Take a look back at all of the reader home remodeling stories we’ve covered and you’ll notice one common theme often surfaces: Unless the renovation is DIY, most homeowners need to convince their contractors they aren’t nuts for wanting to build 1950s pink bathroom or a ’60s kitchen. However, in the case of Meghan and her husband Will’s 1954 Florida ranch home kitchen remodel, the surprising opposite is true. The couple were all set to remodel their kitchen using relatively contemporary finishes until Jason, their wood worker, decided he just couldn’t build a modern kitchen around the showpiece of the space — the couple’s professionally restored 1950s vintage Universal stove.
All the lovely “after” photos are by Philip Marcel Photography, used with permission 🙂
Jason’s ultimatum was great news to Meghan, who had tried to convince her husband to go retro from the very beginning. How to get Will on board? Once again it was Jason who suggested that Meghan tell Will the kitchen would be more Jetsons and James Bond than retro kitsch. His idea worked — once Will envisioned a cool, space age kitchen where cocktails would be shaken — not stirred — he warmed to the idea of creating a retro modern kitchen.
The result is a kitchen that is modern with a retro twist. A light and airy white, pastel blue and grey color scheme makes the space feel larger, more open and clean while also allowing the refurbished vintage stove to take center stage. Many 50s inspired details such as the Marmoleum flooring, boomerang laminate countertops with aluminum edging, boomerang chrome cabinet pulls and mid century styled pendant lights help support the vintage vibe of the space while details like the glass subway tile backsplash and custom zig zag valance edged in aluminum add a modern touch. As an added bonus, making a few changes to the kitchen’s layout also allowed Meghan and Will do nearly double their kitchen cabinet storage space.
The wood cabinets were custom made and painted a light blue to mimic the style of vintage steel cabinets, but just behind their retro facade, modern amenities like under cabinet lighting, plenty of storage space for large pots and pans, hidden garbage and recycling bins, lazy susans and quiet close drawer and door mechanisms ensure that Meghan and Will’s 1950s kitchen has all the conveniences of a 2014 kitchen.
The couple also decided to use new technology to install an undermount sink in their laminate countertops — making it easy for them to wipe crumbs and spills into the sink.
Meghan hopes to replace their side by side stainless refrigerator with a retro style GE Artistry refrigerator in the near future, but other than that the couple could not be more pleased with their retro modern Jetsons kitchen remodel.
Read more
Meghan — a self described “recovering journalist” has written extensively about her retro modern kitchen remodel over on her blog Metaphors Mixed.
Resources to create this colorful retro modern kitchen remodel
- Cabinets — custom made by Jason Straw Woodworker. You can read more about Meghan’s “Jetsons ” kitchen remodel on Jason’s website too.
- Vintage stove — professionally restored by Antique Appliances. You can read more about Meghan’s stove saga over on her blog.
- Cabinet pulls — boomerang drawer pull from Rejuvenation
- Boomerang laminate countertops — Wilsonart Retro Dungaree
- Aluminum countertop molding from Eagle Aluminum
- Kitchen sink — Wilsonart double equal HD undermount sink
- Faucet — Kraus KPF-1621 single lever pull out kitchen faucet from Amazon.com
- Glass subway wall tile — Subway Tile outlet
- Pendant lights — Astron mid century pendant light from Rejuvenation
- Flooring — Marmoleum — Color: Concrete
It is fantastic to hear about carpenters like Jason, who believe in restoring homes with period appropriate details. Even better though is that Meghan and Will ultimately decided to go with this colorful — yet sublime — retro flow.
Mega thanks to Meghan for sharing her kitchen remodeling story with us — again, to read her full account, head on over to her personal blog, Metaphors Mixed. Another huge thanks goes out to Philip Marcel Photography for granting permission to feature all of the “after” photos of Meghan’s kitchen here on Retro Renovation.
kristine says
I have always read, stoves and refrigerators shouldn’t go next to one another because a hot stove effects the fridge temp, or at the very least, make you energy bills higher. The kitchen is very nice.
Im looking for ideas to redo my small square 1964 kitchen.. not even enough room for a dinette. However much I’d love a wall tear-down, my budget wont allow. My cabinetry is a nightmare with modern appliances. I have to open the dishwasher to get into the utensil drawer, and drawer pulls had to be removed to open the oven. And the whole house was decorated 1980’s.. BAD 1980’s. And… gasp…most of the the original light fixtures are gone. My kitchen ceiling has what I call….BOOB lights. 2 of them…eh ghads!!! I have lived here for 16 years and always planned to redo, (kids,time and money got in the way) now I’ll be an empty nester this year with 3 kids in college and finally, I DESERVE a pretty home. Don’t you agree?? 😉 Kristine, Griffin, Ga
Joe Felice says
Very nice! I’m glad Jason was able to get the homeowners to see the light, or lights, in this case. They are the Astrons from Rejuvenation, and I have one in my kitchen. I also have the same integral sink from Wilsonart. I liked it so well, I had the bathroom model installed when I replaced the counter in my bathroom. This kitchen will be complete when the stainless refer goes away.
Anastasia says
I can’t stop LOOKING at this place!
elle says
OMG! love the lighting! And the range is yummy also! Nice work.
Ellen says
How creative! I wonder how many tile layers would have the patience to plan that design on the walls?
We have a 1949 stucco house in FL and I was voted down in going retro. Had to give up my double drainboard ,double sink and was just about forced to go with granite. I mean, it’s a great kitchen and I was able to do some creative stuff but I just couldn’t find the people to support my retro vision.
Good work!
Debbie says
What a fun kitchen! I absolutely adore that stove, and who wouldn’t love all that counter space and so much storage. All they need now is their very own Rosie the Robot Maid!
Crystal says
How do you keep that white stove so spotless. We’ve considered having our vintage stove overhauled but I’m worried that after spending 3,000 we won’t be able to keep it looking good.
Meghan says
Ha, thanks Crystal! We haven’t had too much of a chance to mess up the stove yet …but after going through the restoration we are really motivated to stay on top of spills as soon as they happen. For general cleaning we use window cleaner. When we moved the stove before restoration the grossest part was all the stuff that had fallen between the side and cabinet over 50 years. With that in mind, we have it on furniture sliders for easy access and will periodically clean out that area. At least that’s the plan 🙂
Scott says
Kudos for the oodles of creativity used here! The lead in photo looks like a brochure shot where the appliances were highlighted and everything else was subtly grayed out so you knew what you were supposed to notice first. Love the restored stove, love the zig-zag detailing, and love the Astron light fixtures.
Anastasia says
LOVE the tile work! That is an exceptional kitchen!
Peggy says
Not only is this a nifty Jetsonian kitchen; it works! I’ve seen, firsthand, that numerous people can congregate, cook and clean up in the space – very kitcheny! I love it!