Description

ON HOLD IN THE FIRST WEEK IT WAS LISTED! (Feb. 2023)

This bar suite, consisting of 3 stools and the matching (high) table (table for standing up), is $210 PER STOOL and $280 for the table (which includes a thick glass top- the glass would have to be about 10mm thick- it’s very heavy- perfect for virtually any outdoor application.)

Provenance and Background Info

(Written in 2023 – some of this description was updated in 2023 after more information about this furniture came to hand. Some information will be time-sensitive.)

Spun Fibreglass furniture is amazing stuff! STRONG, DURABLE, PRACTICAL, STUNNING etc etc … It doesn’t collect the rain. It’s indestructible in any weather and also fares extremely well close to the beach. (You never need to worry about corrosion or rust with spun fibreglass furniture). Plus if it’s moved with any sense it will also last FOREVER. Plus, there’s so much negative space it won’t blow over in really strong wind. It’s my pick for the BEST outdoor furniture EVER made- I love it and use spun fibreglass furniture at home.

This suite was actually purchased for myself but when I got it in my hot little hands I realised it was made from black spun fibreglass- it was made BLACK back in the day. (I thought this suite had been painted.) I planned to paint the suite white but I don’t think I can do it now. Someone will love it just as much as I do in black. Unfortunately for me, black won’t work in my space so I’m letting the suite go.

I LOVE this design. I prefer the high table- it promotes a more casual atmosphere- guests can stand up and move around easier but you still have somewhere to serve snacks and people have somewhere to put their drinks. If anyone needs to sit down, there’s provision for that and when you’re using it at home you can sit up at the table and eat meals as normal. I’m almost talking myself back into keeping it again! It’s a really versatile little suite. I like that it’s more minimalist too, and that a more casual atmosphere can be promoted. Plus, for my space, the fact that it’s higher up means it’s not blocked off as much by my inside lounge suite which sits before this outdoor suite. I may re-consider the idea of painting it- we’ll see what happens. (The space I’m putting it in is not photographed- there’s dark timber fence palings and dark foliage- the black doesn’t look right. If you want to paint it white, it’s definitely possible- (but if the black will work for you, come forward quickly.)

These spun-fibreglass designs were first made in the United States by Russell Woodard in 1960’s. Some authentic Russell Woodard’s items would have made their way to Australia in the 1960’s and 1970’s as they were such popular designs back in the day, but most spun fibreglass furniture found in Australia was made in Australia (to the same standard of Russell Woodard’s designs that sell today in America for many THOUSANDS.) Take a look at the screenshots provided in this listing.

In Australia, many spun fibreglass suites were made by Kool Kane at Labrador in the Gold Coast between 1976 and 1992. (The production timespan in Australia PROVES the popularity, longevity and timelessness of these iconic designs. I’d LOVE to see it made in Australia again (it’s still being made in America) but if it was, it’d be selling for WAY MORE THAN THIS! My guess is at least 3 times more. If it was made in Australia again, the value of all vintage spun fibreglass furniture would increase by about 4 times I’d say (and pretty quickly)!

The cushion is not included but just shows you that it’s not hard to get something. This outdoor cushion cover is from Bunnings- about $7! The cushion I found in Vinnies (about $4). The cover is square but I folded over each corner.

You can pay $5,000 easily for designer bar suites today but none of them will have anything on this vintage spun-fibreglass suite- it’s just INCREDIBLE, stunning stuff! You can’t buy better in my opinion (and I’ve been in this business for 22 YEARS now). This is a genuine VINTAGE suite that has already proven itself for about 40 years! There’s no better way we can think of to invest in your home and do your part to protect our environment for future generations. No need to recycle here, RE-USE this durable furniture!

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