Reader Sarah successfully removed a layer of more modern laminate from her yummy gold-speckled mid-century laminate beneath. She wrote about her experience — and the products she used — on her blog, Sarahs’ Blue Castle. But before you jump over there, take a look at her note to me and my comments here first –> Heck yeah there is more →
Sarah successfully strips newer laminate off her mid-century gold-speckled countertop beneath
Posted by: • June 30, 2010
Vintage Stiffel pole lamp, fab Goldworm maxi dress & more MIB madness
Posted by: • June 30, 2010
I’m loving the plethora of poodle shower curtains coming out of old linen closets… the Stiffel pole lamp is a classic… and if I were 25 (30?) pounds thinner, I’d be in that Goldworm maxi dress in a heartbeat. In North Dakota recently, my cousin Bridget pointed out that we Kueber women were “corn fed.” Yup. Those Goldworms are made for delicate types, not us strappin’ farm girls. I’m not complainin’. Disclosure: Anything that you buy — from these ebay carousels or otherwise – when you click into ebay via any link on my site nets me a teensy commission; thanks for your support.
Design a retro bathroom floor tile with Dal-Tile’s Mosaic Design Tool
Posted by: • June 29, 2010
Lauren and other readers have mentioned that local retailers don’t even know that this Dal-Tile Mosaic Design Tool exists. To be sure, it’s wicked fun and a very dangerous way to waste lots of time. That said, I only wish there were (1) a preview feature and (2) a way to make the whole thing bigger for the screen. How to you like my pink and golden granite and speckled marble “Romany-Spartan”-esque design? Medium grey grout and I have the foundation (haha) for a serious pink and grey 60s bathroom renovation. Luv.
Colorful mosaic floor tiles highlight Lauren’s mid-century bathroom renovation
Posted by: • June 28, 2010
Lauren has just completed a modest yet high-impact update to her mid-century bathroom. At the centerpiece: Yowza, a fantastic mosaic floor she created using Dal-Tile’s Mosaic Design Tool… and a memorable toilet saga that ends with a gift bestowed by the ever-powerful retro decorating gods. Lauren is a regular reader, and has emailed me several times with product tips to share. Read on for her story, which includes resources and her and husband Jon’s renovation experience.
Heck yeah there is more →
Back from the Aneta barbecue
Posted by: • June 27, 2010
The 50th anniversary of the world’s largest barbecue — which was held in the Kueber stomping grounds of Aneta, North Dakota last weekend — was a blast. I came home with more than 1,000 photos, and am still making my way through them. So today, in this preview report, I’ll just say: It was indeed a Monumental event, as my cousin Timmy predicted. Word on the street was, the town actually had ordered 330 turkeys, but they were shorted some and ended up barbequing 295. And I have this on camera: They came close to running out, with only 10 turkeys left. Bobby Smith (above) was taking tickets when I made it to the front of the all-you-can-eat line — and I assure you, I made a nice dent in one mighty delicious bird. I’ll dish up more from the bbq — and the family reunion and smalltown USA, too — this week.
Vintage Naugahyde – 35 patterns
Posted by: • June 26, 2010
Vintage Naugahyde… wouldn’t you love to score several yards at an estate sale or thrifting? I have a big need for some right now — I need to update the cushions on my outdoor cast iron table and chairs, which we’ve just scraped down and repainted. Flickr friend Java1888 (thanks again, J!) recently nabbed the brochure (above) showing some vintage Naugahyde patterns. You can take a look at page 2, with more patterns, on his photostream. Meanwhile — recall this post from a year ago, where we discuss where to find Naugahyde-like vinyl – available today… although not quite so groovy as back in the day.
Hot in Cleveland: The Dishmaster kitchen faucet
Posted by: • June 21, 2010
The “Hot in Cleveland” tsunami is good for all things mid-century modest, I tend to believe. Hey: Check out the Dishmaster faucet in the kitchen… and the Armstrong vinyl tile floor arranged in vintage style. I tend to believe the set designers found these: here at Retro Renovation! 
Aneta, North Dakota, here we come
Posted by: • June 19, 2010
I’m in Aneta, North Dakota, for the World’s Largest Turkey Barbecue — 50th anniversary and the Kueber Family Reunion. It turns out that dad only has dial-up internet (yes, it still exists) with limited bandwidth at that. Besides, I am having a BLAST with my brother, sisters, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles. So: pretty much first time in three years: a posting break until I get back home on Thursday. Comments will go into moderation while I am offline, but I’ll be trying to get online occasionally to set them free. Full report to come from ND, you bet.
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