Restoring History: Arthur Elrod’s Palm Springs Escape Furniture Revival
Tucked into the sun-soaked hills of Palm Springs, the Arthur Elrod House stands as a Mid-century modern icon. Designed in 1962 for the celebrated interior designer himself, the home is a true masterpiece—its curves, materials, and views frozen in time.
We were fortunate to be entrusted with a piece of this legacy: the complete restoration of Elrod’s original Salterini Italian-forged outdoor furniture.
Here are some photos of the furniture’s condition upon CFR Patio’s inspection of the pieces on the property.
This wasn’t just a touch-up, but a ground-up revival. We began by removing decades of finish, bringing each piece down to its bare metal bones. From there, we thoroughly inspected the frames, welding where breaks had occurred and fabricating replacement parts with care and precision.
Missing Finial “Balls” required us to source replacements, tap and rethread
One of the defining details of this collection is its elegant finial adornments. Many were stripped or damaged, so we rethreaded them by hand, honoring the craftsmanship of the originals. Once repairs were complete, we powder coated the entire set in a refined bronze finish with gold accent finials —timeless, yet fresh.
Partnering with the talented team at Cutler Schultz, we collaborated closely to select colors and finishes that would respect the home’s history while meeting the client’s vision.
To finish the restoration, we fabricated brand-new patio cushions using premium Sunbrella fabric—durable, UV-resistant, and perfect for the desert climate.
Now, over 60 years since their original debut, these beautiful pieces are once again ready to be enjoyed for years to come—where design history lives on, one seat at a time.
Furniture Photos Prior to Restoration
Salterini 6 Place Dining Set – Before Restoration
Francois Carre Spring Iron 4 Place Dining Set – Before Restoration
Mario Papperzini for John Salterini Lounge Setee – Before Restoration
Mario Papperzini for John Salterini Lounge Set Outside Sliding Glass Doors – Before Restoration
Brown Jordan Regent Alumicane Sofa Set – Before Restoration
This wasn’t just a touch-up, but a ground-up revival. We began by removing decades of finish, bringing each piece down to its bare metal bones. From there, we thoroughly inspected the frames, welding where breaks had occurred and fabricating replacement parts with care and precision.
Various Broken Areas on Furniture
Many Broken Metal Slats on various Pieces Requiring Welding
Missing Finial “Balls” required us to source replacements, tap and rethread
One of the defining details of this collection is its elegant finial adornments. Many were stripped or damaged, so we rethreaded them by hand, honoring the craftsmanship of the originals. Once repairs were complete, we powder coated the entire set in a refined bronze finish with gold accent finials —timeless, yet fresh.
Partnering with the talented team at Cutler Schultz, we collaborated closely to select colors and finishes that would respect the home’s history while meeting the client’s vision.
To finish the restoration, we fabricated brand-new patio cushions using premium Sunbrella fabric—durable, UV-resistant, and perfect for the desert climate.
Now, over 60 years since their original debut, these beautiful pieces are once again ready to be enjoyed for years to come—where design history lives on, one seat at a time.
Finished Installed Photos After Restoration by CFR Patio
Salterini 6 Place Dining Set – After Restoration
Francois Carre Spring Iron 4 Place Dining Set – After Restoration
Mario Papperzini for John Salterini Lounge Setee – After Restoration
Mario Papperzini for John Salterini Lounge Set Outside Sliding Glass Doors – After Restoration
Brown Jordan Regent Alumicane Sofa Set – After Restoration
