Now that mid century style is fashionable again, it’s nice to see companies introducing new, mid mod style products for the home. But, to me, there’s nothing like the real deal. Over the past five years, it’s be fun to discover original designs launched in the postwar era… which remained in production despite economic swings, industry consolidations and the fickle fingers of fashion… which often are made by the original companies… and which are still available for our remodeling projects today. Looking through my archives, I found about 30 old-skool-still-kickin’ products in all categories. I’ll do a little miniseries spread over the next week or so. Starting with: 12 real-deal mid century products still available for your kitchen today. Above: Elkay still makes stainless steel Lustertone sinks like the ones in this 1953 ad. Click on through for more info on this product and 11 others –>
Stainless steel kitchen countertop edging — One of the hardest products to find when we were renovating our kitchen was stainless steel countertop edging. My husband searched and searched and called and called, and ultimately was successful in find the perfect edging (diagram above) from New York Metal in Astoria, NY. When DH finally had the manager on the phone, the manager quickly understood the question and said, “Yeah, we sold a lot of that stuff in the 50s.” Bingo. I have done several stories on using this product — for example, here’s a step-by-step of the three pieces that we ordered and installed — and here’s my video about my retro kitchen countertop, which shows you some issues ‘live’. (Note, the main go-to place for aluminum countertop edging is now is “not 50 years old” Eagle Mouldings, disclosure: a current advertiser.)
Boomerang laminate from Formica — Of course, metal banding was used to edge laminate countertops. Today, the only “authentic” design available (that I know of) is the classic “Skylark” from Formica. Alas, no more aquamarine or coral directly from Formica via the big box stores — only Charcoal. (Chalk one up for the Greige Nation.) . Looking beyond the authentic retro designs, I try to keep track of “retro style” laminates from all the major manufacturers in my Kitchen/Countertops category. For example, I like Formica’s “Dogbone,” and there are some pretty decent “linen looks” right now from a number of makers.
Elkay stainless steel sink tops — I first wrote about Elkay Lustertone drainboard sinks in late 2007. These wonderful products have been around for a long time. If my salvaged 1963 Geneva steel kitchen cabinets had not come with four vintage Kohler cast iron double bowl sinks, I may have gone this Elkay drainboard route. I LOVE the idea that you can plop wet stuff right on the drainboards — and stainless steel is even more serviceable than porcelain, I think. I recently connected with someone in Great Barrington who is installing one of these Elkay Lustertones on vintage Beauty Queen sink base. I think he chose a Custom all-built-in design (like the one at the right.) I’m have been chasing him for a photo of the completed project. See drop-in drainboard sinks here. Here is an example of complete “sink top”, other sizes also are available.
Kohler Delafield cast iron double-bowl kitchen sink — Look at this fabulous slide show of vintage kitchens –> that the super responsive communications team at Kohler provided to me last year — lovely! The Kohler Delafield sink — porcelain-on-cast iron — double-bowl — made in the USA — around since the 1940s — (above and vintage, at the right) — is a Retro Renovation classic basic. Except…
Hudee Rings aka Metal Sink Rims from Vance Industries: … except… the Kohler marketing photo above does not show the stainless steel sink rim, or sink frame — or”hudee ring” — as we call this ubiquitous yet now kinda “forgotten” feature of mid century homes. These are still made by Vance Industries — in business in Illinois since 1949 — in 18 stock sizes or on request, virtually any size. Yes, I am obsessed with Hudee Rings. Read my interview with company CEO Bill Rapp here. And, get ‘yer hudees here: Vance Industries metal sink rims, lugs and bolts.
Built-in, hudee-ringed cutting boards— Vance Industries also still makes those built-in, metal-rimmed cutting boards — Built-In Surface Savers® — that started to proliferate in the 1970s. They have a bunch of styles, pretty impressive. Reader Jon is the intrepid researcher who discovered Vance Industries. I am everlastingly grateful. Jon & Trixi installed “Wild Spice” (above) in their kitchen.
Carrie as Dishmaster “Queen for a Day”Dishmaster kitchen faucet — It’s not just a kitchen faucet — it’s a Dishmaster. Okay — not made by the original company — but made by a nice company in Indiana that bought the tooling and stuff from the original owners in Michigan. Okay — the large rectangular housing is no longer a honkin’ steel casting (it’s some kind of chromed plastic or composite) — but the Dishmaster still is unparalleled in its authentic retro funkiness. Read about my tour to visit the factory in Indiana…. and 5 models to choose from here.
Sub Zero refrigerators — If you order the old style grille for up top… and the “framed” handles… and “appliance white” panels (or your own laminate)… you can get a Sub-Zero today that looks just like the Sub-Zeros back in 1966, the year for this ad (right, and featured larger in my original story). I used this strategy, and installed 42″ white, side-by-side Sub Zero in my “new” 1963 kitchen. Yes, the Sub Zero fridge cost me a lot. But my salvaged cabinets came in at less than $30 a unit after years of hunting. Don’t rain on my splurge parade. Sub Zero’s website.
