Hey, tortured by being raised in a small, unrestored 1950s house, Karen’s three girls (Karen on the right) sure look like they turned out just fine. Better than just fine!
Here’s a good one — and a good followup to yesterday’s story discussing “when is it *okay* to let go of something original?” and introducing the Retro Renovator’s Creed. Karen wants our help. She wants to brighten up her 1954 kitchen … should she replace the ceramic tile countertops with something more sparkly? Read on for her entire story and question… then let’s confuse her some more with all our ideas and opinion –>
Pam, You ROCK! Thank you so much for hosting this retro reno PARTY!
I’m throwing my hat in the ring. While my dilemma is not new or particularly unique, I could sure use some help from all your retronistas. The simple problem is whether to replace a perfectly good, original, 1954 tile countertop with one that will add pizzazz.
We bought the house 20 years ago from the original owners. It had not been touched since a year before, and sneaking into it late one night, we were truly caught in a time warp. Back then, we were too busy raising three daughters to make any changes to a perfectly usable pink bathroom and all original everything else, apart from new carpet and the addition of a dishwasher. When I began to breathe and look around, I had no idea what I had or what to do with it.
Then, I found this Brown Saltman sideboard in a dirty old junk store. It had amoeba handles and the glass top, and I HAD to have it. After we squished it into the dining room and I saw the flow to the corner fireplace, it truly hit me as an epiphany: This house was one of those fifties retro houses! Seriously, this is 15 years after we moved in.
Then came a year of mad ebay, yardsale and junk store shopping. I’ve settled down on the buying, but still pass the counter tops with a sigh. While replacing them seems sacrilegious, the grout is a germ magnet, and the colors are drab next to the gorgeous ash cabinets, well, they will be gorgeous once I steam and refinish them.
I have my eye on some of that new glass tile for the backsplash and maybe a black formica counter? So, help. What do you think?
Any suggestions are soooooo much appreciated.
Thank you, Karen. But no: You ROCK. Your house is just lovely!
What do you think, readers?
Should Karen replace her original ceramic tile countertops?
If yes, with what?
If no, how to add the ‘pizzazz’ she seeks to this kitchen?
I will hold back and see what you say… but I for sure have some ideas.
I would vote for replacing the tile. If the grout is difficult to clean and driving you crazy, it’s probably not the right countertop for you. I would vote for doing something in a cheery color and/or with a pattern over black, though – I feel like black countertops would detract from the beautiful wood.
Lynn Marie, Thank you so much for your comments! Since I can’t keep Princess Fluffball off the counter, I’m not diggin her wake.
No!!! No no no!!! Don’t replace those fantastic counters! clorox spray cleaner gets the crud out of the grout lines. Your kitchen is almost identical to mine – except yours looks so much better! Now I have to study your pictures to redo my kitchen to match yours.
I would kill to have countertops like those!! Surely, there must be a way to add the “pizzazz” you are seeking while keeping those timeless tiles!!
Wow, Pamela, thanks so much for the encouragement. I’m seeing there are some great ideas!
I love the tile! ( and everything else as well ) I think I would call the grout doctor and have it cleaned and sealed. That would make it germ free. I would suggest putting the money into flooring. Some vct tiles in a great color combo would liven it up and bring in the color you want.
April, What a great idea! Now, where do I find that floor?
VCT is Vinyl Composition Tile, you can special order tons of colors from Home Depot or Lowes or pretty much any flooring store, also some stores stock some pretty colors as well as the basics. Marmoleum tile is also a good choice if you like colorful tile. I’m sure Pam has lots of info on flooring that’s era appropriate for your house on the site.
Best of luck with your lovely home!
We are probably going to replace the 80′s-remodel laminate countertops in our kitchen WITH tile like this! We love tile countertops – the freedom of being able to plop a hot pan anywhere is wonderful. If you want some splash, how about some tile decals on the backsplash tile? Or even paint a design there?
That’s true! I always took that ability (plopping hot pans from the oven right on top) for granted. Now I might smugly smile, to myself, of course.
Funny how the grass is always greener. My 1950 house has white formica countertops (not original, I don’t think, but quite old) and they are so boring to me, while your tile looks amazing. I like the previous commenter’s ideas of sealing the tile. That said, if you’re aching for something new and you’ve got the budget, then get it. I don’t love black formica though – what about one of those retro boomerang patterns?
Ohh, maybe throw some boomerang decals on a few squares. But it’s the brown on wood. What were they thinking?
I think I’d leave the counter tile but have it re-grouted & sealed. Then if you seal it every year it should stay pretty clean.
I’d consider updating the light fixture to something more atomic-ish, & maybe painting the walls a brighter more fun color. I honestly think those 2 things would give you that pizazz, brighten it all up, & best of all save you some serious cash over the other options!
Hi Kelli, Now I’m thinking. I used to like the light fixture, but the bugs like it more these days. (in ebay search box – retro kitchen ceiling fixture)
Hi Karen,
I will let you in on my bias towards black right away. I love it as a contrast with blond wood. Sometimes you hear people worrying that it will be too dark or oppressive but if you have it balanced with good lighting and enough other light-colored things I find it feels wonderful and warm. I sympathize with your grout-line concerns too. I have black ceramic tile on my island with lines of black sanded-grout. I bake a lot so they are forever getting filled with flour which is chore to get clean. One thing to consider about the Formica route is unlike your current tile, you can’t pop a pan off the stove or out of the oven directly on it. I’m leaning towards black quartz, silestone, or something similar in solid-surface to get rid of the grout-line problems while retaining that heat resistant property in my own kitchen.
Thanks, Chris! Great ideas with a functional eye. I need that as I’m not always practical.
Beautiful countertops, but tile isn’t for everyone. I would see if the tile can be salvaged and maybe replace it with a laminate and add aluminum/chrome trim. It would still be period appropriate, liven up the space, and the vintage tile could live on in another project!
Do you have one in mind?
Karen,
I have this in a sample, and want to do ours in it:
http://www.nevamar.com/nevamar/pages_nevamar/nevmar_color_search.php?scode=VA7001&cat=nevmar&hpl_cart_ID=175
Alternatively, you could check out this from Wilsonart:
http://samples.wilsonart.com/p-622-sea-glass-4900.aspx
Formica doesn’t seem to have anything with a retro flair, save the charcoal boomerang. I don’t have a sample of the Wilsonart, but the Nevamar is really quite striking and comes in a few colorways (a brown and gray version specifically). The yellow and blue in the Nevamar would play lovely off of your cabinets, but also add some color to the countertop.
Re-grout, seal, and paint the walls a period-appropriate shade of orange.
What a great place you have! I’d love to have your tile countertops.
I agree the tile is drap….replace
HaHa! I love you, Mollie d
I’d replace because I just don’t like tile counters. They are so hard and unforgiving, you have to be so careful when putting anything glass on them – and I’m hardly a bull in a china shop. Nothing about tile kitchen counters shouts mod or stylish to me so I wouldn’t feel guilty about it either. I think an atomic pattern formica counter top would be awesome and so much more forgiving than tile. It’s a very cool house.
Thank you so much, Nathan! What color? I know just the formica you mean.
If it were the more “Spanish-looking” tile with the huge gaps of grout, I’d say rip it out and godspeed, but this looks more manageable to me, as well as being pretty. Since you’re wavering, maybe these questions will focus your inclinations: Does the color have to be perceived as “drab” — or could you see it as a neutral backdrop that won’t compete with stunning accessories? Is the dirt-magnet problem an issue everywhere — or could you save a lot of resurfacing money by acquiring some kind of localized traylike work surface you could use on top of the tile? (For instance, I wouldn’t want to roll out dough on the tiled surface, but I could see getting a marble work slab that would stay out on the counter most of the time, or could be put away.) For the vintage look you like, the two-tone 4×4 tile seems to instantly transport us back to the 50s better than any other surface except maybe cracked-ice Formica (like what I have!); I love glass tile and have installed it in two bathrooms, but it would break the spell of the era your kitchen currently inhabits. I think you have to judge whether you want the tile so much that you’re willing to let it dislodge the vibe created by your great furniture and cabinets.
Brian T, can I pay your way to Cali for a personal consult? So, that marble, maybe in black? And I love the attitude adjustment; it’s ALL about attitude.
To decide if you really want black, why not buy a lot of black posterboard or something similar and cover your countertops with it? Keep it up for a day or two (so you can see it in all types of light). It would be sort of like painting a big hunk of wall before you commit to doing the entire room in lime green. You can figure out if it’s too dark or if you love it before you spend the money.
That’s a great idea, Kate H! Color can be really tricky, so the more you can simulate it without committing first, the better.
My house was built in 1944, and I have the identical tile. Maybe it was upgraded in 1954? Anyway, I clean and reseal the grout every once in a blue moon, and wipe it down when necessary with disinfectant.
A colorful formica dinette set, curtains and color accents on the woodwork brighten things up. Of course, I don’t have a fabulous Heywood Wakefield table like your. I’m about ready for new flooring. The linoleum has been in the same state of disrepair since I bought the house 25 years ago. It doesn’t show dirt, because it is embossesd with faux dirt in the faux Spanish tile design. Talk about unclear on the concept!
Anyway, I would never replace the counter tilework. It’s a great neutral color.
