Maintaining windows – wood, steel or aluminum? Concerned about abrasive cleaners? Ceramic tile? Moisture problems? The National Park Service has preservation briefs to help on all these topics — 44 in all — available at your fingertips online. While these briefs appear to be intended for historic preservation pro’s — and while I’m not sure the NPS would yet classify our little pieces of the American dream as “historic” — the reports certainly appear to be informative reading for renovation geeks who want to know as much as they can about what they may be dealing with. Remember, I always advise to consult with pro’s when it comes to environmental and safety issues — renovate safe. Here is the link to all the NPS Technical Service Briefs. You can read them online — or order them in print, for free.
Mid Century Culture
Kitchens – Countertops

A few years ago I saw my first bathtub and shower surround tiled in with a “crazy quilt” of all different tiles, and it was love at first site. If you love color and pattern, heck, going crazy quilt means can have it all. Designer Amy Mescia — with her new company Oscar & Izzy – now [...]

My local Re-Store was offering some maple flooring from bowling alley – and some handy homeowner re-purposed it into the most excellent countertop. Isn’t it great?! …Right up there with the Teacups Chandelier we looked at a while ago. Related Posts Basement bowling alley in 1962 Michigan time capsule house for sale — heaven! What [...]

Seems like I’m starting the week off with the spotlight on RESOURCES! I was checking out Formica’s site recently – and saw these two new laminates. They both have a nice retro groove, underscored by their names, Atomic Orange and Atomic Turf. Back in the postwar era, there were a number of laminates that had [...]

Arborite has two new laminates in their 2011-2012 collection that just popped onto my radar. I haven’t seen these as actual samples yet — I’ll order them this week. Meanwhile, I wanted to put them out there, because I know that many Retro Renovators have been left kind of up a creek since Formica discontinued [...]

I am updating this Retro Renovation “Classic” post for Tiel, her husband, and all readers looking for classic 50s and 60s metal countertop edging. Trust me – this is the real deal: My husband hunted down the only place left — in Astoria, Queens — that still made the exact stainless steel edging on 50s [...]
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Renovate Safe
Renovate Safe! Get informed about the environmental & safety issues in your vintage home. #1 RULE: Consult with pros. More info: EPA asbestos website ... EPA lead website ... Consumer Reports safety blog ... U.S.F.A. – electrical fire safety.




Middle-class mid century enters preservation realm as Historic New England snaps up a 50s kitchen
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site: Historic mid century homes to visit
Parts, service and advice to fix old stoves and other vintage appliances – 9 online resources 














Thank you so much, Pam, for this vital information. As the owner of a 1920 Craftsman-style foursquare that has so many projects ahead of it, I truly appreciate any information I can find!!! You are a gem!
What a great resource! Thanks for posting this.
This is a great source of information. I ran across this a few months ago but then I couldn’t remember where I had seen it. I have steel casement windows in my 1949 kitchen and most of them are painted shut. As a result, the cranks (and possibly the operators) are stripped. I want to rehab them but I worry about the labor required. Thanks so much for posting this guide.