Outdoor Furniture Gets a Second Chance at Patti's Portico

– By April Miller –

That once-precious metal heirloom that has lost its luster, the rusty chairs you bought on impulse at a tag sale, the antique urn with a giant crack. Don't discard these “finds”. Instead, pay a visit to Patti's Portico in Port Chester and watch them uncover the treasure beneath the tarnish.

Patti's Portico specializes in outdoor furniture restoration, a skill owner Patti DeFelice perfected during 30 years working with her father at their auto body shop, DeFelice and Daughter, in Greenwich. Customers would bring in yard furniture along with their cars and ask Patti to repair and refinish them.

"At first I was painting furniture with car paint," said Ms. DeFelice, "I soon realized that it was too expensive and really just for cars."

By 1992, she had enough customers to open a separate business, Greenwich Redecorating. The name and location — now 140 Highland St., — have changed, but the quality workmanship has not.

Ms. DeFelice prides herself on trying to save every piece that comes in. "We'll try to fix anything," she said. "Occasionally, we strip a piece down and discover the rust has eaten away too much, but it's worth it to try to repair even the worst looking piece."

Outdoor furniture can be restored for much less than a replacement would cost, and according to Ms. DeFelice, vintage furniture is better built and looks nicer than contemporary, machine mass-produced pieces.

Patti's Portico uses powder coating, the most durable finish available and what Ms. DeFelice calls "the way of the future." Metal pieces are stripped and then coated with a pigmented polyester powder, applied electrostatically. The piece is then placed in an oven, which melts the powder so it covers every surface. The store offers a variety of colors and finishes, including textures, patinas and verdigris, and even sparkles and glow-in-the-dark, if you're so inclined.

Furniture refinished by Patti's Portico has been featured in the pages of House Beautiful magazine. Among the pieces currently awaiting the powder-coating process are an antique gate from Germany and a fountain brought over from France.

If you prefer to buy furniture that's already been repaired and refinished, there is a warehouse full of treasures to choose from. Patti's Portico is holding its 11th Annual Vintage Patio Furniture Sale April 27 through 29, featuring vintage wrought iron and Brown Jordan pool furniture. Pick up some new pieces just in time for the warm weather.