When I first started the blog almost six years ago, I kind of bumped into launching a “campaign” that called attention to the death-by-evil-glee sledgehammering threat to vintage Mamie pink bathrooms. This campaign came together almost as a lark… I started the Save the Pink Bathrooms website, like, to see what would happen. And wouldn’t you know it, there was lots of news media attention to the issue ever since. A whole New York Times story even. As a result: I think the attention really made a difference, shifted the tide of ‘fashion’, and that today, there is significantly greater recognition that there is nothing inherently wrong with the color pink for bathrooms — and by association, vintage green or blue or yellow, etc. — and that original colorful vintage bathrooms in good condition are worth preserving. I think we can declare the campaign victorious, although we still must keep spreading the luv.
Which got me to thinking (which sometimes happens when I take a vacation week, can’t ya see the smoke from Massachusetts): What else now? That is: What are some of the other lovely but kind of still pooh poohed features of midcentury homes that we can shine our spotlight on. I brainstormed and came up with a nice round my list of the 10 Most Endangered Features of Midcentury and Vintage Homes. So here is my list, in David Letterman count-down order. I count down to the final item — #1 — as the feature I’m most worried about, based on the criteria: overall cost-value + difficulty replacing, roughly speaking.
#10 Jalousie windows:
Number 10 on our countdown list is jalousie windows. I tend to believe that jalousie windows were used in millions of homes, often in the three-season porch, but sometimes even as main windows — as in Dawn’s house, above. I am no expert on the whole issue of jalousie windows. I need to do more research — and I welcome your help on this. I think there may be super-valid energy-efficiency reasons to replace your jalousie windows if they are the windows in your main living areas. On the other hand, if you have them in a three-season room, maybe lean toward preserving them rather than replacing them? I think they are interesting… coolio.
#9 Wood paneling:
Wood paneling, along with knotty pine (#3 on my Most-Endangered list) is one of those things that get the scrunched-face “it’s so daaaaaated” complaint from so many folks on home decorating TV shows and in more mainstream design media. But, slap yourself in the face and step back from the ceaseless dictates of current fashion: There is nothing inherently displeasing about natural or finished wood walls, if the paneling is good quality. Au contraire. Our ancestors lived for hundreds of years with wood-paneled walls. It’s only in more recent history that the invention of drywall made smooth, painted walls affordable to the masses. Yes, there is poor quality wood paneling out there, in droves. But there is also plenty of beautiful, quality old paneling worth saving from the dumpster. Above: Wood paneling from States Industries.
#8 Tile countertops, especially in kitchens:
Tile is durable. Tile resists water. The grout can be cleaned. Tile counter tops have been fashionable in an on-again, off-again fashion from the 1940s on. I think they are charming. Above: Tile counter tops in Karen’s kitchen.
#7 Wood kitchen cabinets:
1950s and 60s wood kitchen cabinets may not have the keeping-up-with-the-Joneses appeal of brand spanking new new (particle-board-laden) wood cabinets today, but they were often — usually? — made just fine. Better, even, maybe. If you have ‘em original, heck, they have lasted 50 years and could likely last 50 more. Or forever. New kitchen cabinets are one of the most expensive parts of a kitchen renovation — and way overpriced, I think. And remember: Replacing a ‘dated’ kitchen with an all-new 2012 kitchen means: You now have a dated-2012 kitchen that will be out of date in 10 years, probably less. This marketeering cycle is ceaseless, ridiculous. The wood cabinets that are/were original to 20+ million midcentury modest houses across American likely suit the “unpretentiousness” that runs throughout their entire design… so, why not go with the flow and instead of spending $ thousands on new cabinets, use the money for other stuff, starting with maybe: Ensure you have a solid, 6-month of living expenses emergency fund, pay down credit cards, save for retirement, pay down the mortgage and in general, avoid the terrible stress of debt. Above: Nancy’s original wood kitchen cabinets.
#6 Vintage wallpaper:
If you are new owner of an old home, please please please don’t rip out the vintage wallpaper. Not right away, at least. The old wallpaper may shock you initially. But once you dive into this website, and see other rooms full of the vintage-originals, you may start feeling the wallpaper luv. Vintage paper often had precious designs, and it was printed with rich, vibrant inks — lots of the wallpaper I see today just does not have the same printing quality, not at cheap prices, at least. Reflecting both its quality but also its increasing rarity, vintage wallpaper also valuable — $100 a roll or more if you try to buy New Old Stock today! I have always heard dissenters say, “Oh, wallpaper is so personal”, which is what can make it hard for Incoming Owner to like Outgoing Owner’s wallpaper choice. I understand this, for sure. But, when it comes to the original vintage wallpaper in a 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s or 70s house, golly, I usually always like it what I see. The stuff had amazing character. Live with it a while, give it a chance, before you start rippin’. Above: I love vintage wallpaper, ‘most all of it. I put 300 squares of it, 18 different design, on my office walls!
#5 Original laminate counter tops:
I put original laminate counter tops significantly higher on the Endangered List than tile counter tops, because the vintage laminate patterns so often found in original 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and even 1980s kitchen are impossible to replicate today. (On the other hand, you can get 4″ ceramic tile and bullnose in nice colors today, to replicate a vintage tile counter top.) When it comes to vintage Formica and other laminate patterns, except for some boomerangs and dogbones, charming decorative designs are simply not available. In fact, we are besieged by low-chroma, greiged out colors of laminate today, almost every where we turn. Sigh.
Also, and this is IMPORTANT: The way back time machine laminate was better made. It was almost indestructible. It is awesome stuff. I do not have hard data proof of this. But I am sure. Don’t rip out your vintage laminate out if it’s still in good shape. At least not until you live with it, and you are sure it’s time for it to go. Above: My vintage Textolite samples — which makes us eat our hearts out!
#4 Awnings:
Our parents and grandparents and great grandparents and so forth did not have window air conditioners or central air conditioners. Instead, they depended on window treatments — and often, awnings — to help control indoor air temperatures. Golly, if you are lucky enough to buy an old house with functional awnings — metal even? extra yay! — well, golly, you are lucky. Because you get temperature control for FREE. Hey, you should be able to sell carbon credits to the EU. Original awnings are not ugly. They are comfort-enhancing, money-saving, environmentally-smart features. (Note: I am not saying that putting up new awnings would necessarily cut carbon overall — the cost/benefit would have to be analyzed. But, if you have ‘em already, that’s sunk carbon, embodied energy, done deal, leverage the fact.) Above: I have several stories about awnings including 12 places to buy awnings today.
#3 Knotty pine paneling:
With so many first-time home buyers finding their way into old homes, I think I’m seeing increasing chatter about knotty pine and what to think of it. Right now, knotty pine is like pink bathrooms were five years ago: Original vintage knotty pine is in great danger from folks who are not getting enough information about the history of this material and aesthetic to make their own decisions whether to love it, or not. To me, knotty pine is a sentimental, wonderful wall finish. Totally cozy. If the knotty pine is the original 1940s or 1950s stuff, the wood is likely really good. No need to paint it just because it’s not today’s fashion. I’m telling you — just like pink bathrooms — it will be a benefit to your vintage house, down the road, if it still has its original knotty pine den or bedroom or whatever. Oh yes, read more on my website, KnottyIsNice.com. Above: Eartha Kitsch’s world famous knotty pine kitchen (which just recently underwent a gawdawful plumbing surgery, ugh, our thoughts our with you, EK.)
#2 Steel kitchen cabinets:
You know I love vintage steel kitchen cabinets. I have them in my kitchen. My five-year hunt for my 1963 Genevas is what led me to start this blog… and led me, after four years, to make a full time living from it. We now have 220,000 unique visitors every month. Yes: 220,000 a month! Oh, I digress with my little bootie dance. STEEL. Do you know what steel is? It’s what they make cars out of etc. etc. Crikey, if you have steel kitchen cabinets, you are Set For Life. Note: I am thinking, that if I did not buy the aqua cabinets that made their way into my kitchen, they would have ended up in a landfill in Staten Island. I kid you not. Above: A 1948 St. Charles steel kitchen from my A Short History of Steel Kitchen Cabinets.
#1 Original windows:
Okay, windows are not a super sexy topic. But they make #1 on my list because Americans have been fed a bunch of baloney that they need to replace their windows to (1) save on their fuel bills and (2) that new windows are ‘better for the environment.’ I advise to PLAY THE SKEPTIC and ask anyone trying to sell you new windows using the save-money-save-environment pitch to: SHOW ME THE DATA. Ask for a third-party validated cradle-to-cradle Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to back up any environmental claims. Ask for a financial payback calculation regarding the money claims — and be sure to calculate in replacement costs if/when the new windows themselves need to be replaced in 20 years.
