Here’s a timeless question: Readers Kate and Tom ask how to approach a Retro Renovation of their 1960s kitchen — which was updated by previous owners in another decade’s style — but, with an eye toward being thrifty and toward resale some day. What is your advice? Note: I’ll let readers comment for a while, then, I will follow up with my thoughts and what I learn from you!
Update: My followup story with my ideas is here.
Kate and Tom write (edited from two emails for flow):
Hiya,
This truly is a great resource! I’m pondering ways to re-vintage our 1960s house, which we bought a couple years ago from a couple who had done painstaking renovations of their own (not the original owners) in the 1990s. The house has their flesh-toned fingerprints all over it, and he was a master woodworker, so it’s a very professional 1990s vibe that we have to contend.
We have both lived in older homes that looked more true to their era, and we long for that midcentury look which seems to match the house’s soul. Here is a photo of the kitchen. We just added paint color but dislike hardware, granite, backsplash.
I’m still just in the visioning stages of trying to picture some remodeling, and need some input about our granite countertops/stainless steel/wood cabinets (cherry? oak) with their wrought iron pulls….Worried about resale value, and expenses just to create an aesthetic when what we’ve got functions well and is “up to date.”
What are your thoughts? How can we accentuate more of that 1960s vibe in a way that won’t detract from potential resale value?
–Kate and Tom in Minneapolis
Readers, what do you think?
How should Kate and Tom approach a Retro Renovation — also with an eye toward resale and unnecessary expenditures?
Amy in Sacramento says
Those appliances will kill a vintage vibe. Ditch them — sell and put the money towards vintage or vintage-looking ones. New knobs would help. LOVE the scalloped valance over the sink — definitely keep that! A patterned floor (marmoleum squares or VCT) would really look great in 2-3 colors. Have fun with your restoration! 🙂
Jason W. says
The biggest issues keeping this kitchen from its retro look is the granite counters and the floating floor. The cabinets are very high quality, and while Shaker in style, have nice clean lines that can be worked with.
I’d remove the floating floor and go with 12″ square cork tiles. Still soft under foot and period correct. As for the countertops, a solid quartz surface would be my choice, except I’d look for something bold, like Caesarstone’s now discontinued Apple Martini. A bright green that would really pop.
I’d keep the cabinets as is but change the hardware to stainless or chrome to match the appliances that I’d also keep. The little details like the woodwork over the sink were common in mid century houses and I’d keep it. Some right window treatments would add to the mid century look.
I think many times people think their mid century remodel has to be all hairpin legs and Atom-shaped fixtures. I think if you too mid century modern it will draw attention to the Shaker cabinets. Mid Century Modest could make this kitchen feel period appropriate again.
Melissa says
I would leave the cabinets but add modern chrome hardware. Ace Hardware has some good options. Use 4×4 tiles for the backsplash and laminate countertops. Linoleum floors aren’t necessary, but would definitely say retro. The scalloped piece above the sink is actually in a lot of mid-century houses, but is not modern in style. Replace the faucet with a chrome one and add a stainless top mount sink. I have the Delta Classic two-handle faucet in chrome and love it. I like your paint color choice! Good luck!
Eric says
The kitchen was the last thing we completed on our 1962 nearly original mid mod. I fought against painting it for years (the entire house woodwork was in fantastic condition), but the cabinet finish was worn away in too many places. To have the kitchen painted, really did not look out of place at all. We went for a VERY light yellow/cream and put in linoleum tile floors(had streaks that complimented the cabinet color and the countertop color 12X24 are both time period correct and more in trend with current design). I think if things were done to look as though your countertops were a smart design choice, replacement could be put of until later(or not replaced at all). I found it had more to do, with making it all look like a purposeful design plan. And, add additional moldings/builit in features that look like they were part of the original plan. You can find local person to make custom doors that are way cooler than anything in box stores, and really not much price difference.
Mary Elizabeth says
Eric, I think you are right on. It isn’t a question of making the kitchen look like a particular style, but of “making it all look like a purposeful design plan.”
mrspetunia says
We’re putting in Johnsonite IQ flooring. Technically, it’s for commercial use but it comes in tons of colors, is very durable, and doesn’t require waxing/buffing. A pop of color on the floor would definitely add a retro feel. Like others said, I think the cabinets and counters are salvageable. Just change the hardware. I think the kitchen would look really amazing with vintage or vintage styled appliances. If you can rehome the old ones and financially swing new ones, that’s where I’d put my money. I’d also go for lots of period decor (canisters, curtains, kitchen towels, throw rugs etc.) Good luck!
Crystal says
I had the same issue. Bought a 1965 home renovated in the late 90s to wood,blue and white everything. We painted the wood in mint and jade walls with wood floors. Updated the light fixtures. It cost $75 in enamel paint and lighting. But wow the difference it’s a pop of color that matches the 1965 style while still being modern enough to have appeal to the future home buyers. Best of luck!
Lisa Compo says
OK, here it comes from the “Is this Even Possible? ” lady. ????
