How to clean chrome? A product to repair chipped porcelain? How to clean hard water stains in my sink? These are the questions that rain down on every new/old homeowner pretty much 10 minutes after the closing papers are signed. Today, I have a page full of resources that mayhold a key to getting your porcelain, chrome, marble and fiberglass gleaming again. Heck yeah there is more →
Oven and gas cooktop for a mid-century modern kitchen: ala vintage Thermador
Posted by: • April 5, 2010
Researching kitchen appliances, I spotted this Smeg “Piano” built-in oven and gas range top. The Smeg Piano built-in oven immediately reminded me of the look of vintage Thermador – even the oven featured in Kristen’s Easter photograph yesterday. The Smeg Piano gas cooktop (also available for LP), meanwhile, has a UFO ready-for-blast off look. These two appliances have exteriors of polished stainless steel — I think that means just like the stainless steel countertop edging I found at New York Metals. If you are renovating your kitchen and need new appliances suitable for a mid-century look, I think these look like real contenders. Available from various retailers. Oven starts at about $2,100, 5-burner cooktop at just over $1,065, based on prices I spotted at A.J. Madison online.
Easter at The Rutenbars, Old Bridge, New Jersey, 1958
Posted by: • April 4, 2010
Kristen posted a photo of her mother’s family on our Retro Renovation Facebook fan page, and I got all excited and asked her to find out more. Her mom was all ears, shared the story — and more photos — and even asked that I include the family’s name and home town in hopes of connecting with old friends and neighbors. So here is Kristen’s report on what her mom Judy had to say about The Rutenbars, Old Bridge, NJ, Easter, 1958:This photograph shows, from left to right, my mom Judy, her brother Jimmy, my grandmother Marjorie and my aunt Linda. For this Easter, my grandmother pulled out all the stops. Shrimp cocktail for the parents, fruit cups for the kids, even pickles, which my grandmother hated and only bought on special occasions. The bunny cake featured as the center piece is a family tradition and will be featured on our dining room table this Easter too. The outfits my mom and her siblings are wearing were made by my grandmother; even the cowboy shirt. My mom still has the cat eye glasses that my grandmother is wearing in the photo. Read on… Heck yeah there is more →
There’s still time (if you’re hoppity quick) to make your own Easter Bunny cake
Posted by: • April 4, 2010
Kristen says that making this Easter Bunny cake has been a family tradition for years and years. Start your own! Here’s the recipe from an original mid mod maven: Betty Crocker. It looks pretty easy, and including a fast trip to the store, I bet you could have it served up in … 2 hours maybe. I’m gonna do it!
Six mid-century style sconces from Lowe’s
Posted by: • April 3, 2010
Over on flickr, Atomic Village posted photos from her dining room renovation, including these new sconces she found at Lowe’s. They definitely emulate the look of authentic mid-century modern lighting, and at $37 each they are good deal, especially if you are getting tired of waiting for your ebay ship to come in. Atomic Village’s find inspired me to check on other wall sconces available from Lowe’s that might be mid-mod appropriate, and I found six sconces in all:
Tara Young of etsy.com profiles animal photographer Sharon Montrose — magic!
Posted by: • April 2, 2010
This video is not retro — but it’s magical, thanks to photographer Sharon Montrose, whose work is featured, and to Tara Young, who created the video. Tara also did the video about me and Retro Renovation that appeared earlier this year on etsy.com. She is so talented, I love to watch — and share — everything that she creates.
Build your own trellis for climbing vines from galvanized pipe — Gavin explains how
Posted by: • April 1, 2010
Lots of readers had fun suggesting curb appeal ideas for Sarah and Liz’s 1946 Victory Home in Winnipeg. Gavin had a great idea that lots of folks seem interested: Creating a frame to grow creeping vines like Honeysuckle or Dutchman’s Pipe on the outside front of the house. Here is his explanation of how to do this yourself… along with a gorgeous photo of his own home, where he has constructed this frame and the vines are on their way. Gavin says: Heck yeah there is more →
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