Haha, Sounds like you’d love to get going on some transformations. I hope you’ll post some pics when you do.
I vote for saving the tiles. They give continuity to the house since the bathroom is similar.
It’s true, BungalowBill, I have another bathroom with two-toned green tiles as well. All the tile in the house is in excellent condition, much to my chagrin.
Well — my thought would be replace… but not because of the look. They are pretty! Have you made a pros and cons list? I do this for everything! But it sounds like you find the surface difficult to keep clean. And you sadly sigh when you walk by it. Now, I do like what Annie B. said. Does that idea make you interested in keeping it? Orange paint and grout sealer are certainly cheaper!
If you do go with black formica, let me give you a word of warning. My husband just laminated over our avocado countertops. The color worked ok, but they were in horrible shape. Scratched and stained, chipped at the edges. We just covered them. I chose a black laminate veneer that looks just like soapstone. Very very nice looking. But — the low sheen that the surface has shows every single drop of water. If you get anything on it, you have to wipe off the whole surface, or it leaves water spots. The spots go away, but only after you’ve wiped down the entire thing. It is sort of a pain in the behind. But it looks great — and I suppose this quality forces me to clean a little more!
I can’t wait to hear what you decide. Your house is wonderful!!!!!!!
Thank you so much, Chris, I am thinking orange paint! And, thank you for the advice on the black. I certainly wouldn’t have considered the water residue.
Solatubes. Before you do anything else, you need light. Maybe undercounter lights, too. I don’t see a black countertop as fitting anything in the rest of the house.
It’s hard to judge the tile colors with the yellow tinge from the ash and ceiling light. I think before you think about re-tiling, you might as well refinish the cabinets. The color may be yellowed. Grout can be redone and resealed at a fraction of the cost. There are hundreds of dollars of tilework already invested in those counters!
Oh you’re soooo right! I’ve checked out solatubes and now you’ve given me the impetus to investigate that seriously again.
I was wondering … if/when you replace your tile, would it be possible for you to remove the entire countertop WITH the tile still intact? If you did that, you could probably send it to a place like Re-Store. And, on top of that, you could then add any kind of new surface you want – sort of a “start with a clean slate” kind of thing. Or, as another reader mentioned in the comments earlier, you could just laminate over the tile, which is a great idea, and probably would be the easiest way to go.
I think that if you did change out the appearance of the countertop, maybe you could make the backsplash black, and have a white (or light) colored laminate working surface.
I’d like to make a quick edit to my previous comment: Maybe instead of a black backsplash, I think I should have said a “black or dark colored backsplash”.
I agree, Daniel, I love the idea of black and white with the wood.
I LOVE that cookie jar on the counter. The whiskers are so lifelike!
I’ll give her your regards
Hmmm.
I had the EXACT same tile in my tiny dark 1959 cabin-even had the knotty pine cabinets. I grew to love the color, but it took me some time.
There was a bit of a pinky cast, but also some hints of yellow.
I just didn’t know what to do with it color-wise.
In my bathroom, I found that a rich plum in towels, curtains, etc. set off the color really really well. But I can’t really see that in your kitchen. You have that great orange and green print going on in the chairs. Perhaps a really vibrant peach/coral would set everything off?
I’ve had good luck re-sealing grout and getting that ‘like new’ feeling.
Also echoing the advice to get solatube or some more light in there.
Skylights made all the difference in kitchen. It’s hard to love that color in the twilight. See if you can explore getting more light before you decide.
Oh, and yes, that is a fetching cookie jar you have there.
Love the house!
Chutti, exactly, kind of a pink cast but not quite. Thanks for the great advice; I’m on it!
OK, I am having the same problem. I have a 1963 time capsule with the original spacey Formica on the counters and backsplash. It is not in the best shape, but the dotted gold star and blue circle pattern is quite subtly unique. If I had the tile you have, I might not want to replace it, as I really like that look.
On the backsplash, the pattern doesn’t show, so I did finally replace the backsplash with some boffo 60s Japanese ceramic Flintstone tiles Pam turned us all on to on here. Now the poor countertops look anemic. Must have something different, and I too love sparkle!
Told you that to tell you this. I have been teetering between tiling as you have, which I really really like, Formica in a retro pattern, though not the same one unfortunately, recycled glass, Corian which I have in another house and love. Finally I ordered some gorgeous Vetrazzo samples, recycled glass with lots of color and sparkle. It is gorgeous. Of course, as soon as I had the samples in my hand, I knew they would not work, I need somewhere between subtle like my current Formica and sock-it-to-em like the Vetrazzo. Check out Floating Blue, Millefiori and Glass House at Vetrazzo.com to see. They are so much more vivid and sparkly in person! So, I am back to the drawing board and leaning toward Corian. Just wanted to tell you be sure to get the samples and lay them down on the countertop to see the effects! Have fun!
Hi Elaine, I did! Got those samples, so excited, threw them away in one fell swoop. Glass is much too modern, and I didn’t want the rest of the house to see what I had secretly considered.
I’m seeing the drab, but also reminded of a cute new kitchen I saw in Kitchen and Bath Ideas (the BH&G publication). It was all new, but retro in style. They used the colors of your tile with a beautiful true linoleum floor and a mix of wood and light blue cabinets from Ikea. The appliances were white like yours. I’d definitely look for that publication — I think it was around November 2011. You could adapt many of the ideas in that kitchen and it would all look great with your tile.
I think the tile looks drab now because you don’t like it so your accessories and paint color are fighting it rather than complimenting it. OTOH, maybe you just don’t want a tile counter anymore! Once you consider all this input if you still want to change, go for it!
Lisa, thanks for the tip! I’ll look for that, but I don’t think I could paint the cabinets. I’ll definitely refinish them, sooner than later. I once opened the oven and a ton of steam escaped. When I wiped down the door above it, the grime melted away revealing a beautiful finish. So, steaming them soon. It’s amazing what I don’t know.
Oh, I didn’t mean you should paint the cabinets! In the kitchen I referenced they put all-new cabinets from Ikea. The wood ones have a similar tone to your MC originals. They also used some in light blue — it made me think you could pull in that tone somewhere to good effect, not necessarily on the cabinets. Maybe the walls… The linoleum brought in the blue and that maroon like what is on your counters plus I think a yellow, and they include a map of how he did the floor!
How about replacing with a different color tile and something that is still of the period? Formica is nice, too. I, for one, H*** [edited} granite counter tops. I don’t know how that trend got started, but I predict 20 years from now people will look at a house and say “Ugh, granite!” Who am I, Fred Flintstone? Leave the granite outdoors, where it belongs.
Haha, You’re so right.
I agree with the tile being hard to keep clean. Love the tile in the bathroom, though! However, if it can be sealed, why not keep it, and do the new floor thing… that will do wonders for perking the place up.
Completely random observation: I have that exact same white cooktop. Same hood, too, only mine is brushed aluminum.
Save the countertops. Paint the walls.
Although I’m not a real fan of tile countertops, yours look to be in perfect condition and they “go” with your home. My initial thought when looking at the pictures was not how drab the tile is but how dingy the cabinetry is. I think it might be the yellowing that makes the tile colors look bad so your idea of refinishing them is probably a good one. I’d refinish the cabinetry, brighten up the flooring with something more lively, paint the walls something complimentary, replace all the pulls/knobs for sparkle (maybe nickel or chrome) and add new lighting (ceiling and undercabinet). After doing all that, the tile may come to life. Your bathroom is gorgeous, by the way.
Absolutely, JKM, Those cabinets first, then the floor. I wonder which is more expensive? (Sheer determination will find a way.)
Not the worst kind of dilemma to have, I suppose, but still a dilemma. If you are really not in love with the tile (and I think you’ve lived with it long enough to have given it a chance) have you considered (or is it even possible) to replace the countertops but leave the backsplash? Kind of a best of both worlds scenario where you get to keep something original but get the countertop you really want. It might actually make the original tile backsplash stand out even more.
Definitely a great idea to add to the many others. Thanks so much.
I think your tiles are lovely! I think you have just begun to realize how lucky you are to have stumbled into such an amazingly well-kept design– do not let yourself regret making permanent changes before you try every single option. I like the idea of adding yellows, oranges or reds to the room in the form of paint, lighting, and other things that can be changed if you find they’re not exactly perfect. Your tiles and your cabinets can also be the warm background to some eye-popping backspash choices as well.
Nicole, that is a great idea. Kind of like a doctor’s “first do no harm” motto. Karen, if you’re going to go ahead and spruce up other aspects of the kitchen, it would make sense to make small changes (paint is just not that expensive) and see if the new “setting” makes you like the countertops more. I can’t imagine it will be any small feat to remove all that tile without damaging the tile (though I don’t know that for sure).
I have never been a fan of tile for countertops, but that’s me. I would replace them, however that stove is great with the ring around it — did they do hudee rings for stoves? I would replace it with a period appropriate laminate.
Blue boomerangs, maybe?
Karen, you’ve got some amazing stuff there!
I vote to keep and regrout/seal the tile. As others have suggested, spend that money on new flooring and look at different lighting options. Good under-cabinet light will brighten those surfaces, too. Definitely consider a new wall color.
