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This kitchen is so so wonderful. It’s from 1946. Check out how it’s red, white and blue – but not in a screaming way. In fact, I adore this shade of blue, and the cabinets ‘read’ a creamy white that’s so inviting. Also notice, the steel cabinets paired with the wood-paneled built-in and back wall. Like, the new mixed with the old. Just like it was, in 1946. If you have built-in’s like this, consider painting the inside to accent your collectibles. Dreamy.
I have been working on retro laminates lately – and originally thought there were only these big five: Wilsonart, Formica, Pionite, Nevamar and Arborite. But – I’ve now discovered a 6th company – Arpa USA. They have a terrific-looking portfolio — of solids, in particular. Some of the greens come darn close to that famous [...]
Following up on Monday’s exciting post about the Arpa USA palette of solid-color laminates, let’s take a look at how to use this material to recreate this 1959 Ma Bell kitchen. It would be oh-so-easy! Elements include: Laminate cabinetry using Arpa’s “Jardin” colorway. Cabinet pulls: Rejuvenation’s new midcentury “sharp arch”, in satin chrome Countertops are [...]
Seems like I’m starting the week off with the spotlight on RESOURCES! I was checking out Formica’s site recently – and saw these two new laminates. They both have a nice retro groove, underscored by their names, Atomic Orange and Atomic Turf. Back in the postwar era, there were a number of laminates that had [...]
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 [...]
This week I heard from Jeff, who uses vintage speckled laminate for his banjo finger boards. I just think that is so cool… you know I am part Kentuckian. P.S. Can someone tell me how to get the accent mark over the ‘e’, as in lame’ … as I am dying to write lame’ laminate? [...]
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Hi,
The subtext of this illustration, which EVERYONE at the time would have understood, is that Dad survived World War II. He is Home, and Healthy. The Family is Reunited, and Free. Traditions have been protected, the Future is bright.
Powerful stuff.
Ronn Ives/FUTURES Antiques
I’m in love with that sink. Do they still make any like that?
Adorable! (The kitchen AND the illustration…)
Thanks, Ronn, for your additional words to describe the illustration. I don’t know if I would have gotten the deeper message, sorry to admit, so I am glad you added it.
Sumac Sue,
I’m no doubt older than you, but most of my thoughts about these issues come from my training in Art & Design, and my love of History, with an especially deep interest in the World War II years. I wish my Father were still alive so I could thank him. ALL of us are free because of THAT generation. That era was not one of vague ideologies and gray zones to be debated into stalemates and boredom. What THEY did had to be done, and I’m grateful every day. Sixty+ years later and we continue to live this life because of THEM.
Ronn.
I’m so excited that our kitchen sink looks exactly like that advertisement!! I guess it’s just odd to see something from a 1946 ad in our very own house. Unfortunately though, our kitchen is NOT that big and we do not have room for it…. we’re doing a kitchen remodel. We’re looking to donate it to our historic warehouse, however does anyone know what’s a fair market value??? Thank you so much in advance!!!
Josh, I am getting ready to renovate my kitchen. I have the exact sink from the picture above that I’m looking to sell. It is in excellent shape but would need a new faucet. Double bowl, 2 sideboards, porcelain over cast iron. Not entirely sure the make. Also has a metal cabinet that it sits on with lots of storage.