“We have been told that the kitchen is a cross between ‘Betty Crocker’ and a morgue,” reader Alan says, adding a “haha” in his email to us. But maybe… not so funny. So today, a Retro Design Dilemma: Let’s help Alan with ideas to make his 1953 kitchen more homey, less clinical. Ooo la la: Lookie all the Vitralite glass wall tile — this one will be fun!
Help! We have an original 1953 kitchen featuring Apple Green Vitralite glass tile. The tile is in almost perfect condition — but we’re at a loss as to what to do with it. Part of me says “gut” and start over, but many tell us to “save the Vitralite.”
We’ve been in the house for five years and have been stumped for five years as to what to do with this kitchen! The green Vitralite is so overwhelming — even though we’re used to it. We have been told that the kitchen is a cross between “Betty Crocker” and a morgue. haha.
Above: Adjacent laundry room, with more of the tile, and some black trim.
Nom nom, we adore that vintage Vitralite! Hmmm… We spy a very interesting-looking clock in the initial photos that Alan sends and ask him for some closeup. Oh my word, look at this stunner:
And yes, the clock in the soffit… omg, it’s wild. At 12, 3, 6, and 9, it shows pictures of what families in the 1950s should be doing! 3 p.m. is playtime… 6 p.m. is dinner… 9 p.m. is dancing… and 12 p.m. is sleep!
I’d love you to help update this kitchen by giving us some ideas about countertops and floors! Currently, the counter tops are a Formica that is probably late 70’s — off white and a mess. The floors are a “plastic” laminate – trying to look like hardwood.
Our thought is to replace/upgrade the counters with stone (but we can’t figure out what that would go with the green vitralite), replace the cabinet hardware, remove the original light fixtures and install can lighting, replace the gold dishwasher for stainless, replace the white stove for stainless and call it a day! We just cant figure out what to do with countertops and the floor.
Vitrolite bathroom!
Readers, let’s hear your ideas for this Retro Design Dilemma:
- Okay, readers: Let’s hear your ideas for this dilemma! We will be back tomorrow morning with our design board and analysis.
Maria says
PS
If the black baseboard is that black rubber stuff, I’m betting it use to have a coved floor and would consider putting one back in. Real lino of course. BTW real lino is also a green product. So win/win.
Maria says
Love the cabinets/pulls. I’d start with getting rid of all stainless. Chrome yes, SS no. Stainless steel and black counters would add to the lab/morgue look. I’d move the current fridge to the garage and get a Big Chill or GE Artistry fridge.
For the counters, I’d go either laminate with a chrome edge like here https://retrorenovation.com/2015/08/31/margie-grace-kitchen/, or white quartz. Actually I’d pull a lot from the look in this link. I’d do and undermount white sink with fun/vintage look faucet in chrome.
Flooring depends on what’s going to sit on it. If you are putting another table over it, don’t spend money on a lino rug style, go more neutral, but I’d do the marmoleum/linoleum. I might even repeat a shade of the wall tile with an inlaid black stripe edge to repeat the look in the laundry room, but I’d have to think on it.
The cabinets I might leave to the end to decide to refinish to take the yellow out (if need be) or paint, but paint would be my last choice because these look to be in great shape. I’d wait to decide on the wood window surrounds too. I want to paint them, but it may look less choppy in person.
Stove keep it and paint the fan white to match. Or, get a great vintage gas one like the one in the link and make it the showpiece of the kitchen.
Lighting I agree with others, fan needs to go and if you really need one, get a better one. I’d do 3 matching fixtures, again with chrome (if need be) to match the under soffit fabulous lights with chrome no one has mentioned yet. I like the idea of milk glass school house lights much like in the link posted here. It would go with the soffit lights.
I agree with others about the windows, but they look new so would be low on my list. If the divided light grids come off, I’d remove them.
Unlike most others, I would not add red to any fixed piece – too much like Christmas all year long. Instead, I use it as an accent if all all. I’d likely find a great retro/fun fabric to make new curtains out of and pull colors from there. Then I’d use those colors around the room, I think lots of fiestaware colors/plates/serveware would look great in this kitchen. I’d also maybe get a big jadite bowl for the table/island centerpiece as a repeat of the wall color. I either do table/chairs or a big rolling butcher block island (nothing built-in) that can double as workspace/seating with stools.
