It’s simple but true: Combining white with off-white — be it a soft beige, a yellowy linen, 1960s “bone” or a creamy vanilla — makes for a classic decorating palette that is almost infinitely versatile as well as pleasing to the eye. In today’s story, reader Jessica show us how she took advantage of this restful palette — which came with her rental unit – to create a cheery vintage style kitchen. Okay, she did have a bit more to work with — the red-trimmed tile around the sink. But you get the idea: Add an edited palette of strong contrasts to white-and-off-white foundation — Jessica chose red and black — and you have instant decorating success. Let’s see more of Jessica’s adorable space –>
Jessica transformed here rental kitchen into a charming space by sprinkling bits of color — and pattern — throughout the room. Yes: Checks and polka dots can mix beautifully, when the backdrop palette is restrained.
Jessica tells us more about her love of the retro about her quest to make this rental space her own:
I guess I’ve always have been into the retro/vintage look. When I was a kid I fell in love with watching I Love Lucy. I could watch it all day and just grew a huge love for the 50s. I’m 24 but feel like an old lady (haha), because I love things that most people my age don’t. From the music, the cars and overall feel of that time is where I belong. I was definitely born in the wrong era!
The house was built in the 40s. Not much has been updated other than the floors. I have a whole collection of vintage kitchen goodies: two cookbooks that are vintage, some vintage deer that are salt and pepper shakers.
My pink floral dish is from a set that belonged to my great-grandmother, those are from the 1950s.
I also lined my shelves with gingham liner that I bought at Orchard. I am slowly collecting the spring blossom Pyrex.
My dishes are a mint green (IKEA) that match my KitchenAid perfectly. My glasses with the flamingos are from IKEA too.
My little hand mixer was bought from an estate sale, I believe that is from the 50s.
My formica table was a craigslist find, I bought the chairs from barstoolsandchairs.com. I made my curtains.
The walls are a very light yellow. In the photo you can compare it to the white cabinets.
The tile is yellow with a maroon trim. I am not sure on the exact paint colors, because my boyfriend and I rent here, so we didn’t paint it 🙂 (My uncle owns the house though.)
I also attached a picture of myself dressed up as a “retro housewife” 🙂
We love the contrast of white with an off-white. So if you are in a rental that’s all bright-white on bright-white — and the landlord wants to keep things neutral — and this story convinces you — maybe you can convince her or him to repaint the walls an off-white to provide some additional depth to work with?
Jessica, your kitchen is adorable — and you get major props for sending a photo in which you dress the part. We love it! Thank you so much for sharing your sweet space with all of us and being an inspiration to “Love the house you’re in!”
Ana says
Hi Pam! Do you have anything on mid mod nurseries?
pam kueber says
In the bedrooms category, just a few things, though: https://retrorenovation.com/category/by-room/bedroom/
Be super careful about using vintage with kids — for safety issues and lead paint issues etc.! Do you own research and consult with properly licensed professionals…
Robin, NV says
Pam – I have an Australian DIY home design book that has some ideas for nurseries including some adorable animal stencils. The camel is too cute.
Robin, NV says
Forgot to mention the book is from 1956.
Janet in CT says
I love your kitchen, Jessica! Red is a favorite of mine, and my last kitchen was all red and emerald green. You did a great job with the accessorizing! I am so coveting your flamingo glasses!
Leslie says
What a successful transformation back to the 50’s! Jessica, it is great to see that with a little creativity and retro items you can make any space reflect your love for the 50’s.
Robin, NV says
Jessica – way to work with what you have! So cute. My mom had a full set of the green Pyrex with spring blossoms. I’m trying to acquire a full set of “Woodland” in chocolate brown and tan.
Janet in CT says
Robin, I think I have a Woodland set of the pour edge bowls like Jessica’s. What exactly do they look like as I am not sure of the pattern but they are brown. I have to find them packed away somewhere. We are moving and I seriously need to downsize, if you need these.
Robin, NV says
Janet – thanks for the thought but I already have the stacking bowls. I’m mostly looking for the refrigerator set and other odds and ends. If you have the gumption for a yard sale, you can offload a lot of stuff quickly. Winter is a great time to have one (maybe a garage sale instead) because all of the garage sale junkies are desperate to get their “fix.” 🙂
Mary Elizabeth says
Jessica, you did a great job decorating your kitchen. My favorite things are the curtains, the Minnie Mouse pot holder, and the Bambi salt and pepper shakers. The red microwave is pretty cool, too.
The Sears Kenmore hand mixer is definitely from the late 1960s–I got one for a wedding shower gift in 1969. Loved the chic shape, and it was quite comfortable to hold. I also have a set of Corelle Spring Blossom dishes that I use on my deck. I don’t have the bowls, though I do have Pyrex bowls in another pattern. It is amazing how they and the Glasbake bowls and casseroles last forever. I wonder why people ever got rid of them? If you ever burn something in them, you can scour them gently with Soft Scrub (the kind without bleach) or the cleaner they sell for glass-top ranges.
Don’t feel you are a throwback born in the wrong era! I am a real grandmother who remembers these things from my childhood and youth, but have met many young folks (some on this site, some children of friends) who love the fifties and sixties kitchenware and decorative items. My friend’s daughter was looking for a job and an apartment and my friend said she was afraid she would find her daughter on the street with a sign that said, “Will work for vintage clothing and pink Pyrex.” Good thing you found this site, so you can talk with soul mates of every age.
Robin, NV says
Mary Elizabeth – My mom had the same mixer, only in harvest gold. She got it as a wedding gift in 1970. We used it for years and years.
Janice says
The kitchen and Jessica the housewife are adorable! I used to have those green mixing bowls and wish I had kept them now. Would love to see the rest of your house; I bet the other rooms are equally charming.
Jacki says
What an adorable kitchen! I love the open shelving on the wall too. My mom had an avocado green Kitchen Aid mixer just like that; she bought in new in 1968. She gave it to me about 11 years ago, but the motor finally gave up the ghost. I sold it at a garage sale. Super cute apartment!
Cynthia says
Jessica’s kitchen is cheerful and charming! and Yes I agree with Jacki, the hand mixer looks late 60s-early 70s (color and shape). I have a late 50’s white hand mixer that belonged to my mother, and as Jacki’s did, its motor gave out – so I keep it for sentimental value!
I say bravo to young women like Jessica who know their tastes, if you love the kitchens, furnishings, clothing and gadgets of a former time, go for it and enjoy yourself to the max!
Jenny A. says
I LOVE your kitchen! Many years ago I lived in a 1940’s house with a very similar kitchen. Sadly it was pre-RetroRenovation (or user-friendly internet for that matter), so I didn’t even know what I had at the time. I see super cute kitchens like these now and wish I could get in a time machine so I could go back and bring that little house back to all of it’s glory.
Jay says
What a dish! (the lasagne, the lasagne).
Great vintage stuff going on, nicely displayed.
Have fun with the Spring Blossom green pyrex. There were a lot of different pyrex pieces made to coordinate with the Correlle dinner ware back in the 70s.
Chris says
TOO CUTE! Absolutely love it!