Jacqueline and hubby Glen have tracked down some impressive vintage goodies on Craigslist in the past — but their latest find really struck gold — Harvest Gold, that is. When the couple needed to replace the selectively operational 27 inch GE stove in their new 1972 ranch home, they thought they had found an almond-colored replacement. However, after some detective work and a bottle of Citristrip, it turned out their kitchen had a colorful new treasure.
Jacqueline writes:
Hi Pam! I’ve written in before about my thrifty turquoise appliance finds and my brown 40 inch GE stove that I needed help identifying the color name.
A lot of changes in Glen’s and my life since then — we moved into a darling 1972 ranch home in Arizona. We still own our other home that is pretty small, and it is being rented by my son now. My husband likes his space, and now that we are in here, I do too!
We went from just under 1,100 sq. ft. to almost 1,700, which is nice, and we have the added bonus of a swimming pool, great for the weather around here!
My story today is that even though I absolutely love the turquoise appliances that we collected to be put into a new house that we found, it wasn’t in the cards. They will be installed in the little house. Our new kitchen won’t accommodate them and I really don’t see the necessity in re-doing a perfectly fine kitchen for that reason. So, my DH (he really is dear) has been on the hunt for 70’s appliances, ever since we moved in.
We found out that in this big old kitchen, our stove opening is only 27 inches. The original 27 inch space-maker had been replaced at some point we believe, and an almond 27 inch updated GE put in its place. We had problems with the almond one — it was giving me fits — so we started looking for the replacement with more haste. Ha! Try and find a 27 inch space-maker. No appliance makers other than GE manufacture them, and to be honest we were at the end of our rope, the new ones are $1,300-$1,400!! AND I didn’t really want “new.”
Glen was on Craigslist, (his favorite past time) and showed me an ad for a free 27 inch stove in Phoenix, that said: “Remodeling, works great, don’t want it” (you know how they go.)
He called, made arrangements to get it the next afternoon, and brought it home. It’s almond…but the guy said it was a 1972?? (Same year as the house) I was puzzled, and so was Glen. It’s a P7 top of the line according to the model and serial numbers, but almond? Hmmm…
We got it inside and it looked like someone had patched a spot on the front with a badly matched porcelain paint. I rubbed at it a little and almond paint started to come off a bit. HOLY COW, I realized right then we had a stove from the early 70’s, that had been painted almond. We both looked at each other…..our stove was GE Harvest underneath all that almond!
I researched online to try to remove the paint, not a lot of info, but I remembered a post from your site, that some folks had used Citristrip to remove old paint from their bathtub and toilet in their vintage mobile home. They live close to us in Arizona, that is why I had their posting firmly in my mind!
[Precautionary Pam reminds that old paint may contain lead — be sure to consult with a properly licensed professional to assess what you have so you can make informed decisions. For more info see our Be Safe/Renovate Safe page here.]
Just finished this endeavor this morning, did the top yesterday, and the door this morning.
Oh Pam it is beautiful — and I am so happy to send you this and let you know how it turned out. It is perfect, no abrasions from sandpaper, it looks like it just came out of the GE carton. It shines, it’s full of chrome, and it is amazing. It was actually pretty easy, That stripping gel works so well (I’m so glad it wasn’t roughed up before they painted it.) We brought her back to her old self!
We do not have a Harvest gold fridge, and as you can see we are dealing with a black fridge, and a black dishwasher. Could be that is a quest for Glen..he is always looking!
The floors are a light VCT, we had it installed before we moved in… I love it, it’s Armstrong Imperial Texture, “Pebble Tan.” The walls are painted with Valspar Satin low VOC “Imagine.” I love the pinky orange color, it may not come through that well in those pictures.
I am in the process of painting the cabinets too, you can see the bare wood under the stove area but it’s not horrible, It’s just a little at a time. I have a few done which don’t show in the pictures, they are a little more white than the others — Sherwin Williams “Creamy.”
Here is a shot of our Whirlpool Laundry pair. We have grown fond of this color for sure!
I also included a picture of our “Roxy” She reminds me so much of Kate’s puppy! Only she is much older than he and kinda grouchy..it’s just age!
Thank you for ALL your time and energy that you and Kate put into helping us through our projects, and all the good advice.
Wow Jacqueline and Glen, not only did you guys save a bundle ($1,400) sourcing a stove for free on Craigslist, but kudos to you for restoring this stove to its former glory. Mega thanks for sharing your success story with us.
Read more about Harvest Gold —
our 2014 Retro Renovation color of the year
.
nina462 says
Nice work! In the meantime while you’re looking for your matching fridge – try a Fridge front. http://www.fridgefronts.com they are huge magnetic sheets that can transform your fridge (or dishwasher). They have standard solid colors (along with scenes).
or you could have your fridge spray painted 🙂
virginia says
Aside from the color, and the great story behind uncovering it — must have been a real thrill — I love the lines of this stove/oven. Such a cool look. The kitchen is adorable. — really like the combination of colors in the space.
As someone who adores Arizona, I’m green with envy.
Robin, NV says
It’s amazing how “right” the harvest gold looks. I love how the color fades in a little from the edges. I hope Jacqueline and Glen are able to complete the set.
deb says
What a great story! Thanks for sharing…
MattS says
There is – or was – a harvest gold dishwasher available in Vermont: http://burlington.craigslist.org/app/4641044679.html (along with a wall oven and cooktop). Make the trek!
Jacquie Y says
Hi MattS!
Thanks! Wow, I did see that post! That is a great deal, too bad it is sooo far away! I loved looking at that kitchen, and that amazing orange counter- top and back-splash..Love it!
shirley says
Love the apples above the stove and the cat clock. I’m 56 and my mother had one in her kitchen!
Jenny A. says
I can’t believe how well the paint stripper worked. Great find on CL! You have a very happy kitchen!
Chris says
What a surprise! That paint stripper did such a wonderful job too. Can’t believe how well it worked, and how it left the original surface intact!!!!
On a side note, we had the exact same print on our kitchen curtains that you have on your valance! Only it was in harvest gold! LOL
Love your happy kitchen!
midmichigan says
Great find, great story, great job! It really looks nice in your kitchen. That was a very popular color back then along with avocado green.
Lynn says
Congratulations Jacqueline and Glen on your beautiful kitchen! I cannot believe how fantastic your Harvest Gold stove looks. Great job on that! I hope that you find the Harvest Gold fridge and dishwasher too, but if you don’t, that is still one awesome kitchen. I love the color on the walls too, and I will be looking for this color for my bathroom. Thanks for sharing your story!
Jacquie Y says
Thanks so much Lynn!
We are constantly on the “hunt”. We found a fridge, and I sent Kate a pic. If you do get that color of paint you will LOVE it, it’s so cheery! Easy to apply too, I love that part.
Are you the same Lynn with the gorgeous knotty pine bath? If so, you inspired me ..we found 20- 8 ft knotty pine panels in Prescott AZ. I cleaned and put shellac on them, and we will be putting them up from the ceiling down like your bathroom wall.