Computer monitors are tough to get a good feel, but I think a very pale orange or even a blue (blue and brown can be amazing together) would be terrific.
Refinish the cabinets as planned and the counters won’t have to be the only starring attraction in the room. I love the continuity with your other tile in the baths and I think you’ll miss the durability.
As to flooring, I am much more a fan of sheet linoleum than I am of squares. If you find a good installer, they can even do patterns in the floor with a contrasting color. A popular style in the period was to lay a “feature strip” about 1.5 or two inches wide just a few inches out from the cabinetry, following the contours of the room. The small area between the feature strip and cabinets could be a darker version of the “field color” of the main floor, the same color as the main floor, or the feature strip could run to the base of the cabinets. It’s a neat look, but it can make a room feel smaller. Strips or a diamond in the center of the floor might be another alternative.
Ooooo, that strip around the floor sounds fabulous. I have marmoleum in the pink bath and I wanted to get that in the kitchen. Maybe I will! Blue? Blue and orange are contrasts and the cabinets are golden, or will be soon. Wow, I totally never thought of that. Thank you so much!!
Paul, I tried so hard to find someone to do that for me! Lots of people were willing to lay the sheet marmoleum, but no one would touch my idea of replicating that feature strip. In the end, it’s okay, because it’s a very small kitchen and that might have made it look even smaller, but I was so disheartened trying to find ANYONE who would even consider it (which wasn’t so surprising in small town Iowa).
I have cream colored 4″ ceramic tiles and I love them. I just cleaned the grout with 1part bleach to 3 parts baking soda and scrubbed with a toothbrush and they look clean and fantastic. I would not change them unless you’re going contemporary with the whole kitchen, and it sounds like you’re not. If you do change the countertops keep in mind that the kitchen is already somewhat dark and black formica will suck all the remaining light out of the room.
Dawn, thank you for the recipe! I’ve used bleach, of course, but not mixed it with the baking soda. Gonna do that right this very minute. Thanks again.
Try a Clorox bleach pen on the grout. You just draw a line right down the grout. Hence, “bleach pen”. That tile is in fab condition, no way would I tear it out.
I would keep the tile counters and try the other updates already mentioned. Paint the walls your favorite color, get those cabinets refinished , if you don’t replace the floor, some snazzy area rugs to match your wall color, and replace the light.
The tile is GORGEOUS! I think you don’t like it because everything in the kitchen is so neutral. I agree with what others have said – change the light fixture, add some lighting under the cabinets, get a bright formica on the floor and brighter color on the wall and it will make a TON of difference! I would also put white mini blinds or brighter curtains on the window above the sink and chrome knobs on the cabinets. All of these changes will really brighten everything and it’ll look like new! Well not new…old…vintage…you know what I mean.
I love the kitchen and the original tile. And I agree with others above who have suggested having the counters & back splash professionally re-grouted & sealed. I also agree that the kitchen will have much more pizzazz once the wood cabinets are refinished and that beautiful golden wood is given more life. A new vintage period light fixture would do wonders for the room and I’d add a lot more vintage kitchen accessories (the copper stuff looks especially great in there! Look up vintage copper kitchen accessories on ebay and you’ll find lots of lovely stuff that would work well in that space). I also like the green paint color I see in the dinning nook and I might consider carrying that color through the whole kitchen. Maybe a new green toned vintage looking linoleum floor would work in there to add extra color? I can’t tell if the floor is original or not but the neutral color doesn’t look bad either. Vintage style kitchen rugs and linens in shades of green or neutral would also do wonders for the room.
All I have to say is,
“If it ain’t broke….”
Ah! You have done such a good job with your cute cute retro house! I personally think ceramic tile counter tops are a pain, too. I have ambivalent feelings towards IKEA, but there are some countertops there that have some sparkle and pizzazz that would look lovely in a retro home. My husband and I bought a 1900′s home, but made a 1940′s-1950′s looking kitchen on the cheap…for the time being. We found beautiful mint green paint and modern but retro glass tile for backsplash all on clearance at Home Depot. We actually considered using IKEA’s laminate flooring for a countertop…it sounds weird, but I have seen it done and it looks great. my vote is smash it all up and start fresh!!!
I’m not sure what I would do. Honestly, I’m not a fan of the tile counter top either. BUT, I’m sure there are things that you can do with the walls, accessories, fixtures and what not that would make it really shine. My husband and I bought our 1960 ranch house last November from the original owner. It’s a beautiful little house with many original details. But one thing to keep in mind is that just because it’s vintage/original, doesn’t always mean that it was quality or a top design choice. When we moved into our new house, the kitchen was YELLOW. The cabinets are blond wood, the floor is off-whitish/marble (faux), the counters and backsplash were all yellow formica, and the walls were creamy off-white, the cabinet hardware with almost all aged yellow bronze, light fixtures with polished ‘gold’ finish, and a built-in china cabinet with wavy amber (plexi)glass. It made me feel jaundiced just thinking about the room. But a kitchen make-over was not in the cards, so I decided to just change what I could to compliment the elements I liked the most. I painted the walls and the backsplashes a yellow based sage green that compliments the yellow counter tops and the amber glass in the china cabinet. I put in a stained glass light fixture with some mid-mod flair, and added bright red accessories. Now I love everything about my kitchen…even the yellow counters
I think those countertops are as pizzazzful as anything you could put in. And once they’re gone you can’t get them back. I second the clean and seal, and then just be good about using a cutting board for anything that is prone to have bacteria. And arm yourself with a little spray bottle of diluted bleach.
I’d love to see more shine to the cabinets and some vintage chrome knobs. Then, perhaps more color to the walls and the trim. The counters are absolutely lovely, though, and I love how it ties into your bathroom.
I like the counter-tops and would keep them. I think the floor is what is really making the space drab.
I can’t tell if the counter top range and the wall oven match the two shades of mauve. If they do, aren’t you in luck! We moved into a house with avocado laminate countertops and had to hunt for avocado appliances to match. Also, removing tile countertops is not an easy thing to do. Some of them have very heavy, thick set mortar and could damage the cabinets that you are trying to highlight. I agree that flooring and wall color would be much easier. They have tinted grout sealer in different colors that can really make your countertops stand out. We used a dark grey with out floor tile to hide the water stains in our old grout. It’s also easier to keep darker grout clean “looking”.
Wendy, that’s a very good point about the thickset/mortar bed. I wonder if new countertops would have to be supplemented a bit to reach the same height. That would be even more work…
What about just replacing the decorative edge with a different color of tile, and keep the same look and feel? A different color will be refreshing. Change lights, paint, knobs, and get the existing tile professionally cleaned – Voila! A new kitchen for a few hundred dollars.
[Our cabinets had 4 layers of paint (matte and gloss white (yes, mixed), cruddy brown, yellow, and turquoise), and chipped formica counters. Ew. Substituted with IKEA and am not sure I did the right thing.]
I am big fan of tile counter tops. I don’t mind keeping up with the grout cleaning. however, as retroly perfect as your house is, you may be able to replace them with something more fitting the time period.
I, like many others, have the same tile in my kitchen. It’s not in such sound shape as yours and not a regulation depth as yours appears to be. (not deep enough to install a dishwasher) I haven’t had the money or time just yet to plan a more involved remodel, but painting the cabinets and changing out the pulls is a fantastic way to freshen up the look for cheap! I just hate the idea of ripping out something that’s serviceable and actually pretty charming!
I think the tiles could read as a neutral against most colors you might want to use. Maybe bring in that fresh green from your breakfast room on the walls, a creamy vanilla for the cupboards. (your yellow kitchenaid will pop nicely with the green) Or skip the green and save the pop of color for the VCT floors– Lowe’s sells literally hundreds of colors. I’m liking the idea of using a bright yellow to match your counter appliances, or maybe a border of burgundy and field of beige (perhaps too predictable to copy the counter?) Try to make something else in the kitchen your hate-object rather than the counters.
Have fun!!
I would keep the bathroom tile, but replace the kitchen tile because, well, it’s just boring–and there is too much “sameness” to the color tones in the kitchen.
What a conundrum! While I am no fan of tile countertops — however; I am a fan of continuity. The theme of tiled walls and tops run through the house — just in varying colorways. I think that’s something to consider. If you are wanting to be true to the original design and keep the tile, I would suggest the following:
1. wall paint — I would reconsider the green on wall. In the pics I can see, it’s just not bringing the best out of the wood cabinets and it kind of gets aggressive with warm pinks. I have seen many a seafoam and pinks color scheme pulled off quite nicely, but it’s just not happening here. I think the wood of the cabinets are the wrench in the works. Love the wood — so it might be time to nix the minty (?) green.
2. the cabinet pulls — Hey I love artistic pieces and unique cabinet hardware can really be a homerun. In a retro home, they can come off looking like a school project. Great for homespun, bad for mid-century authenticity. You have Bronzed hinges, go put the originals back on or source some period pulls. THEY WILL DO A WONDER of a job.
3. the cabinet finish — If you’re still not satisfied, I would break down and have the cabinets refinished. No changes to the original, but the finish looks tired. It does that — it cannot last forever. Several of the door fronts look dull or discolored. A great cabinet guy will restore them to their original glow. Of course this is pricey and you might say, “Billy, that’s a lot more than the new counter tops would be!” Perhaps, but if you want original — this will make it happen.
