Monthly Archives: November 2009
As of now, I have 3 types of patina finishes for the iron. All are sealed with a durable satin or flat clear coat.
Rust Patina – Natural rust
Natural Patina – This is how the steel comes from the mill
Acid wash patina – Treated with acid
Black Patina – Coming soon, additional cost around $50
I decided to add an optional drawer for my pieces. It’s handmade including the handle. I figured it would be nice to have a small hidden drawer for the clutter coffee tables collect like remote controls. My thought was to recess it a couple inches or more so it’s not really seen unless you look at the table at an angle or under it. Dimensions are 10.5″ wide x 12″ deep x 1.5″ tall, although since it hangs down 1/2″ it will fit something almost 2″ tall. This drawer is unfinished and not attached to the table, just sitting on a stack of CDs. Also, this could go under the bottom shelf to be even more hidden, and/or you could have multiple drawers. As always, custom sizes are available. Priced at $95 each installed on your table with a matching finish.
Inspired from the French industrial era (circa 1940s), this table is constructed entirely of iron and is riveted together for a rugged industrial / retro look. It looks vintage but not beat up. The top measures 20″ x 18″ and it is 26″ tall making it ideal to use as a side table or an accent table. Priced at $325, contact us at 602-322-1111 for more information.
After making the previous French industrial era inspired table, I decided to make a smaller version without the drawers. It’s more at home in tighter living spaces like apartments and lofts. The frame is made of iron and the wood planks are aged to a nice gray and light brown patina. The caster wheels make it easy to move around rooms and also lock. Dimensions are 38″ x 20″ x 18″ tall. Price $395, call 602-322-1111
This table helped inspire this new design, the Brooklyn Coffee Table.
Just finished this French industrial era inspired coffee table with caster wheels. Dimensions are 48″ x 24″ x 18″ tall and it has 2 generous size drawers as well as locking casters to keep it in place. With two shelves and two drawers, it offers a lot of storage space for it’s size. Priced at $625 for this unique piece. Here is the same table, but in a smaller size and price: Link
Ordering/More Info:
You can call to place an order (602) 322-1111, email –> sales@retro.net, or use the contact form. We process Visa, Mastercard and Discover payments through Authorize.net which is one of the largest and most trusted payment gateways. We build to order and don’t usually have items in stock. Lead times vary from 4-14 weeks depending on how busy we are.
Showroom:
We have a 20,000 square foot shop in the downtown Phoenix area. In 2011, we moved into a wonderful historic warehouse which was designed by a Frank Lloyd Wright student back in the 1940s. You are welcome to visit us by appointment. My work is not available in any stores, yet. I do have some work in some restaurants and stores in some major cities which you can see here –> Showroom
Custom Work:
I am more than happy to do custom work for clients, interior decorators, architects, retail shops, restaurants, etc. This includes custom sizes, wood and iron finishes/colors, materials, add casters or remove them, come up with new designs, and more. Since each piece is made by hand, they will have a unique look and vary to some degree from piece to piece. And the wood, since it is natural, varies from piece to piece. No two pieces are alike, which is part of the beauty of it. My goal is for this furniture to look like it was handmade for industrial use more than half a century ago when building techniques were more primitive. So if you are looking for something that looks perfect like it was made yesterday in an Ikea factory, maybe this isn’t for you.
Lead Times:
Lead times vary, depending on the order. Since we’ve opened our doors it’s varied from 4 – 14 weeks. SO PLAN AHEAD, DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE! We can sometimes expedite orders for an additional fee.
Shipping:
You are welcome to pick up your piece if you are in Phoenix. Shipping prices depend on the item and how it’s shipped. Coffee tables usually range from $100-$300, side tables $80-$175, via Fedex Ground. Larger items will be shipped freight which typically runs $300-$500. Freight shipping includes insurance and is curbside which means it will be dropped off at the curb on a pallet. All items will be packaged with care and insured with a signature required for delivery. Casters are not usually insured unless requested. We are not responsible for damage during shipping, unless it was due to poor packaging on our part. PLEASE INSPECT YOUR ITEM WHEN IT IS DELIVERED! IF THERE IS DAMAGE, DO NOT ACCEPT IT. They will return it to us and we will file an insurance claim and/or repair it.
Bulk Ordering:
Bulk orders may receive discounts (ie. you need 3 or more of the same design). Order 10 tables and I can get the price down even more. If my cost goes down, then so does yours.
Returns/Terms:
In stock items are returnable within 7 days from the date received for a full refund (minus shipping) as long as it is in new condition. Please call me if there are any problems. Client is responsible for return shipping charges if applicable. I want each client to be happy with their purchase and I understand that the piece may not fit your home once you get it there. Custom orders are non-returnable. Each piece is guaranteed to be free from defects for 60 days. If the item needs repair after the 60 day period (ie. you dropped it down the stairs), I can usually fix it for a modest charge with shipping at your expense. For caster returns there is a 20% restocking fee.
“36,000 Sunrises”
Unique console table for sale. Vintage farmhouse inspired design with reclaimed wood, salvaged from an old barn near Mormon Lake outside of Flagstaff built in 1906. The wood faced to the east and has seen over 36,000 sunrises. It also has some of the original iron nails in it. The iron work looks aged to match and is detailed with old style rivet construction. It is heavy and very solid. The top measures 44″ x 18″ and it is 30″ tall. This is a one of a kind table with really beautiful wood and iron work. Asking $395, please call 602-322-1111 for more information. I will have more similar tables for sale soon so contact me if you are interested. Thanks for looking!