Most all the research I have ever read indicates: New windows will likely cost more to purchase and install than you will ever save in improved fuel bills. Also, even in the absence of an LCA: If new windows end up costing more, I posit that new windows also are not ‘good for the environment.’ This is because: Money is a pretty darn good proxy for carbon — meaning: Every time you make money, and every time you spend money, you are fueling consumption, which causes economic activity that emits more carbon. Using my logic, the only energy efficiency steps that really make net improvements to carbon emissions are those that have a demonstrated financial payback. Insulation usually pays you back pretty fast in terms of recouping what you spent in saved energy costs. But other fancier technologies usually don’t. Or don’t, yet, at current costs unless there are significant taxpayer-funded incentives. Note, my discussion is in regard to carbon, not other environmental concerns or public policy reasons, which may prove to be valid reasons to make a change… and, I don’t have the data to validate my theory! Another note: New windows may well improve your “comfort” level, eliminating drafts and such. And, there may be very valid safety issues: Old windows may not feature tempered glass — and old windows may be painted with lead paint — consult with a professional on these issues. All this said: From my experience seeing advertisements and the like, I think I keep seeing replacement windows that are being sold with the spiel that they will “save money” and “help the environment.” It is this claim I question: MAKE THEM SHOW YOU THE DATA.
On top of all this, new windows are getting a reputation for failing after 20 years. I don’t really understand the complaints. But if they are true: Then you need new windows. Which will lead to more spending, more carbon.
Conditions may differ house-to-house, so it’s critical to do your own research on this issue with Eyes Wide Open. If leaky windows are an issue, some more cost-effective ideas may include: (1) Caulk, (2) Window Quilts, (3) Exterior storms. Be skeptical, do lots of research that taps smart professionals and demand data.
Above: My longer story discussing why you should consider keeping your original windows.
Guilty as changed with the windows and the tile counter. But it is nice to have screens and a quieter house. I’ve kept my wood cabinets (but ditched the hammered copper hardware) and in fact am adding some reclaimed ones to boost storage and accommodate a more powerful exhaust hood (replacing the all-but-useless ceiling exhaust fan). I love MCM, but for me, function trumps style. When our kitchen is done, its 1959 roots will be evident, but it will look as if it has evolved to fit my 21st century needs. I’m ok with that.
Thanks, Terri. I do NOT mean to castigate anyone who made changes. There are always reasons — yes, we need to make our homes functional and livable for today and the way we live, and that includes changing out stuff even for aesthetics, if that is what you want.
Comfort is a perfectly valid reason to replace the original windows.
My 1970 vintage ranch house had the original single glazed aluminum windows, and they were poorly made and pretty much worn out. They leaked air and water, causing drafts, dirt and rot. The glass was stained and streaked from years of hard water via drifting mist from the sprinklers, and it was not worth the trouble & chemicals to get the scale off them. All the screens were missing or damaged as well.
The house also backs onto a busy street, so there was constant traffic noise. And even with the heat / AC going full blast, it was impossible to get some rooms to maintain a comfortable temperature.
We kept to the original style with the replacement windows, though the new ones are vinyl rather than aluminum. They were custom made to fit the existing openings, and required no additional painting or finishing.
They’re now double glazed throughout, with low-e coating for UV protection (less heat buildup and less fading of furniture and carpets). Windows on the noisy side are also laminated and tinted, with a wider air gap for more soundproofing as well as insulation.
Though I expect to see some long term energy saving, the big deal for us was comfort. Our house is now quieter, cleaner, more secure, and more comfortable.
There are so many worthwhile original features that attracted us to the house — the natural wood doors and cabinets, the tile counters, the “atomic ranch” details. We respect and embrace these, and plan to preserve them.
I had no regrets replacing the original plumbing, or when the time comes, the hot water tank or the heat/AC unit on the roof. Likewise for the windows.
Yup, Gwen, it sounds like you needed new windows!
jalousy windows were pretty much standard down here throughout florida where i live, all through the 40s, 50s and 60s before central air really took over. but you are correct: they are terrible energy wasters. they really don’t close very well. but you do continue to see them all over florida on unrestored houses. in more temperate climes, i’m sure they work fine in sunrooms etc etc…
as for knotty pine, i just did my 1956 ranch sunroom over in it. brand new. i think it looks fantastic. my grandmother’s early 1950s massachusetts ranch had knotty pine cabs with those black colonial-style hinges. they are pretty ubiquitous all over the u.s.
as for tile countertops, you really see a lot of vintage ones in southern cal where i used to live. many many are preserved there rather nicely. i recall some lovely ones in a rental i had in riverside, cal about 10 years ago. nice.
Great list … I would add, for an honorable mention appliances. I love vintage appliances. They were so colorful and in so many cases still good/workable etc. Why throw it out if it still works?
Great addition, Atomic Mom! Yes: They may have long long life yet ahead of them.
We say in our family, “Use it up, wear it out, or do without” (then of course get it on sale if you really need it!
The version I learned was, “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” The “make it do” part has led to all kinds of (sometimes questionable) creativity on my part.
LOVE vintage appliances! Love the colors, love the space-agey shapes, like the “innovative technology” from the times….My husband just shakes his head when he sees me lugging home some massive, all-metal (everything is plastic these days) thing that I found at a yardsale. I’m like, “Yeah, this fan is a little noisy on the highest setting, especially when you turn it off and it slows down….but it’s turquoise and SO COOL!”
Pam,
I agree w/ the items on your list, and can add one more: Front entry doors. The restoration I am doing on my ‘Storybook Ranch’ (Cinderella) home here in SoCal will include building of handmade mahogany kitchen cabinets, laminate countertops, re-installing original-type hardwood paneling, wallpaper, fixtures, appliances, and yes, ORIGINAL windows (gleaned from another home in the neighborhood being “updated”. Total retro. No shortcuts, no excuses… ;o)
send me pics send me pics wanna see! you may earn my “The Hard Way” Award for 2012 or 2013. or 2020, it may take that long. haha
Pam, 2020 is more like it. I’ll send the Photobucket link later today… ;o)
Pam, here is the link: http://s1150.photobucket.com/albums/o610/Mid-Century-Mark/?start=all
)
Feel free to use any of the pics in your blog…
You are amazing! The steps you’ve taken to assure authenticity and the documentation of the journey are exceptional! Wish you could save more of these jems!
Thank you, Shandra. It’s going to be an ambitious project, but we’re in it for the long haul…
YES! My husband suggested replacing our front door with something that would add more light, but I told him we could only do that if we replaced it with a Crestview Door. He saw the pricetags and agreed to keep our original.
Crestview also sells window kits that are about $150-350 (depending how many windows and what size), so if you have an existing plain door then the price is totally worth it. If you have to buy a NEW door, purchasing a plain steel door at Lowe’s is about $300.
Great List!!!
#10 is not a Jelousie Window, those are actually called Awning Windows, Jelousie Windows are frameless glass slats: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jalousie_window
Thanks, Tim, this is a great clarification, because you know we need to slice these hairs here! But you have to admit: They are kissin’ cousins. Now, I need to find a photo of a 100% jalousie.
Living in Florida we have TONS of jalouisie windows! I had 28 of them to be exact when I bought my home! They are dirty, the frames rust & they let in bugs & lizards because over the years the frames fail. Unfortunately a metal frame of 2″ slats of glass is not only inefficent it is also a safety hazard – from intruders and hurricanes!
Pam, I think the endangered windows you’re worried about are actually the awning windows, not the jalousie windows. As far as I know, jalousie windows were most often used for doors only. I’ve had houses with both kinds, and I miss them! My parents’ house had awning windows on their 3-season (now 4-season) room, and had them replaced with awful, horrible, terrible vinyl replacement windows. I would put the awning windows back in a heartbeat if I could find some that were period-appropriate. And my brownstone in Chicago had a jalousie back door, which I loved. Jalousie doors can flip from storm to screen in a second.
I do not agree that wood cabinets are that endangered. I have had *two* remodelers tell me that I should keep my cabinets but they would have a specialist reface them with appropriate wood. They did that when they could have made more money tearing them out.
Original laminate may have to be removed because some of that stuff wont last 50 plus years. That depends on a lot of variables and I have seen laminate counter tops that were at the end of their useful life. Sad but true.
The OBVIOUS missing item from was front doors. Look at the door on the first picture. I have been through many an “ordinary” MCM neighborhood and the houses might often be in fairly unmodified shape (including the one I live in)… except for the front doors. They get replaced by Home Depot specials.
The less obvious missing item is decorative design elements on the exterior of the home. One great example is the decorative trim on MCM wooden from garage doors. Examples can be found here: http://www.flickriver.com/photos/repowers/sets/72157604837187419/
As these are replaced by aluminum doors with an automatic opener, they disappear.
This is what drives me nuts with the home renovation shows….not only do they get rid of the charm, they dramatically demo with hammers, etc. Arrrggg.
We need a Retro preservation show starring Pam!
