Comments on: A Colonial-meets-Modern 1960s kitchen to make you very, very happy

By: sablemable

sablemable — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 20:25:35 +0000

In our 1958 built home, the wood cabinets were stained an orangy color that made the kitchen look small. We stripped them down and used white paint diluted with water and used clean rags to apply it to the wood (we applied the thinned paint, waited a bit, then wiped it with a dry rag. We did this several times). They came out that fabulous blonde wood look that was so popular. I think the cabinet wood is fir, according to my husband. We didn’t use a clear sealer afterward, but even after 15 years, the color has remained. I’ll probably do the same, eventually, in our newest ranch, which was built in 1955. I love the look of blonde wood.

By: Robert

Robert — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 01:46:31 +0000

Femme1

From what you say—There are three links, all from this site. I would try to get your cabinets the color of those if you wish to go retro natural wood. I googled “retro birch cabinets”

No matter what the wood is, and yes you can strip it do bare, you can find stain that will look like the pictures.

Good luck with your cabinets.

Kind Regards,
Robert

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://retrorenovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/modern-handles-on-painted-wood-alternative-to-colonial087.jpg&imgrefurl=http://retrorenovation.com/2007/12/27/atomic-cabinet-pulls-modernize-a-60s-birch-kitchen/&usg=__kF1G4L0lZlrXz_7xw4QHyvXCqYo=&h=870&w=738&sz=152&hl=en&start=12&tbnid=PJ9UTdQLzkRznM:&tbnh=145&tbnw=123&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dretro%2Bbirch%2Bcabinets%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://retrorenovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/50s-great-wood-cabinets-with-caloric-appliances415.jpg&imgrefurl=http://retrorenovation.com/2008/05/19/retro-ranch-kitchen-autumn-birch-cabinets-and-bandana-colors-create-a-cheery-50s-california-look/&usg=__VyFQohJ7vNDFpLZBerwwffheYxY=&h=503&w=608&sz=86&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=ihO0CWKghYjYMM:&tbnh=113&tbnw=136&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dretro%2Bbirch%2Bcabinets%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den

http://retrorenovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/alki8.jpg

By: Retro Renovation » A vintage 1949 bathroom — simple pleasures for people who’d been through a lot

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 10:40:44 +0000

[...] Check out this other Kohler photo. I’ll find and post them all, over time… [...]

By: 50sPam

50sPam — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 01:06:29 +0000

–> Femme 1, can you put a photo of your kitchen into a comment (if you’re okay with everyone seeing it), and we can suggest options for you? I just upgraded your “permissions” as a regular contributor, so I think that means you can now upload photos when you make a comment, if you like. I trust you! If you’d prefer not to, send me the jpeg directly at pam@retrorenovation.com

Meanwhile: Do not fret about 15 years ago. We all have done stuff that was right for the time, and may in fact still be just fine. Hey, I love the sound of your scalloped, routed edges!

Finally – thanks – I had a much better day. Very productive, and everyone is in such a good holiday mood!

By: maddy123

maddy123 — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 23:44:10 +0000

Love the illustration. The coffee pot in the sink is an unusual touch.

Great website. I look at it every day!

By: Femme1

Femme1 — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 19:48:45 +0000

Yellow and black, what a strong statement!

I have to admit something that I’m very ashamed of (in a renovation kind of way). When we moved into our ranch house about 15 years ago, I tood the old wood cabinets down and had them stripped (they were very yellowed from the old varnish). That’s not the bad part. I used a Minwax white stain on them for making them look “pickled,” which was very trendy at the time. I’ve liked them, but they don’t really look 50s. But I guess they could fit into the “antiqued” sort of look that was around in the 50s and 60s. Believe me, my mom antiqued everything in our house in that era. (OH, by the way, practially every kitchen in our neighborhood in that era had those wrought-iron-looking hinges and handles.)

But here’s my dilemma. What do I do with these cabinets now? I’m not sure what wood they are—could be birch, or even poplar (often used in Indiana), but they have a lovely grain. I don’t even know if that stain can be removed! I’ve been thinking of painting, but I love the wood. They have a routed outline (the corners are scalloped) that originally was painted black. I did clean and re-use the original copper hardware. Any suggestions as to which way I should go on these?

Pam, I’m sorry you had such a bad day yestereday and hope you’re feeling better now. You certainly help my day along with all the work that you put into this blog!!