Current Price Sheet ... For a current price sheet (February 2012 - August 2012) and discount coupon, e-mail or call.

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Custom Orders ... Although most of my basic chair designs look the same, I frequently make changes due to body size, age, physical limitations (due to accidents - bad backs, etc.) and other preferences (switching cup holder to left arm, no cup holder, lowering/raising foot rests on tall chairs for shorter/taller customers just to name a few.  There is no charge for these design changes.

I also can make changes on my table designs - new buffet table pictures coming out soon using PECKY CYPRESS and PECKY CEDAR.  Also an outside TV table for the porch using all CEDAR.  Pictures showing pecky cypress bars (or buffet table or or potting table or sink cabinet or you name it) have already been added on "Best Southern Bars" page and "Picture Gallery #2".

For small retail store owners, use my products as display counters or display tables.  See my paragraph on "Best Bars" page.

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New 2012 designs already in use ... On my last five chair and table orders, I have already implemented some new designs for looks and strength.  For both chairs and tables, I am using more 2 x 6 support braces, longer screws, more overlapping boards and additional screws in chair seat backs (4 instead of 2).  I plan to have new models on display by March in my showroom and at the above shows with these changes.  The tall chairs weigh about 52# and the shorts chairs weigh about 42#.
 
Sikkens Stains ... For more information about Sikkens oil based stains including products, colors and dealers, visit their website by clicking here ... www.nam.sikkens.com

Pictures of Sikkens Stains:  Cetol 1 (left) and SRD (right)

Go to Products, Exterior, Translucent, and either Cetol SRD or Cetol 1.  Scroll down that page for colors. 

I use two products, Cetol "SRD" (one coat) and Cetol 1 (3 coats).  The color samples on their website are quite small.  The colors on my pictures are easier to see.



Shipping Update ...  For nationwide shipping, I now use UNISHIPPERS.   I personally wrap and package each furniture piece and have custom double walled boxes designed specifically for my furniture.  Boxes are attached to new thick cardboard pallets for shipping.  These pallets weigh 11 pounds each and will handle 1700 pounds.  You can cut them up and throw away easily.  Most garbage companies will not pick up wood pallets due to sharp nails, cracked wood, splinters and their heavy weights (varies up to 35 pounds or more).  Boxes are shipped on reliable 18-wheel truck lines.  They usually do not deliver on weekends or holidays.

Shipping customers get a double bonus.  The heavy duty corrugated pallet and boxes can be re-used.  Put the pallet in the garage (or basement) with a sheet of plywood on top.  It is supposed to handle about 1700 pounds - place things you don't want on the cold winter concrete floor.  The double walled boxes "telescope" so there are two boxes in one.  Instead of cutting up these heavy duty boxes, you can make a kid's fort, a castle or even keep athletic equipment (footballs, basketballs, soccer balls) in a really big box.  This is the "double bonus" you didn't know was part of shipping.  "What are your plans for your boxes?" 

                               For more shipping information, contact me or go to www.Unishippers.com

I personally deliver within 150 miles and/or you can pickup at my shop.  Delivery charges are based on quantity and distance.

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CURRENT ORDER STATUS ...  (May 20, 2012)  I am currently working on orders ranging in quantity from 2 to 11 pieces for delivery by the end of August.  Now is the time to place an order for the Fall, Christmas and even into 2013.   If you want furniture for the coming Fall football season (to show your favorite team colors painted on the backs), please order as soon as possible.  In 2011, I was full for Christmas orders by the middle of July.  I hope to increase the number of orders due by the end of the year especially since I started my new outdoor bar designs.  I am really excited about this collection (Best Southern bars) and expanding upon the initial designs.  Give me a call or e-mail if you are interested.

For those of you who are currently building a new deck, re-doing the backyard, building a pool or house (now or have plans to finish one at the start of 2013) and are looking for quality outdoor furniture, now is the time to contact me (and possibly place an order).  I always have orders, orders and more orders.  As two recent customers told me who have followed my furniture business grow both at previous Florida shows and on my website, "We just wanted to get "in the line" for a future order even though we weren't sure what our final order was going to be."  After my May 12-13 show at Rosemary Beach, FL I know the line is going to be a lot longer.  It always is every year.  And I have already retired twice - I wish I was in my twenties again.

