Products and ideas to remodel your mid century home in authentic vintage style
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postwar homes – “modern” and “modest” alike.
I'm Pam Kueber, your mid mod mad guide. Read more
These vintage Eljer ads all featured exotic half clad genie women… this one is from 1956. The sparkly blue fixtures are wonderful, too. This is a very classic 50s color.
If you are looking for retro-style laminate for a kitchen or bathroom countertop, you have some blinding research ahead of you. Unless there is a home-run-out-of-the-park solution — like the boomerangs, crackle ice or dogbone still available — it’s going to be a hunt-peck-and-forage to find something that’s “close enough” to original laminates from the [...]
Here is another set of products from the past — still available today — with a fascinating history: ‘Memphis’ style laminates designed in 1978 by Ettore Sottsass, “the greatest Italian designer of the last half century.” These laminates are still offered by Abet Laminati. This is not necessarily a name familiar U.S. consumers, but Abet [...]
The most popular laminate design in mid century America? Boomerang Formica? Nope, guess again. According to materials expert Grace Jeffers, the most popular design was actually linen. You know what I’m talking about — that kind of tight-to-medium-weave with nubblies stuff. I had it both my bathrooms with vanities. In pistachio green = absolutely iconic. [...]
ALAS: DISCONTINUED! The website says that these are for “contract” jobs — that is, interior designers working on commercial projects. But hey, if you really like these retro laminate choices, go after Nevamar and get them! Remember: The only way to do these…is to pair them with authentic steel countertop and backsplash edging available from [...]
So here is a little piece of trim made to fit between the edge of your countertop and the edge of your stove, to prevent all manner of food from dropping down between. Hmmm, a handy dandy that I didn’t even know I needed, but which I am pretty sure would make DH, a neat freak, very happy. [...]
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The Eljer Ellis toilet … great 50s style for the bathroom 
61 Mamie Pink Kitchens: “Two-tone” is the theme today 
Franklin Brass — Chrome fixtures for your retro bathroom available today 
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