How about this fabulous 1966 St. Charles metal and wood kitchen?
click to enlarge photos especially the first one!
- Cool how it combines wood with metal. And French Provincial wood, no less.
- This was part of the transition to kitchens that looked like furniture – like the rest of the house, which was now encroaching as ‘open concept’ design truly takes hold.
- Awesome oven and range. So Samantha Stevens!
- Great mix and match of colors and materials as you move from space to space – showing that your retro kitchen does not have to be all matchy-matchy – works especially if you have a large space to work with, keeps the eye moving.
- Peek at the wonderful green patterned sofa, and painted panel walls in the adjacent family room.
- And here we have — harvest gold and avocado together! By 1966, the 70s have arrived!
One change that I would recommend: I think it’s much smarter to have the working sink positioned between the fridge and the stovetop, rather than at the far end. Much better for working efficiency.
Want to start re-inventing this look for yourself? There a large set of St. Charles cabinets, in Denver, just posted this week on the Postwar Steel Forum (top nav bar) that has a similar look. Snap them up, and you are well on your way to funky town!
Hi,
Yeh………..”natural” avacado green, harvest gold, burnt orange, and doo doo-in-the-forest brown…. I’m 58, hit early adulthood during those years, and like everyone else, have certain visuals permanently glued to certain memories, and let me tell ya, these don’t do it for me. Ask yourself the same question. Are there colors that pull you in or push you away? If so, go through your memory banks. You’ll probably find the answers there.
Ronn.
Take a chill pill, Ronn!
This is a kumbaya kind of site — live and let live! You know, as long as the overall design is well done — and I think this one definitely is — I like it. And frankly, the architecture of many of these late 60s and yes, 70s houses is amenable to these designs. My mom and dad build a new split level in 1971 in Vista, California. GREAT HOUSE. They had a mediterranean dining room set (classic), a rumpus room in ALL red and black, and — I had multicolored shag carpet, light orange walls and a globe ceiling fixture. At at 11, I chose it ALL BY MYSELF. And I’m proud of it to this day. Hey, that experience must truly be the genesis of this site today!
Great range–very cool. I fondly recall avocado green and harvest gold, so I like it. I really enjoy looking at the different styles of decor you put up, Pam.
My teenage room was very mod and 70s. White walls, chrome pole lighting, black and white modern sofa. (I had a large attic room, with my own bath). The sofa had previously been in my sister’s Greenwich Village. apt so it was extra hip. It was a terribly uncomfortable sofa to sit on, but it looked great. I had a huge glass mirror over my painted-black bureaus. The floor was covered with white shag carpeting.
My mother had a dressing room with poodle wallpaper. Ah, memories!
Oh how I would die for some poodle wallpaper!
Hi,
You know, as I sit in my store everyday, which, for the most part, offers objects within the living memory of the majority of people, and I watch them react to items, I see that same sort of reaction, which I personally find fascinating. An object or shape or color makes someone jump back or sparkle or “oooh”, and that’s because of memory more often than design. How do I know this? They say so! I have a customer who won’t own anything green. A customer who only buys red. I was in a house where everything – EVERY THING and SURFACE – was pink.
I know why I react to the late 60′s/early 70′s “natural” color combo in the kitchen depicted, but it would probably hold no interest to anyone else. I just find it interesting in general, maybe even useful, to recognize reactions and find the sources. After all, imagine the limits and problems of someone who won’t have anything green. Wow!
Ronn.
I believe that wonderful range is the aptly named Tappan “Fabulous 400″, with retractable burner shelf. I’d just about give a limb to own one. Here’s a link to a full sized ad scan:
http://www.plan59.com/decor/decor056.htm
Ronn: I too was born in 1950, so I have some (but not clear) recollections of the era’s design. My mother subscribed to the Colonial/Early American ethos that was popular alongside Modern Streamline, and I hated Colonial then and hate it now. I envied my friends who lived in Atomic Ranches then, just as now.
I have no strong feelings about the harvest/avocado debate, but VERY strong feelings about the hideous, bulky, overdesigned Mediterranean stuff that appeared in the late 60s. I think there’s good reason we don’t see that ugly style being treasured nostalgically in vintage temples like yours. It was the 60s-70s equivalent of the McMansionism of today, and I feel certain we’ll never see a return of its popularity like we’ve seen of Mid C Mod.
…maggie
I’ve got one of those electric stoves out in my barn – with the eyes that pull out on a drawer and the oven door that opens upwards. I’m not moving it anywhere because it weighs a ton, but I’d be glad to sell it to anyone who can come pick it up in Middle Tennessee. If you’re interested, let me know. I’d be glad to go out to the barn and see what model it is.
Mary, once you are ready to sell and have photos you can post this on our buy/sell forum: http://retrorenovation.com/forums Good luck
I’m pretty sure that range is a Fridgidaire Flaire. I can tell by the glass in the oven door…
I have one myself.