Last, a shelf/cabinet for cookbooks/storage under the clock at counter height to make the outlet on that wall useful. Maybe a toaster or the micro moves there. With a very large graphic art piece above. Rosie the Riveter or something fun.
This is a great kitchen and really doesn’t need a lot, but if you keep more to it’s time period even if you don’t go full retro, it won’t look remuddled or dated.
Jonny says
My favorite parts of this kitchen is the green tile (with that awesome clock) the blonde-ish cabinets with the chrome pulls, and those big round light fixtures. If this were my house, I’d eliminate the ceiling fan all together, paint the range, hood, and dishwasher pink, along with a different refrigerator. If anything screams “morgue”, it’s that huge stainless fridge. Then I’d add some boomerang laminate countertops and a really wild VCT floor. Really make it scream.
My design philosophy is “1/4 past tasteful”.
Tom says
Ooops:
Should say leave ceiling the same but remove the two hanging lights replace with something flush to ceiling like in this link and then have something amazing in the middle like a sputnik or something that hangs down a foot from ceiling.
Tom says
WOW! This can be an amazing kitchen! Start by getting rid of the white plastic window and replace it with a vintage window it may take a few months to find so start searching now. The floors would look great with a simple white hexagon tile with black grout and a black hexagon tile edge that meets up under the cabinets to go with the other black details. The counters should be a continuous smooth surface like you have but freshened up, tile would create too many lines and take away from the beauty of the original design. Keep the two square ceiling lights they’re amazing remove the ceiling fan and other hanging ceiling light and replace with a cooler vintage light.
The curtains should be removed and replaced with pull down blinds or have new curtains made using vintage fabric from etsy or ebay. Very important get rid of those plastic windows, they make everything seem off when it’s the windows that are off.
Vintage windows are not hard to find try habitat for humanity or craigslist takes time but will end up being one of the most important details.
This kitchen has the potential to sparkle without much effort so take your time and really think about each change before making them.
Appliances would look fresh in all white with chrome and black details. If it were mine I would keep that white stove and have the hood powder coated white to match the stove the mustard color is very odd but it has amazing mid century lines that can’t be replaced with a new one. Each piece of vintage removed will make the room feel like something is wrong so either save as much as possible or gut it and go to Home Dept and finish it all off in a week. Can’t wait to see what happens to this gem.
Countertop color “Lunar Pearl” Link below: http://www.custommarbledesign.com/zodiaq.html
White quartz counter would be nice too: http://solidsurface.com/white-quartz-lg-hi-macs-30-x145-x1-2-1?gclid=Cj0KEQiAjpGyBRDgrtLqzbHayb8BEiQANZauhwQ1bWblAgnGbiFcV7eAEzrtQB9sAOLBAdRimNU9ouAaApX78P8HAQ
Green Counter: color “Wintergreen Terra Clooection” http://www.aamericancountertops.com/quartz-zodiaq-countertops
Floor: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/300756081337032264/
New appliances that would amazing!
https://retrorenovation.com/2013/06/26/retro-kitchen-appliances-ge/
Tom says
Just the way you have it but remove the two hanging lights replace with something flush to ceiling like in this link and then have something amazing in the middle like a sputnik or something that hangs down a foot from ceiling.
This link shows two cool lights that would be close to ceiling:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/161885178702?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
A vintage vent would look cool between the two lights where the ceiling fan is/was
vent: http://www.ebay.com/itm/201463826690?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
pam kueber says
Tom, FYI, all posts with two or more links go into moderation, as part of an effort to try and dodge spammers.
And note all: I would WAY rather you post links to the Original Content than to pinterest. Pinterest is not a Source.
Sully says
I think making a few small changes would go a long way to de-morgue this kitchen. Changing the grout color to white would liven up the tile and modernize it. I’m pretty sure the black band at the baseboard level is black tile, but from almost any distance, it looks like the black rubber baseboard trim in sterile environments (http://cdn3.volusion.com/uelup.jgdft/v/vspfiles/photos/fwb-2T.jpg). Covering the black tile with a wood baseboard that matches the door casings would fix this, and it wouldn’t even have to be permanent; just silicone it in place so you don’t harm the tile.