Where do I start??? Our paneling was painted over by the original owner. Pretty much the only thing I know of that is irreversible. Just found out the dude next door living in his mothers home is painting all the wood stained trim and cabinets before he puts the house on the market. I about fainted dead away. And as I type this the new homeowners across the street are ripping out a brick wall that matches the house and has been there close to 50 years. I could go on all day about what goes on with these beautiful homes in my neighborhood.
You might be able to use an infared paint paint remover to get things back to where you want them, depending on the paneling.
Great list – enough to make me sad that some dreadful “updates” had been done to our 1960 Texas atomic ranch in the 1980s. We’re working slowly to correct and bring back to an original vibe. Fancy 80′s oak cabinets have been painted turquoise, and nasty counters replaced with white silestone do help. Our smallest bathroom now has pink-based atomic retro wallpaper and sage tile – it makes quite a splash. Do completely agree about doors, and of course the louvered windows would never work here in San Antonio.
Our little end of San Antonio (Castle Hills, TX) is a retro dream-come-true – sprawling oak-filled lots and mid-century ranch and atomic homes, many still unspoiled and original…a pictorial should be in order!
We don’t have too many original items in our ranch, but we do have the original wood cabinets and jalousie storm door on our back door. And for Mark’s additional suggestion, we have the original front entry door too, with three diamond-shaped detail (top being glass).
There are a couple of 2-flat apartment buildings across the alley from us that are pre-50s, but I can see they have jalousie windows in the back (I suspect it might be on a sun room, perhaps). And LOTS of awnings in and around my neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods!
I have to agree and love the addition of vintage appliances. Vintage lighting too. I see so many remodels in our area where they take out beautiful vintage lighting fixtures and replace them with those new domed ceiling lights from the home improvement store with shiny nipples holding them on. Every time that the mister and I see them in open houses we whisper, “More booby lights!”
What people don’t seem to realize is that there is a reason that so many of the original features are still in homes – it’s because they are hardy and sturdy and made to last. They’ve lasted through decade after decade (and so many of them looking great still) and have so much service left in them. Is the stuff installed today going to list sixty…seventy years? Not on your life.
Thanks for the shout-out on the plumbing nightmare which is ongoing. We’ve had more contractors than I can even count who come in and tell us that yay, this is our chance to get new cabinets and countertops on the insurance company’s dime. It’s actually been a fight tooth-and-nail to keep our great old stuff. They seem hell-bent on destroying it just because they think it’s ancient crap that should be replaced by mass-manufactured ho-hum items. SO over it.
hahaha- I have the same thoughts about those light fixtures!
LOL, I am so glad to hear I’m not the only one who thought they look like breasts…I call them “nipple lights”
Oh I can’t wait to get my own mid-century modest home! Early 2013! That gives me several more months to not-so-subtly convince my DH to love hudee rings and recessed toilet accessories as much as me! Thank goodness he already agrees a new-ish “ticky-tacky” house is not for us!
Haha, we call them booby lights too. They’re everywhere!
Great list Pam. I have a couple others to offer up. Mill finish aluminum screen doors (typically accompanied by aluminum scroll work screen guards and monogram letters) found on so many front doors back in the day. And my other desire is a decent selection of decorative cement blocks, which as far as I can tell, are only available now in places like Florida, California, and some other sunny states. I’m hoping that enough of us will clamor for this stuff to get the attention of manufacturers and retailers looking for new old things to sell.
Uncle Atom,
I’m 100% with you on the decorative concrete block bandwagon. Concrete screen blocks are MCM icons, to me. How hard would it be for some concrete company to produce again, at the very least, the square-in-square pattern? Don’t the homeowners with existing block screens ever need a replacement block? I’m ready to clamor!
Hi Uncle Atom, as new owners of a fab midcentury ranch in California, I wanted to ask if you have any links to decorative concrete block sources in CA? I’ve had a heck of a time trying to find these, perhaps I’m using the wrong search terms. We’d love to incorporate a cool concrete block screen (or two) into our property.
Jess, I have an entire story on this: http://retrorenovation.com/2010/04/26/where-to-buy-decorative-concrete-screen-blocks/
We plan on adding wood panelling in our sitting room. We bought a 1965 MCM home in Florida. So much of its vintage charm has been stripped away. So we are trying to be mindful when we replace things and bring the MCM charm back. And the items that we don’t want anymore are going to the Habitat Restore, because someone else might love the things we don’t. Our hunt right now is for a green toilet. The master bath used to be mint green and yellow, but the green tile is unsavable. So to pay homage to he past we are bringing in the color other ways. Sorry for such a long comment
We retained all our original windows and got some really very nice storm windows from MonRay. http://www.monray.com/mrsw.htm They are several years old now and show no sign of wear and have made a huge difference in the functionality (screens and glass that go up and down!) and warmth (no more drafts!) in our ’56 rambler.
‘Fraid you’re correct about this list, especially the wallpaper. In the future it’s going to be nearly impossible to find period atomic age paper. I’m experimenting with old paper that was covered. If I can get the less-desirable early-90s layer off of enough to get a full pattern repeat, I plan on digitizing it and taking it to a local uber printhouse that can do it in thick-papered rolls. Stay tuned.
George, you probably already know this, but Bradbury Wallpapers, http://www.bradbury.com , has some great period-styled wallpaper, to include atomic. They are pricey, but WELL worth it. My professional paper hanger said he’d rarely seen such fine wallpaper. It completed the “restoration” of a 1960 bathroom…
I didn’t know that, but I’ll give them a look. I wonder if they would print the digitized images that a customer brought them.
My home was built in 1904, but remodeled numerous times through the ages. The 50′s brought knotty-pine wainscot in the living room (love it), and the 70′s brought cheap hollow-core doors and skinny baseboards (shake my head). I have an interesting hodgepodge, so the overall theme can only be called “eclectic.” In a funny way, it gives us tremendous freedom to do exactly what we like, whether it be mid-mod or something that will eventually be seen as “so 2012.”
Most of the “gold” in my Textolite bathroom countertop has corroded to bright green. Which looks to be occurring in your prized samples, even though they have probably not been subjected to 60 years of cleaning products. “Indestructible”, my eye. And bathrooms are a lot more favorable environment than kitchens with heat and sharps.
Yes, we do see the designs wear off sometimes….
Just took out some jalousie windows from our porch (I didn’t know they had a name)….but in our defense, our house is from the 1920s and the porch wasn’t originally enclosed! We are hoping to reuse them by building a greenhouse. Great list, though. I only WISH I had a pink/turquoise/green bathroom to save!
Whatever one wants to do with their own home is definitely their own business. We all should be able to love our own homes without being made to feel guilty. However, I don’t understand why someone has to rip something out only for the fact that it is “dated.” When did “dated” become such a dirty word?
To me, it depends what time period the “dated” is. I’m not much of a fan of the 70′s onward…I’m probably one of the few people on this site that does NOT like knotty pine or fake wood paneling. However, if something is dated from, say, the 40′s-60′s, then yee-haw!
This is a wonderful post, and makes me feel great about my home’s previous owners: we have steel cabinets, knotty pine paneling, jalousie windows, and handpainted wallpaper. (Of course, we also have a renovated bathroom that’s packed with a plastic tub, cheap linoleum and plastic baseboards, and brand-spanking-new granite countertops that replaced heaven knows what, so it’s not all roses.)
And this is timely, too: my sister just bought a circa 1950s apartment, with original wood cabinets, and in a tragic icemaker accident, two of the cabinets were destroyed.
Now they’re wondering if they’re going to need to replace ALL of them, just so they can have matching cabinets (who knows what the insurance company will pay for). Has anyone had to replace only SOME cabinets before?
Oh, it turns out I have awning windows!
Thanks, Tim.
You can try it, but if the depth and width of the new lower cabinets doesn’t match the old, you can end up with the old upper cabinets being hard to access, and looking really weird because they don’t match.
Just replace the two that were damaged!!! A good carpenter will be able to build two to match, and no matter what he charges, it can’t *possibly* be as expensive as replacing them all!!!
You make a great point about replacing old windows. As a designer active in the green building community, I hear this one a lot. It’s easy to be swayed by the promises of energy-efficiency, shiny new windows, (myself included) but, typically, the data just doesn’t back up the claims. Windows are by nature big holes in your thermal envelope. Replacing old glass with a more energy-efficient glass only makes sense if you live in a glass house because bottom line it’s still a hole in the wall
(This doesn’t even take into account the embodied energy of the old and new windows, space in landfill, etc). If you want to make your home more energy efficient, insulate the heck out of your walls and ceiling, carefully seal all doors/ windows for leaks, and invest in efficient heating/ cooling systems. We have old wood windows – and, yes, the storm windows can be a pain – but until they break it’s just not worth replacing them.
Just wanted to specifically call out the embodied energy factor–new windows are so often some version of plastic or vinyl, which means they’re manufactured and contributing to pollution AND energy loss. Oy.
Pam: I found your blog when I googled “aluminum awnings” back in late February when I found the house I am now in.