With the refreshed finishes of the cabinets, period pulls and a cooperative wall color, some trim like hand towels and throw rugs and your vintage kitchen will shine. The original design was not flashy or build for pizzazz — rather subtle beauty and function.
Whatever you chose — good luck and hooray for caring about your time-capsule home! – Billy
Hey buddy! A lot of great suggestions.
I see the hood over your range as being the wrong color. Either match your stove or your oven. It’s copper and doesn’t match anything.
Clean your cupboards is excellent. Can you loose the over head ones at the end (by the sliding door). That would open up your kitchen for so much more light.
Change the flooring too. Paint the yellow walls. Those are big changes.
I don’t love tiles but yours look great. Since I’ve been in your house and the feel is like steeping back into time… I’d leave the tile and focus on other items.
Hugs
I agree that the tile does look quite nice. However, I can understand you wanting something else. I bet the old tile-in cast iron sink is tired too. Have you thought about using black soapstone? I think that would look nice with a white tile backsplash in a design like you have now. I think one of the Marmoleum sheet products in maybe a green color (jade or eucalyptus?) would look nice on the floor. The soapstone usually has some green undertones so I think the green Marmoleum would look nice. I think soapstone looks a little like the old linoleum counters (sans the edge, of course). I would go for a large undermount stainless one- bowl sink. The cabinets are probably solid wood, maple or birch. In addition to steaming, you will need to sand them to the bare wood and then put a new finish on them. I like the Waterlox look rather than a poly finish. Waterlox penetrates into the wood rather than sitting on top. The refinish job should really improve the look of the wood. It can be touched up now and then without sanding them down. You need new hardware too for the right new look. I agree there should be a new light fixture in your future. Rejuvenation has some nice MCM choices. And lastly, I had a friend who had a house back in the 50′s in Ca and she had stainless appliances in the house. I am not a fan of stainless, but the color might look nice in the space. However, if you use the white backsplash, white appliances are nice too.
I think your first order of business is to clean/finish the cabinetry, then you will know what you are working with, no sense in making decisions with such a huge unknown in the mix. Once you have your cabinets finished the room will look lighter and brighter, also if the finish has a shine to it it’ll reflect more light around the room. Another idea that might be a simple way to get more light is to see about changing/cleaning the lens in the box fixture in the center of the room, a whiter lens will give you better light. Under cabinet lighting is probably the nicest thing you can do for a kitchen’s functionality and makes working in there so much nicer, you can get small round LED lights that string together and install easily for relatively inexpensive and DIYable at Lowes, IKEA etc.
I love your wall oven and can’t help notice that it seems to match your counter top edge tiles so nicely, if you were to replace the tile your wall oven would look very out of place, especially with other appliances being white. I think it works now even with appliances being different, mainly because of the color tie in. The Hood works the same way I think. If you really need an area with smooth countertops maybe you could re-do part with another surface, (like Pam’s Kitchen) it might be difficult to have it look intentional (rather than disjointed) depending on the layout of the room, but it might be something to look into, or a huge cutting board that sits on the countertop.
For the floors I love the previously mentioned idea of marmoleum with a border, and I think you could really liven the room with it. Maybe the narrow border would be a place to tie in one of the counter colors into the floor?
In regard to tile countertops I notice my kids make a mess of the grout all the time and it’s constantly stained etc. so I can understand feeling a bit less than in love with them, but if your daughters have just grown up you may be looking at a much easier era of cleaning coming into your life, and that takes a little time for your mind to wrap around. “What? It stays clean when I’m gone??” IF that’s the case you might like your counters more than you have in the past.
All that said, I Love your home, (it’s so perfect
and I do like the counters, they are beautiful to me and could be worked with designwise. However, I might not choose tile counters in a kitchen if I were starting from scratch, so I can understand wanting to change them out, and I’d respect your decision and admire your desire to keep your house cohesive and era appropriate, regardless of what counter top you choose.
Wow, that is the exact same tile/color/cabinet style and almost the same layout as my 1956 home. My tile is chipped, the grout is ugly and I’m not a fan of the brown color. I am curious what you will decide to do.
I lived in an apartment with identical tile for several years, and I didn’t like it when I moved in–but I grew to really love it because it’s neutral enough that you have SO many options for decorating around it. Use the beige as a backdrop, and make other elements of the room the focal point–turquoise or red would really pop against it, and pink would blend in more but still look lovely. I agree with others who have suggested redoing the floor (along with the baseboards)–the floor is much more blah than the counters. I’d also get some fun, period-appropriate wallpaper, which would really add some pizzazz to the room.
If you redo the tile and get a black countertop, what will you do about your oven? Right now it coordinates so well with your tile, it’d be a shame to replace that as well.
(Whatever you end up doing, please don’t touch the bathroom, which is just fabulous. Your whole house is adorable!)
I like the tile and think it goes so well with your cute kitchen. My fear is that if you ripped it out, a new granite or quartz tile might look out of place with those beautiful cabinets and appliances.
If you are still undecided after all these ideas you could take a staged approach.
First do the easiest, cheapest, non-destructive set of modifications and see if you like it. (i.e. wall paint, maybe some decals, and clean and seal the grout)
If you are still unhappy with the overall look then you can change out the countertops, and do it without regret of “maybe I could have saved the tile”
Just because the tile is ‘original’ doesn’t mean you should be held hostage by something that is not working for you. A thoughtful change can still be very suitable for the house and era – and most importantly bring you more pleasure.
Hi, Karen!
First, I have to say how jealous I am that you found that great Brown Saltman piece at a junk shop. And those are beautiful kitchen cabinets!
So I had a similar issue in my kitchen — tile countertops and backsplash around a wall faucet and single-basin sink. The plumbing needed work and the faucet (a Delta I’ve seen posted on RR a few times) leaked badly so the backsplash had to be removed.
If I had re-tiled with the same white 4×4 tiles, I had planned to use some Tile Tattoos to add some flare:
http://www.2jane.com/collections/tile-tattoos/products/mibo-tile-tattoos-in-shanklin-black-on-white
Those come in different colors and designs so definitely poke around on the site. It’s an easy fix that could make a big difference if you spruce up the cabinets and change your wall color.
What I ended up doing (since I had to re-do the bathroom floor, too, and had leftovers) was using aqua penny round tiles as the new backsplash, but I left the original tile counters alone.
http://www.completetile.com/products/porcelain/penny_rounds/penny-rounds/34-rounds/penny-round-mosaic-aqua-azores-gloss/
The brand I used was American Universal Corp., which offers several retro colors:
http://auc-tile.com/catalog/pennyround.html
Maybe consider carefully removing the backsplash and replacing it with something more to your taste that’s complementary to the tile counters, which look to be in excellent shape. Just throwing that out as an option.
That doesn’t solve the grout issue, but getting it professionally cleaned and sealed will help a lot. Please post back with photos to show us what you went with!
Ana
Oooooh! Thanks for the tip on the tile tattoos!
Never seen a contemporary product like that.
I have hoarded old decals for years, but it takes time to get enough for a full scale project….like old-if-fying a new refrigerator.
Those tattoos look also to be a great short term solution, or a great option for someone renting.
Thanks!
Hi, Karen. We have a ’63 ranch, and it came to us with cracked pale beige tile counters and a too-small double sink. We opted to replace the countertop, keep the cabinets with their ruffled trim (they are a natural ash that has darkened with age, and add a new wowsa glass tile backsplash. We went black Richlite for the countertop. I love the backsplash, and am glad we replaced the broken tile countertop, but have to agree with another of your replies regarding difficulty in keeping it clean looking. Had the tile been acceptable, I would probably have just kept it, however. One thing I notice about your kitchen is the hanging cabinet over the peninsula. We had one of these as well, and had it removed with our minor kitchen overhaul. I can’t begin to describe the difference this has made in the light and spacious feeling of our kitchen. It seemed like we added 100 square feet! If you can spare the cabinet space, you might consider that option to really add light to the room. Good luck, it sounds like you have plenty to mull over!
I want to second the idea of taking out the cabinets over the peninsula. We did it in our kitchen and it opened up the kitchen to the dining area and made the peninsula a usable space. It changed the way we use our kitchen.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/megan60/sets/72157628895771725/
Karen, I sympathize with you. I am of the mindset that tile belongs on the wall and not counters for obvious reasons – hard to wipe down. I was surprised that for 56 the counters were tiled until I saw you lived in California. For some reason, tiled kitchen counters have been the number one choice through the years. The tile appears to be in great shape for its’ age and those appliances look to be in excellent condition. You might be opening a can of worms but having said that, I understand the urge to put your stamp on it and maybe it’s time. You have a lovely home with some great features. Treasure it!
I am replacing my original laminate countertop with a new 50′s Boomerang style laminate. I can’t wait! My kitchen, even floor is ALL original, I am making it “new” with countertops and floors but still keeping the 50′s look. I have been collecting, shopping and hunting for decor for over 2 years and we FINALLY just got this house after waiting for almost 3 years! I am SO excited to get my kitchen done. I will post before and after pics.
Replace them! Once those cabinets are clean, you’re going to want to brighten things a bit. Sorry to those who say not to touch the counters, but I’d go notes living with all that brown (from floor to ceiling).