It’s incredible.
http://sarahstourdiary.blogspot.com/2007/11/my-new-stove.html
xoxo
SARAH
oh my goodness all the brown! It is pretty cool though.
Hi Maggie,
The “Mediterranean” look to which you refer I’ve to as “Conquistador Moderne”, and it’s one I detest. You are right, you won’t see it in my store – I see myself as some sort of quality control – but I did hear rumor of a store a few years ago in NYC that SPECIALIZED in it. ONLY in NYC could you even maybe, possibly, with lots of luck, pull that one off. Most of it was plastic woodgrain or dark rough woods with lots of fake wrought iron and a sea of crushed red velvet… and of course you needed one of those “classie” hanging birdcage sculptures that held a golden plastic nude woman surrounded by vertical fishing lines dripping “tears” of oil. YECH!!!! The “Post Modern” movement hit an all-time low very quickly.
Ronn
PS Maggie,
You and everyone else will have to excuse my typos. I have mild Dyslexia, and it’s a battle sometimes. Allow me to rewrite my first sentence, please, so it makes a little sense:
The “Mediterranean” look to which you refer I’ve always coined as “Conquistador Moderne”, and it’s one I detest.
Ronn.
It’s funny, I think many of us were scarred for life by the overblown decor in which we grew up. I, for one, like you, Maggie, detest Early American style because everything my mother had in our split level screamed colonial. Faux butter churn magazine holders, braided rugs, dry sink stereo cabinet, and so on.
I’ve actually feel that I’ve mellowed somewhat after reading Pam’s blog because she sincerely loves it. If I stand back from my knee-jerk reaction to the design of my childhood, I can start to see it’s good points (at least, in theory!!).
This whole discussion is so truly interesting. 1. Please don’t get me wrong, I don’t love colonial overdone, I like it in bites. It’s amazing how popular it was in the 50s – entire houses top to bottom brand new built to look old, as you say, Femme1, done in faux colonial. 2. Regarding the 70s, I have essentially the same aversion as most readers as these were my teenage years. You should see some of the photos of our family, I will have to dig this “famous” one up, in particular, to show how ridiculous we all looked. But even with the 70s, if you study it, immerse yourself, you can come to appreciate elements of it. 3. But all these leads to — why do these periods experience their revivals? And let me tell you – we will see the 70s wave for sure! And 4, why do certain people — like all of us — gravitate to these periods and become, yes, obsessed about the details? Finally as you say Femme1, “scarred for live by the overblown decor in which we grew up.” HEAVEN HELP our kids! I’m giving my daughter plenty with a capital P to work out on some therapist’s couch!
ACCKKK! Femme1 has re-scarred me all over again! Butter churn magazine holder — my mother actually had one!
I dunno… I don’t think even Pam’s broad-mindedness will mellow me toward that stuff. If I never see another sofa or armchair with wooden wingbacks it’ll be too soon.
Ronn: I love your phrase “Conquistador Moderne”. A friend of mine calls it “Casa de Torquemada”. I’d forgotten about those horrifying oil-drippy birdcages. If I stumbled across the store you mention in NYC I might have to poke my eyes out.
Sarah: I believe you’re right about the range — a Frigidaire, not a Tappan. The door seems to slide UP, not hinged at the side like the Tappan. I’m so jealous of yours! And the clock on it is so wonderful! Now I have to go explore your blog.
…maggie
EEeek — Look! A Frigidaire Flair range on eBay in AQUA!!
Looks spectacularly clean, too. Located in Ohio.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250227785579
As the only teenaged girl in our large apartment complex, I made a bit of money babysitting. I’ll never forget the apartment of one couple; Luigi di Boni, are you still on the planet? Definitely ‘Casa de Torquemada’ styling. I’d put the kids to bed, then put the Herb Alpert “Taste of Honey” LP on their huge knobby Mediterranean stereo.
Sexy apartment…yeah.
Yes, this reminds in a big way of the house where I grew up, built in 1965.
White formica counters with gold flecks, Rust/Brown refrigerator and stove, dark walnut cabinets with round “cast-iron look” knobs. My dad tried for cutting edge. There was a built-blender in the counter, and a built in wall radio/intercom system, but he didn’t put in any air conditioning! D’Oh! I seem to recall we had the brands backwards…like we had a Hotpoint refrigerator and a Frigidaire stove.
Let’s not forget the avocado green washer/dryer (Maytag), the olive green deep pile carpet (only in the room “for company”, hardwood or tile everywhere else), indoor front entry hall bubbling fountain with plastic plants, oak wall paneling, and hanging mock Tiffany lamps.
The house was definitely Colonial revival, two story, with attached garage, full basement, and cedar shake siding.
In need of parts for a Tappan Fabulous 400, 1962. or the whole stove
lschultz5@verizon.net
I am looking for some pivot hinges from some older “St Charles” Cabinets.
If I have too I might even buy some OLD “St. Charles” Cabinets but really only need some of those hinges. They are like a burnished brass finish.