House built in 1948, one owner before me. Original kitchen (floor, countertops which strangely seem to be made of some kind of flooring, formica-covered original wood cabinets, and a 1948 Kelvinator stove I cook on). Original white tiled bath. Original windows. Nothing fancy, still settling in, but just enough for what I need. Your blog has been helpful and supportive!
Many ’40s-era houses had countertops made from linoleum. Do yours look like they could be made of linoleum?
If you use new linoleum on counter tops today, just be sure to check the specifications / warranty first to make sure that the new stuff can handle the water …
Pam: Yes, good advice. As I said in my reply to Zoe, I need to be careful about water on the surface of it. The flooring appears to be some kind of linoleum as well, but much sturdier (and with bonus gold speckles!).
Zoe: I think you are right. It’s kind of a “soft” material, almost leathery in feel, marbled dark red. It is also used as a backsplash. I learned the hard way that putting a glass of water on it will leave rings. I think the previous owner must have kept in in good shape by waxing it (and not really using it as a work surface!). I like it, so I will work around that.
Great list! My next door neighbor has metal awnings that are just the coolest thing I have ever seen. The house is for sale and I am just dreading the day that it sells because I am afraid that the buyer will get rid of them. I wish I had $50,000 laying around! I have vintage wallpaper in my kitchen, but it is not in good shape. It looks as though someone either started peeling/scraping it off or it’s just ready to come down. Same with the laminate countertops. Someone decided it was OK to not use a cutting board so there are big gouges out of the finish in many areas. Luckily, it is just an almond color and not really difficult to replicate. The former owners also removed the “front” door (that enters the porch) completely so there is just a big gaping hole and a busted door jamb. I don’t understand some people.
No. 11: Floating kitchen cabinets.
If a kitchen has a pass-through and cabinets are suspended above it, chances are very high someone will rip them out to “open it up”.
Just look at any Eichler.
The windows in item #1 are awning style, not jalousie. Awning windows are fantastic. They can remain mostly open even during rain and unless it’s a monsoon or hurricane no water gets inside the house. Alas, in South Florida they are no longer allowed for residential installations because of the hurricane building codes. Very sad. They are perfect for hot climates.
Jalousies have thin strips of glass held in place only by side brackets. They leak air even when shut and each jalousie pane is easily lifted and slid out from the outside, making it simple to break into the house. I like them but not as practical as awning style windows.
My favorite part of this article: “But, slap yourself in the face and step back from the ceaseless dictates of current fashion: There is nothing inherently displeasing about natural or finished wood walls, if the paneling is good quality. Au contraire.”
That just cracked me up.
Great list, Pam! My parents still have their original jalousies in their original, untouched, Florida home. I always thought those were cool windows because you could open them a bit while it was raining and no water would get in the house.
Proud owner of wood paneling, knotty pine, original laminate (gold speckle) and original windows.
I also still use original (from 1960) stove and brown refrigerator. I can’t believe my fridge still works fine after 50 years! Initially when I bought the house – was considering replacement windows…but not any more. My last home had replacement windows (done in the 80s), and half of them were broken (plastic parts just didn’t last) and wouldn’t open, etc.
I would also like to add… although they may not be endangered but actually extinct now… SCREEN DOORS!!!
Maybe it depends where you live? Screen doors are widely used and available here in Seattle, from Home Depot to little old fashioned hardware stores. I’ve seen many different types of metal and wood screen doors. We also have a boutique maker of wood-framed screen doors to suit the exact style of your house. Mostly a Craftsman style emphasis, but I guess he would make whatever you wanted.
I live in Maine, and we have plenty of screen doors. Mostly, they’re storm doors with a screen insert for summer, but there are also plenty of screen-only doors. My parents have screen doors on every door of their farm house.
A- to the -men on the windows. If I can contribute my experience to Pam’s choice of windows for the #1 spot, because it is exactly what she’s saying in a nutshell. My 1939 home has all original six-over-six paned windows, except for some “remuddling” that happened in the late 70s on the back of the house. The 70-plus year old windows are weather-tight. Some of the storm-windows on the oldest windows could use some repair or replacing, but all-in-all beautiful, sturdy units. The thirty-year old windows are leaky, have dry-rotted sills in some places, and are basically pieces of junk that barely hold up against our Midwest winters. I’m going to be forced to replace them in the next two two three years to prevent structural damage to the rest of the house. They’ve lasted less than half the life span of the original windows.
I think there’s a real unexploited market for contractors and skilled professionals who are willing and able to help homeowners work with and improve what they have – and who promote this service. I’m sure there’s less money in it than going all new, but for those who consider “no job too small” there is plenty of work in this vein! For example, I fully intend to keep my 1950 wood cabinets, but they’ve got problems to be sure. Using the drawers rains sawdust on the contents of the lower cabinets. There is a huge blind corner. Nothing closes right. The wood (painted) is dinged up noticeably in places. I’m going to figure it out, but finding someone to do the work is considerably more challenging than finding someone who’ll rip it out and put in all new. To me it’s worth it (in conservation of materials and $) but I can certainly see how others would not want to deal. I think this is an issue with many of the top 10 here. Take windows – you know where to get new windows, but to properly insulate and do whatever else to your old ones, you’ve got to figure it out, which can be daunting and time consuming, not to mention the nagging feeling (for many) that you’d be better off going all new. Pam, I haven’t really used your forum(s), but is there a place where skilled laborers interested in customers like us could advertise their services?
Meredith,
I plan on doing exactly that. I am currently in planning phase to do “home restoration consulting” for those who wish to keep a vintage or time capsule home intact, or (like me), those wanting to “restore” a remuddled home back to it’s original glory… Wish me luck..!
Mark, if you don’t mind me asking, what area of the country will your business be located in? Because that sounds like a service I could use
Noir,
Southern California, but I plan on doing it online/over the phone as well. Stay tuned. In the infancy stages now…
Mark, let me know if you want my Advertising Kit. The small ads on the right hand side of the page come from small businesses who want to reach Retro Renovation readers.
Yes, Pam. I would. Working on website now…
How awesome is it that I’m in Southern California then? Hahaha, let me know when you’re ready for clients.
Noir,
Hopefully soon. Still have some logistics to do…
fyi, i’m going to delete this part of the thread cuz it’s so specific. once you’re up and running you can post on the forum, okay, mark – that’s our buying/selling spot. good luck. http://retrorenovation.com/forums/
Meredith, Let me know if you want my Advertising Kit. The small ads in the right-hand column all come from folks hoping to reach the readers of this blog.
This is a great list, Pam. In this area it is entirely typical to tear out EVERYTHING in a charming older home and install what I see as some pretty harsh interior elements that are just not inviting or cosy in any way. I appreciate your window discussion very much as it is not easy to find cost-efficient replacements that look as nice as the older ones. On the other hand, so many older windows have a lot of moving parts (my c. 1991 casement jobs had at least 5 moving parts per window, all subject to failure not to mention my broken fingernails in attempting to deal with them and I was thrilled to see them go) as well as wood construction, vulnerable to the elements over the decades. Anyway, my honorable mention to your excellent list is decorative wrought iron, both interior and exterior. I miss this lovely touch on a traditional brick ranch home, especially when color-matched to the shutters and/or other trim elements.
Thanks for all the inspiration and for the much-needed appreciation for all things vintage in a friendly and accessible mid-century home.
Was going to add: MILL FINISH SCREEN DOORS. *Everybody* replaced theirs at some point, and I do mean (well just about) everybody. And now they don’t really make them anymore. Another vanishing feature of these gorgeous houses.
Hi Pam,
This is Lynn from St. Louis with the Wilma Flintstone bathroom. My 1960 ranch has all of the original windows, and I love them. I believe they are called “awning windows”. I had a window contractor tell me they seal much better around the rim than “Jalousie windows”, which are smaller panes of glass. They provide great ventilation and I can have them open when it rains. I do need to put screens up in Summer and storm windows in Winter, but small price to pay. Almost every house in this 60′s neighborhood has replacement windows, and I don’t think they look as nice.
I love your website. Keep up the good work
Pics of my parents’1962 house with some of those endangered items: wood panelling, wood cabinets and also original baths, lighting and floors. It’s for sale and we’re hoping the house will go to retro-loving buyers. Sorry about the link–you’ll have to copy and paste.
{link broken}
That is one gorgeous house!
That house is a dream house! I would check to see if you can have it listed on the National Register of Historical Places – that would draw the right buyer!
Thanks! It was a great house to grow up in, lots of parties and gatherings. My parents and their friends each built homes on a ridge, and the same architect firm designed all three. My parents’ was the last one built and, all three in very good shape.
Listing on the National Register is a idea for bringing recognition and maybe greater appreciation of mid-century homes.
OMG, want! That is one gorgeous house. Where is it located?
In KY.
My parents have reduced the price–I think it’s under $300 now.
We’re told people think it needs new kitchen, new baths, etc…
It is in near-perfect condition, but just not what buyers are looking for there.