My Story:
Recently my wife said she needed a table for the 2 chairs she got for her birthday. Sitting at a desk all day, I missed working with my hands, so I got to work. My wife liked what I made (she has impeccable taste), but I knew I could improve on it. So I made another table for our backyard. Then after visiting several shabby chic furniture stores, and 100s of similar vintage websites, I came up with some designs that I really love. Each piece I’ve made is an improvement on the last design.
My Style:
I prefer designs with an industrial flair. Especially the mid-century French industrial era. My wife calls it industrial cottage. It may look like a vintage piece from Maine or Europe. I do love the east coast look which you don’t see much here in Phoenix. My style is evolving with each piece I make.
The Furniture:
I craft every furniture piece by hand and each is unique. Some of the pieces use reclaimed barn wood or metal, and others are distressed. One of my pet peeves is distressed furniture that was done poorly. So I go through a lot of effort to make my work look vintage (not old and beat up), yet keep it functional and eye catching. And it’s built to last and remain in style. As it ages and wears, it looks better. All metal and wood is sealed unless otherwise noted. The iron (new and recycled) was purchased at a local salvage yard here in Phoenix and all of the lumber is locally bought. Even the 100 year old barn wood is from this state.
Why Am I Doing This?:
Well I love what I do. I put my blood, sweat and tears into my work (well I haven’t cried yet at work but it’ll probably happen sometime soon). Working with iron is awesome. Maybe it’s a primal thing, but shaping metal with a hammer, heat and fire makes my day. I tell my wife all the time that during a good day, something catches on fire. Sometimes it’s me, but that’s part of the excitement. I probably should stop wearing flip flops while welding and wear my boots. I also get to play around with various chemical reactions for the metal and wood finishes. Maybe I sound like a kid at play, that’s how it feels to me. I was always fascinated with the old time blacksmiths when I was younger.
Unique custom side table for sale. Vintage farmhouse inspired design with reclaimed wood, salvaged from a century old barn in Chino Valley (circa 1892-1907). The iron looks aged to match and is detailed with old style rivet construction. It is heavy for it’s size and very solid. The top measures 15.5″ x 26″ and it is 24.5″ tall. This is a one of a kind table with really beautiful wood and iron work.
Unique Red Barn Door with iron work and a leather strap. Just over 6′ tall and 3′ wide and it weighs around 100lbs. It’s from Wickenburg, AZ circa 1907. It was basically a small shed that, over the years, turned into a small horse barn and lean to. The owner said that the last red paint job was done in 1957. It was taken down in March of 2008. This antique would make a great conversation piece alone, or could be made into some furniture like a dining table.
Sold!
Just finished this coffee table. It has an industrial vintage asthetic to it and measures 49″H x 28″W x 17″T. It’s a one of a kind and constructed of heavy gauge steel weighing approximately 50lbs. The finish on the steel is raw with a brushed, almost chrome look. It’s ready for paint, clear coat, or chroming, but I personally like the raw steel look. I will be creating more tables and chairs in this style so check back with me if you are interested.
Visit our coffee table page for more info — http://shop.retro.net/?page_id=553
After looking at all the plastic picket fencing that was available for my yard, I decided to make my own. With all the feedback I’ve gotten from my neighbors, I decided to start making these for other people. It’s designed to last a lifetime and is handmade out of high quality douglas fir. The posts are 6″ x 6″ and the rails are 4″ x 4″. The post tops are beveled and the rails sit in notches that I chisel out by hand. These can be stained or painted. I went with a natural stain to show the nice wood grain. The pictures shown are after a year of weathering and it still looks great.
The Home Depot and Lowes plastic fencing looks ok, but up close it looks like plastic. And after a while in the sun, it starts to fade and crack. And if you touch it, well you know it’s cheap plastic. The post and rail fencing that I make is solid, not temporary junk. All my neighbors are commenting how much they like my fence. You can stop by and take a look at my fencing too before you buy.
Sample Price:
46 feet of fencing would cost $1000. That includes 8 posts and 14 rails, ready to be installed. Free estimates via email or over the phone. I just measure how much fencing you need. It’s roughly $21 per foot. I can give discounts for large orders.
Installation is not available since I am not a licensed contractor. You can do it yourself, or hire a contractor. Posts are 4′ long and you need to dig a 12″ deep hole and set it concrete for a secure fit. So the posts sit 3′ high. Rail width is recommended at 6′, but can be made in other sizes. Delivery time is typically 1-2 weeks. Thanks for looking…
The first shipment of barn wood I received came from 3 barns in Arizona. They all have an interesting story so take a look below for some history:
The red barn wood is from Wickenburg, AZ circa 1907, it was basically a small shed that, over the years, turned into a small horse barn and lean too. The owner said that the last red paint job was done in 1957. It was taken down in March of 2008.
The second barn is from Chino Valley, AZ. circa 1897, it was on a homestead property that had been sold to a mobile home dealer. We did not get to talk to the original owners, but through word of mouth we found out that it was first homesteaded to the Smith family somewhere around the mid 1800’s. When it was tore down (Oct. 2007) we figured the barn to be 110 years old.
The third barn which was called 36,000 Sunrises, had gray and/or black and brown with orange and gold tints to the wood. This barn came from another homestead situated on Mormon Lake just outside of Flagstaff, AZ. It was was built in 1906 and was tore down in November of 2007.
If you are interested in ordering, contact sales@retro.net, or call us at 602-322-1111.
Our website has moved. Please visit us there for more info: www.retro.net
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