I love boomerang!
On a side note, I don’t think those tiles scream 1950s as much as others because the design is similarly used even today.
You will be sorry if you put in black formica! I like the tile, but I agree about the germs! I would stick with something really light in color. I have the same cabinets and the person before me refinished my original light yellow countertops with white… I’d rather have the yellow, but the white looks good next to the warmth of the wood. Just my 2 cents worth…
I had black Formica and it was fine. I have a lighter version now, with more specks, and the cleaning routine isn’t very different.
I agree with the suggestion of doing the floor. That’s what sticks out as drab for me. I bet a new floor would bring a new perspective. Great house!
I vote for replacing the tile. It is drab and although refinishing the cabinets might help, the colors just aren’t that all attractive. Personally, I like kitchens that are light and bright. If it were my kitchen, I would refinish the cabinets, replace the hardware with the great Starburst knobs they have at Rejuvenation . I’d rip out all the old tile and do a soapstone or caesarstone counter with a little sparkle in it. Personally, I think black is a little harsh. I would do an off-white/cream color for the countertop. Then I would do a new tile blacksplash in maybe a turquoise, and find some vintage Starburst tiles and pop in a few for accents. The tile in your bathroom is great and totally does your bathroom justice. The tile in your kitchen, although in good shape, does nothing to enhance the appearance of your kitchen. It sounds like you have been unhappy with it for a long time. I say “go for it girl!”
Soapstone only comes in black color. It is a natural stone and it sometimes has green veins or a grey tone to it. It is not a shiny finish. It is oiled to keep it dark. Here is one of many companies
http://www.greenmountainsoapstone.com/ It is softer than granite and can be a DIY job for a handy person. I personally think it is a nice look.
I don’t see anything wrong with respectfully removing the parts of your house that don’t suit you. By respectfully, I guess I mean after living with it a while and giving it plenty of thought. (Now, removing the 30-year-old wall-to-freakin’-wall carpeting in the bathrooms of our ’70s house, didn’t require much debate at all. I mean, really.) But we’ve had aqua boomerang Formica countertops for almost a year now, and they make me happy every day! Bright, tough, and charmingly retro. Oh, and we also did a SolarTube smack in the middle of the kitchen and it’s delightful. Do it!
I think that if you refinish the cabinets, and change the floor to something lighter, you will be amazed by how much nicer the tile looks. I really love tile for looks and function, and since your tile is in such good shape, I’d strongly suggest keeping it. I think that the brown in the wall color might be picking up on the brownish color in the field tile, and making things look darker, so you might consider repainting, maybe a nice pink.
I agree with Katie 100%. With new flooring and refinished cabinets, your tile countertops will sparkle. Please do everything else first and then make up your mind about the countertop. My 2 cents.
I have held out for as long as I could without blurting out my opinion. Here goes:
- I have never owned a kitchen with ceramic tile countertops, so I have no experience with their functionality or the cleanliness issue, but I think they look great — I really like the look. (I’ve actually been thinking lately how much I wish I had some sort of project that would enable me to put 4″ ceramic tile on a countertop or island or nook… somewhere!) And, yes, you also have this style tile countertop in your two bathrooms, so there is a pleasing room-to-room harmony — and in a high quality way, it seems. If it were my kitchen, I would do a whole bunch of other things to try to add pizzazz and get to a look I loved first, before trying to remove and replace those original, still-in-great-shape countertops and backsplash.
- I agree with another commenter that removing them is likely going to be a trial. Yes, they look mudset or set in some serious honkin’ way. I bet the walls will be ripped up something awesome — and yes, maybe the cabinets also would be damaged…Ugh.
- So here is what I would do or try, pretty much in rank order:
1. Yes! Take out the wall cabinets between your prep area and the eat-in kitchen. This will add a tremendous amount of light!
2. Get a new ceiling fixture for the center of the U-shaped prep area. I am sensing your style is retro-atomic. Maybe you can find a low profile sputnik light, the kind with arms that lay flat like a clock. I’ll try to look for some lights. Make sure the light really throws a lot of light.
3. Yes, refinish those cabinets stat. It sounds like you don’t want to paint them instead, but I am not personally “against” that option. The wood certainly is nice, though.
4. Put atomic hardware on the cabinets. Use the dish with star backlpage from Rejuv, there’s also another knob style, either one would work. http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/products/dish-star-backplate?category_id=4dfa4a8e9a866569d700000c
5. Yes, I agree with one of the comments to consider a colorful vintage dinette. The HeyWake table is gorgeous, and you know I love those chairs, but here’s a huge opportunity for you to bring in color and in a utilitarian way. I’m in the middle of writing this… is there a light over the dinette? If not, center the new/vintage one and hardwire a groovy light above it, too — another opportunity for bling.
6. Yes, wall colors with more hue (I think that’s the word) to them will “pop” the cabinetry and countertop. Or: Bradbury & Bradbury’s Atomic Doodle wallpaper? Even just against the back wall of the eat-in kitchen, with wall color to coordinate? http://www.bradbury.com/5w_atd_590.html. Note, though, I put this “after” the dinette — because I think the dinette you find will help determine a wallpaper color.
7. If you have some dough-re-mi left, how about a vintage style fridge from Big Chill or Northstar? In our small kitchens, I am very keen on fridges that set flush as possible to the cabinetry, see how these models would fit. Also, I tend to agree with the commenter who said that stainless steel might read better than the white. But now I’m getting to the end of my list (which you will notice, gets more expensive… so this suggestion is an “only if you want to consider”.
8. Amp everything up with coordinating window treatments (which you already have going on) and accessories. I am not so sure about excessive use of yellow. I think you need richer colors — to me, the yellow kind of blends too much with the wood and the floor. I think the kitchen looks pretty darn nice already — you know what you are doing!
Note: I did not suggest changing the floor — only because in our email exchange, you mentioned it had gone in recently. I agree that using color on the floor would have been an opportunity to add … color … but I think you can still get there with the ideas here and in many of the other comments.
You are getting all kinds of suggestions. It is YOUR kitchen, do what makes you happy. Goodness, you’ve been there 15 years and now you’re set free (somewhat, never “forever”) from the parenthood thing — make this the space YOU LOVE!
Good luck, of course we all want to hear how it turns out!
Pam, Thank you!!!! Now, should I get the rubbed bronze to go with the hinges, or should I get new hinges to go with the polished chrome? Yeah, that’s what I’m thinking. And, Pam, that turquoise wall paper was on the walls of the kitchen I grew up in; Mom loved turquoise. I think she even made some curtains in a matching cotton. I’m ready to take the doors down to a cabinet maker right this minute to have glass inserts installed. It can’t be too much. Oh this is such a break through in my design duldrums. Thank you so much!!
Decisions decisions. I think you could get one sample of each — and in place, see how they look. I tend to think the rubbed bronze doesn’t match your coppertone hinges anyway… and I don’t think darker is the way to go. I tend to think that polished chrome is what will work; and just leave the hinges you have in place – they are close to the color of the wood and kind of blend in. I don’t mind that they don’t match exactly. There is chrome elsewhere in the kitchen that the knobs “relate” to — your faucet, the hudee rings, parts of the stove, on your fridge (I presume). I like the brightness the chrome brings to the space…. Also, note that Rejuv has other shapes and sizes of the backplate-pull combo — really, your choice!
You can also go onto ebay to look for vintage wallpaper that would work. If you do just the back wall of the dinette area, I can’t imagine you’d need much. Then… continue the “field” color of the wallpaper through the rest of the kitchen. That would be my first instinct. See what Hannah has — go to third carousel in this story, click in to get at all her listings http://retrorenovation.com/2012/06/20/metallic-wallpaper-gorgeous-fragments-by-jud-scott-hannahs-treasures/
I agree with Brian T…and
I think you should do all the other things that Pam suggests, and that your budget will allow, and THEN see if the tile still bugs you. I think you definitely would risk damage to the cabinets by removing the tile. I usually am no fan of tile, but I really like this, and I do think it’s neutral so that other areas can shine!
Thanks for agreeing with whatever I said. Looks like I got nuked, and I don’t know why. For quoting the homeowner’s opinion that the tile color is “d***”?
I don’t remember nuking anyone, Brian…. I’ll check spam; sometimes stuff goes there. I get literally 100s of robot spam comments each day so I don’t usually go there….
Pam has some good suggestions. I love the Heywood Wakefield table. I think it would look nice with some matching wood chairs with colorful fabric on the seats. The color will look nice with the newly refinished cabinets. I do like the idea of taking down the peninsula cabinets. Maybe wallpaper could go in the breakfast room to brighten the space. When the upper cabinets are down, perhaps a wonderful new marble slab would look nice sitting on that counter so you would have a work space and visually break up the look of the tile a bit.
NOOOOOO- do not replace that tile! (unless of course it is cracked/broken) You might think I’m crazy- but leave the tile and paint/replace the cabinets. Aqua, pale turquoise or even white cabinets would brighten things.
I don’t worry about the cleanliness of the grout itself. I’m more of the mind that pets don’t belong on kitchen counters.
Keep the tile, really wipe down the cabinets and make them shine and change the cabinet handles, Rethink any and all accessories that are sitting out — and look for some that are bright and fun. Ask a talented friend to come over and help you decide what might work.
