Today we went out for breakfast on Sydney Road and came home with a blackwood and (overstuffed) vinyl couch with accompanying chairs. They cost less than half what a leather couch would have cost, and they’re straight out of the 1930’s (with a delightful 1970’s fake leather upholstery job). Kim didn’t care about the chairs, but I LOVE them, as I’ve been looking for something to put on our front porch that would take the occasional shower and not be immediately flogged. The chair arms have nice flat tops that would fit a cup of coffee (sans coaster) on a cool morning, and you could go for a run and afterwards sit on the seat knowing that it’s easy to wipe down afterwards. The whole set is nicely battered and has stacks of character – I imagine that for 30 years, Guiseppe and Gina spent many a night on their back porch in Brunswick – drinking home made red wine and overfeeding grandchildren from them. We gave them a dose of steel wool and oil, and don’t intend changing them one bit – even though friends might raise an eyelid or two. Just need a few cushions and Kim finally has her daytime reading lounge. And I have my street watching, beer drinking, dog nursing throne..a la Frasier’s dad. 