Please some one let me know where I can get!
Thank you,
Dan
Does anyone have a Tappan Fabulous 400 for sale. I need One to replace my dad;s he is 88 years old and stays home and cooks most of the day. this would be a great gift for him. thanks contact me jack guitar1@att.net or call me 828-273-1809
I have a Tappan Fabulous 400. Needs new baking element on large oven. The one in the picture is the copycat Fridgidare I believe. It does not have the cutting board.
Send me a note if you want this unit. Locaed near Austin Tx
bobby_g_houston@yahoo.com
Hi Bob, I’m also looking for a replacement for my mom’s Tappan Fabulous 400 Gas Range. If you know of anyone else, could you let me know? Thanks, Sandy
I love this style of interior decor. I grew up extremely poor being shoved from one set of grandparents to the other. My parents weren’t married when I came along and never married. I guess if abortion was legal when I was in the making my mother would have disposed of me but as luck would have it I was born and raised by poor grandparents who had no decorating style at all!
I love rich bold colors and this style.
I married a rich man 20 years ago and we finally built our dream home and yes it’s decorated totally in early american and 1970′s colors.
My friends “adore” my new home and my retro decorating style.
Ebay and other online shops made it easy to purchase so many of my retro home decoratives.
I appreciate this style and dive in head first
My stove! I love it!
Okay–the actual discussion. Style. When the 1966 house was built, the second sink might have been for hand washing only. My aunt had one, no one could wash in her kitchen sink. PSYCHO!!!!
My parent’s home was a 1956 cape with a yellow bath and kitchen with birch cabinets with wroght iron. Lots of chrome all over the place, the counter edge a hootie ring on the cast iron sink. Very 1960-ish.
The kitchen and bath were destroyed in a fire when I was 6. Lighting strike and thankfully no one injured. Unfortunately, all of the ‘cool 1950′s stuff was gone, gone, gone. We had to live ‘at camp’ the whole summer while the house was rebuilt. Mom had no say in the house beyond the cabinets and insisting on the tub being fully restored.
CRAP!!! Think of the trust. My dad was a sweetheart and tried to pick what he thought she would like. Very classic, but Harvest Gold appliances. It still looks pretty decent, except for the cheesey particle board panelling in the kitchen. Put up to replace the sunshiney tile that melted.
The ‘divorced mom’ in our neighborhood had the ‘modern mission’ furnitue. Funny, I love red, but when I think of it at her house, it makes me feel sad!
Hey Mooski, I don’t think your aunt was bonkers – about her sink, at least. I recall having read that way back when, there was a strong belief that disease could be prevented by not mixing food prep with handwashing and bathing in the same sink. (I am not sure which was supposed to be the disease carrier – the food or the outside dirt!) Steel kitchen cabinets are actually an outgrowth of the desire early in the 20th century for ‘vermin-free’ cabinetry — you first saw steel used Hoosier cabinets – the mice and bugs could not chew through steel – then the material was translated to fitted cabinets.
They separate sinks in food service as well for the same reasons, lol! And as for bad memories “tainting” our likes and dislikes and I text book on that one. I was adopted as a 10 year old, certain colors I JUST CAN’T TAKE as they come from my “before” life. And as far as what I really can’t take, it’s old cabinetry. Yep you hit it on the head…..It’s what might be IN the old cabinets that make me shudder, yuck! LOVE Pam’s metal kitchen, lol!
Oh, and Mooski, no dissing harvest gold here – some of us like it – a lot!
I did not know that about steel cabinets and vermin. But it makes absolute sense.
Except that sometimes the little furry rascals find a way to get into the drawers via the foundation walls of the house. And build a nest in the utensil drawer.
No room for error and gaps when installing said cabinetry.
I grew up with avocado green, and I am still stuck on green.
where can I find information on a Tappan “Fabulous 400″? I have a gas one. It needs some work, but I love it, and I cannot find any informaton on it. I don’t even know where to find the model number.
My mom raised me with her ’70s design ethos…I still tease her about a color scheme of: Brown, Jute, Tan, Chocolate, Rust.
Wood doesn’t get painted on her watch, and no window is safe from an army of potted plants.
Its not what I like for myself (I actually like the ’30s-’50s stuff she says is too old for her) but it will always be homey to me.
we just bought a home with an original St. Charles kitchen. Does anyone have suggestions about updating? I hate to tear it out.
Ann — see all my Kitchen posts, and under that category, all the post on steel kitchen cabinets. Also – the galleries… this blog probably has 1,000 stories on ways to update your mid-century kitchen.
Well, I have been into retro vintage for 30 years now. I am 49 and as a kid I hated avocado green. I now love it. I just did my kitchen in red-orange formica and avocado green appliances and it looks gorgeous. In fact Apartment Therapy just did a spread on my apartment iin Los Angeles.
So what someone may have disliked in the past isn’t always what they like now! I can attest to that. As you age your taste changes.