in furniture! Her taste in men, however, is another matter….
dare i say…
julia has my vote!
Des gets my vote too… I love the black chairs next to the black gate and the placement next to the fireplace looks so inviting.
Julie gets my vote. Chairs are fabulous regardless….one comment…photographing fretwork in front of the vertical linear fence is confusing, these chairs need a solid backdrop in my opinion.
I vote for Des. I love the red cushions and the travel pillows!!
Vote goes to Des.
Delightful Dada-esque dichotomy:
The solid red cush says, “Bloody well right, Jed, let’s just stay by the cement pond.”
The globetrotting pillow says, “Dahling, we must make tracks from this stifling Rose Garden and flee to our glam seaside retreat in Turks and Caicos.
Brava Des, or should I say, Deschamp!
Des, I love the look of the colors. It Makes me want to come over and sit down by your fire pit! You get my vote. I hope the polls haven’t closed. My computer was ill till this afternoon!
Love the original finish on the chairs and I too am a child of the 50’s and 60’s and completely love the retro inspired fabric on the chairs. All you need now is some potted gerbera daisies in all their bright colors.
Julia’s. The finish brings out the fretwork. I think I prefer Des’s cushion though.
Julia’s….sorry Des.
But what great chairs they are…either way. I vote you send them all to me.
Desiree, EXCEPT I don’t think you should stage them against the iron fence. They get lost there!
Hi I came via Julia at Hooked on Houses….you both did a really nice job…I ADORE those chairs !!!
My vote goes to Julia….
Happy Mother’s Day,
Kathy
Very hard decision as they both look so great, but my personal preference is the warm bronze/orange-y tones of Julia’s chairs, so my vote’s for Julia. Great work ladies!
Julia. They look inviting, and the retro…. !!!
Ooh, i love them both, but Julia’s have that sort of 60s Mad Men appeal to them that is so fun.
I would have probably painted them black for my yard, Deseree. I love the different looks. Keep up the great ideas, Ladies!
Des, I love the red against the black chairs! My vote goes to you. On a side note, I was very sad to see the Not Too Shabby near me closed down… wanted to walk through today.
I heard that Olivia. That is sad. I think I heard she was expanding though—-stay tuned and thanks for the vote!
My vote goes to Des. I love the look of the dark iron against the red pillows!
Well. in the interest of being fair, I like Desiree’s red seat cushion and the black finish, but I think the seat back pillows from Julia’s would be perfect with the red cushions…..!
Desiree gets my vote. Love the chic look, so sophisticated and stylish!
Oooo….tough one! I really like (re: covet!) the retro pillows but admire the chutzpah to paint the chairs black…and she did make her own backer pillows. Since this is a bit of a makeover smackdown (I think?
I’m going to have to give the slight advantage to Desiree’s.
I’ve been meaning to “cast” my vote since since your article ran a few weeks back. Des, I know that spot in your backyard and think the arrangement you’ve created with those fab chairs (in black) and chic fabric is perfect! The chiminea completes the ambiance. Love it. My vote…two thumbs up for Des!
i like des red cushions but i wish she left it bronze instead of 80’s black spray job. cool chairs and great prices ladies! will check out NOT TOO SHABBY shop. tia
Thanks for the vote Betty—But I’m sticking with the black paint. I didn’t care for the faux bronze finish. The black also works in my yard because we have a black wrought iron fence around our pool and I thought the bronze finish just didn’t fit. But, I have to say that I adore the bronze finish in Julia’s yard. They are perfect under her orange tree. So I guess what I’m trying to say is they both work in their spaces!