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Remodel & decorate in Mid Century Style

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Home / Readers and their Kitchens - Featured

Living Vicariously Mondays – today with L.A. Greg and his beautifully restored 1962 contemporary

Pam Kueber - Updated: September 2, 2021

Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.

1962 living room in orange and avocado palette

Not much for me to say about this place – Greg’s contemporary in Granada Hills, California.

Beautiful! Love love love the light fixtures – are they all one ‘set’? Where did you find them? Ooooh, I see you even kept your cottage cheese ceiling!

I particularly like how Greg has kept his color palette simple — taupey/grey paint on the paneled walls with the same tonality reflected in the grasscloth, some olive, black, white and brown — all accented by punches of orange dancing throughout.

vintage moe honeycomb lightsGreg, in a Comment – can you share your paint colors, and your grasscloth source/design?

Do you love those orange lights? They are Moe Honeycombs — see the catalog pages that I posted here.

What TLC and tidy, too! Are those starburst door fittings on the front door?

Here is more from Greg:

This place was built in 1962, adjacent to the Knollwood country club in Granada Hills, CA. I have researched every lighting fixture, cabinet knob and drawer pull. I had to because it had all been “updated” by the seller 2 years ago, and all vintage lighting and hardware was thrown out. I selected almost every light out of early 60’s Moe Lighting and Progress Lighting catalogs.

I still need kitchen tiles replaced and a better floor put in, but it works for now. Hope you like it!

Greg McKinney

PS: I have a selection of original-restored wall clocks and lighting for sale, should anyone be interested.

Welcome to the Retro Reno gang, Greg and thanks so much for sharing your home!

mid century modern kitchen bar
vintage moe honeycomb lights

CATEGORIES:
Readers and their Kitchens - Featured

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Reader Interactions

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29 comments

Comments

  1. Greg says

    June 23, 2008 at 7:38 am

    To Lawrence Bill:

    The fireplace is just how it came from the builder. It is called “flagcrete,” and was used throughout the late 50s and early 60s. It is a molded concrete that has a brick shape, but is casually formed and not hard-molded per se. It used on the exterior accent wall and flower bed borders.

    • Scott says

      January 17, 2011 at 4:36 pm

      Such a relief that you didn’t paint over a natural stone fireplace. It looks great. We are blessed with a multicolored natural cut stone (called Arizona stone on the original materials invoice) fireplace in our 1954 house. You won’t believe how many folks have asked if we’re going to paint over it!

  2. Greg says

    June 23, 2008 at 7:35 am

    The dining room lamps were not bought together. I knew what I wanted as I had a Moe Lighting catalog from 1962-63, and just kept searching ebay until found them all.

    Plus I had help from an ebay seller in KY. He found two of the three honeycomb lamps for me. There are many other Moe lights in the house, including the spiral chandelier in the foyer. All were listed in the catalog, so they are “correct” for the home’s age.

    That post for the blue Moe retractable is from my same seller! What a coincidence.

  3. Palm Springs Stephan says

    June 19, 2008 at 12:01 am

    I have three words for this house: FAB-U-LOUS!

  4. Tikimama says

    June 17, 2008 at 11:37 am

    Beautiful house, Greg! I love your color scheme and the tikis. Everything looks so tidy, but not at all sterile – it looks like a comfortable and fun place to hang out. I would love to know more about the lighting you have for sale – ebay is starting to give me a headache!

    Lisa

  5. Lawrence Bill says

    June 17, 2008 at 4:09 am

    I love how you’ve decorated this place, especially your choice of light fixtures. Not only do they look outrageously cool, but they look “1962” to me. Your house is so period specific that putting 1960 light fixtures in it would probably look wrong. This aspect of your restoration must have been challenging, but a lot of fun, too.

    And I really admire the fireplace. Did you repaint it, or is that original? Really, I think 50s Pam should devote a post just to mid century fireplaces, if she hasn’t done so already … ?

  6. vintiegirl says

    June 17, 2008 at 1:23 am

    Wow! I love your home!! Are those Whitco masks that are hanging in your dining room?

  7. iluvretro says

    June 16, 2008 at 8:07 pm

    wow now THAT’S what a I call a real retro house. I love how he’s restored it, especially the lounge suite and the wall hangings 🙂

    Amy

  8. Sumac Sue says

    June 16, 2008 at 12:45 pm

    This home has a serene feel to it. Also, I see so many objects that are similar to or identical to ones in homes of family members when I grew up — ash tray, bar stools, light fixtures, wall telephone, potted plants, etc. They make this home seem familiar and comfortable. Very nicely done!

  9. maddy123 says

    June 16, 2008 at 11:48 am

    Greg, love your pad!
    Thanks for sharing!

Newer Comments »

Trackbacks

  1. Retro Renovation » 1962 retractable Moe ceiling fixture - today’s ebay pick says:
    June 18, 2008 at 8:01 am

    […] look. A circa-1962 retractable Moe ceiling fixture, just like the one in Greg’s house, but in blue rather than […]

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