Sully says
I went to some trouble to include a mockup of the tile with white grout. Why did you delete it? Trying again, please post in full this time: http://imgur.com/dNbk3Ih
pam kueber says
Sorry, Sully! I didn’t recognize there were changed made so I deleted it! I thought it was an error. So sorry!
Sully says
No worries, thanks!
Chase says
My .02c:
I would say that if you wanted a stone surface, go with a soapstone top, or some sort of low gloss dark grey/black countertop. It would pull in the black elements that are featured elsewhere in the kitchen.
I would also suggest painting the molding around the doors and windows the same color (Gloss Black?) as the rest of the base molding and window sills to bring some interest up the walls. That way you get a great high contrast element that also ties into the counter tops and the cabinets (by leaving the door slab the stained wood color).
The red suggestion or even a burnt orange is a great suggestion by other commenters. It does work very well with greens.
I would also suggest picking a single color for you appliances and sticking with it. Match your refrigerator, range, range hood, and dishwasher if you have one/opt for one.
Flooring: I do have to say that white VCT with a thin black inset border would look mighty nice, or even incorporating other accent colors like your mint/light green or red/orange would look awesome. Have a look through the site for pattern ideas because there are some really neat things you can do!
Lastly, I love the idea of replacing the window near the sink that appears to open to another room with either a set of shelving that is open on both sides, or if there is a temperature difference issue, just closing it off with a set of shelves.
Paul in CT says
OK, so I have been thinking about this all morning and here is my two cents:
The Vitrolite tile reminds me a lot of my Belgian glass tiles in my bathroom. It’s very nice but there’s just too much of it. I also want to point out an extreme danger with glass tile. After many years the adhesive (asbestos based is possible) breaks down and the tile placed higher up and or upside down can come loose and fall with great force causing an injury.
So, I’d only leave the glass tile where it can act as your backsplash where the cabinets/sink/ counters are. I would especially eliminate the glass tiles above the cabinets and in that ‘underhang’ area.
Then I would brighten up the kitchen, using a light color paint on all the cabinets, round brushed stainless knobs, and new LAMINATE counter tops (there’s a gorgeous Wilsonart I used in my blue bathroom and dressing room you will see here in a June post).
For lighting, especially those recessed lights in the overhang area, get flat panel LED (warm white) that you can find on EBay. There are various sizes that will fit in easily to the existing opening.
A nice lighter floor would be a good idea. I wouldn’t go with tile. I’m a big fan of Tec Care vinyl flooring and it comes in various color and looks like wood.
The clock has to be salvaged and put elsewhere.
Oh, and the grout all needs to be redone in white.
Lose the fan and hanging lights and use the same recessed LED lights for a mid century mod look.
Good luck!
Paul
nutella says
I would keep the tile and the cabinets the way they are. I think a quartz countertop would be a great choice. But not black. Maybe a soft white with recycled glass bits, and white appliances. For hardware and light fixtures, you can bring in the stainless. If you’d like some inspiration for your color palate, look no further than vintage Coke ads. Green glass, deep warm brown, bright cherry red, and white.
Eileen says
Like this:
http://file.vintageadbrowser.com/hsoqg1r1vpgbjq.jpg
Amy in Sacramento says
I like the idea of bringing in some red to balance the green (or pink if you aren’t comfortable with the strength of red.) The red second hand and the black hour/minute hands on the AWESOME clock are a great color cue. I would ditch the modern stainless appliances and plunk down the $ for a Big Chill fridge and maybe other Big Chill appliances, too, for the retro look. (I know they’re pricey, but if you’re patient you can usually find what you’re after on eBay — they sell some from the factory with minor paint blemishes.) I do love the older electric range, though — maybe have it painted red to match a red fridge? I also like marmoleum for the floor; maybe with a fun pattern containing a SMALL amount of the green to pull it into the overall look. Paint the window trim white to go with the rest of the window parts. The cabinets would look good painted white (or a very light cream) OR leave them as is but clean or refinish them (only if the shellac/sealant has become orangey over the years.) If cabinets are painted white/off-white, I’d recommend black soapstone counters. If cabinets remain natural wood, formica with gold glitter is vintage and fun, or pick a quartz that feels right for the time period. (Marble-look is my favorite because it feels old.) I LOVE your green tile and the whole feel, you lucky ducks! 😉