2009 March — Retro Renovation

The Eljer Ellis toilet … great 50s style for the bathroom

Posted by: pam kueber • March 5, 2009

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There’s nothing I like better than a pretty, midcentury toilet. This 1959 Ellis model from Eljer has wonderful lines, and came in 7 “decorator colors” including this great shade of pistachio green that is heading in a straight line toward avocado.

The text says that the toilet, along with coordinating bathtub and wallhung sink on chrome legs, were designed by the Dave Chapman firm. Chapman was a well-known industrial designer and seems to have had a long career with Montgomery Ward, in particular. See his IDSA bio here. Eljer has existed since 1904 and along with Crane, is today part of the American Standard brand. I keep an eye on Eljer’s product line … As far as retro renovation choices, they have one wall-hung sink (Murray II) and several simple toilets (with some of my favorite names: Titan…Diplomat…Patroit!) worth a look.

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Where can I buy a vintage style medicine cabinet?

Posted by: pam kueber • March 4, 2009

vintage-style-medicine-cabinet-from-nutone Several readers have written recently to ask where they can find retro style 40s 50s 60s medicine cabinets – including the type with the vertical light bars to the right and left of the cabinets. As a starting point, it appears that Nutone-Broan has a number of options that could work in retro renovation bathrooms of various eras. Here is their medicine cabinet landing page – most of the images I show here are in the “Specialty” category. Tip: Be sure to see a sample of your medicine cabinet “in the flesh” before you buy – in order to assure it meets your quality expectations. There can be a wide swing in quality, in my experience, from model to model.

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An early St. Charles kitchen… Hollywood Regency bedroom set… and more from the 60s estate sale

Posted by: pam kueber • March 3, 2009

The recent Hollywood Regency style estate sale was such a treasure trove of strange and wonderful mid century details that here are some more photos to scrutize. For example, this may be the only blog in the world to feature Drano in its lead post – but look at the vintage “Dor-File” mounted to the inside of the yellow St. Charles sink cabinet. I love it, I want it! Click through here for a total of 24 more photos from this fabulous time capsule! Heck yeah there is more →

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Should this avocado bathroom be saved?

Posted by: pam kueber • March 3, 2009

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Reader Jennifer spotted this avocado bathroom over on Apartment Therapy. The reader is asking what she should do with it. I sense…revulsion. What do you think, Retro Renovation readers? Should this avocado bathroom be saved? Leave your comment here – or over on the post at Apartment Therapy. P.S. I bet you know what I think!

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Where to find vintage-style barkcloth? Full Swing Textiles is a new player in retail

Posted by: Pam Kueber • March 2, 2009

40s-style-barkcloth Several readers have pointed out that Melinamade’s website seems to have gone away… But just in time, I recently heard from Suzanne at Full Swing Textiles about their product line. The company has been making barkcloth for some time, she says, but it was only offered to “the trades” – professional designers. In October, the company launched online, retail sales. They have an absolutely wonderful selection of barkcloth and lighter weight “birchbark” designs. The material is not inexpensive…so I asked Suzanne to explain their process and their story. Here it is…. Heck yeah there is more →

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New Woodard patio furniture – vintage styles still available.

Posted by: pam kueber • March 1, 2009

Today is Woodard patio furniture day – with this feature on current styles still made. My local furniture store has sets of new Woodard in stock, and I really liked the quality and the look. And to be sure, it’s nice to get the new enamel finish. My only nit with the new stock is that I believe the scale is significantly larger than vintage Woodard. The smaller scale seems better, in my view. But either way, new or vintage, these are great picks for your patio, deck, or porch.

Take a look at their Briarwood collection… and Windflower Mesh collection. And, see the Café Collection, Dining Tables and Tables & Accessories links on these pages for tables and other pieces in the same mesh wrought iron – without the decorative flowers that differentiate the two collections above.