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.

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

 

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