‘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…
Janine says
I think I gasped when I see your kitchen, and to think you did not have to hardly do anything to it. What can I say besides I am sooooooooo jealous.
gabby says
I third the Knotty is Nice idea!
pam kueber says
I like that one!!
johnny dollar says
dig it.
maybe the new campaign can make a connection between “knotty” pine and “naughty” pine. “knotty is nice?”
Jana (Berniecat) says
Love it! 🙂
pam kueber says
i like that one a lot. i might have to go buy it as well!
Maryanna says
I want to join the chorus of “I LOVE the turquoise with the apple green floors!” What a fabulous choice. I also love the glass cabinets with all your lovely Pyrex and glassware! The glass really “lightens” the heaviness of the knotty pine, I think. All around, one of the best kitchens I’ve seen on this site. I, too, can’t wait to see the rest of the house!!
Jay says
You beat me to it, the glass cabinet with the pyrex caught my eye. Whenever I look at these pictures I’m always looking at the acessories that are on display. The stove is fantastic – looks to be in great shape.
KP was the style back in the 40’s & 50’s, everyone used knotty pine in their basements, no matter how old the house was. My father panelled the basement with it. My current basement was finished off in the 70’s with sheet panelling which I wished was knotty pine – real wood!
gabby says
Love it-but clearly not as much as you do! That’s to say-you look really happy in your dream kitchen, Betty-which is very dreamy.
I too am a long term lover of the knotty pine. We just moved into our 1920’s bungalow, which is the first time in 12 yrs I’ve been without my knotty pine kitchen.
I had one in my little 1959 cabin on the river in the redwoods, and another in our 1960 MCM mini ranch in the oaks. I confess, I had a bit too much pine in my life living directly under the trees (walls, ceiling, cabinets ALL KP) , so I white-stained the bedroom knotty pine….still saw the pine, just lighter. It just felt like a thousand eyes were watching me as I slept. It did lighten it up a bit, but I regretted doing it later. Mea culpa.
KP is so durable, accessible and forgiving. I had some kid accidents in that first kitchen, and a quick sanding and re-coat with amber shellac, and it was like nothing had ever happened. I learned that a refresh of a lite coat of amber shellac about every 5 yrs kept everything spotless and sweet. It’s so thin, it doesn’t gunk up doors like paint would. It dries in a couple hours, and since it’s a natural product ( made of ground up beetles, you know) it takes on a vintage patina in just weeks….seamless.
My sister came up with a term for the hammered handles and decorative diagonal supports on doors. “Mr. Ed” indicates that rustic farm style Knotty Pine kitchen better than anything.
My new/old kitchen is devoid of knotty pine, but that was one of my key details I had mentioned to a realtor. I fell hard for the house below based on the kitchen, but the rest was devoid of charm, and waaaaay overpriced. That was a dreamy kitchen, though: http://www.redfin.com/CA/San-Leandro/2166-Bradhoff-Ave-94577/home/1994666
I’m leaning towards a white and spiffy “we’re hygienic and we love to cook with butter!” vibe in my 1920’s kitchen. I want it to feel like a See’s Candy store, but more colorful. But I can share the knotty pine love, for sure.
Where do I sign the knotty pine love pledge? Oooh, is there a product tie in there?
Gotta be a way to save em all and share the love.
Katie Cappello says
Beautiful. Your kitchen makes me want to hunker down with a cup of coffee and a thick Sunday newspaper. I’ve been inspired to “Say Yes to Knotty Pine” too:
http://drowningthefield.blogspot.com/2011/06/im-saying-yes-to-knotty-pine.html
Trouble says
You did! That pine looks great in your house, I would DEFINITELY take care of it!
Erin says
This is easily the most beautiful kitchen I have ever seen. Would it be weird for me to set the second picture as my computer desktop background? I don’t even know you, and I’m so very happy for you, Betty Crafter! You’re living the dream. 🙂
pam kueber says
ummm, i set it as my computer background as soon as i got it! 🙂
Michael says
This is a great example of a style that for some reason I love, although I wouldn’t want to live with it in my own home. Still, I’d love to visit and hang out in a kitchen like this! 🙂
PS: Did they make rangehoods in turquoise? That seems to be the only ‘off’ note in the room.
Trouble says
It can easily become turquoise! 😉
pam kueber says
Yes, I believe they made color-coordinated range hoods. I bet the original owners were trying to “match” the hood to the cabinets.
Trouble says
I never thought of that!
GB500 says
The place is just fabulous! But the cutest thing in the kitchen is the little girl in her mom’s arms. Precious.
Emily says
This kitchen is seriously rocking my world!!! I LOVE the blue with the knotty pine. Everything is set up so cute, especially for only being there a month! My husband & I are in the process of buying our first home (a 1960 ranch) that is coming with an original kitchen (including a Flair stove!! Eeeeee!!!!) and I was really hoping that underneath the painted cabinets I would find knotty pine. Not the case, but thats OK! I am definitely living vicariously through Betty Crafters! 🙂 Looking forward to the progress of her blog.