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
community of people passionate about their vintage and
postwar homes – “modern” and “modest” alike.
I'm Pam Kueber, your mid mod mad guide. Read more
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UPDATE (Oct 2011): Click over to –> this story to get an update on all three sources for boomerang laminate. Here is a third selection of boomerang laminates to consider for your retro kitchen renovation. Wilsonart has informed me that residential buyers can buy from this “Indie” line …. it is just a special order placed [...]
“Fake butcher block countertops” are another one of those original vintage house features that I often hear called “hideous” on other websites. (Crikey, how I have come to despise that word — it is overkill, please refrain.) I, on the other hand, not only have “no problem” with butcher block laminate, I am 100% on [...]
I’ve written before about the Ralph Sr. and Sunny Wilson House in Temple, Texas – an amazing showcase of the innovative use of laminate that was built by the head of Wilsonart in the 1950s. The Wilson House is the the first and only home that has ever been named to the National Register of [...]
I felt blog ego come upon me (horrors, ego!) when Ronn challenged my assessment that the countertop in this kitchen was original. Maybe yes, maybe no, but if his belief is that it’s 90s because of the integral backsplash and edge (rather than the pattern) – I did respond that I’ve spotted integral design for [...]
These are sure a blast from the past: Glass combination trivets and cutting boards that are installed directly into your kitchen countertop. Yes: with metal rim aka Hudee ring. I think that these built-in cutting boards were all the rage in the 1970s, because there was one in our 1975 countertop, to the left of the sink. I’m not sure [...]
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More ’40s.
I’m living in a very small home built in 1961 for my family. It is a work in progress, it’s full of this and that collection. The only renovation of any kind that altered the look was wall to wall carpet in the late ’70s, and Armstrong vinyl over the kitchen and bath floors. The three bedrooms and laundry room have the original brown over white speckled terrazzo. I’m going to have a $3.50 period appropriate hanging saucer fixture put in the dining area, and an upgrade wall light fixture in the green fixture/white tile bath. Our builder was Mackle Brothers of General Developement. A lot of homes here have been “improved” (destroyed beyond recognition) and about ten have been leveled. From about 1958 to 1962, the largest two homes of the model series were slightly larger than 1100 square feet. All later models became larger and more deluxe.
Ok, what I’d like to see added are console stereos and sound systems of the mid century period, as this makes up a large part of my collection. Also wall treatment, I like knotty pine and that neat looking grooved wall board some of these little houses had. Also built in ovens, cooktops, and Frigidaire, GE products of the ’50s. Love this site!
Welcome, astrosonical! Where do you live? Your home sounds just wonderful!
Thanks Pam! This is the River Park section of Port St. Lucie Florida. My section, as well as the later ones, were built for retirees, early on, a few of them had children, as did my family. I have always loved this house, it has quite a way to go before it can touch some of the eye-popping homes the other folks have shown, but the basic framework is here. I love period furnishings mostly of the ’50s and ’60s, also kitchens and baths with their original fittings. I have few really neat ’50s things, and also have a great love of ultra modern table lamps. I inherited one with a matchstick shade, that complements my Stromberg Carlson console with a matchstick grill. Please, add lamps and light fixtures to my open thread requests.
I’ve just stumbled across this site and I’m absolutely delighted to see other like-minded people. Thank you, Pam!!
I plan to renovate my parents’ postwar (circa 1947) Victory home later this year, mainly to increase its energy efficiency. I feel that these houses haven’t gotten a lot of respect, and that’s a shame because I think they represent an important part of our history.
Due to some extensive 1970s renovations, not a lot of the original fixtures remain in the kitchen and main floor bathroom. However, I see some great ideas here to bring back the home’s original spirit. I’d like to see more examples of late 1940′s decor on your blog. Keep up the great work!
Welcome, Carleton Heights Girl. I’m definitely focused on ensuring that I keep covering the 40s. In fact: Come back tomorrow for some good stuff (if I say so myself.)
Thanks, Pam! Looking forward to it.
Hi Pam! I’m always progressively retro – fitting my place here in Australia, and I am up to a point where I am seeking ideas on mid century art work. Rather than using advertising prints of the time, which seems to be popular, I’d like to create a more authentic feel in my art work choice. Can you give some guidance on piece that would be appropriate for a family/sunroom and a kitchen area? One of the problems I have encountered with mid century pieces is that the scale of the works are too small for the size of my walls, given that the room dimensions now days seem much larger.
Thanks for the opportunity to chime in.
Xxx Super Kawaii Mama xxX
super kawaii mama, welcome to our retro renovation community, it’s great to hear from another australian reader! i have noted your question – and will noodle it and plan a post. i am very interested in this issue, actually!
Pam, I know your web real estate is limited, but I think the “Join the Fun” section showing the latest reader comments could be expanded. With the site getting so many new people commenting, we often miss new comments.
I would like to echo Super Kawaii Mama’s request to see what kind of art choices people have made to complement their mid-century furnishings & homes. I am lucky in that my dad is an abstract painter (and a damn talented one, if I may brag on him!), and I have quite a few of his pieces in my home.
Some are actually authentic mid-century paintings in that he created them in the 1950s and 1960s; others are representative of his later and current work.
I also enjoy using every day items as art, but I would love to find additional sources for paintings, prints and drawings from the mid-20th Century. Obviously, I tend to lean toward the abstract, but I have an appreciation for all styles.
Mid Mod Pam 01.02.09 at 2:30 pm
PugFreek, Can you help me out with scouring for retro-Australia posts? Send me recommendations and I’ll be happy to do more. Did I ever say: I think I was meant to be born an Australian!
I dont think you did say that!Retroppo, and I will look out for
Australain stuff!And I would also like to see more Kitch, unusal stuff!Oh i forgot the Australain count is now 3!
Who is the third, PugFreek?
Isn’t it Super Kawaii Mama (above), PugFreek and Retroppo?? The Australians, that is!
Mid Mod Pam,
I was hoping to find a site about recommendations for selling a Mid-Century home.
We are selling my husband’s childhood home (finished in 1959) after the death of his parents. The place is in terrific shape, a Mid-Century split level with one pink bathroom and one blue.
Sadly the first real estate agent we talked to recommended replacing original fixtures and using Pottery Barn colors (!)
We would really love to see the home bought by someone who can love and appreciate it for it’s unique design. Do you know of any websites for selling a Mid-Century home?
We are in Glenview Illinois, a suburb north of Chicago.
Thanks!
Lizvocal
Gosh, Lizvocal, no, I don’t know of any specific sites. And I don’t know of any agents in your area who specialize in midcentury homes, although I know of some on some other cities… it’s growing. I guess I’d suggest really doing your research into real estate agents locally who CARE about vintage homes and spotlighting their special characteristics… they ARE out there. Good luck!