Nutone kitchen exhaust fans — You can still get a Nutone exhaust fan for your kitchen… BUT, the satin grille is no longer available, alas, although sometimes we see new old stock that fits come up on ebay and the like.
Wallpaper reproductions — I am the world’s #1 fan of wallpaper for midcentury homes — including in the kitchen. Okay, so the “New York New York” design by Saul Steinberg (of New Yorker fame) for Schumacher may been designed with kitchens, but it seemed appropriate to feature it today. 😉 See my Wallpapers category for other authentic vintage reproductions including from Sanderson, Thibaut and Bradbury & Bradbury (disclosure: a current advertiser).
Chemex coffeemaker — I could go on a long riff about pots, pans, silverware, accessories and towels. Some Armstrong VCT is probably the same as it ever was. But I fear this story is already too long, and 13 is an unlucky number. So, we’ll end with Chemex coffeemaker, invented in 1942 and still sold today. A classic – home base in the town right next door to me, Pittsfield, Mass.
This blog is ALL ABOUT researching products to help you with renovating, un-renovating, decorating and otherwise loving your mid century home. –> Check out my all my Kitchen product research in my Kitchens category, which now features improved, second level navigation to help you find what you’re looking for, faster.
Tricia says
My hubby bought a Chemex (just like the one pictured) a few years ago. He loves it.
ClaudiaD says
It’s not on the list, but we have a NUTONE intercom/radio system in our 1958 house. The main console is in our kitchen, and there are speakers to every room in the house (minus the bathrooms) as well as the garage, outside entry, and patio.
Not all of the connections still work but it’s sometimes fun to call down to the rec room and say “dinner’s ready.”
It’s fun. Nutone!
Just another Pam says
I adore the drainboard sink but had to make do with an Ikea, it’s poor third cousin 17 times removed, as I spent most of my cash on other things during the reno. And not going with the laminate above was a big mistake, got too hung up on time frames, and then I could have had the drainboard sink. Pout.
pam kueber says
Oh, Pam, be easier on yourself! I am sure your kitchen is MUCH HAPPIER for all the work you’ve put into it! Hey, I’ve written about the Ikea sinks before — I like them! https://retrorenovation.com/2010/02/10/ikea-kitchen-sinks-with-retro-style/
ELK says
As a kid it was my job to clean the crude out of the Hudee ring on “surface saver”, I am afraid I cannot share your love o’ the ring! I did appreciate that you could take the most scalding hot thing ever and slide it on to the surface with no fear, though.
pam kueber says
I hear ya. I am told, however, that if it is ratcheted down correctly, el crud should not get beneath. We have had the original 50 year old hudee around our kitchen sink for a number of years now with no problems whatsoever.
Jamie says
Glad to know there are still replacements for the built-in cutting boards! The amazing mid-century house we’re hoping to buy (if my damn condo ever sells, fingers crossed) has not only a built in cutting board, but built-in *everything* throughout the house. There’s a chrome built-in in the corner of the kitchen countertop that we initially thought was a breadbox. Pulled it out, and it’s a combo paper towel/aluminum foil/Saran wrap roll holder. And the bathroom has a similar chrome thing built into the wall. We thought it was a laundry chute, but it folds out and reveals a scale! It was so fun finding all the little hidden gems. *sigh* I hope it’ll be ours soon.
pam kueber says
Welcome, Jamie. All that bathroom deliciousness is likely vintage Hall-Mack — see this post: https://retrorenovation.com/2009/07/26/18-rare-1962-vintage-hall-mack-bathroom-accessories/ … Good luck, fingers crossed on your real estate deals!
Megan B says
I just scored a chemex from the Salvation Army for $1.50! Missing the wood/leather saddle, but you can buy a replacement. Delicious coffee, too!
pam kueber says
Yup, these are around! Watch for the electric warmers, too — they are very desirable!
Melissa says
I think the wallpaper you have about is in the 1/2 bath in the house I’m waiting to close on!!! LOL
pam kueber says
Melissa, you are so lucky – that stuff is EXPENSIVE!
Nina462 says
Good to know about the exhaust fans as I plan to put one in the bathroom next year!
Carrie says
I am LOVING my Dishmaster…and even my kids love it! They don’t mind doing the dishes as much, they say the Dishmaster makes it way easier to wash. The fact it dispenses the soap and is still made in the USA is a really big deal to me!
pam kueber says
Yay, Carrie! I LOVE LOVE LOVE that photo of you as Dishmaster Queen for a Day. One of my all time favorite blog moments. You rock, girl!
Carrie says
Thank you!
Jill says
Which model do you have? Does it work just as a normal faucet as well? I am very new to Dishmasters and I am looking into one but want to know how its used. Thanks for your help!
pam kueber says
Jill, see all our stories about Dishmasters here — https://retrorenovation.com/search-results/?q=dishmasters
Brenny says
Dishmaster has a great sale going on. I believe it’s lasting 3 more days?