Open thread: What would you like to see at Retro Renovation this year?
pam kueber - January 25, 2009, Updated: April 13, 2020
Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.
Do you have ideas… questions… suggestions… wants… and needs… that you’d like me to research and write about this year?
I agree with Joe, a more general retro reno forum would be great. Right now it’s all steel cabinets and three “misc” categories. I would love a forum where I could go, for instance, and post a question asking who makes authentic looking windows to replace the crappy aluminum ones that some idiot put in place of the original double hungs. I’m thinking of a forum with a lot of categories about various areas and aspects of retro houses that come up in restoration. Most of that stuff currently gets a lot of discussion when Pam happens to have a blog entry about it. And then you just search and sift through the discussions. I love the blog, but a more active forum where we can all go and ask questions to each other would be a great addition.
Terasays
More tiny 40’s bungalow and cottage renovations, rooms, decor, homes etc…..
Kristinsays
A section with local expert resources for readers to contribute to. For example, who does great floor work in the metro Memphis area? Lighting resources? While I’d love to be “that person” (as would my husband) who renovates everything on her own, we simply aren’t and need the help! Plus, we like contributing to the local artisans and experts to keep our economy healthy here–there are many small businesses and craftspeople who are having a difficult time.
nancysays
Pam- HAPPY NEW YEAR!! What a great year- finding you & your site! You make the process of remodeling & maintaining our ’50’s home possible. I agree that we all really owe you! Thanks for all the help & support this past year!
I just would like to say that it is not always the big things that we need help with. It is in the details that pull everything together & makes it work. Example, I had a great pull-down light. But, the glass shade had broken & I couldn’t find a replacement anywhere (the glued original just didn’t do it).You guided me to the source & now it is perfect. If you could continue to be the great resource of hard to find details that makes everything work.
Also, it is so helpful when you put our problems out there & we get input from not only you but the other readers. I have found that even if you don’t have that problem now, around the corner you can refer back to what was discussed.
You do a great job with the site & I so appreciate all of your hard work!
Nancy
Joesays
Pam,
Bewitched did in fact have a Frigidaire Imperial Custom Flair, I believe it was a 1961 model. They are my new found love.
mcmegsays
This year I moved back into the house I grew up in. It was built by my parents in 1960. My NY resolution is to send in pics of my blue and grey bath and knotty pine kitchen. This site has given me a renewed appreciation of what I have. When we remodel we will keep the tile and the knotty pine, with just a few changes to make it more livable. I promise to send before and after pics.
Anyway more pics, landscaping tips and expanded forums is what I would like to see. Thank you Pam!!!
Mooskisays
Totally in agreement. with the votes to elevate you to goddesss status. It boggles my mind to think of the work you but into this site.
More pictures, like everyone else, I can’t get enough retro eye candy.
Expanding user forums are a great idea.
Recipies, I love Chex Mix! But there must have been some great food/simple entertaining ideas. My parent’s entertained a lot, but I don’t remember mom slaving in the kitchen.
This is wayyy off topic, but TV HOMES. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. Samantha Steven’s home from BEWITCHED. OMG, who do I kill to get that stove. I’ve never seen one like it. Wouldn’t fit in my house, but I LOVE it.
Mooski, I think that Samantha Stevens had a Tappan Deluxe or a Frigidaire Flair. I have images of these and will share in 2009! Ironically, I haven’t even begun to broach vintage stoves yet, and these were my first love!
Elvissays
Pam, I’m with Tikimama: you have reached goddess stature in the eyes of many of your readers, so more of the same!
That said, I’d love to see more about Danish modern furniture styles and makers. That and mid-century gardening/landscaping/plant material ideas.
Thank you for your inspiration and for sustaining this great community of like minds!
Petersays
Pam:
First I would like to say that this is one of the best websites I have seen that deals with mid-century modern… everything! You do a fantastic job of keeping it fresh and interesting.
I agree with the pictures, pictures, pictures. I am remiss in sending photos myself, so that is a resolution. I would like to see even more emphasis on how to renovate, restore and overall get the look on a budget. It seems that most of the audience does not have the resources to spend as we would like; so far I have gotten great ideas beyond what I already knew. Sharing sources is one of the most critical things we can all do. Whomever first shared the info about the Habitat for Humanity Re-stores is high up on my list!