Oh my goodness, what a beautiful house. I hope you’re successful in finding a buyer that will appreciate that amazing house.
Thanks–we hope so too!
Interestingly enough, my rental apartment, built in 1954 by my landlord’s dad and grandfather still has a few of these great features. It has it’s original aluminum windows (they’re noisy, but still totally functional), teal laminate counter top, great wood cabinets, and light fixtures. It has a yellow GE range and oven, and a “Rangemate” hood – all fully functional and looking almost brand new. I love the original features (they’re why I loved the place), but am really surprised that they lasted this long in a rental unit. And I’m so glad some un-knowing tennant before me didn’t melt the countertop!
The bathroom has it’s orginal bathtub and tile, but the counter and vanity were replaced at some point by a plastic and particleboard monstrosity…I can only dream of what those looked like orignally.
You know what I always think of when I see jalousie windows (aside from growing up in FL)? The windows on the 70s/80s Barbie Dream House (which was a groovy orange, yellow, brown and white). The windows are featured in this old commercial I found on youtube: http://youtu.be/zNdB6inafiE
In some locales, formstone belongs on the list. I read that in Baltimore it’s historically protected!
I’m the second owner of my 1956 ranch and I’m thrilled to pieces that the previous owner left so much intact! Other than some exterior siding, vinyl windows in the bedrooms, a 1970/80′s bathroom (powder blue fixtures = bonus points!), a vinyl kitchen floor, and inexpensive storm doors, much of the house is original: A beautiful picture window in the living room, wood entry doors, french doors in the dining room, hardwood floors, cool light fixtures, all of the interior doors are ribbon stripe mahogany, real wood kitchen cabinets, steel banded countertops, and under that ugly vinyl kitchen floor is the original floor. I’m hoping it can be saved! Three cheers for Pam and this wonderful list!
I would agree with all of the items, and I would add front entry doors to go with the original windows. Even after 3 years, I’m still crying that I replaced my windows – but when they give out – I will have the originals put back in. Luckily, I saved them all
Anyone looking to get new windows – I encourage you to look up/investigate about RESTORING your original windows, first. I took the restoration class, after I had replaced the windows. Had I known then, what I know now….
Ditto front doors! Modern doors are all the SAME! I am so sick of the faux six-panel door that sometimes has that little half circle window at the top. Also sick of the “fancier” doors with the oval window. Whenever I’m yardsaling, I end up in these mid-century suburbs, and I always end up driving super slow as I look at all the fun doors. Three rectangles set in a diagonal? The three square windows? Round porthole window? Sunburst shapes? How about the three overlapping circles?
Great story! I am forwarding it to friends and clients that restoring what you have is better than anything you can buy now. I’m not sure I agree with the order of things (original cabinets would be much higher on my list) but RIGHT ON! Best case I have seen yet for why these details matter, and why they really can’t be replicated.
oh yay i have 5 of the 10 in my new (and first!) home!
I can’t agree with trying to keep original windows. We have lived with our orignal horizontal pane windows in our 1950 home for 20 years. The orignal front door, hardwood floors, one original light fixture and the windows were all that remained when we moved in. We can hardly get the storm windows off to wash the windows, and clean out the spider webs. It is a huge job. They also let in a tremdous amount of street noise and cold air. They will be replaced in our upcoming remodel.
Like I said in the story “conditions may differ house-to-house” – just go in eyes wide open that “recouping your costs in energy savings” is a claim that requires data to back up.
I have been told by many reliable sources that simply adding an interior “storm” window is the best way to go with old windows. Please consider NOT replacing your windows! I understand the issue about them being difficult to clean, but honestly, original windows add SO much value and charm to a house. I still love my 1960s ranch house, but the vinyl replacement windows have destroyed some of its charm.
I am not an expert… need to do more research… but I think I read somewhere that interior storms can be problematic in terms of promoting sill rot. EXTERIOR storms = better. I think window quilts also are a great solution albeit they are very hippie 70s style not really any other period.
I need to do more research on this issue…
I have seen jalousie windows on the back porches. Also, I think they are prevalent on vintage campers. Super dollhouse cute! Love your blog!
Thanks for sharing this….I wish I’d known more three years ago when I purchased an all-original circa-1952 home. The house had suffered from 25 years of benign neglect….items like electrical, plumbing and windows were repaired but with no respect for the design of the house.
I ripped out an original wood kitchen that was made and installed on site. The sink was a huge double drainboard on a steel base. The floor was original linoleum that was so dirty the bright pink “confetti” pattern underneath wasn’t at all visible. Regrets? Yeah, but only for the wood cabinets which I repurposed in my laundry room. On the bright side, I recently purchased a vintage Frigidaire Flair range that will fit perfectly in the newly-configured kitchen.
Period wallpaper. My entry hall is a circuitous staircase and small vestibule that is papered with the wildest birds, butterflies and vines design on a white background. The effect is absolutely stunning especially when seen for the first time. I kept it despite protests from my contractor. Regret? Both bathrooms were gutted to the studs. I did manage to save several feet of the “Parisian Poodles” wallpaper in pink and gray. The blue and green “Italian fountain” paper was too badly stained to be salvageable.
Wood windows. Ten double vinyl hung windows had replaced the original wooden sash windows. The other 50 windows in the house are original “awning” windows that open inwards in addition to a bank of pella casements windows in the sunroom. I found that the glazing compound was crumbling as I opened and closed the windows, but also discovered that they are so easy to refinish, so I am doing the job myself. Regret? None…except for the replacement windows the exterior of the house is in excellent original condition (and soon to be freshly painted in original light gray and kelly green colors.)
Restoring and renovating my home has been such a pleasure and I can’t thank Pam enough for sharing so much insight, great ideas, ebay finds and such…..Retro Renovation is my go-to place for information on my dream home!
Thanks a million, Pam!
Thank you, Paul. HEY: We all have regrets. A few of mine: I tore out red flocked wallpaper in the first house I ever owned. I tore out vintage linoleum in House #2 that in retrospect, was spectacular, ouch. Note, in this house I replaced the casement windows in two of the bathrooms with double hungs. The windows kept breaking, and letting water in… I don’t even remember. We *probably* could have fixed them if we’d had more patience.
Frigidaire Flaire….*sigh*
I have seen so many of these style wooden cabinets in the farm places in my area, untouched and still in use, looking good. Most people do not have the money to replace perfectly good cabinets. I just know of the ones in friend’s homes, but there very well could be many more tucked into homes all throughout southern Iowa.
We just bought our first home, a 1954 time capsule, and my SIL immediately sent me over to your blog. Thank you! Your posts have helped me to love everything about our home that I didn’t already. Side opening aluminum windows? They’re staying. Geneva cabinets? I painted them, but they’re my favorite thing in here. Red boomerang counters in the kitchen with stainless steel edging? One piece is faded, but I put the microwave on it. Problem solved.
That’s all we have from your list, but we have the original exterior doors, lighting fixtures, (including little boxes in the ceiling that open with a spring latch) spindle leg bathroom sink with towel bars, and built-in room divider with plastic “rice paper” inserts. We love the home we’re in and love your blog!
A few years ago, I listened to a historic architecture speaker who said the exact same thing regarding vintage windows. Older is better. (I’ll see if I can find my notes so you can have an official reference).
PS: Another endangered item… the giant aerial antenna. Or like I call it “vintage building sculpture”
I do remember the guy who taught the window renovation class I went to saying ‘back then, things were made to be repaired, not replaced”. I also have a DVD “Simple Steps for Working Windows” or how to rehabilitate double hung wooden windows – put out by the Old House Network & Michigan Historic Preservation Network.
Great list! I’ve got a 1966 Eich-like in So Cal with all original windows incl 4 86″ tall jalousie windows. They’re a royal pain to clean and a major security concern – it’s so easy to remove the panes from outside. I love the look and am hanging on to them for now but understand why they are endangered.
Another good reason for replacing original windows is safety, in the case of older sliders without tempered glass.
You are right and I will update my story: Tempered glass is a good thing.
Wow – you mean tiled bathrooms, especially pink ones, don’t make the top ten? That’s good to know, but still frightening to see all the really cool stuff that IS in the top ten!
Well, I was kinda declaring victory on tile bathrooms cuz of the STPB campaign, but I think you are right. I need to make an addendum just to make sure they remain front and center for anyone not familiar with the history….
I inherited my grandparents’ 1959 ranch home. They installed vinyl replacement windows in the early 90′s which I am now having to replace due large gaps in the frame & seal failure. I’ve been rebuffed by many window companies for wanting to put aluminum windows in. No one will do it and it’s been quite a disappointing journey. If there was one example of hideous vinyl windows, mine would be it! Huge, bulky profile and mildew and condensation between the panes has made me detest this type of window. I have pointed out to every salesmen that all the homes I see with original aluminum windows look great. No rust or “sweating” due to the metals’ high conductivity that vinyl enthusiasts profess will happen with aluminum in the midwest climate. Really sucks to have to spend so much money on something I dislike so much (all 7 windows need replaced). Sigh.
