Comments on: Jane’s 1956 retro renovation kitchen

By: Natalie @ Chadwell Chronicles

Natalie @ Chadwell Chronicles — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 22:28:58 +0000

Awesome. Thanks for the information. =) I really like the way the fridge looks and our space for it is so small that it would fit perfectly! They really don’t make nice small fridges anymore.

I emailed the edging people to see if they ship the countertop edging. =) Yay!

Thanks again!

By: Jane (aka Elvis)

Jane (aka Elvis) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 18:12:50 +0000

eddo, I missed answering your question about the refinishing place in Salem, OR we used to clearcoat our kitchen cabinet handles and pulls. It was:
Brassworks / Bliss Restoration
2315 Pringle Rd. SE, Suite H
Salem OR 97302
503-540-3070

By: Jane (aka Elvis)

Jane (aka Elvis) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:58:27 +0000

Flush puppy,
We used a plumber to do the additional piping and controls needed to install the dishwasher. It was reasonably easy because the dishwasher is right next to the sink where the plumbing is already. The Miehle heats its own water so you only need a cold water hookup.

Natalie @ Chadwell Chronicles,
I still LOVE our fridge! The size is perfect for us, and stuff doesn’t get lost in the back: that was an unexpected bonus of the shallower design. I love having things at eye-level, too. I can’t speak to the customer service issue since the fridge has worked perfectly since it was installed. As for loud noises, yes, occasionally there is a rather loud “pop” from the fridge, but I guess I’m just used to it, so it doesn’t bother me (seems like it might happen once or twice a day, or so.) The motor is relatively quiet, and that’s a much bigger issue for us: our last fridge’s motor was significantly noisier than this one. All in all, 3 years later, we are very happy with our choice.
And you’re right about the incised metal countertop edging: it is very forgiving of fingerprints in a way I suspect smooth metal edging might not be.

By: Natalie @ Chadwell Chronicles

Natalie @ Chadwell Chronicles — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:54:47 +0000

Jane – I have a question for you too: Do you like your fridge? I adore the design and it is small enough for the small space we have for one in our kitchen. I started reading reviews about it and got nervous. A ton of people talked about awful customer service and loud noises from it. What has been your experience? Do you still like it? Any information you’d like to share on it would be wonderful. =) Thanks!

P.S. I like the metal banding you choose because it has a nice texture. I know that sounds weird, but I think since it is textured it would hide fingerprints better.

By: flush puppy

flush puppy — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:08:37 +0000

We have the same dishwasher issue – there isn’t one now nor much space for one, but an 18″ might work. How did you go about installing it, since there’s no hookup for water and electricity in place? Thanks!

By: Jane (aka Elvis)

Jane (aka Elvis) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 16:33:58 +0000

Eddo and Susan, sorry for the late response to your questions: The hootie ring is working well (now for three years) with no signs of leakage. When he installed it, the contractor used an adhesive that I think must provide some sealing qualities. Of course, this is over a laminate countertop, not porcelain. The metal countertop edging is actually surprisingly easy to keep clean at the intersection: our contractor fitted it well and I think that’s key. The intersection needs to be perfectly squared up and then there’s no space to gather crumbs or gack. So maybe this is just not a do-it-yourself project. That said, it was the first time our contractor had used this type of edging, but he’s a pro and a perfectionist, so we lucked out.

By: Rebecca Prichard

Rebecca Prichard — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:42:04 +0000

Susan and Deb:
Photos please! Susan, did you go with cracked ice or boomerang? Both are wonderful. The yellow cracked ice and retro mint-too awesome!

By: Deb

Deb — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 19:10:19 +0000

Susan – got our countertops delivered (Skylark boomerang)about 3 weeks ago. The matte finish wipes up very easily. We didn’t have metal cabinets – top cabs are white (semi-gloss) painted wood with boomerang pulls from Rejuvenation. I painted the bottom cabs a turquoise color that matches the turquoise in the boomerang pattern (the boomerangs are white, gray and turquoise). I’m very happy with them. The edging doesn’t need to be cleaned any more than the old laminate edging did, but I do use glass cleaner to do that. If you want a BIG “pop” factor, you might want something shiny because the matte boomerang is more subtle. Not sure how the shiny cracked ice would fare on my countertop though – I like to cook and do a lot of it, so I had a concern that they would “dull” over time with cleaning. I was also a sucker for boomerang and they make me smile every day!! Good luck with your decision.

By: Susan

Susan — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:31:59 +0000

Jane–I’m hoping to have some retro laminate (what we used to call Formica, although that’s just one brand!) countertops installed on some recently purchased Youngstown metal cabinets. Our current 1970s Formica has a slight built-in lip at the edge, which I realize is a great feature for slobs like my husband and me! Are the metal edges on your counter problem spots in terms of food getting wedged in? These are very sophisticated concerns, you understand!

Here are some great websites to see retro-reproduction laminate:
http://www.barsandbooths.com/bandblaminates.htm
http://www.newretrodining.com/retro_laminates.htm (check out retro mint!)
http://www.pastense.com/surfaces.html

Although some of the photos look diner-y, as Glamorlux Nancy so rightly warns against, you can’t beat the designs and textures! Does anyone have any recommendations regarding the matte boomerang versus the shiny cracked ice looks! Does the matte finish wipe up easily? Does it still “pop” against the white metal cabinet & silver metal edging?

I’m a sucker for the boomerang!

By: eddo

eddo — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 05:37:08 +0000

Jane/Elvis- Loved how your kitchen turned out. I have a 1957 ranch that has the beechwood cabinets, still original stain/varnish. In a honey color. I have shiny copper coated cabinet hardware, that has a lot of worn pieces. Am looking for a place that may be able refinish, praying that they can do the shiny copper. I live in Portland, what’s the name of the place in Salem? P.s. I have a cast-iron white porcelain sink with the hootie ring, have been cautioned to not keep it once I have the countertop done (similar to yours), any problems with leakage around the edge or getting a seal?