Hmm. is it possible to buy inexpensive but make YOU happy laminate and glue it over the existing granite? Maybe 1/4″ plywood first?? When you get ready to sell later, it could be removed and granite cleaned and polished back to it’s current look. Just hide it for a few years. LOL
I’d investigate this, maybe some white ceramic knobs and cabinet pulls and a white tile backslash. White is a nice, clean look that matches everything. The stove and hanging microwave are killing it for me. I know the hanging micro saves counterspace, but if you can get away with smaller, get a cute retro countertop colored model. Sell the stove (or basement use) and micro and hunt ReStores, CL for something less eye catchy, but doesn’t clash with the fridge-again..simple white. Throw down a multi colored interesting area rug, vintage bright accessories like curtains and knickknacks already mentioned. If you can keep but conceal the countertops somehow and go simple/modest on the stove, the rest is adding color and charm. Good luck, sounds fun.
Mary Elizabeth says
1) Several people already said this, but I would leave the cabinets in place. They are likely high quality if the owner built them himself in place, and taking them out for resale might cause damage to them.
2) Leave the scalloped window valance in place. It is very mid-century.
3) However, if I were you, I would take off the doors and drawer fronts, give them to Habitat for Humanity or store them in your basement, and replace them with a flat-slab 1960’s style door with retro hardware–like big, shiny concave chrome knobs. With some experimentation, you can get the same wood stain color. Or, you could sand and paint the cabinets with enamel in a bright mid-century color. But eliminating the Shaker-style doors will bring the whole kitchen back in time to mid-century. While you are doing that, hire a carpenter to replace some of those lower cabinets with deep drawers with full-extension slides for easier storage.
4) Think twice, or three or four times, before getting rid of the granite counter and backsplash. Check underneath to see whether the countertop is screwed in place with brackets or whether it is glued to the wood tops of the cabinets. If it is glued, you can’t get it off without ruining the cabinets. Likewise, pulling the backsplash off the wall may damage the wallboard and the upper cabinets. When the rest of the kitchen is transformed, you may forget that the granite is not a nice, swirly Formica counter. If you can replace it without too much damage, think of the Formica solid-surface countertops, which can look very mid-century.
5) The floor looks like wood-grain look laminate. Back-date with a red-and-white or black-and-white vinyl tile.
6) Bring some retro fabric curtains and/or wallpaper into the kitchen for a nostalgic look. Even a cloth valance and window shade over the sink will be really cute.
7) Finally, keep your appliances until they wear out. My inner parent screams, “What, are you made of money?” But if you ARE made of money, replace them with white retro ones–or the Big Chill colored ones–and donate the old ones to the Habitat re-Store. Someone will love those stainless appliances–just not me or you or most people who look at this site. 🙂
Whatever you do, I would hire a professional carpenter to look at your kitchen and how it is constructed. Give him or her a sketch of what you want, and ask for a realistic estimation of how easily the current stuff will come out and whether it has to be smashed or can be saved.
Who knows, by the time you are ready to resell your house, granite and quartz counters may be completely out, and you may need to do further updates to make it marketable. In the meantime, design the kitchen you really want to live and work in today.
Mike says
Three simple words: clean, tight style. At the risk of raising the ire of more than a few people who frequent this blog, few of the renovations I’ve seen featured herein adhere to those three simple words. When a renovation exemplifies those words, it’s marvelous. Fortunate as I was to see the original kitchens, baths, fixtures, and furniture of the era, my recollection of the era are that subtlety rules the day. As to design, there was a finesse of the era that escapes many remodelers of today. Your best bet is to dive into home and decorating idea books of the era you want to replicate and consider them your ultimate source of inspiration. Please, whatever you do, resist the urge to “mix paisley with polka dots” as so many mid-mod “experts” are wont to do. That would be bad.
Pam Kueber says
There’s more than one way to retro…
Mike says
Nevertheless…
Sarah says
I had the same problem. A bad 1990s update to a 1951 kitchen.
I painted the cabinets, backsplash, and walls white. I installed new Pergo floors with clean lines and a light-colored wood to match my original hardwood floors in the rest of the house. I then updated with stainless appliances.
Remove that silly scalloped trim above the sink/window.
Replace door hardware.
I kept my granite countertop but painted the backsplash piece white. It requires touch-ups so I just keep paint ina Tupperware in a cabinet and am very gentle and careful when cleaning it.
Nicole says
The scalloped trim is the cutest, most vintage looking part of the kitchen!
Kathi says
Agreed! We have a similar nineties vibe going in our 1954 kitchen and the ONLY thing I want to keep is our sink scallop!
Phyllis says
I think those colonial scrolls are like cilantro – either love it or hate it. And if you take it out the new owner will never know 🙂
Kelly says
That “silly scallop” is period-appropriate and probably original to the house.
Jay says
The “silly” scallop though probably new with the new cabinets is one feature that actually has a vintage vibe and is appropriate to the house. It might also conceal a light over the sink. Another interesting feature is that the previous owner did not remove the soffits which also helps to retain the original feel as nowadays cabinets are run right to the ceiling.