Reader Nancy has shared much of her home with us in the past — most recently the interior and exterior of her newly constructed retro inspired pool house. This impressive before-and-after is in Nancy’s main house — where she restored her original aqua St. Charles metal cabinets and, to dial up the playfulness, added lots more red. There’s just something so… cheerful… about this color combination.
Nancy’s retro kitchen renovation — BEFORE:
Nancy writes:
We LOVE our kitchen!! I feel like our granddaughter spent the first 2 years of her life on the large island in her bouncer! The kitchen is so nice & roomy that all of the family can cook in there together! We love having theme meals with everyone in charge of something. To me that is what a kitchen is all about. The person that said the kitchen is the heart of the home got it right! I also think the original colors that were selected for the kitchen are very beautiful.
The original St. Charles metal cabinets were painted light aqua and dark aqua, and we used the bottom of the drawers to repeat those same colors once they had been cleaned (with the age and all the light in the kitchen our original colors had faded).
Nancy’s retro kitchen renovation — AFTER:
The original flooring was the asbestos, off white tile that was very much in need of being replaced. I love color, so had to add some to the floor to make it easier to clean. We chose Azrock by Tarkett. If it works for Pam, I thought it would work for us, and it has! The colors: The checkerboard is made from “red pepper” and “cloud white”, with a black “midnight” border.
The original counter top was the ivory linen formica that really was in pretty good shape for the age. But, since everything was being pulled out we decided on Arborite, and the color is Red Xabia. The edging is from New York Metal (as per the resource list from Pam).
The ovens are original and wonderful (maybe more wonderful to look at than use but who cooks that much anymore)!! They are L&H brand which was the earliest Thermador. I had to have them removed and shipped them to Georgia, where they were fitted with modern elements that could be easily repaired. The cooktop is also Thermador. I was able to find some replacement burners on line.
Sinks are the origional Elkay’s and really in amazing shape for their age & use! The faucets were replaced by original owner.
The curtain is from my vintage barkcloth collection.
The fridge is a Re Store find. It is a Northland that Kris built in and made front panels that were painted when he did the cabinets.
Over the cabinets I framed a set of vintage Vera napkins (the blue) and a vintage set of cocktail napkins I got from Etsy.
Our dishes are vintage Red Wing Tampico pattern. I love their unusual shapes, the form is just beautiful! Also, the way they are painted you almost have a summer side and then a fall or winter side. At least I turn them for the seasons.
Kitchen table and chairs are vintage and from our favorite guy- Adam Henderson on Etsy (Dead50sModern).
We have so much natural light that I thought a glass collection would be just the thing to finish off the room. I found these through another very nice Pam on Etsy and just love the beauty they bring to the room!
Thank you, Nancy! Wow, you have completed a lot of work on your house in a relatively short time. Are you done now???
Resource List for Nancy’s Kitchen Remodel
- Flooring: Azrock in red pepper, midnight, and cloud white
- Counter top: Arborite Red Xabia
- Counter top edging: New York Metal
- Vintage L&H oven restoration: Antique Appliances
- Refrigerator: Vintage Northland with custom painted panels
- Dishwasher: Big Chill
- Kitchen table: Dead50sModern on etsy.com
- Accessories: Vintage
Nancy found the raised dog feeders on Etsy — though she doesn’t think they are available anymore.
Her dogs Buster and Betty — who are brother and sister — love the new kitchen.
The combination of color and whimsical accents — like the pirate ship basket on the table above — make Nancy’s kitchen a cheery and fun place to gather. It seems she has thought of every detail — and used both vintage and new pieces to make the retro kitchen of her dreams a reality. Thank you, Nancy for sharing yet another part of your lovely home with us!
Ingrid says
What color and brand of paint were used on the cabinets? I have a 1950’s metal cabinet with a red Formica top. I would like to repainted it to this lovely Aqua color
pam kueber says
For a good aqua color, see our category Decorate / Paint.
Go to Sherwin Williams Suburban Modern palette – holiday turquoise. Take a look at that…
Hannah says
This is the best kitchen in the world
melinda turner says
Wow i love your kitchen. i love everything about it~