Another time capsule saved. More new Retro Renovation friends. Guy writes:
Hi Pam,
Hello -First, let me thank you for your site. I just closed on a 1960s “time capsule” house and I was so glad to find that there are others who like that kind of thing! The 1960s decor is why my wife and I bought the house, then EVERYONE (relatives, inspectors and electricians) mentioned how the house would be great once it was updated. We started wondering if keeping the house “as is” was a good idea. Then we found your site and realized WE WEREN’T ALONE! Thanks!!
The house has vintage wallpaper (including a patriotic themed paper with George Washington and such), a turquoise stove, a built in planter (with fake plants that are at least 30 years old… probably older), an unusal tiki-type plastic small mural, a blue and a pink bathroom.
The house was also in fantastic shape (other than a little peeling on the wallpaper seams and some loose edges on the linoleum floor.) Attached are some of the photos I took yesterday (electricians were updating the aluminum wiring and adding outdoor outlets… some things MUST be updated!)
Click on first thumbnail to launch slide show; look for the arrows below each image to move forward or back.
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I responded right away to Guy’s note, of course, asking for photos and more of the “back story.” I always like to hear what the real estate agent said! Guy responded:
We were searching for a house and in passing my real estate agent mentioned how “crazy” the wallpaper was in a house she had seen earlier that day. As soon as she mentioned the patriotic wallpaper and the turquoise stove we knew that we would buy that house.
We bought the house from an older gentleman who said he had kept everything pretty much the same as when he bought it in 1981. Built in 1964 he said the house had had 6 previous owners and they were mostly short term employees of a nearby company.
I think these two factors kept this house from being updated and looking like every other house in town.
What we like about retro houses is that every room has a different feel. The colors and patterns just bring a house to life.
The house is located in Central NJ.
I look forward to reading anything you post! And thanks again for all your hard work on retrorenovation-com-staging.enwf9w61-liquidwebsites.com.
Thank you, Guy, and Rosanna, for saving some of these wonderful features. Sounds like your house found the right owners and that you two are all set to have fun.
On a serious note: Your vintage floor tiles may not be “linoleum” — I’m guessing they are some form of vinyl — and old vinyl flooring can contain asbestos. Be sure to consult with a pro so you know what you are dealing with and can make informed decisions about how to handle it. And while I’m in Precautionary Pam mode, this is a good time to remind all owners of vintage homes to study up on things like asbestos, lead paint, electrical wiring, even safety glass in windows and shower doors, etc. There are some links on my sidebar — from the EPA and like — to get you started with some online research. That said: Connect with some professionals who can help keep you on the right track.
RetroSandie says
Congrats Guy and Rosanna!! I hope you have many years of happiness in your “new” home! The pink Bathroom is beautiful! Yes and that turquoise stove! Maybe you could find a vintage turquoise fridge to match. Oh, and the colored bottles of water…my mom had blown glass swans filled with colored water that she changed frequently! It was a process, tipping the swan upside down to fill the head and neck! LOL Please show us more pix and also a pic of the outside of the house itself!!! Best of luck!! 🙂
jkaye says
I love the exuberance displayed in the decorating. Someone had some fun with this place. I hope you all have some fun with it too. Congratulations on finding your home, and on finding retro renovation!
Martha says
Congratulations on your purchase. I hope you enjoy it for many years to come. The stove is fantastic as are the built-in planters. P.S. my mom has the same wall paper (black and white) in her bathroom but in blue and white!
gab18481 says
That stove is fabulous!!!!
Guy H. says
The stove is in perfect working order. I hope it lasts many more years. When it does go I will probably buy some of those brand new “retro styled” turquoise appliances.
The kitchen also has a brand new white fridge and a black dishwasher. I am not sure if I should change one to match the other. It’s a shame they don’t stock turquoise products at the local appliance store
pam kueber says
I think you might be able to repaint the fridge (not sure how cheesy it would look…) and get a new panel for the d/w (laminate cut to size?)
Amy Hill says
Too cool! Does the stove work? You found a real treasure! Congratulations!
John says
Hi Gus and Rosanne,
Congratulations on buying your new home. Welcome to the world of Retro Renovation. It’s probably OK to replace the plastic plants with fresh ones!! hehe
John
Guy H. says
John,
I was considering changing the plants… the actually look much more “real” in person that the photo suggests. Still, I am amazed at how wonderful the new fake plants look when I looked around a local craft store. I was thinking about possibly putting in a fake palm tree with Hawaiian flowers.
Regardless, I am DEFINITELY decorating the plant at Christmas time!
Guy Hutchinson says
Great idea Cindy! We actually are moving in this week, but we already have been scouring the internet, thrift shops and the like to find retro items for the house.
” fancy bottles of colored water on the toilet tank” sounds like it would look very nice!
Gavin Hastings says
Re: Colored Bottles of Water-
I was there for those!
In the late 1950’s, the Schenley Distilleries began marketing Gin and Vodka in “gift decanters”. Soon Calvert and Seagrams followed.
Somehow all these bottles….nice-but a far cry from Waterford; started appearing on millions of toilets across the USA. A little food coloring and water created a “hip Fashion statement”…..Something akin to Pam’s earlier post about the black wire chicken basket on a coffee table. These bottles crossed all social and economic classes and they were FREE with the weekly booze purchase! I am sure Betty Draper and all her neighbors have them.
Eventually they got dusty….and like spring tension pole lamps….disappeared as quickly as they appeared.
Ever notice: “Wow…the Salvation Army Store and these tag sales sure got alot of pressed decanters…..” Now you know why.
Candice says
Hah, i have several sets of these and a hilarious promotional schwepps ice bucket (with a fake english coat of arms) decorating my basement right now.
Cindy says
Congratulations to Gus & Rosanne! Your house has a warmth that newer houses lack. The photos definitely convey it! I love the planter and the turquoise stove!!! I grew up in a house with built in planters and the same fake plants and white pebbles! My mother also had bamboo convered pendents above her planters and fancy bottles of colored water on the toilet tank!
Get yourselves ready for a fun, frustrating, & rewarding adventure as you care for your retro abode….I hope you’ll become regular readers of Retro Renovation like the rest of us!! btw, in this day of sustainability and awareness I wish realtors would have a mandatory continuing education course on retro appreciation.
pam kueber says
Yes: Sustainability! The first steps: “Use it Up, Wear it Out, Make it Due, Do Without!”
denise says
Oh boy, how I love that black and white wallpaper! and look at that stove! How nice that Rosanna and Gus appreciated what others wanted to dismiss.
oh, and, LOVE the car!