Charlotte says
Google the word “googie” !!
bsmet94 says
I agree with Joe, a more general retro reno forum would be great. Right now it’s all steel cabinets and three “misc” categories. I would love a forum where I could go, for instance, and post a question asking who makes authentic looking windows to replace the crappy aluminum ones that some idiot put in place of the original double hungs. I’m thinking of a forum with a lot of categories about various areas and aspects of retro houses that come up in restoration. Most of that stuff currently gets a lot of discussion when Pam happens to have a blog entry about it. And then you just search and sift through the discussions. I love the blog, but a more active forum where we can all go and ask questions to each other would be a great addition.
Tera says
More tiny 40’s bungalow and cottage renovations, rooms, decor, homes etc…..
Kristin says
A section with local expert resources for readers to contribute to. For example, who does great floor work in the metro Memphis area? Lighting resources? While I’d love to be “that person” (as would my husband) who renovates everything on her own, we simply aren’t and need the help! Plus, we like contributing to the local artisans and experts to keep our economy healthy here–there are many small businesses and craftspeople who are having a difficult time.
nancy says
Pam- HAPPY NEW YEAR!! What a great year- finding you & your site! You make the process of remodeling & maintaining our ’50’s home possible. I agree that we all really owe you! Thanks for all the help & support this past year!
I just would like to say that it is not always the big things that we need help with. It is in the details that pull everything together & makes it work. Example, I had a great pull-down light. But, the glass shade had broken & I couldn’t find a replacement anywhere (the glued original just didn’t do it).You guided me to the source & now it is perfect. If you could continue to be the great resource of hard to find details that makes everything work.
Also, it is so helpful when you put our problems out there & we get input from not only you but the other readers. I have found that even if you don’t have that problem now, around the corner you can refer back to what was discussed.
You do a great job with the site & I so appreciate all of your hard work!
Nancy
Joe says
Pam,
Bewitched did in fact have a Frigidaire Imperial Custom Flair, I believe it was a 1961 model. They are my new found love.
mcmeg says
This year I moved back into the house I grew up in. It was built by my parents in 1960. My NY resolution is to send in pics of my blue and grey bath and knotty pine kitchen. This site has given me a renewed appreciation of what I have. When we remodel we will keep the tile and the knotty pine, with just a few changes to make it more livable. I promise to send before and after pics.
Anyway more pics, landscaping tips and expanded forums is what I would like to see. Thank you Pam!!!
Mooski says
Totally in agreement. with the votes to elevate you to goddesss status. It boggles my mind to think of the work you but into this site.
More pictures, like everyone else, I can’t get enough retro eye candy.
Expanding user forums are a great idea.
Recipies, I love Chex Mix! But there must have been some great food/simple entertaining ideas. My parent’s entertained a lot, but I don’t remember mom slaving in the kitchen.
This is wayyy off topic, but TV HOMES. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. Samantha Steven’s home from BEWITCHED. OMG, who do I kill to get that stove. I’ve never seen one like it. Wouldn’t fit in my house, but I LOVE it.
Mooski, in Massachusetts.
Mid Mod Pam says
Mooski, I think that Samantha Stevens had a Tappan Deluxe or a Frigidaire Flair. I have images of these and will share in 2009! Ironically, I haven’t even begun to broach vintage stoves yet, and these were my first love!
Elvis says
Pam, I’m with Tikimama: you have reached goddess stature in the eyes of many of your readers, so more of the same!
That said, I’d love to see more about Danish modern furniture styles and makers. That and mid-century gardening/landscaping/plant material ideas.
Thank you for your inspiration and for sustaining this great community of like minds!
Peter says
Pam:
First I would like to say that this is one of the best websites I have seen that deals with mid-century modern… everything! You do a fantastic job of keeping it fresh and interesting.
I agree with the pictures, pictures, pictures. I am remiss in sending photos myself, so that is a resolution. I would like to see even more emphasis on how to renovate, restore and overall get the look on a budget. It seems that most of the audience does not have the resources to spend as we would like; so far I have gotten great ideas beyond what I already knew. Sharing sources is one of the most critical things we can all do. Whomever first shared the info about the Habitat for Humanity Re-stores is high up on my list!
Peter in Jacksonville