1. No, do not rip out the cabinets over the peninsula. If you feel you need more light and flow between kitchen and eating nook, replace the cabinet doors with clear or opaque glass (depending on how cute what you store in there is). That way you maintain the storage space, and you also gain display space if you want.
2. I will not think less of you if you replace the tile, but personally I would keep it. I collect midcentury dinnerware as well as vintage fabric. Although those rosy shades of tan and medium brown are not my favorites by themselves, they are common in some pretty awesome fifties/early sixties color palettes. I have a vintage couch the color of your accent tile. By itself it’s not that eye-catching, but it does look amazing with the right colors.
I can’t find a single picture that sums it up, but if you spend a little time looking at midcentury pottery (Laurel of California, and also Russel Wright American Modern, e.g.), vintage barkcloth, and midcentury interiors, I’ll bet you’ll find some colors that work with your tile: very warm, muted midtones in teal/aqua/, chartreuse/olive, gray, and a golden tan.
3. Don’t forget to send pix when you are done! Happy retro renovating!
I mean, replace the doors with ones that have glass panels (as Lynda says below), not replace the doors with glass. Of course you want doors.
Great idea to suggest doors with glass inserts for the wall cabinets between the dinette and the main part of the kitchen.
I did that exact thing in my last house. I had the panels in the cabinet doors replaced with reeded glass and it really let the light shine thru between the eating area and the kitchen, plus gave a vintage feel. Plus I had my colorful Fiesta ware dishes in that end cabinet, to add some color. I love your home, Karen! And your dog looks comfortable, too!
Thank you, Jeanne, Thank you everyone! I’ve had enough attention now to last a few years.
I love your kitchen and if the tiles are in good shape, I say keep them. Replade the knobs, refinish the cabinets, if they need it, paint the walls a fun color (turqoise perhaps) and put down a colorful linoleum (not sheet vinyl) on the floors. Add pops of color with towels, clock, pictures, etc.
Our kitchen had pink tiles in the kitchen that were cracked and stained and no amount of scrubbing would get them clean. So we replaced the tile with tile the same size (4X4), and laid it in the exact same way as the tile we removed (on the diagnal). We put in a new sink that was tiled in with ceramic quarter round and found the same type of end cap that was there originally, too. I found a a cool ceramic tile with a mid century design that I used as the back splash.
I don’t know why so many people have an issue with ceramic tile in the kitchen; I obviously don’t. A little soft scrub cleanser does the trick keeping my tiles and grout very clean.
Also, LOVE your bathroom tile!!
Turquoise! I grew up in a turquoise kitchen with wood cabinets. I probably still have the curtains my mom made to go on the windows and door. Hmm, can I handle that? It’s definitely worth a thought.
You can take the cabinet doors over the peninsula off on both sides and take them to a carpenter to cut out the middle and put glass doors in the cut out. He will put trim around the glass so it looks nice. Then you can put vintage dishes in there. Maybe, for the color, Franciscan Desert Rose would be a good choice or even the Apple pattern. You could replace the wood shelves with glass and install some type of lighting in the cabinets for a little sparkle. I have helped people do this in a couple of houses. I don’t know where you live, but the Franciscan factory used to be in So. CA and lots of people bought the dishes. I bet you can find it pretty easily on Craigslist. Oasis and Starburst are more of the 50′s look in the turquoise colors.
That’s a great idea, lynda!
I think you should clean/refinish your cabinets so they look their best and clean and seal the tile.
I like the idea of putting glass in the penninsula doors and displaying dishes. My mom had Franciscan Coronado pattern. They came in a great Aqua blue and creamy white. Other colors are yellow and pink. Maybe a set of mixed colors to highlight what you already have in the room.
As others have suggested add some great lighting in kitchen and dining area and repaint to make both areas brighter. With more lighting you may be able to use more saturated color on walls.
I like how the tile in kitchen and bathrooms carry the theme through your home. You can be proud of the job the original builders did.
Hi Lynda, Those are great ideas! I was wondering if I could do that to the doors. I grew up in Los Angelas, and my mom and aunt would cart my cousins and me off to the Franciscan factory at least twice a year. She left me full sets of the Desert Rose, Apple and Ivy patterns. I’ve given each of my daughters a set, but since they aren’t settled, I still have them. Next pic you see, there’ll be glass doors and probably the apple pattern on display. Thanks so much, all of you, for that idea.
Lucky you to have the Franciscan! I have a set of the Floral that my youngest daughter wants and my sister has the Madeira. My set was bought by a friend that worked at the factory back in 1970. I also chased Lenox dishes at the factory in Mt. Pleasant, PA. Hartstone Pottery and Fioriware were bought at the factories in Zanesville, Ohio. Vietri has been collected from the distributor in No. Carolina. Dishes are a big weakness of mine! Good luck on the glass for the doors. And, BTW, I think handles to match the hinges would look nice. Especially since you are keeping the oven. Chrome would be fine too, but going with the original would look nice. I think the 3 Franciscan patterns you have go together nicely and they all might look nice in the kitchen.
(can’t go in microwave, though)
Karen,
I think your house looks fabulous! I love so many of your choices, I love the table and the chairs in the kitchen, great lines and great fabric! Here’s my two cents-
The whole point of collecting things and decorating in general is to create a happy space for yourself. No matter what your style is the things you put in your house you pay money for because you love them or because they speak to you in some way that brings you happiness. So if every time you pass by your counter and it irritates you – that’s not garnering happiness! To me that bugging, irritating voice that says “Golly, I hate that thingamig” tells me that it’s time to satisfy my need for visual gratification. Surround yourself with things that make you happy!
As for the countertop – Go look at real countertops, go and touch them and feel them. Figure what you actually really want and need. I love this website but sometimes they push the retro angle so hard they forget that sometimes not everything has to be covered in a pattern! Sometimes simple, practical and clean look better. All I am really saying is do what suits you best.
And remember :Colour can ALWAYS be added with accessories, Colour on your countertop, however, means replacing the whole darn thing if you don’t like it in a year or two. I am not saying don’t take a risk, but don’t decorate retro for the sake of decorating retro. Decorate with things you love that will function in the way you need.
What can I say – I am a practical girl!
Hi Karen!
We have those exact tile colors in our master bath, and they are very common in 50′s houses around here for both kitchens and baths. While not my absolute favorites (try finding towels – besides white – that match), I vote for hanging on to it. If the idea of it being “germy” makes you squirmy, after you clean it you could swipe over it with a Clorox wipe. As for brightening things up, why not try some under-cabinet lighting? We used that in a former house and it made a BIG difference! If you use the florescent variety, I recommend backing it up to the wall so that the bulbs are near the center of the upper cabinet so that it won’t end up glaring in your face while you’re trying to work. And of course you could take it out if you don’t like it. Some recessed lighting in the kitchen ceiling might help as well. Good luck!
I don’t have suggestions, as I think our personal tastes are quite different. I think what I would have suggested wouldn’t fit the mood you have. It would be right for me, not for you. But I’ll offer that I would take out that tile and not look back. Do what you like, even if it’s not (GASP!) perfectly retro. I love your bathrooms, and if they were mine, I wouldn’t change them. But a kitchen just has to look and function in a way that makes you happy. We painted our post-war cabinets white and put in Formica’s boomerang countertop. I swapped out the stainless steel sink for a Kohler cast iron one with a low divider. Is it perfectly retro? No. Is it a lot easier for this baker to wash her cookie sheets without flooding the counters? Absolutely. Go for what you like.
We have yellow tiles with burgundy trim pieces. I’m too old, fat and lazy to get rid of them, but I don’t think I would if I could. I like the look, and the are practically indestructible.
I don’t get the “germ magnet” comments. I never have problems with the grout, but I am also a bleach water fanatic.
The only bad thing is that there’s no way I can replace the sink, which has definitely seen better days.
But listen carefully to what Pam says – any small kitchen project turns into both a time and money drain, and pulling out those tiles will not be a small project.
Whatever you decide, good luck! Love your cooktop!
“I’m too old, fat and lazy to get rid of them….” hahaha, that about cuts to the chase for me too!
I think you should replace your counter tops, if for no other reason than it makes one crazy trying to keep those grout lines clean. I think a nice solid formica counter top in a statement color (like black, navy, maybe…red?) would be great. Your back splash kind of depends on your counter top color and cabinet color. I would go with something solid and shiny that is lighter or brighter to really bring some life into your kitchen. You can also find a variety of retro cabinet handles and drawer pulls to go with your new look. Oh, if it were me, I would want to keep the integrity of your mid-century modern kitchen and stay with the 4×4 tiles for the backsplash.
I agree, kinda drab and unsanitary. But I think it’s more important that she replace her dog – definitely looks all worn out.
Haha, all worn out from playing. She’s six months old.
Hi! I like your house and I hope you like opinions
I like the tile. I would take down the upper cabinets over the peninsula. Get a great light fixture – a sputnik – spend as much as required, it is a really dominant position in your kitchen and needs to be great. Paint the walls – Benjamin Moore Mulholland Yellow if you want light, or Navajo Red if you want mid tone/rich. Either of those colors (or something close) will bring the tile, cabinets and floor color to life while keeping the period feel.
