Earlier this year, reader Carolyn asked for our help — how best to repair and decorate her 1947 kitchen. Since her original kitchen was in rough shape, we suggested that a complete remodel — in authentic vintage style, of course — and created a mood board to coordinate with her vintage Fiestaware collection. Now, Carolyn and her husband Dennis (both shown at right) are back with the results — yes, they built new cabinets and went for yellow tile. Wow, is it ever beautiful. So much so that it will be featured in the local newspaper soon — go, Retro Renovators, go — show the world how it’s done!!
Thank you, Kate and Pam, for your encouragement and inspiration. This kitchen could never have become what it has become without your resources, reader opinions, philosophy and just plain old kindness.
I hate to think what this kitchen would have become (granite and MDF) without your advice, “Listen to your house.” My house is happy. We are thrilled. We’ve had some folks come to take pictures of our new kitchen to be published in our local paper.
The cabinets were built by a local cabinet maker — John Petterson of Chico Custom Cabinetry, Inc. He used top grade wood (Maple ply interiors…no MDF!) and came up with some wonderful design ideas…like not too many glass front cabinets as I had initially wanted. As a result, the overall he balance of our kitchen turned out better. I insisted on the same cut-outs we had in our old kitchen. He did a wonderful job.
Finally we can use this corner space with a new lazy Susan.
Our other corner is useful, too. Our cabinet maker really pulled off quite a coup with my oddball requests. European hinges are apparently hard to install but, I like the look.
My husband hand made all pulls and knobs using African Purple Heart wood.
The precious tile above the sink was found at a local gift shop. Also, we kept the old housing for our above the sink light, instead of putting in a new pendant or other light. Easy breezy.
The countertop and backsplash tile is yellow with maroon quarter rounds and “old school” box shaped edges from B&W Tile. The amazing vintage sizzle strips were found on Ebay.
[We adore your vintage liner tiles, Carolyn — way to match things up! Readers, see all our stories about liner tiles here.]
The faucet is a Grohe — which I love.
Our walls are painted Sherwin-Williams “Quartz White,” which is a sort of mauve. It really makes the yellow and maroon pop. I determined the color choice by the sizzle strip design and colors: maroon ribbons with a small diamond dot of mauve between. This really worked out well. I love the color contrast so much that I don’t want to fuss it up with shelving.
We were able to restore and use the old fan housing while installing a new Nutone ceiling fan. I looked for metal covers and eventually paid some guy named, Gary, who had a hardware store somewhere in the Midwest. Unfortunately, the metal cover he sent was aluminum and not much better looking than the white plastic cover that came with the new fan.
Refrigerator is an LG 10 cu. ft., which suits our needs and enabled us to enjoy more kitchen space. It is flanked by a skinny pull-out pantry that helps maximize our storage space.
You’ll also see a new glass door put in beside our stove.
I painted our old Dutch door to match the matte on the framed artwork.
Congrats on a remodel well done, Carolyn! Thanks so much for sharing the results with us — we are tickled that you were able to use our mood board to create the vintage kitchen of your dreams. Way to “Love the house you’re in!”
Lynn says
Beautiful job! I just don’t know which I am diggin more, the gorgeous yellow tile or that cool stove! Thanks for sharing!
Carolyn says
Thank you for your compliments!
rue says
Congratulations to Carolyn for creating a kitchen she loves! That tile is perfection and I would kill for that stove.
Carolyn says
Check your local Craigslist for old stoves such as this one. I see them on our local Craigslist often.
Mr Kim says
Hello everyone,
I wonder whether that could be used to write a story. But, could somebody investigate who «Susan» was?
Did a lady called Susan invent the revolving shelf so she wouldn’t have to take off all the stuff which was at the front to reach the one at the back? Why did Susan deserve to be called lazy? Why not just revolving shelf?
Do people in Britain call it like that? I quite never heard it when I was in Britain. But I didn’t talk much about shelves either…
First World Problems…
pam kueber says
Good one! We’ll see what we can find out!
Mary Elizabeth says
Hi, retired English professor and word history (etymology) nut here. According to Webster’s dictionary, the term lazy Susan was first used in print in 1912. The original meaning was not a cabinet shelf at all, but a tray placed in the center of the table to serve condiments, etc. The idea of the revolving tray transferred to the revolving shelf sometime during the time people started installing kitchen cabinets instead of using freestanding furniture for kitchen storage. My guess is that this happened during the mid-century building boom, but you can probably find this out by looking at advertisements for the new kitchens by St. Charles, etc.
I don’t think there was a real person named Susan–it was just a common name for women in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. My guess is that the “Susan” referred to was a servant or hostess too lazy to portion out the relish, salt, pepper, etc. to diners individually.
Carolyn says
Good to know. Thanks!
Emily says
SOOO beautiful! Just the right note between cheery/playful and grown up/elegant. Do you find yourself just standing in there, smiling? 🙂
Carolyn says
YES! I do!
Kathy in San Leandro says
Oooh, I love the yellow and maroon combo. I’ve been considering the same for my dream kitchen, or maybe my dream bathroom…. Would you tell us which colors you used from B&W? The 30w yellow sample tile I ordered through Clay Squared appears to be a much brighter yellow than in your photos. Thanks.
Carolyn says
Mid Century Yellow and Maroon. I ordered their tile through B&W Tile in Gardena. It was less much expensive and the same tile! But, the maroon edge is a special one called a BOX tile. Otherwise you might as well just order from Daltile. It was their maroon that made the difference for me. C Squared’s maroon is much richer and B&W is the only place I could find to get the “old school” box shape…no pinched edges. It is authentic to the 1940’s.
kcastle129 says
Hi Carolyn,
Guess what? I live in Chico too and also live in a 1948 house!!! What a small world. I love your kitchen and would also love to know who your contractor is. Possible?
Kathy
Carolyn says
Dream Development Corporation or Eric Enns also of Modern Sheds. Give them a call. They offer superior work and Eric is very artistic. He encouraged me in making some of my bolder color choices.
Lisa says
WOW!!!!! This is beyond fabulous! So many 1940s details hit dead on. This is such an inspiration for my own 1940s kitchen retro renovation. I love the colors and, of course, the knock it out of the park stove. I think my favorite little detail is the sizzle strips. They just put you right “in the mood.” As a matter of fact, I can hear Glenn Miller in the background right now. Congratulations on a job well done.
Carolyn says
The sizzle strips became the boss for all other material & color choices that followed. Thank you. Check EBay. He may have 20 more of these dear strips.
LuAnn says
Wow, great job, Carolyn! Your kitchen turned out so beautifully. It looks authentic, but new. Love the yellow and maroon combination with the sizzle strips. I was wondering if you ended up reporcelaining your sink. If you did, were you happy with the results? Everything looks wonderful. 🙂
Carolyn says
Actually, I bought a new Kohler Deerfield sink. Our old one was donated to the Habitat for Humanity store here in Chico called, “Restore.”
Diana says
Yes, a really beautiful job. Looks so authentic. Love the tile colors and especially the tile behind the stove. Our neighbors did the same and it just looks so nice. Also like the narrower fridge and pull outs next to it. Great idea. Excellent job!
Carolyn says
Thank you!
Hannah says
So inspiring, esp. since I believe we’re in the same area 🙂 great to have references for local kitchen help. which local paper will your kitchen be featured in?
Carolyn says
It turned out to be just a newsletter that our cabinet maker gets. I don’t know the name of it but, I’ll find out.