Update (5/20/12) from Rosemary Beach, FL show - you guessed it - more orders so July and August got filled up and I took my first order for September just yesterday (Saturday - 5/19).

I made lots of contacts this past weekend and passed out many price sheets and promotional picture post cards.  As in the past, I always have people have their picture taken in my furniture which always helps with future orders.

..... My June show at Rosemary Beach will probably be my last show for 2012.



EXPANDING MY WORKSHOP ...  (April 1, 2012) Due to the constant increase in the number of orders and quantity of most orders, as of May 1, I am adding another 1000 Sq. Ft. to my production space & showroom space.  Hope it is ready by the end of May. 
UPDATE on 5/20/12 ... I have moved all my wood, tools and other supplies into this new space.  My new workspace will allow me to work on multiple orders and large orders (20 pieces or more) at the same time.  Before this additional space, when I had large orders, I had to build half at a time.  My showroom is also larger so walk-in customers can have more space to walk around without interfering with orders that are still not finished or surfaces are not dry from recent paint or stain.
 
In the past five years, I have done as many as 8 to 10 shows in a year.  Due to the increased number of orders every year, I cut back shows and stayed home just to build orders.   Two years ago I had 100 potential orders in just four show days but did not ship at that time.  It has taken me a year to get my shipping in order and now I can ship nationwide (most recently to Aspen, Colorado).  Last year, I attended four shows and this year I am signed up for only two since I now get daily walk-in customers to my showroom.  Many thanks to past customers who have placed re-orders.

Payments & Deposits ... The normal payment is 50% deposit at the time of order and final payment at my delivery or before shipping.  I do accept credit cards (VISA, MASTERCARD & AMERICAN EXPRESS) over the phone and in person.  There is a discount for checks or cash.  I DO NOT have a PAYPAL account for payments.

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     Posted on Aug. 4, 2011

  Tall surfboard chair.    Surfboards can now be painted on both sides or
Stained and painted like the surfboard on the right.

About Cool Chairs and Designer - Builder Jim Kane

The idea behind Cool Chairs is simple: offer comfortable furniture designed for making the most of life in beautiful settings like the Gulf Coast. Cool Chairs furniture is designed for people who like to linger in the evenings, watching the sun set, or hanging out with friends and family on any occasion. More and more, people tell me that they prefer "stay vacations" (stay at home vacations) over the stress and expense of travel. After all, if you live in paradise, why not make the most of it?

Cool Chairs has participated in a variety of local festivals and shows including the Rosemary Beach, FL "West Indies Market" & "Harvest Market", Navarre Arts Festival, Pensacola Northwest Florida Art Show, the Ft. Walton Beach 'Billy Bowlegs Festival,' the St. Simon's Arts & Crafts festival, the Mid-Bay Rotary Club 'Oktoberfest Festival,' Valparaiso 'Saturday in the Park' and the 'Palafox Market' in downtown Pensacola.   Since moving into my showroom / warehouse, I now have daily visits from friends & customers, 7 days-a-week.  The Rosemary Beach "West Indies Market" was voted into the top 100 shows in the entire United States.


Jim Kane is a retired teacher who grew up in Rhinebeck, New York and originally went to college to study architecture.  He is a former college soccer player (Jacksonville University - Captain, MVP, Hall of Fame, All Decade Team, 2 Olympic tryouts - making the national final 44 for one final tryout in St. Louis).  He was also selected in the first-ever professional - college draft for the NASL (North American Soccer League) as the 9th overall pick nationally.  A USSF 'A' licensed coach, Jim has been a successful coach at both the high school and collegiate Division I levels.  He was the Florida ODP State Coach in 1978-1980. 

Locally he is a 2003 USAF "Honorary Commander' for the 33rd Fighter Wing (F-15) at Eglin Air Force Base.  This included an incentive flight in an F-15 (an almost vertical take-off and upside down for part of the flight) over Okaloosa County and the beautiful Gulf of Mexico (looking for sharks).   Also, believe me when I say "back-to-back-to-back barrel rows are not fun especially when you weren't ready for them.  I even got to fly it until we were in the wrong air space and had to make a 9 G turn.  That is not a good feeling!   We were finally landing and the pilot faked me out with a 'touch and go landing' where we took off again -  Just showing off he said.