‘Betty Crafter’ wrote me a happy email and sent me these happy photos, which reminded me that I need to start another microsite in the same vein as Save The Pink Bathrooms. Only the new blog will be called: Say Yes to the Knotty Pine. Don’t try to buy the url away from me. It’s mine all mine buwahahaha. Meanwhile, here is Betty’s “miracle” story and more photos of her gorgeous time capsule knotty pine kitchen…She writes:
We just bought the house less than a month ago so we have a long way to go, but here’s our short story so far!
My husband and I decided to move because although we lived in a pretty fab 50’s house in a great location, it didn’t have the original kitchen and bathrooms I’d always wanted. Just before our house hit the market, I saw this one online. I almost stopped breathing. I really didn’t think a house like this existed! Turquoise counters? Knotty pine paneling in half the house? A pink AND a green bathroom? Fireplace? Creek? Barn?
Crikey!
“It looks like the inside of a Spartan trailer!” I squealed.
I immediately called our realtor who refused to show it to me because: “I’m already showing that house to two clients who DON’T have homes to sell first.”
Well I was so insane for this house that the hubs and I drove there and convinced the seller to show it to us herself! Upon seeing it in person I was even more sure this was home. It’s a miracle we ended up here because we weren’t the only ones who loved this house. But luckily for us the other offers fell through just about the time we got offers on our home, and here we are!
We don’t want to change much because the house is pretty much perfect. We tore up the carpet to install green apple VCT in all the areas with the knotty pine paneling and hardwoods in the rest of the house. The turquoise stove and bar chairs came with the house – lucky us! Otherwise it’s all original.
Is it possible to be in love with a physical object? I could not love my new house any more. Also, I’ve started a blog — Betty Crafter — to chronicle our caretaker and preservation efforts if anyone’s interested… The pink bathroom has an unfortunate 80’s vanity, but I found a pink wall hung sink for $5 on the forums here that will be going in soon. Then some fresh paint inside and out and a Crestview Door and we’re done! My main concern is preserving what’s here. There are a few stains on the counters, and I’d like to find the best way to clean them and protect them from future stains. I also need to give my paneling the “Eartha Kitsch treatment” but they are in pretty decent condition as is.
Also, in one of the first shots I sent, that is a NuTone Intercom/Radio that even goes out to the barn! We even have the owner’s manual – when we moved in there was a file folder on the counter with every receipt for service and owner’s manual to everything in the house since the 70’s.
Crikey! BC, you have some mighty fine happy going on there in your little piece of time capsule paradise. I love the way you used the fabric on the kitchen chair to choose your floor color and tie in with the skylark blue Formica countertops. I also LOVE the way the peninsula eating area curves out, from the bottom (eating counter) to top (prep counter) — what a great idea from the past. Send me pics of your other projects when they are ready for prime time. And: A barn and a creek? Those, too! Tip: for cleaning countertops, our reco is Countertop Magic…
Steven Keylon says
Hats off to you!!!!! Your kitchen is absolutely wonderful, I’m so happy it’s going to someone who will be a good steward and who appreciates it.
Hats off also for using the soon-to-become famous phrase “the Eartha Kitsch Treatment”!!!!!!!! As one who has been fortunate to have been the recipient of the “Eartha Kitsch treatment” for years and years, I know you’ll have as terrific a time as I have had.
Wendy M. says
What a wonderful kitchen! I love the aqua/pine combo. ( I also love the pair of owls…my grandma collected owls, so I have an incredible soft spot for them.)
Congrats on making the sale/purchase work…we just went through that and it was just about the most stressful thing I’ve ever done! When you are meant to have a certain house, though, it eventually works out. Enjoy your beautiful home!
Lynne says
Fabulous! I’m so glad that kitchen went to people who will care for it and love it for years to come! I have to ask…what sort of lighting fixtures do you have? I only saw one over the sink. I assume you have a mighty cool original ceiling fixture too?
Gavin Hastings says
Beautiful! …and what I like best is that it is not overwhelmed by stuff!
The blue and green work so well together wth the pine- a combo I would have never attempted. Great job.
Jennifer says
I agree – knotty pine needs a “pink bathroom” campaign just as much. I was flipping channels and came across another of those “home improvement” programs where they were hating on the knotty pine (and at the same time talking about “keeping the mid century look” which made no sense at all). It makes me so sad when people destroy things because they can’t appreciate them.
pam kueber says
They just don’t “know.” They have not been exposed to them!
Trouble says
I know it would be a very difficult undertaking to fire up another “Save The…” site. We sure could use one. Knotty pine is extremely warm and cozy. Instant ambience.
When I stayed in the Rockies in a cabin built in ’35, it was all knotty pine with nothing newer than the 1964 green, coated fabric vibrating recliner! LOL Had it been done in drywall….the experience wouldn’t be the same.
Knotty pine gives you a sense of relaxation, almost as if you’re on vacation when you walk into the room.
pam kueber says
It’s not that hard to do… I’ll put it on the list. 🙂
Jeanne says
Gorgeous! I love the turquoise and just LOVE your selection of apple green for the floor. Congrats on getting the house of your dreams!
My entire basement is knotty pine and also my upstairs bedroom in my story-and-a-half is knotty pine. It really has grown on me. Hopefully my fall project is doing a little painting in my bedroom. I hope to have some decent photos after that.
Lauryn says
So many things to love about this post, but what I love the most is how much Betty loves her new house … truly it was meant to be! That all said, I just adore the stove, the chairs, and that fabulous intercom/radio! And all of that knotty pine is just so warm and nostalgic. Well done sticking to your guns, Betty, no matter what your realtor told you!
Oh, and when can we see more photos … of the bathrooms, the barn, the creek???
francene says
this is the most Awesomely preserved/cared for knotty pine kitchen I have ever seen ! What a find and thanks to *dog* that the right owner wouldn’t take NO for an answer ! Enjoy 🙂
Tami says
I love your style – especially your dress! I swear my mom made me one almost identical to it when I was a kid. Is it vintage or new? I want!
KM says
I confess- I love the knotty pine. I know there are few of us but here, we have solidarity. Long live the knotty pine kitchen!