What about aluminum-clad wood windows? Marvin makes some. They are American-made and quite beautiful, though of course they are not the aluminum-framed windows you’re describing. (We had the same kind on my parents’ 1960s ranch, and while I thought they were in pretty good shape, a vinyl replacement window company talked my dad into replacing most of the aluminum windows, much to my disappointment. The new windows are twice as prone to leaking as the original windows.
I have been hesitant to look into aluminum clad windows because of the price. Replacing all 7 (the gaps are so large that rain water has rotted the wall under each window) is going to be pricey but if the difference isn’t too much than it’s certainly something I will explore.
Thanks, Zoe!
On a side note, the windows on my garage are jalousie and those are staying put!
Thanks for this article! I bought a 1952 house two years ago and have been rocking my original cabinets. I can’t imagine spending $10K on new ones – who on earth has that kind of money? I have to say, though, that I have a love/hate relationship with my tile countertops – I like them because they stand up to much cooking abuse including putting hot dishes directly from the stove onto the countertops and cutting directly on the (sanitized) surface. I hate them because the grout is hard to keep clean and because glasses break immediately when accidentally dropped onto them.
Anyway, kudos also for your call to keep original windows! I am on my city’s historic preservation board, and when we have hearings to approve/deny construction plans for our historic districts, we always emphasize the importance of keeping original wood windows. Original windows are one of the basic tenants of historic preservation
Not to be a complete jerk (I’ve already commented too many times on this one post of Pam’s, but it’s such a great post, with so many great comments), but it’s actually “tenet,” not “tenant.” Sorry! Can’t help myself. (My dad was an English teacher!)
Well, Pam, I think you’ll be happy to hear about what happened today. Apparently, my beloved LOVES the knotty pine in our kitchen. We were buying paint (because thank God we are at that point finally with renovating our 1954 house) and I was saying that according to what I’d read, we’d need to cover the knotty pine with at least 2 coats of BIN before painting. He got this crestfallen look and said “we…we’re painting that wood?” Yes, I said, because it’s full of holes that have been patched with plywood and when the carpenter who replaced our rotten sub floor and installed our countertops priced replacement stuff of the same quality and material, he informed us that the same knotty pine now sells for…100 bucks per linear foot. I never thought he’d be so emotional about wood. It reminds him of his Grandpa’s house, apparently. (It reminds me of mine, too.) So we took a look at what we had to work with and realized that if we paint the cabinets and the wall behind them, and use a piece of furniture or something to cover the patched spots near the sink area, we’ve got over half a room of intact knotty pine that there’s really no need to paint over. Saves us money, makes him happy, makes me happy, everybody wins. According to the guy at the paint store, washing the walls with TSP and treating them with a good wood sealer will kill the smell they have without damaging them.
I would kill to have metal kitchen cabinets, but the ones that are there are solid wood and in good shape other than a botched half paint job the former owners tried. And when I saw the original Linoleum, which looks really similar to your countertop sample up there with the little sparkly stars and flecks of bright color on a yellow background, all gunked up with glue from bad 70s vinyl installation and unsaveable, I almost cried. But, we found a place here in town that does industrial linoleum and are going to be able to get some Armstrong stuff that at least looks like it belongs in the kitchen cheaper than we could get smelly vinyl from Lowes.
Well, yes, this is exciting! Idea: Watch craigslist and your local Re-Store, maybe you can pick up a set of knotty pine kitchen cabinets same vintage as yours — and patch using the other set? Send me pics when you are done!
The cabinets are solid wood and sturdy. The sides are solid wood and painted already by the previous owners. The doors are knotty pine, some painted (badly, with the knots bleeding through) some unpainted. It will be easier to just paint them all and will also not look as weird with my butcher block countertops as the naked wood. The knotty pine behind the cabinets and to the left of the sink area (where a washer used to live) have been cut open at some point and patched with plywood because there was apparently a plumbing leak. It won’t be that noticeable painted and covered with something like my china cabinet. The guy at our restore says something about the climate down here causes old knotty pine to almost fossilize, so that it becomes hard and difficult to remove without shattering to pieces. We dumpster dove a house down the block, same timeframe as ours, which is being gutted to be a flip, hoping there would be some knotty pine to salvage but there was none. We are still looking. I’ll send you pics of the finished product!
My favorite line of the week so far for sure: “We dumpster dove a house down the block, same timeframe as ours, which is being gutted to be a flip, hoping there would be some knotty pine to salvage but there was none.”
Except that the clause, “gutted to be a flip” makes me want to cry
Yeah, it was a pretty nifty little house. The old lady who lived there used to have the coolest yard sales. Then it was for sale forever and finally bought by one of those “We Buy Houses!” investment companies. They’ve been working on it for about as long as we’ve been working on ours. They had an open house last weekend (because the house is for sale again) and I went just to see what it was like. It was pretty inside, but just what you’d expect; new everything, builder fixtures, nothing unique. I don’t know what the house looked like before or what shape it was in, but now it looks like…every other house you see in every decorating magazine. (and will be “dated” in 10 years just like everything else)
The prevous owners of my house lived there for over 25 years and either through inertia, lack of interest or money left the house the way they bought it. i got everything original except in very worn condition. The baths were decrepit, I have remodeled one and the other one will be within the next few years. The house still had its 60 amp service with fuses. I have had to replace all the windows – yes vinyl tilt-in for ease of cleaning, the original windows were too rotten. and you couldn’t see out them. What else – the formica counters in the kitchen was void of finish, have replaced with new. I will keep the original wood birch cabinets, whats not to like about solid wood. Still have the original front door with the three staggered lights. New roof, furnace. My 1957 house reminds me of Money Pit but I love it!
Jay, I think all houses are Money Pits — just some more than others. Remember this eye-opening story?: http://retrorenovation.com/2011/09/26/open-thread-costly-and-unexpected-expenses-from-owning-a-home/
I just bought a house with jalousie windows in the front and back storm doors, as well as in one bedroom window. I’ve really enjoyed them so far… they have a nice sturdy quality that you just don’t feel when you touch and operate new things (same goes for my steel cabinets!). I hadn’t thought about insulation in the winter- the previous owners left behind the glass windows that replace the screen when it gets cold, so that should help. After reading these comments, I might also apply some of that removable seasonal window sealer when the time comes.
My house also came with awnings on the back windows protecting window-unit air conditioners, and I’ve discovered a drawback that Pam might not have thought about: apparently, the space under an awning is an ideal place for pigeons to seek shelter from the rain. One of my first projects as a new homeowners was to scrub off the ‘vintage’ pigeon poo.
Thanks for the list and the site, Pam! I’ve learned a lot here, and I think some of your best advice in this list is to wait and live with something and see if it grows on you. This is definitely helping me adjust my taste to fit my retro home (faux-terrazzo vinyl-covered staircase, anyone?).
I think I read somewhere that pigeon guano is an excellent fertilizer
Yup, exactly: STURDY QUALITY — that’s what is evident in so many of the original features in our old houses. Stuff was MADE TO LAST, and you can feel it every time you touch it. This is also why I am, generally, willing to pay a top price for a replacement item today: If it has that “quality feel”, the “heavy duty long lasting” touch — I am just much happier.
Well, I have several of these features, and intend to keep them! Jalousies, which crank out, are four horizontal panes, individually framed in aluminum, and in banks of three on each side of the breezeway, which used to be a three season porch, but is now a four season. Storm windows mounted to the inside cured this energy efficiency issue, once heat was added to the room, putting a three inch vapor barrier between the air-leaking jalousies, and the inner storm. Screens also replace the storms in good weather. The other features are original windows throughout, including seven giant thermopane plate glass windows, aluminum framed. Also have knotty pine, and turquoise appliances as original features. Glass doorknobs, bathroom flooring, and reeded glass inserts in all exterior doors. Recessed Kirlin lighting is another feature most loved around here!
Yes, inside storms/screens seem like the solution for energy efficiency, not so sure about the safety issue folks are bringing up…
Jeff, I luv luv luv turquoise appliances! It’s a color that both men and women like and looks so fresh and clean in the kitchen.
I grew up in a house with early 1980s fake wood paneling in the living room. I never liked that stuff.
So, when I bought my 1963 house with wood paneling in living room, I kinda figured that eventually I would do something with it. But then I realized that this was real wood. And it’s just beautiful–my friends now comment on how warm my home is, and I know the wood is a big part of that. I’ve added lots of silver accents in my accessories to bring in some light, but there’s no way I’m going to touch this paneling.
I also have original wood kitchen cabinet (but not knotty pine). During my kitchen renovation, I did have the contractor remove one layer of scallops (there were two layers of scallops). He had to remove one wall of cabinets, but he rebuilt my new cabinets to match the existing. You have to squint to figure out which is new and which is original.
