HOUSE The BEST Vintage Find I’ve Ever Discovered

(edited to add: I worked on this post before the horrific events of yesterday completely unfolded. My heart is breaking for the families involved in the senseless tragedy that took place yesterday in Texas. Please know you are constantly, fervently, and continuously in my thoughts and prayers.)

Did you hear the story about the Texas woman who discovered a priceless artifact at Goodwill?

She was shopping at the thrift store and spotted a marble bust that was tucked away under the table. It weighed about 50 pounds and was priced at $34.99. She brought it home and realized that it looked old.

Really old.

So she contacted Sotheby’s and asked for expert opinions.

And they confirmed she was right.

It was ancient.

They confirmed that the bust once belonged to King Ludwig I of Bavaria and had made its way across the ocean from Aschaffenburg, Germany to the Texas Goodwill shelf.

I always wanted to discover a find like that.

Something amazing with history and character and a story.

And yesterday?

I DID.

Because yesterday I found this.

It’s a set of woven fiberglass planters by the mid-century modern artist.

Russell Woodard.

He is a third-generation furniture designer who specializes in pieces that have a vintage feel with a modern aesthetic.

You can see some of his other pieces here.

They are so beautiful.

They look like wicker, but they are actually spun fiberglass.

Here’s a close-up of the detail on the planter.

His father, Lee Woodard, started the original company, Woodard and Sons which primarily fabricated metal furniture. He had three sons, Russell, Joseph, and Lyman II. The next generation took the company to the next level and brought national and international attention to the brand.

It was during the 20th century that Russell began designing spun glass pieces that feature this signature design along with meticulous detailing.

He created tables and chairs and loveseats and chaise lounges and pedestals.

And plant stands like this.

You can see a full range of his vintage pieces here that range from $300 to $4250.

And yesterday when I walked into our local vintage shop downtown?

I saw these.

Not just ONE planter.

But a set.

A beautiful, wonderful, incredible, amazing set of mid-century spun fiberglass planters.

Sets of Russell Woodard planters are extremely rare.

And in amazing news?

THEY WERE A BARGAIN.

So affordable.

The cost of a really good steak dinner.

FOR THE PAIR.

I brought the planters home and cleaned them off and filled them with Dipladenia and put them on the back porch.

The best part about planters like these, they are relatively indestructible. They were designed to stand the test of time.

And that’s what they’ll do.

Stand.

Right here on the back porch for the rest of time.

PS Have you ever discovered something like this at a thrift store?

I’d love to hear.

PPS If you have white planters that you can see through? Add a white plastic pot like these from Home Depot.

The planters blend in and create a seamless look for planters like these.

And here are the porch sources:

hi/bye doormat
self-watering planters
black and white striped rug
black and white striped pillows
white porch swing
planter basket

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