From the category archives:

By ROOM

chambers-60s-stove

This is a vintage Chambers gas range. I am seriously in love with it, and want it so much that I could burst. For now, though, it is staying in the time capsule house. I am guessing — 60s. Any experts out there who can tell me for sure? Heck yeah there is more…

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Youngstown Kitchen cabinet pulls – on the Forum

by pam kueber on November 6, 2009

youngstown-kitchen-cabinet-handles

Need extra Youngstown kitchen cabinet boomerang pulls? There are 10 on the Forum for $26 inclusive of shipping. Link here.

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1955-anemone-cabinets-brochure

Retro-anthropologist Pam here. I spotted my 70th brand of vintage steel kitchen cabinets: Anemone Kitchen Furnishings, a lower price point brand from English Rose. You can read more about it, and see the complete 1955 ad, over on the Forum.

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daltile-terrazzo-tile-19-colorsDaltile snuck these in on me: Authentic terrazzo tiles. Terrazzo is a wonderful authentic retro product for mid-century renovations — and this is the first product of its kind that I have seen.  To be sure, buying terrazzo tiles is gonna be a lot easier than trying to find someone to lay a complete (albeit seamless) terrazzo floor. These terrazzo tiles  are available in 19 color ways, as either 12″-, 16″-, or 24″-squares. The 24″ squares are almost an inch thick. Heck yeah there is more…

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hallmack-towel-ringBob wrote yesterday to ask for a “No. 622 Soap Holder with Crystal Tray…Over the years the Crystal Tray got broken and the plating in the soap dish is pitted and in bad shape….” This question comes up a lot. Here are some ideas. Heck yeah there is more…

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1974-ethan-allen-boys-bedroomI am hearing reports of a Retro Renovation baby boom. Weddings, too. So exciting :) No question, nothing gets the decorating instinct into overdrive than having a bun in the oven. In fact, we’re all just feathering our nests when it comes right down to it, aren’t we? Heck yeah there is more…

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Let’s talk about bedrooms

by pam kueber on October 25, 2009

mid-century-bedroomBEDROOMS all this week here at Retro Renovation. Some readers recently asked for more ideas and inspiration for their mid-century bedrooms — so let’s have a look.

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11 tips for your mid-century bedroom design

by pam kueber on October 25, 2009

bedtime-readingIn my experience, designing my mid-century bedroom was not at all stressful. Compared to a kitchen or bathroom there are far fewer decisions. Because you are working within a drywall or plaster “box” — you do not have to think about expensive things like tile and plumbing and electric, etc. Bedrooms are a much more “creative” than “technical” problem solving. To me — and as per feng shui — a bedroom should be a restful place. With that as pretty much the only “rule,” the design possibilities are in fact endless. Here are 11 tips taken from my own experience, to get you started. Heck yeah there is more…

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capel rugWhen it comes to bedroom rugs, I’m a big fan of Capel braided rugs. I have two braided rugs from Capel, which I originally purchased about 15 years ago. I’ve been in three houses…and was always able to find a perfect spot for them. You can get them on sale for great prices, in all sizes, in a gazillion colorways, they last forever, and because they are multicolored they can fit with many different color schemes — they give you flexibility…these things have legs, you will be handing them down to your kids. You can get them in all-wool, in chenille, and in blends that would work well in a basement where it may be damp. They are also totally authentic retro, and it seems, made in America. These things are nearly perfect. One thing I will add is that, even with all the color, they read kind of “neutral” once you get them onto the floor. Once they are loaded up with furniture, lamps and all, they kind of blend right into the floor. They also hide dirt exceedingly well.  See all the Capel braided rugs here.

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1930s coverlet ensemble – nine pieces

by pam kueber on October 24, 2009

1930-bed-ensemble52PostnBeam spotted this gorgeous, nine-piece, 1930s bedroom ensemble on craigslist, and posted it over on the Forum. Gorgeous – and seems like a steal at $60. Thanks, 52pnb, the retro decorating gods will surely send you set of vintage steel kitchen cabinets soon!

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