Some of my friends thought I was crazy to keep all that I kept, but it’s been amazing to hear all the compliments about the “charm” of my house. Patina makes a difference!
Yup! CHARM is the perfect word!
We have original windows – and every single one is sideways sliding. Not a single double-hung. Metal frames, not wood. No mullions or anything cute, just plain plate glass, but at least its not very busy. A smooth backdrop, if you will.
I love tile counters! I don’t have any at the moment but they are so classic and I love them.
I am slowly coming around on wallpaper. I think I want some. At least a little. This place never had any. Maybe on some furniture if not on the walls. I would like new wallpaper but in a vintage style, that is not limited like vintage rolls because I’ll probably mess some up. And I don’t think I can do 100 a roll!
Pam, have you done any articles on new-vintage-style wallpaper for the currently-paperless?
Jordanna, I have many many articles on wallpaper here, as I am the world’s #1 wallpaper fan: http://retrorenovation.com/category/period-accents/wallpaper/
(tried to post yesterday but I think my comment when into a black hole)
Pam, this is one of my favorite posts ever, but I think the pink bathroom is still critically endangered!
One thing you didn’t mention about replacement windows, inserts in particular, is that you can end up with smaller windows and less light. That was what I discovered when I measured my own 6 over 6 wooden double-hung windows, versus an Andersen replacement insert. With an insert, you will have less glass area than in your original window becuase of the size of the insert’s frame.
The 6 over 6 windows are integral to the look of my 1948 Cape. We talked about replacing them and even priced out the inserts, but in the end, I couldn’t do it. Fake mullions– yuck.
The two killers of exterior charm and character in old homes: vinyl/aluminum siding and replacement windows.
Bird, I live in a 1941 cape with the same windows and I SO agree with you. We are renting with intentions of buying and for years now the landlord said he was having it sided and new windows put in. We vehemently object to this and hope that it does not happen. I LOVE the old windows, even though they are supposedly NOT energy efficient. Therefore I am very glad to see all the comments on that fact not necessarily being true. I spent quite a bit of time repainting and repairing them so I certainly hope that the don’t get replaced. I hate the look of newer windows on an older house. I think we are going to replace the old clapboards with new, and redo the sheetrock, so proper insulation should fix our energy waste problem. Our last house was newly built and one complaint we had was it was TOO tightly sealed. No draft/air flow at all. I rest my case.
Janet, we have newer, triple-track storm windows, but even with the storms closed, you can feel the cold drafts coming through the window area in during a Massachusetts winter. We bought double-cell cellular shades, and close them at night in the winter. It makes a big difference in the drafts. But still, our house is very expensive to heat in the winter, cuz… there’s no insulation in the walls!
Yesterday all four of my attempted posts did not send so I am not going to reply or these comments will get lost way back at the beginning. My husband is a carpenter and one of his jobs at the apartment complex where he works is the ongoing task of cutting down cabinets for over-the-stove microwaves and to repair the seriously damaged ones. He has managed to remake many of them and hardly anyone can tell. A good carpenter who has been at it for many years should have the experience to duplicate the QUALITY cabinets of the fifties. The ones in my 1948 cape were replaced in the seventies and are awful. The cabinets themselves are good wood but the drawer fronts appear to be plastic with those hideous plastic Mediterranean looking trim pieces all around. Then they painted the wood cainet frames to match the brown plastic. The original off-white farmhouse style cabinets are in the basement and I would LOVE to rip out these ugly ones and put them back. They still have the old sink in them and the same funny soft linoleum looking countertop which is long-ago ruined, being used as a basement workbench. So I would recommend finding a good (and probably older fellow) carpenter to make replacement cabinets.
Morgen, so you are looking for a green toilet? I saw one just yesterday on Craigslist; the ad said it was blue but it sure looked green to me. Do you know who made it and what the name of the color is? Did I see an article here on the colors from the major manufacturers like Kohler and American Standard? If you don’t know what color your pieces are, how do you tell? There must be alot of shades of the pastel greens, blues, yellows and pinks. I don’t know about Florida, but up in Maine there are dozens of salvage yard type antique and junk stores and there are alot of toilets, sinks and tubs there. You don’t see alot in color; the vast majority of it is white. I would LOVE to open a RETRO store with all kinds of appliances and kitschy 50′s to 60′s bathroom and kitchen stuff. Here in New England, it seems to be you see mostly older vintage stuff and antique farmhouse things.
As for windows, I’m happy to read all these comments about people keeping original windows. (Sorry to keep writing a book about my old house.) We have the original windows, and I really like them, but the problem is that many of them are stuck shut. I thought they were painted shut, but it seems to be that the metal tracks that they run on are bent and warped. I thought that they were plain old windows with weights inside, but they’re not, they have a groove in the wood that slides up and down on a metal track that mounts to the window frame. My dad told me that many companies can rehab old windows, but everyone we’ve talked to has suggested that they should be replaced.
It’s always Oh, replacement windows are so cheap these days…which is true, they are, and they look like what they are…CHEAP metal and vinyl windows. As for the windows being inefficient…I’ll admit we haven’t gone through winter yet, but as for keeping the house cool in the summer they seem to be just fine. Our thermostat is set at 78 and you could keep meat in that house. I’m going to have to research and see if I can find any resources to tell me how to fix the windows I have.
Kristi, Have you had the local environmental agency come and do an energy audit of your house. Often, these are free. And they give great advice.
I inherited my 1954 ranch(ish) house from my grandparents, and it has all the original windows. I had thought about replacing them, but after reading this I’m going to look into restoring the ones that I have
Unfortunately, it doesn’t have the original kitchen or bathrooms, my grandparents remodeled in the early 70′s. Getting ready to bring the house back into the 50′s now.
Noir, feel free to contact me if you need any assistance…
Great article. I love my 1951 ranch house – original windows, original steel kitchen cabinets (Youngstown by Mullins) with laminate countertops. I believe the bath is original too. Agree with you too about the window hype. I’ve even heard a few stories of new windows being more drafty than the old ones.
I LOVE awnings! I hope I can convince my husband to agree with the purchase of awnings instead of air conditioning. ACs are serious fire hazards and I don’t want one. Awnings are completely SAFE. We are moving to another city, and no matter what type of house we buy, it will have awnings.
We’re in the middle of the window dilema. We have triple storm windows (I believe everything is Pella) and I’m not sold on replacing them, but we’re having a problem with the screens constantly falling out. They’re only held in their tracks by two little metal pins. I have cats and a toddler, both of who’d love to escape. Do you have any sources for screen replacement?
Try looking into Larson storms.
I started moving in today to my 1958 ranch in central Mass. that I just bought from the original owner. While some things have been updated over the years, there are tons of original features that remain. When I first looked at the house a few months ago I was thinking about all the changes I would make. Then I remembered reading about this website on the NYTimes and I have become a convert! I’m not going to paint the wood cabinets, not going to take down the awnings or replace the original windows. I am going to strip the wallpaper, though. It’s not worth keeping. The jalousie windows are definitely staying. I’m even going to keep the wagonwheel light in the kitchen. Thanks for the great resource! (ps–I have some pictures if you are interested)
My husband and I are in negotiations to buy a 1972 multi-level home. As excited as I am to Finally Get A House….the 70′s are just about my least favorite “retro” decade. This house has dark-stained oak narrow trim everywhere, an massive brick fireplace with BLACK grout (just to make it extra dark), honey colored oak cabinets in the kitchen, knotty pine bathroom cabinets, a harvest gold shower/tub, a caramel-swirl colored bathroom counter with a seashell-shaped sink, dark paneling in the basement family room, and more DARK knotty pine in the sunroom. Wallpaper everywhere, but thankfully no plaid. And, as is typical with 70′s homes, everything just feels….dark. Not enough windows, too much dark wood!
Now, I understand that to many retro purists, these is a time capsule house, and my plans for it are just sacrilege. But…I really hate knotty pine, especially when it’s dark stained. I prefer the lighter, more cheerful colors of the 50′s.
So, my plans are this:
-Paint all of that narrow oak trim a fresh white.
-Remove all wallpaper. Paint cheerful colors.
-Paint the fireplace white, replace the aging industrial woodstove with a cute small, classy one. Add a nice wide mantle.
-Replace all of the carpeting (including the bathroom) with either tile, hardwood, or wood laminate (we’re on a budget….so laminate will go in lower-traffic areas).
-Paint over the knotty pine bathroom cupboards. This is a long, narrow bathroom with one window…it needs lightening! The harvest gold tub and caramel sink can stay…for now.
-Paint those blah kitchen cabinets white, add chrome details, throw in all my colorful vintage things, make it a faux-50′s kitchen.
-Paint over all the dark knotty pine in the sunroom. It’s a SUN room, it should feel well lit!
I can see dumping $1500 into this house in just paint alone….But, it will be an adventure!
