House of Hawthornes

DIY Projects, Gardening Tips And Thrifty Decor Ideas

Motel Chair

By 28 Comments

I went to an estate sale and a few garage sales this weekend. Lots of goodies!!! But not a lot of photos yet, so I’ll save the other stuff for when I have time to get some good shots of them.

These are two of my favorite finds though.

Bought four of these wooden file drawers for 25 cents each. They are fairly large, roughly 6″x9″x15″. They remind me of drawers from an old hardware store.

So many possibilities of things to do with these wooden beauties. At least one will end up in my office on the bookcase.


I found this vintage motel chair at the estate sale. I spied it in the backyard, immediately made a beeline over to it and sat down in it before anyone else could claim it. After it was safely occupied by my butt, I checked the price tag and found that it was only $10.00.

I love estate sales! I love people who price things at estate sales! Really, I can buy a box of 1/2 used motor oil for the same price as a motel chair?


Motel chairs were first used in the 1940’s as seating around motel swimming pools. Hence the name – motel chairs.

I have wanted two of these forever, but don’t normally find them in good shape. They only had one of these though, so I’ll have to find its mate elsewhere.

Not loving the color that someone painted it, but I can always change that. Or black and white might just grow on me.


My elderly neighbor from my childhood had a row of these type of chairs sitting on her front porch. I have fond memories of sitting on her porch shelling peas with her. Now I buy my peas in a can.

You had to be careful when you sat down on these type of chairs, because if the chair had been sitting in the sun you would scorch your legs. Just think, this one has a weaved pattern on the seat, so I could have fancy scorched legs at least.

Do you like motel chairs or are they too kitschy for your taste?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. High Street Cottage

    Pam, it’s gorgeous and such a steal. Wonderful colors already but you can pretty much paint it how you want. Great job on that one, Butts do come in handy at times 😉

    Reply

  2. lauren @ West Furniture Revival

    love the finds especially the wood file boxes
    ive been looking for these. 25 cents a steal

    Reply

  4. Happier Than a Pig in Mud

    Love motel chairs! My G-Mom-B had the solid metal ones in her back yard, weighed a ton! I always look for them at yard sales-lucky you-good shape and great price:@)

    Reply

  5. Stacey

    I had no idea those were called motel chairs. I’ve always loved them. They are really fun painted red or turquoise. Something bright.

    Love the wood file boxes too. I have seen some fun ideas around blogland with those.

    Reply

  7. artteachergirl

    I love the chair…you really got lucky on all your finds. The file drawers are just beautiful. As for the paint on the chair…grow to love it. I have a similar set and painting them is not on my Top 10 list of fun things to do.

    Reply

  9. Jane

    Awesome buys!! Love the motel chair….my neighbors had those on their front porch when I was growing up. I am really loving the 25 cent drawers!! Those are so cool…..love the hardware on them. Can’t wait to see what else you found.
    Jane

    Reply

  16. Kim K.

    I would have made a mad dash for that chair too. I’m looking for special chairs to go on the treehouse porch. Such a neat find. Cool drawers too. You did super good on both of these items. Good for you!

    Reply

  18. NanaDiana

    Oh-I do remember those! My Aunt had a motel glider! It was an aqua/green and white. They matched the chairs and it sat in a motel “office” and held 2 or 3 people. Loved it then-love it now! GREAT boxes! xxoo Diana

    Reply

  20. Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal

    Pam! 25 cent drawers? $10 Chair? That was one great estate sale. They priced things to sell. You got great stuff. Can’t wait to see the rest.

    Reply

  21. A Rosy Note

    You found some great deals Pam! I love that chair. I don’t think it’s kitschy at all. I think it has a cool retro look 🙂

    ~tricia

    Reply

  23. Sue

    Quarter apiece drawers and a $10 chair- you had fun Pam! While I like the looks of vintage metal chairs, I always hated burning my hamstrings when I sat down on them. OUCH….
    I agree on some estate sale pricing- who makes these people an authority on value, anyway?! LOL
    Like someone REALLY wants to pay $20 for some old lady’s gray haired wig? EEEWWW…….

    Reply

  24. Robin

    Oh I love them, leg scorching and all. I think they are fabuous. You always find the best stuff, your like a magnet! A vintage Magnet! hehe

    Reply

  26. Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made

    OHHHH!!! I love those boxes!! And the motel chair . . . well THAT is the find of the century! Love them! I remember them from our family vacations when we’d stay at ‘motels’ instead of ‘hotels’. Hotels my dad said were too expensive! Haha! Those were the days!

    Reply

  27. Susan

    Those boxes are wonderful! I am sure you will find plenty of good uses for them. The hotel chair is an awesome find! Knowing me I would paint it red! LOL

    Reply

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