Swap out the knobs too, something chrome that is appropriate to the era. The ones you have are really cute but they don’t go with the style of the kitchen. You should also definitely replace the baseboard/toe kicks. Those look kinda beat up and the color is a downer. Paint the new baseboards to match the border color of the tiles (Spanish Red?), or a dark nutmeg/brown to ground the room. Good luck, and feel free to ignore me and do what you want.
Hi Christa, I really appreciate the specific color suggestions. I’m a gonna check those out! And I’m definitely going to replace the light. It’s been mentioned several times, and I really hadn’t considered it at all, but now, I CAN’T STAND IT!
I must admit something that may shock more sensitive readers:
I love tile countertops. I do. I honestly love them. They are pretty sturdy and pretty forgiving of heat and scratching and I hate all those trivet-y things that protect counter tops. I know grout is a pain but so is refinishing granite or sealing marble and people do THAT happily – the design shows act like that is fine but tile is just a bridge too far somehow? It’s weird.
Now, your kitchen counters are not my most favourite colour-scheme (I would teleport into your home and STEAL them to safety if they were jadeite… or yellow…or even – look away Pam! – grey!) but I think it could work with a cooperative wall colour.
Especially since being mud-set as they look to be, you will likely need to re-drywall and maybe replace some cabinets.
I have often wondered if ANYONE does new tile countertops, and if freshly installed and sealed ones would have easier grout. I would love that look if it could be bought – I have Formica at the moment though, and I will say a formica in a greyish marble (mine is Portico Marble which Retro Renovation has given props to before) is very easy and painless to wash. But not as charming or as underused as tile.
P.S. I squealed with joy about your bathroom, are those counters pale blue or gray? I adore them!
You might look into epoxy grout. Also, I found a site for grout made from soapstone in Canada. I almost ordered it, but shipping was high.
There is some information here.
http://soapstonecounters.com/ShowerFloorNew.htm
Wow, that soapstone grout looks amazing. Great idea. Thanks so much.
How lovely to have been the cause for your squealing! They’re two-toned gray. I hoped the gray everything else would help the pink pop.
Two-toned grey was what I was seeing (and hoping!) but my monitor is sometimes a bit questionable on my laptop so I had this horrible vision of waxing on about grey and you saying “Um, they’re lilac purple actually…”
They look great! I LOVE grey with retro pastels.
I would replace the countertop but not touch the cabinets or hardware (beautiful as is!) A lighter countertop would really open up the space.
Hi. Wonderful house. Looks like you enjoy living there. Your pets are cute and look happy, so something is right in your kitchen!
My suggestion would be similar to that of others who suggest changing colors of walls and accessories before replacing the counter, to make sure whether it is what is really bothering you. If the counters were in bad shape, I would say, replace them, but they look in really good shape, so that makes me a bit more hesitant. A few years from now, when you are feeling even more in love with your retro house, you might be saying, I sure wish I hadn’t replaced those original counters.
Maybe after you make a few simpler changes, the tiles won’t seem so offensive. You did a fantastic job with your tiled bath, by the way, and maybe you can create the same pleasing look in the kitchen without a big construction project.
I really like the colors in that painting near the doorway — is it a pig in a tutu? Very fun, and the colors are great. It looks like you’ve already picked up on the yellow with some of your accessories. Someone has suggested painting the walls orange, and there is a touch of orange in that piece of art that could make a fun wall color. A nice tangerine would also tie in with your dining chairs.
Your dish towel has some stripes of color similar to the colors of the painting, but some towels in solid colors such as the blue and purple in the artwork could make more of a statement without much cost. Also, after painting the walls a bright color, you could get a clock trimmed in black that would make it stand out more.
I like your cabinet knobs. They look like something you had fun picking out, like maybe they were made by a local artist, and they seem to add a touch of funky flair to the room. Oh, and one other thing, There is something called a dishwasher cover magnet that you can get to put on the front of your dishwasher to tie it in with your decor. If you do a search for the phrase dishwasher cover magnet, you will come up with some, and maybe you could find one that ties in with the fun look of your kitchen.
After making such relatively inexpensive changes, if you are still irked with the counter and backsplash, maybe you could try replacing just a few of the tiles, rather than the entire expanse of tile. I don’t know much about tile and don’t know how hard it would be, but, maybe a professional could do it. You could find some tiles in lime, lemon, orange, aqua and purple to pop in here and there, and that would make the tiles so much more fun and interesting. Then get them sealed so the grout doesn’t seem like such an issue.
But, if you just can’t stand the tile, I would go with the earlier suggestion of attempting to donate the counter to the ReStore or similar group. I just saw a section of tiled counter at my local ReStore the other day.
JKaye, thanks so much for the dishwasher magnet idea. I’ve never heard of it and will get on that one promptly. Thank you too for taking the time to help me figure things out.
Definitely replace the countertops. Definitely NOT in black. Pick some funky, lighter retro color. I mean, with tan floors, tan walls, and tan cabinets, you have lots of room for pizzazz in there! Go for it!
Our last house had black formica kitchen counters. I don’t know how they looked new, but once we got them, they were dull, dull, dull. They never looked clean and showed every water spot and scratch. What about a linen-look formica?
Such a beautiful home! Congratulations on making it your own! My husband’s grandparents had those exact same countertops in their house. Still there to this day.
Keep ‘em! There are a million new black countertops out there, but your tile one is practically unique. Better to do something with the ash cabinets – maybe a glossy paint?
Keep the tile! I, for one, am sooo done with the granite countertops and new engineered finishes being offered. Printed period laminates might be cool, though.
There’s just something about older tile tops and backsplashes that adds some history to a kitchen.
I might be out of line here… But whatever that thing is on the back of the toilet, I need it!
Haha, Its one of those old porcelain girl vases totally plastered in old costume jewels. It won third place at the county fair in 1963, still has the ribbon attached.
Smart idea! I think I’m going to try to make one of her! This post was fun and informative. I can’t wait to see what you decide!
NO WAY!! I’d love to have those tiles! They may not be the color scheme you want, but they are neutral enough that you can totally jazz up everything around them and make them work.
I do have a retro kitchen (well it’s getting there…the house is 1927 but the kitchen is a work in progress!)…and I have some sort of cheapo countertop. I’m debating my countertop change, but the one you have is one of the front runners!
Don’t tear it out…work around and with it…make it part of the stellar new kitchen!
About black countertops…I see you have a dog. I have black appliances (not by choice) and 1 short haired cat. I keep my kitchen very clean & tidy….but everytime the sun shines in you can see pet hair on the stove/refridgerator. You will see this every day –
I would go with a creamy background boomerang or sparkly countertop.
If you do get new counter tops (*sniffle*) do consider that if you are not painting the cabinets a lighter colour, black will suck out even more light than the current tiles do.
I don’t h-word black by any means, black is often wonderful, but a kitchen all in black and brown sounds somber to me.
Unless you’re turning the cabinets a very reflective colour, which I’m not sure I would as the wood is pretty, I would go light on the countertops. Formica has some new marbles that are very pretty. There’s also the linens someone mentioned up thread.
I’ve seen a lot of rich brown wood cabinets with black counters in the last ten or so years and it can look classy but I must say… my personal bias is… it is just often very dark, and it is a look that really saturated the market in the last few years, black granite (or fake granite) on dark cabinets. You need really great windows and lighting to make it look nice and not just like the Batcave.
Hi, don’t remove the tiles! Or the cabinets over the peninsula.
As others have suggested, use glass doors on both sides, reeded or “Flutex” as it’s known by trade name and perhaps even some inner cabinet lighting to showcase the shadows of the dishes and glass ware inside?
Refinishing the cabinets is a great idea, and retain the appliances as well, the look is terrific, and no doubt the removal of the countertops would be an arduous affair.
Pick up the look in lighting, the glass cabinet doors, flooring, etc. A lovely kitchen and baths, too, don’t change them either!
You can regrout if necessary, but leave it at that.
Pleeeeze…..Noooooooooooo……. They are beautiful and once you refinish the wood cabinets they will pop again!
Regrout if you must, but please leave them…they have personality…ORIGINAL personality!
Although I understand the appeal of a new countertop and backspash, the current countertop is so striking and irt matches the cooktop and oven beautifully. I have seen many two tone tile counters, but nothing in that particular combination. I would renovate in stages. I think that if you refinish the cabinets and replace the hardware, the countertop will really shine. If the grout is a problem, you can have it professionally cleaned and sealed for not too much money (I have mine done about once a year for about $350, which includes three tile floors). You can always change the counters later if you are still not happy with it. Some new paint or wallpaper and your beautiful kitchen will be stunning.
I understand what you are saying about the tile…I’ve lived in a rental with a tile countertop like that, and being a bit of a germaphobe, I was always nervous that the spaces between the tiles never got clean enough. I do know, though, that you can get stuff (sorry I can’t be more specific with the name) that fills and evens out the spaces and refreshes the old grout.
If you honestly really don’t care for the tile, and looking at it every day bums you out, go ahead and replace it. I agree with all the folks who are anti-black, though. You would think that it would look cleaner longer and show less dirt, but for some reason it is the exact opposite, especially with pets. And tile will be difficult to remove, and could damage the countertops underneath and the wall behind the backsplash. If you’ve got the time, the willingness to do a hard job, and the extra money in the budget to deal with potential hangups when they happen, I say go for it.