As to your idea of keeping original windows vs. paying for new ones, which will never pay for themselves…I’m right there with you. I’m a self-employed painter and I can tell you I’ve been in MANY 5-10 year old homes where the newer vinyl windows are just about shot.
Recently my Wife and I purchased a 1961 Cape Cod in Michigan from the original occupant. It is all original except for the furnace, a/c and some plumbing. Original sub-divided windows are in perfect condition. They slide with ease as well. They look to have only been painted 2-3x, much of which has peeled away while being trapped behind the original storms. The interiors look to have been painted only a couple times as well. I’m wanting to save them, but the single pane glass and leaky storms make for a cold situation. Here is the solution…re-glaze the glass, paint and buy new Low-E Glass Storms. They are a fraction of standard windows overall cost since there is very little installation. A homeowner with a screw gun could install them. I even saw an episode of This Old House discussing the subject of keeping original windows. Look up Larson Storm Windows.http://www.larsondoors.com/storm_windows/
Yup: From all I read, exterior storms are the way to go!
Hey don’t forget vinyl laminate flooring and textured shag carpet! It all goes part and parcel with the original laminate countertops!
I just found your site today. Where have I been? I love it..thanks so much for sharing! I’ve been wondering where all of you are like me who wouldn’t think me completely off my rocker for loving my vintage..Found.
Pam, I’ve been following your site off and on for a few years, but only now have I felt the need to weigh in. I am in complete agreement with you about replacement windows and am so glad that this made your top 10. Most common replacement windows really diminish curb appeal and often do a poor job of imitating actual mullions. Like most of todays building materials, plastic versions of windows (and siding for that matter) are much cheaper to manufacture than milled wood and they bear little resemblance to wood itself. The cost savings is passed on to the builder, but not usually to the homeowner unless the homeowner is a do-it-yourselfer who buys direct from the manufacturer. Newer, economical materials help builders increase their profit margins, so builders have helped propagate the marketing hype over vinyl’s benefits to the homeowner. When I remodeled a 1963 rancher several years ago, the contractor tried to convince me, among other things, that I would be saving myself the ongoing maintenance headache of scraping and painting. In reality, a quality paint should last a couple of decades, so the constant scraping argument is weak. Besides, when I get ready to change the house color, I prefer being able to paint the window trim to match rather than having permanently white or brown windows that stand out in contrast. The same is true of having natural wood interiors that match the mouldings. I could go on, but I’ve said enough. And I won’t even get into vinyl siding or steel entry doors with the white raised plastic window trim.
David, I purchased a SoCal Storybook Ranch (“Cinderella”, built in ’56, sold new in ’57) that had ALL but one of the original “Soule Steel Co” Aluminum TDL casement windows replaced w/ cheesy white aluminum gridded units, some smaller than the ones they replaced. I struggled w/ a solution as I’m in process of “restoring” our home to it’s mid-century glory. At the depth of my quandary, I noticed a home down the street in my tract (which had been boarded up for some time) was in the process of being “re-habbed”. I contacted the workers there & made a deal for the original windows they were replacing — $200 for 6 units, including one that is 12″ wide x 4′-4″ high..! They even delivered them down the alley to me..! My quick thinking REALLY paid off. I plan on upgrading the single-glass panes to insulated units, but will keep the original style. I also need two wood “diamond-lite” windows for the front bedrooms, but have found a local window shop that will build me 2 double-hung sash sets (I still have the original jambs/frames) for about $1K. My original custom window cost was going to be about $20K..! So, NEVER give up — I’m glad I didn’t throw in the towel..!
That window size should be 12 FEET wide by 4′-4″ high…
Wow. Great thinking, great story. Others’ Updates are our Retro Renovates!
Hi Pam, I just wanted to weigh in on the subject of replacement windows. I recently had the exterior of my Weldwood-sided circa-1952 home repainted. Prior to purchasing the home, the investor who purchased the home before me replaced all the original wood double-hung windows with white vinyl windows. Since the original trim color was hunter green I was dismayed by the appearance of the windows, which really looked ugly and cheap and very much out of place. My painter suggested painting the frames and the faces of the windows with the same Sherwin-Williams Emerald house paint that we used on the shingles and trim. After sanding down the surface, the windows and the trim were carefully masked and given three coats of paint…..the result is amazing! The original color of the windows versus the godawful white vinyl is day-and-night. My painter spray-painted the aluminium screen frames with a closely-matched color….the final result is absolutely fantastic! I would encourage anyone coping with white vinyl replacements to consider painting them with a high-quality paint after a thorough surface preparation.
Thanks again for providing an invaluable source of information for those of us who cherish the style and craftsmanship of American mid-century design.
Hi, I just found your site while trying to find articles about the old 70s faux stone shell-shaped sinks and if there is any way to seal and restore them when the finish starts to wear and crack and I came across that part about jalouise windows! Even in my house I love my jalouise windows, they’re SO uniquely retro and remind me of my grandparents house and while we may (unfortunately) have to replace the one in the bathroom because the workings are hopelessly broken and it is eternally stuck halfway open (my dad looked at it since he grew up with them but fixing it was beyond him and I can’t find anyone who specializes in it). But I want to correct a SLIGHT misconception about them being totally un-energy efficient inside the house. With a little bit of effort they can be great for people in certain climates. The big thing with the energy efficiency problem is that they never totally close all the way, however with some clever use of very thinly cut weather stripping between the panels and the effort of attaching a small piece of metal strapping to the outer edge of the bottom window pane frame that can be then attached to the outside of the frame or the side of the house they can be tightly and securely closed during undesirable weather. Also, if you live in a house that hasn’t been upgraded to AC and still uses an evaporative/swamp cooler during the summer they are invaluable as swamp coolers need very slight venting in the house to circulate air!
As for a lot of the other things mentioned in this article, I wish I had gotten to my house before someone had painted the paneling and cabinetry, but at least they’re staying original (well maybe not that broken one in the kitchen that needs to be removed because it’s in the back corner and no one can reach it anyway) and they’re staying where they are! I’m on the fence about the old laminate counter tops, they’re kind of neat looking but someone (before I bought my house) painted all of the kitchen cabinets the same color as the counter so my kitchen is creepily monotone, however reading this has made me consider repainting the cabinets instead of replacing the laminate.
And don’t even get me started on knotty pine cabinets, they were my main goal to find in a home and I couldn’t find them anywhere (well I found one, but it was way overpriced and needed so much work that I couldn’t have afforded it even if they were giving it away). But I would like to add 2 more items to the list lath & plaster walls and parquet floors! While house hunting I was SO saddened by the amount of sloppy and half finished remodels that had centered around trying to hide these wonderful elements. Oh and if you really want to see a lot of this old stuff still in tact try touring homes in the inland empire in California, especially higher end mobile home parks (called mobile estates) in the Yucaipa area, I’ve never seen so many time capsules, I actually saw a 1964 mobile home with all of it’s original real wood paneling and everything still in tact and looking new it was amazing!
Welcome, Sarah!!!
Thanks Pam, I really like your site, I’m SO glad I accidentally stumbled across it! ^_^
“…so, why not go with the flow and instead of spending $ thousands on new cabinets, use the money for other stuff, starting with maybe: Ensure you have a solid, 6-month of living expenses emergency fund, pay down credit cards, save for retirement, pay down the mortgage and in general, avoid the terrible stress of debt.”
Pam, I LOVE seeing financial responsibility touted on a retro home renovation site. Unexpected, and combining two interests of mine.
Amen! I read that one to my husband! He’s a big fan of leaving things alone (especially the bank account). Ha ha!
One thing you have forgotten is the taplite round light switches by honeywell. you have not been able to find those since the 80′s. however, I do have some replacement and the covers for the switches
Holy cow! How in the world did I miss this post last year? WOW. Those are my windows up there! What I thought were Jalousie but apparently are Awning windows!!! (I did have jalousie on my door, and as another reader mentioned, the entire glass fell out and broke one day so we had to replace the door. I totally miss that door) VERY unsafe…
Awning windows! Who knew??
Well, we did end up replacing our windows. All 21 of them. OY!
And after our first winter with the NEW windows, I fear you are correct. We did not notice much difference at all in our engergy cost. I am very disappointed. I still dont know how I feel about this 9 months later. I miss my awning windows…Ahhh Regrets!
Not having central air they were GREAT to get airflow going. The casements are okay…I just really miss my windows!
One pro: SOUND. These new windows are WAY quieter. Inside. And out. I have had several neighbors tell me they cant hear my dogs anymore.
An unexpected con: I have BEAUTIFUL Italian marble window sills in all my windows. DEEP. I used to be able to put things there. With the new windows thickness, my 6 inch sills are reduced down to 3 inches. Never even thought about that, but I miss seeing ALL of my sills.
On an upnote we did recycle our aluminum windows AND we gave our neighbor, also an original owner, several extra cranks and hardware sets for HER Awning/Jalousie windows…I do belive she is now the last one in our neighborhood with these types of windows…
All others have been replaced…Endangered indeed!