Nathan recently purchased a 1962 time capsule home. He truly appreciates the beauty and history in this blonde wood kitchen full of pristine, museum-quality appliances not to mention a fabulous pink porcelain drainboard sink. But, he is himself a craftsman and furniture maker, and has his own creative vision for a mid-century inspired kitchen of his dreams. So, now he is trying to find the right buyer for this mint, unused 1962 kitchen including a pink General Electric combination wall mount refrigerator, a pink GE automatic electric built-In oven, a pink GE cooktop, a pink GE dishwasher, and a pink cast iron double bowl sink.
UPDATE: As of Feb 2015 — this kitchen HAS BEEN REMOVED AND SOLD.
UPDATE Jan. 2018: I was first with this story in 2010 — EIGHT years ago — and to this day, other blogs are still rewriting the story and promoting it as if it’s new. Yikes.
Nathan purchased the home late last year from the original owner, who built the house but for personal reasons never lived in it. Oh my, the kitchen is a real beauty.
Once the shock wears off, be sure to notice also the mosaic tile on the floor, and the four-inch tiles on the backsplash, on the soffits, on the wall in the dinette. I’ve never seen tile on soffits, for example. The cabinets — the pink countertops and appliances — the tile — and the light — all combine to make this a luminous kitchen indeed.
Oh, and I’ve never seen scribing (I think that’s what it’s called) of the ‘vents’ underneath the sink and cooktop like this before. The atomic cabinet pulls are gorgeous, too — note, Nathan plans to keep the cabinet hardware.
Nathan for sure is selling the appliances and the drainboard sink. The kitchen, he fears, will not demo well, because it is built directly into the walls. But it’s a possibility that it could also be removed intact.
Finally, I want to forewarn: No chest beating, please, in Comments, over Nathan’s decision not to keep this kitchen. I have never ever said this site is all about having to keep everything original. At its heart, in addition to identifying resources, I’m about just helping people understand what they have in their homes so that they can make informed decisions. Nathan knows what he has, and wants the kitchen to go to someone who will truly be able to love it. (The gorgeous vintage light fixture – stays.)
Click on the gallery shot above to go to Nathan’s flickr photostream to see more photos. You can also see some of his custom furniture by Nathan Chandler — I’ll feature some of his mid-century inspired pieces shortly. Thank you, Nathan, for giving us the opportunity to see your kitchen and potentially, to help find it a good home.
Mod Betty / Retro Roadmap says
Swoonworthy! And thanks for reminding us to be adults and not get in a petty ” I can’t believe you don’t want this beautiful kitchen” war. Happy that Nathan shared the photos here and hopefully will share the physical contents with someone who will be able to use in their mid mod kitchen!
Annie B. says
One incredible kitchen! Thanks for the gorgeous photos. Nathan’s informed decision not to keep this kitchen is win-win: he wiil be able to craft his own expression of mid century and some lucky soul out there will have the kitchen of his or her dreams!
Teresa T. says
Thank you Pam for sharing Nathan’s kitchen with all of us. I hope to see you in the Queen City this next week.
denise says
WOW, WOW, WOW, yes, I’m trying to get over the shock of the beauty of it all. As soon as I opened this link and saw that first picture, my heart fluttered. I’m still feeling the after shocks. Amazingly nice. That is totally custom cabinetry. Wow. Someone was a thinker. Looks like this was designed and built for the future lady of the house for sure. Wow. Just nice nice nice. Of course, the fact that it’s so spare and clean and mint and the light coming in, helps it all look even better. Can I say wow again? WOW! Thanks for sharing. Makes me want to rethink my kitchen renovation! 🙂
dotty says
Ahhh! I became speechless when I saw this, and lost track of my thought, while chatting with my husband this morning! I lOVE!. Since selling my 1959 ranch in Columbus and moving to Charleston, we just cant find any MCM or atomic rances here. I cry thinking I may have to decorate a track home with my all my wonderful retro furniture! Best of luck in getting an appreciative buyer.
vintage_vantage says
Truly a beautiful piece of history! I hope it goes to a great home. Whomever scoops this up is stealing my dream kitchen!
Maryann Roy says
Holy Moly ! This is fantastic !! LUCK-EE !
BungalowBILL says
It’s good to remember if it wasn’t for people taking things out of their homes, we’d never be able to put them into ours. It’s a great kitchen and it makes me want to turn on the Psychedelic Furs “Pretty in Pink” now. Good luck Nathan, thanks for sharing.
Glamorlux Nancy says
That… is… THE… most amazing… kitchen… EVER (period)! I am pea green with envy. Please rethink changing it. It is TRULY special!
Julie G. says
I agree. It looks like it was never used. I love the floor. I hope he rethinks it and keeps it intact.
Leah@storybookranch says
Pristine Pink! Truly a time capsule.
I really hope he finds somebody to love this kitchen and I hope Nathan will share his finished kitchen with us when it’s complete, I’m looking forward to it!