CRAIGSLIST SCORE: RED RETRO FIREPLACE
Looky what I hauled home the other night — a retro red fireplace!
I saw the Craigslist ad the day after it was posted. (The very nice seller must have been slightly color blind because he listed this as orange and it is most definitely red) I had previously decided that I needed one of these vintage Preway fireplaces for my collection of retro goodness — and I’ve never seen one for $150 before. Every other similar fireplace on Craigslist or Ebay has been listed for $300 or more. Why are they so expensive? Anyone know?
Like Leo, you are probably wondering what the heck I am going to do with this mid century fireplace — well I had something like this in mind.
The photo above is a Malm fireplace from the Design Within Reach website. This is a very pricey model, but I hoped to create a similar setting with my much brighter and much less expensive version.
I didn’t get much red smokestack with this guy — and I’m not really sure how high the smokestack needs to be for outdoor use, but I should probably get some sort of cover to put over the top of the pipe for when the fireplace is not in use (like over the winter).
The plan is to use this out on my oval patio in the back yard. I’m going to keep it under the porch roof for this winter.
It is so nice and shiny — and I’d like to keep it that way for as long as possible, but I know Wisconsin winters will be rough on it. Does anyone have any experience with using these fireplaces outdoors?
Managing Editor and Graphic Designer for the popular blog RetroRenovation.com by day and part time home improver, interior designer, retro enthusiast, vintage bargain hunter, gardener, cook, artist, picture taker and the brains behind this blog on evenings and weekends.
OMGosh. I called my husband over immediately. He has been desperate for an outdoor fireplace and wants always to buy WEIRD things. This is so incredible. I am having a heart attack. I told my husband if he found one of these I APPROVE the outdoor fireplace. I went over and looked at Design Within Reach. GULP on the $1500. We won’t do it. But the white with the flue extension would honestly be so cool for our patio. You have given me the best Idea. Unbelievable. Nice work.
I’m glad you were inspired Rebecca! I have no idea why they are so expensive on Design Within Reach (except for pretty much everything they have is expensive) but now you know what to look for and I’m sure you can find a vintage model for much less than $1500. Good luck in your search!
Gorgeous! Great deal at $150 too. I can’t find any for less than $600 in good ol’ AZ
Thanks Stephanie! Keep looking — maybe someday a bargain will show up!
What a great score! I saw a similar one this year at Brimfield (big antique fair in MA) for $600. I’m always on the lookout for one in my price range.
I know! Prior to this the least expensive one I could find locally was $300! Too much for me — but this one was perfect! A nice bright color and $150 — a bargain! Good luck in your search!
You have GOT to be kidding me- how do you find this stuff? That thing is flipping amazing. And it goes perfectly on the tiki porch
Thanks Mollie D, I don’t know how I find them…I guess I just keep looking and when I see something I have been searching for, I buy it right away. It would look cool on the tiki porch as well — my dad emailed me asking if I wanted to vent it through the roof of the porch so it could stay there. I’ll have to think about it over the winter, but my initial intent was for it to live on the back patio.
we used to have one just like it but we live in florida so we put a fake electric log in it. it lit up and made a popping crackle sound like a real fire lot.
That is hilarious vanessa! Gotta love a good fake electric log!
Gorgeous!!
Thanks! It will look great on the patio surrounded by hoop chairs!
I just squealed out loud! That is an AWESOME find!!! I simultaneously super happy for you and green with envy.
Thanks! I’m pretty excited myself!
Hi Kate! I love your find–we found one this summer that we use on our patio at our 1963 split-level in Port Washington. $50 bucks on Craigslist!!! Our kids lovingly named him Frankie; he was found in a barn, and we had to paint him ‘chevy orange’ to get him back to his original color. Frankie is the gem of our yard and has many admirers, and we are now admiring him in our garage for the winter!
Hi Carly! WOW — that’s a great deal! I’m glad you were able to restore “Frankie” and that you love him so much!
I am a big fan of this style. I have one white Malm inside and just bought a mint black one for $350 on CL. It is pristine. I almost don’t want to leave it outside. I finally found an outdoor cover. Look into a fountain cover (yes, people cover their fountains. Who knew?).
Fountain covers, huh? I’ll have to check those out!