This weekend we picked up a pair of vintage children’s chairs at a local yard sale. They’re about two feet tall and were marked at $10 each, but after a little friendly haggling—“two for $15?”—we walked away with both for $15 total. A small score for anyone who loves finding well-built, character-filled pieces for the home.
At first glance we liked the chairs for their solid construction: steel legs, sturdy joinery, and the clean, mid-century lines that make them feel right at home in a variety of décor styles. When we tipped them over to check the undersides, one had “Brunswick” stamped into the wood. A little digging revealed that these pieces date back to the 1950s and reflect a mid-century Danish-modern influence — makers who also produced bowling equipment under the Brunswick name are known for durable, functional design from that era.
We were surprised to find identical chairs selling online for around $125 apiece, so paying $7.50 for each felt like a lucky thrift find. Beyond the potential resale value, what really hooked us was the idea that these chairs were made to be used and enjoyed over many years. They’re the kind of item that was likely used by children decades ago and could easily be passed down, refreshed, and put back into daily life.
We’re already imagining how to incorporate them into our playroom. There’s a mood board we put together on our BabyCenter post with three table pairing options we’re debating. On some screens the left chair in the top photo reads as teal, but in person its finish leans toward a murky forest green. That shade isn’t our favorite, and we prefer darker, less yellow wood tones overall, so a refinishing plan is in the works.
Some people prefer untouched antiques, but our goal with these chairs is practical: we bought them to use. We weren’t aiming to preserve mint-condition collectibles or flip them for profit; we want durable kids’ seating that can withstand everyday use and still look good. If they last through multiple kids and become a familiar part of our home, that’s more valuable to us than keeping them pristine in a closet.
We enjoy refinishing projects, and these chairs are right in that sweet spot of restoration-friendly pieces — like the 1950s veneer dresser we refinished for Clara’s nursery. Options for the chairs include stripping and staining the original blonde wood to a richer tone, repainting in a coordinated nursery color, or combining a painted seat with a stained frame to maintain some of the original warmth while updating the look. Each route gives a different result: a full strip and stain highlights the vintage wood grain, while a fresh coat of paint can make the chairs feel modern and playful for kids.
Realistically, this will be a gradual project. Our playroom currently doubles as a storage space, so the chairs are waiting for the room refresh to happen. But starting to plan now means we’ll have a thoughtful direction when we finally have the time: which finish to choose, whether to pair them with a low vintage table or a contemporary kid-sized option, and how to protect surfaces for everyday use.
Update: On closer inspection we discovered one of the chairs had already been painted in that murky green; it was originally a blonde finish like its pair. So for anyone who prefers unpainted originals, note that not every chair may still have its factory finish. For us, the discovery just confirmed we’ll be either staining or repainting both to create a cohesive look. Others might choose to preserve visible patina and wear, but we’re planning a clean, durable update to fit our family’s needs.