Hi Pam,I’ve been lurking on your website for several months now, re-awakening my fondness for the things I remember from growing up in the 60′s. I recently started a Facebook page for the subdivision I grew up in, located in South St. Louis County, Missouri… the houses were actually pretty architecturally boring, 864 sq. foot ranch boxes, but all had the typical 50′s fixtures since they were built in the mid-50′s. I had a pink bathroom in our house (and am a fan of your website) but thought I would send you this photo that I scanned in for my Facebook page since it shows the pink, steel kitchen cabinets that we had! And yes, that is me in the photo, about 18 months old, taken in 1965. You have my permission to use the photo if you have the opportunity to do so. I can remember seeing lots of photos of the pink bathrooms that your followers have sent you, but couldn’t recall any old photos of pink steel cabinets!Scanning in the photo, I saw several details that the photo alone didn’t reveal… it looks like the walls were painted pink to match, with the 4″ white tiles as a backsplash! We had just bought the house from another family at the time this photo was taken, so I’m fairly certain this decor was inherited from the previous owners. My mother wasted no time in covering those cabinets with wood grain contact paper!… I’m in the process of redecorating my basement (which is completely 80′s, a decade of decor that I’m not so fond of!) and plan to use a retro theme, more in line with the 50′s and 60′s. I already have my great aunt’s Heywood Wakefield dining room set (danish blonde modern) to go in it!Thanks for all your efforts with the website… its so much fun to visit…and I’ll keep my eyes open for other MCM gems to shoot your way!- Cory
Kitchens – Countertops

ALAS: DISCONTINUED! The website says that these are for “contract” jobs — that is, interior designers working on commercial projects. But hey, if you really like these retro laminate choices, go after Nevamar and get them! Remember: The only way to do these…is to pair them with authentic steel countertop and backsplash edging available from [...]

A reader wrote to ask how to bring the luster back to her vintage laminate countertops. Paste wax, maybe? To get the answer, I turned to expert Grace Jeffers. She is the writer, design historian and materials expert responsible for restoration of the Ralph Sr. and Sunny Wilson House – including its gorgeous Mondrian-style kitchen, [...]

Wow, does anyone know about countertops like these? Becky recently bought a time capsule and her french provincial kitchen (I’d call it) includes these countertops. Reminds me of these Fritz floor tiles. Anyone work with this back in the day who knows? Kind of, an early-days version of Silestone or the other composite-quartz countertops sold [...]

I’ve written before about mixing countertop surfaces in your 40s 50s or 60s kitchen. But I recently came across these great photos and thought they would be very helpful. The photos show: How to lower cabinetry to create a place to roll out your pie dough (of course). Put a slab of marble here — [...]

The most popular laminate design in mid century America? Boomerang Formica? Nope, guess again. According to materials expert Grace Jeffers, the most popular design was actually linen. You know what I’m talking about — that kind of tight-to-medium-weave with nubblies stuff. I had it both my bathrooms with vanities. In pistachio green = absolutely iconic. [...]
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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.





A 1965 kitchen updated with red checkerboard linoleum floor tile
We hear from Nora following her pink kitchen and pink bathroom fame
Pink tubs, pink sinks, pink toilets, pink tile — “Save the Pink Bathrooms!” #2 














Adorable picture! Good old Revere ware tea kettle – I have the same one right now!!
I also have the same tea kettle, and my mother-in-law also covered her metal cabinets with wood-grained contact paper! I’ll have to dig up a picture of me at the about the same age in front of our (now mine) knotty pine cabinets. Thanks for sharing that!