Products and ideas to remodel your mid century home in authentic vintage style
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home design inspiration… thrifty finds… and a generous
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postwar homes – “modern” and “modest” alike.
I'm Pam Kueber, your mid mod mad guide. Read more
Wowza. I was away all last week and missed this vintage retractable kitchen light fixture – which came, then went, for $85 – a steal. I hope that a retro renovation reader snapped it up, as it might be the single most fabulous kitchen light that I have ever seen. From Sears Harmony House. I just keep repeating: It was not meant to be…It was not meant to be…Daggonit.
UPDATE (Oct 2011): Click over to –> this story to get an update on all three sources for boomerang laminate. If you are planning Formica Boomerang countertop in aqua for your kitchen renovation, you’d better order now. Alas, if you were planning the skylark (light blue) or coral, it’s already too late. Following up on [...]
Our arsenal of suppliers for metal kitchen countertop edging continues to grow — with the addition of Eagle Moulding, a distributor in Maple Grove, Minnesota. Eagle Mouldings’ large inventory includes a two styles of aluminum countertop edgings, in a variety of sizes.Eagle Moulding is the direct supplier to many furniture manufacturers and, in fact, I see at [...]
As follow up to my post yesterday – with a round up of all the laminates for bathroom counters that are on my radar today – I also recently found this great little history of laminate in the 1950s, from Wilsonart. 2011 update, Wilsonart has taken story down, but here are a few highlights: Laminate [...]
Another first for the blog and our Retro Renovation journey: Last night I spotted vintage Geneva steel kitchen cabinets in a Target commercial. Don’t they look fantastic! Continue on for the close-up and more play-by-play commentary —> I think the countertop is some variety of solid surface material – a very sleek, modern look. And, I’m guessing that [...]
I’ve written before about mixing countertop surfaces in your 40s 50s or 60s kitchen. But I recently came across these great photos and thought they would be very helpful. The photos show: How to lower cabinetry to create a place to roll out your pie dough (of course). Put a slab of marble here — [...]
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Sears’ Harmony House 1940-1968 
Bo Sullivan identifies my vintage pull-down kitchen light 
1950s and 60s paint colors — from Sears’ classic Harmony House collection 
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Holy cow!! I remember this light (or one VERY similar) from a house we rented down in Ocean City, NJ back in the early 70s. I remember being fascinated by (and getting in trouble for) pulling it down and up. And the colors were so pretty…
BTW, great blog. Just found it and am (probably) going to spend the next few hours exploring it.
Just wish you’d include a link to the completed auctions you mention.
Hi Ed T. – and welcome!! The reason I don’t put in the ebay links – is that it takes SO MUCH time, and also, “outbound links” damage my google rating making it harder for people like you to find the site! I will also say, that I tend to load the ebay up a few days in advance, and sometime by the time it’s up a listing has expired, oopsy.
I have that exact lamp! A friend gave it to me! It’s awesome!
I just don’t have a great place for it…. yet.
found this really cool , i wanna call it a dresser by harmony house just trying to figure out how old it really is and whether or not the paint is original because it some sort of wierd turquoise color
Interesting, i love sears and what they did for american history. I have two lantern style pull down fixtures from my grandps’s house. Been trying to get info on their value. Any suggestions.
I don’t do valuations, C. Note, be sure to consult with a licensed professional regarding the wiring in your vintage lights.
I bought a house that has three of these pull down retractable lights. Do you know anyone that handles parts for these lights? This one had no light fixture, only the ceiling base with the cord to the retracting bulb or whatever it’s called. This house was built in 1945 and we are trying to restore it to that era. The retracting mechanism has ERCO Universal made in West Germany, stamped on it on one side and NORD NEW YORK, Inc stamped on other side. Needs replaced. Help please!
Mike, I don’t have the answer to this one. Please note: It is my understanding that these pulldown lights are no longer to code. On these, I advise: Consult with a licensed professional to ensure that you are doing the safe thing.