2010 December — Retro Renovation

On the hunt for vintage metal cabinets — be sure to carry a sledge hammer

Posted by: pam kueber • December 13, 2010

“The hunt” for vintage metal kitchen cabinets can be exhausting — but it makes for a much better story. An awesome story, actually. Carrie writes:

I found a large set of cabinets 6 hours south of me. Pics were blurry, and the homeowner was vague, not sure if he had 12 cabinets or 18. But my metal fever was burning, and I went because I could see there was at least a couple of those little curved shelves on either side of the sink! The moment I peeped through the door and saw the grey cracked ice counters with the metal edging, I was a goner. Heck yeah there is more →

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Should we use recessed can lighting in a mid century living room?

Posted by: pam kueber • December 12, 2010

Should recessed can lighting be added to mid century homes, where there wasn’t any originally? And if, so, how? I’m throwing this one open to reader ideas. Natalie writes: Heck yeah there is more →

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How to make a Christmas wreath out of vintage ornaments — Georgia Peachez’ secrets

Posted by: pam kueber • December 11, 2010

Suzy aka Georgia Peachez

Last year I proclaimed my love and admiration for Georgia Peachez’ crafty Christmas wreaths made out of vintage tinsel-garland and ornaments. What a fantastic way to use ornaments hunted and scrounged at estate sales all year long — something to hunt for an actually use! Suzy, the genius Peach, is at it again this year — that’s her “That 70s Wreath,” above. Morevoer — we asked for her how-to instructions — and she graciously responded right away! Read on to learn how to make a Christmas wreath out of vintage ornaments of your very own. –> Heck yeah there is more →

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“Dental sinks” in mid-century bathrooms

Posted by: pam kueber • December 10, 2010

I have a confession to make: All these years, I have not really been reading all my vintage marketing materials much — I have been looking at the pictures and kind of scanning text. I have soaked up a lotta, for sure, but now, I have started going back and reading… trying to pick up more of the wherefore and why-to of mid century design details. Along the way, I’m also discovering more rare and fascinating things that were, apparently, tried out, but didn’t really catch on, so were abandoned. Which made me remember, above: “Dental sinks.” Heck yeah there is more →

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Anaglypta, with painted detail

Posted by: pam kueber • December 10, 2010

You will never talk me out of the transformative power of wallpaper. Above: G.G installed anaglypta above the wainscoting in his 1908 southern cottage bungalow, and then he painted the raised part of the paper. (Hmmm, I wonder if flocked wallpaper’s inspiration was anaglypta painted this way…) Anyway, goes under my heading, “Some therapy.” Looks fantastic in the photo, G.G., I bet it’s even 10 times better in person, with the circa-1920s 3D happening. See G.G.’s blue Arts & Crafts bathroom here.

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G.G.’s blue Arts & Crafts bathroom

Posted by: matthew kinkead • December 9, 2010

G.G. lives in what I would call a classic Southern bungalow cottage — an enduring American style that was built, I think, well into the 1950s and 1960s — like this favorite St. Louis time capsule house. He recently completed an exquisite bathroom renovation — and was kind enough to share lots of detail with us. One of the things I like about stories like this, is that you can really see the level of intensity required to do a period renovation — this is not for the faint of heart. Also, as G.G. points out, thank the retro decorating gods for the internet. Doing the research to pull this off before the advent of www.world-at-your-fingertips.com was excrutiating. Well done, G.G.! Heck yeah there is more →

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Braided rugs from Thorndike Mills

Posted by: pam kueber • December 8, 2010

I am a big fan of braided rugs — these things are tremendously versatile, no matter what your decor. I have two Capel braided rugs that have now seen me through three houses: A 1912 Colonial-Revival with an Arts & Crafts flair… a circa 1985 McMansion (some day I’ll tell that story)… and my current home, a 1951 coolonial. Thanks to Gavin, who has now spotlighted a central Massachusetts company, Thorndike Mills, which makes two varieties of braided rugs and looks impressive indeed. Heck yeah there is more →

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Linoleum that is easier to maintain and clean — in 73 colors

Posted by: pam kueber • December 7, 2010

When it comes to linoleum, the big name in the game is Forbo/ Marmoleum. I’ve also posted about Armstrong’s lineoleum. Recently, though, I found another manufacturer, Johnsonite, whose Harmonium xf linoleum was awarded a Green Good Design Award in 2009. I think this alternative should go on our list, especially since Johnsonite seems to have invented a special top-coat that is apparently easier to clean and maintain — an issue for traditional linoleum. Link: Johnsonite Harmonium Linoleum