There were some great ideas from people though who were pro-tile, so if I were you (because I’m lazy) I might try some of that first and see how you feel about the look of the kitchen after that. Good luck! You have an amazing home!
I have a hunch that you really want to replace them, but feel that you need “permission” to do so. Don’t feel pressure to keep something you do not like, just because it is original. Scrap them! It will be a messy, but you will be happier in the end.
Remember, ‘to thine ownself be true”.
Laura
Do whatever you want to do with your counters. You are the one that lives there, so do what will make you happy.
I say that if you want to replace a counter top, cabinet, floor, or whatever, it would be perfectly proper for you to do so with an item or style which matched, paralleled, or very closely simulated what would have been available at the time.
Your counter tops, for instance, can easily be replaced with a modern product that looks like the old Formica, but is much easier to maintain. Mid Century Modern, to me, is best described as simplicity, minimalism, clean lines, and neutrality. Stick to that ideal, and you’ll do fine.
Of course, you may do as you wish…BUT, they are so nice! I personally love them and wish they were mine! Other products will go out of style, but this look is now a classic and can never really be “dated”.
Although your kitchen is from 1954, the color scheme is more Art Deco 40′s than 1950′s. Art Deco was still very popular in the 50′s. The color schemes of the 40′s (dusty rose, fern green) were more subdued than the flashier 50′s (Mamie pink, mint green, aqua) but also more serene. Before you tear out your tile, you might want to look for some Art Deco objects that would compliment your existing kitchen. You can search on ebay for Art Deco pink and Art Deco green. Art Deco flamingos and hibiscus were very popular themes. Art Deco flamingo paintings are quite beautiful and usually have the shade of pink in you tiles. There’s also Streamline and Art Deco bamboo furniture. And you can add color to your kitchen with some Fiesta dishes and/or a colorful rag rug for the floor.
Beautiful – everything. Ripping out tile – you may live to regret – it’s really perfection with your appliances and will NEVER be ‘dated.’
Add glass insets to the upper cabs – and some colorful dishes. Some color to the wall in the dinette – and I agree with Pam – if you don’t have a fun, funky light fixture add that to the same area – and smile!:) You’ve got a ‘winner!’ -
Adding to my previous comment. The Heywood-Wakefield table is really nice but if you rarely open it you might want to replace it with something that fits the space better. At the risk of being too presumptuous, there’s a fantastically beautiful red antique kitchen table on sale on ebay that might fit the space better and would add some color. They also have a green one that’s equally as nice. And there’s a really pretty art deco hibiscus print that I think you might like.
I am late to the party on this one–I was sans internet last week so missed it. But I feel strongly on this issue: If your kitchen doesn’t have Historical Landmark status, and if you actually cook in your kitchen, get rid of the tile. I have lived with tile in three different kitchens, and it is NOT a surface for cooks, and everyone else has given lots of reasons why. You can get around these issues if you love the look, but if so, it’s for looking not for cooking.
Isn’t it amazing how much tile countertops bring out strong opinions? My husband and I both have strong opinions on them, on the opposite side of the spectrum! I love them. I want one, but he refuses to put it in. (He’s usually mild-mannered and affable!) We’re gutting a late-forties cottage kitchen, and I just repainted the cabinets cream. I want a subway tile counter with black edging. Alas, I guess I’m going with soapstone instead. So you see, where my sympathies lie–with your beautiful tile countertops. I say paint your cabinets! (Love your house, though…Do what you want!)
Hi,I am an interior designer and a set designer. You have a very retro house in good condition. I don’t think you ought to replace your tile counters, they are original and they still look like they are in good condition, they have a lot of character and work well with the rest of the house. Instead, to me it looks like you would be better off in refinishing all your cabinets with a slightly darker stain or just renovate them to the original oak stain. The cabinets could use a lift which will in turn make your tile look great. On the kitchen walls, you could paint just up to the height of the maroon edge with a maroon stripe (matching the ht. of the tile edging) and the tile color underneath it, to create a wains-coat made of paint. Above, paint it white. Be sure to use high gloss or semi gloss paint. You could wrap this around to the breakfast area as well or just paint that whole room white, or the light pinkish color of the tile. In my opinion, the green clashes with the maroon-pinkish theme. By adding the white, you tie into the white appliances as well. That’s my cost-effective solution.
wow, amazing house. i think all that tile in your perfectly preserved bathrooms gives you some freedom to change these out. what really sells me on a change is how they are so close in tone to the cabinets, it just was the wrong color choice from day one. if those were aqua i’d be all about keeping them.
that said, if you update – don’t use glass tiles or something trendy and contemporary. dig through pam’s archives and find something from/inspired by the era that works for you. a fun color/pattern laminate (counter and backsplash) seems like a great fit here. my kitchen is not as time capsule, and i used a recycled glass and concrete solid surface that looks like terrazzo. it’s modern but looks retro. i even made a table to compliment it (on a fake saarinen base).
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/57a1NiVQ7RrS6qxslqREylP_-sakkMUe0hvW-vHitZ0?feat=directlink
a white or black quartz could be lovely if you are looking for something more modern. i think you can get thinner pieces cut for a backsplash, or you could bring in some retro with tile there – maybe that eBay seller pam found has something you like?
http://retrorenovation.com/2012/03/08/crazy-sexy-vintage-bathroom-tile-43-designs-now-online/
Forget the counters, I want that yellow teapot!!
Keep countertops.Re stain cabinets and change wall color, put your $$ toward new retro friendly light fixtures and change flooring,but not black – think muted sophistication, like a Doris Day movie.As mentioned above a darker richer stain on the cabinets would be perfect plus a new coat of urethane.Wood gets more & more orange and yellow as it ages so back when the kitchen was new the colors might have worked together.Make those knobs disappear , replace them w/ plain (budget friendly) wooden knobs stained the same color as the new updated cabinet stain.Pizazz, not cozy right? Remove the ruffles from the window and sliding glass door.Next , lights .All w/ white glass and nickel trim (like the silver trim on your stove and your white appliances).You need one over the sink(can’t tell from the photo),some general lighting in the actual work area that’s flush mount and something jazzy over that dining table.Also paint the ceiling white .Walls should be egg shell not gloss finish (tiles are already glossy) and an oyster greyish shade to show off your copper molds (and stove hood? couldn’t tell from pic), perhaps paint the clock copper to group w/ the molds..or silver to match the stove trim and faucet…I’d wallpaper the dining area with a coordinating paper w/ skinny textured vertical stripes. Change out ’70′s chairs to something closer to the table.Install open shelving on the dining area wall (remove art) to accomodate the things on the table and the shelves in the corner.(remove the low lying shelves). Ususally pizazz comes from changing more than just one thing. floors would look nice in the base trim color w/ accent tiles of white,grey,rosy brown(counter) scattered in a few places…Good luck , you have a nice kitchen that just needs tweeking.
Hi Marji! I’m seriously looking for wall colors now, and so, I’m revisiting this blog. Your suggestions are right on. I’m totally on the hunt for chairs that work with the table and shelves for the wall. I was thinking about wallpaper for that wall. What do you think?
I would definitely re-stain the cabinets before I made any decision about the counters, they may look a lot better once you’ve painted the walls and re-stained the cabinets and if you do the counters first you might regret it in the end. IF in the end you decide to redo the counters I think I would stick with the same tile pattern and look but maybe in a different color that is still in keeping with the feeling of the house. As far as germy grout goes a good fix for that is picking up an old fashioned grout saw (they cost about $8-10) and mucking out all of the old grout and re-grouting with a modern epoxy grout that is more impervious to germs, we did this with the moldy grout in my parents old leaky shower and it made all the difference in the world and really gave the 40 year old tile a facelift all on its own! Its time intensive and a pain, but not difficult to do and saves money and great vintage tile work at the same time, ^_^
Sarah is a girl after my own heart. I agree that you need to do the cabinet refinishing first and try some different wall paint. Then clean up the old grout as she suggested and see whether you like the tile counters better.
It’s difficult for me to tell if they are maroon and pink or maroon and beige. If the first owners left you any leftover tile, take pieces with you when you shop for paints. Or bring home a bunch of chips and look at them in every light.
What an awesome footprint you have to work with! I agree with some of my fellow opinionaters, that changing out your countertops is no big deal! I would suggest staying with the period of the home (which means staying away from black) and choosing possibly a formica countertop in a fun color with a great subway tile backsplash or a really great quartz countertop. it’s a solid super durable material and there are some really fun colors to choose from. If you do a quick google image search of “Colored Quartz Countertops” a bunch of awesome options will pop up. Don’t feel guilty for wanting to get rid of the germy grout fest on your counters! It’s your home, and though I have to admit that I’m a stickler for trying to salvage period pieces as much as possible, I also believe that you should enjoy where you live and if the brown is getting you down then get it out! Good luck and please update us on what you decide to do.
I too am going through a countertop dilemma. I finally found a countertop I liked, and it has been discontinued! I love the retro look, but am having a hard time finding much choice, retro or not, in shades of dark blue.
This may help you make your decision, if you haven’t already done so:
That gorgeous cat would look fabulous on a black or slate countertop!