Retro Renovation » Other Rooms

Vintage heart pine vs. today’s knotty pine

pam kueber — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:00:11 +0000

When I originally discussed using knotty pine in kitchens, there were comments expressing concern about the wood’s appropriateness in the relatively humid kitchen environment. When I was at the Southern Spring Home & Garden Show last week, I ran into this company, Union Church Millworks of Covington, Virginia. They had some really gorgeous woods on display including “vintage knotty pine,” so I asked Kim Bennett Powers, the sales and consulting manager on hand, the knotty knotty pine question.

His response, which was very illuminating: In the 1950s, we grew our pine trees bigger… the centers got very hard as the tree aged, and we were able to use this center — it was called “heart pine” – for cabinets and other applications where we wanted hard, dense wood. It still looked knotty. Today, we do not grow our pine trees as big, so the wood never never gets as hard. So, much of the 1950s knotty pine really is a particular sub-category called heart pine. Kim says that Union Church Millworks can still get you vintage heart pine for cabinets or panelling or even floors — it’s reclaimed from demolitions and the like. But it costs something like $12 a s.f. vs. $3/s.f. for plain old knotty pine. While we didn’t have a belaboured discussion about it, Kim thought that even considering the differences then vs. now, today’s knotty pine should do fine in a kitchen. That said, there are other wood species that have a knotty look but which are naturally harder.

One more thing: Woah, the woods they had on display for floors, paneling and cabinetry: Gorgeous!

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Upholstered bedspreads for your mid-century modern bedroom

pam kueber — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:00:25 +0000

Sablemable featured a photo that included these great bedspreads in a post for on Ruth’s blog No Pattern Required. Snaps for finding the best source yet (I think) for bedspreads with a true mid-century look. Look at any catalog from about 1955 on, I’d say, and this sort of slubbed satin, uphostered and welted bedspread was ubiquitous. Touch of Class has the style in 6 colors, available for all bed sizes — and including twins that look like they are straight of the Dick Van Dyke Show — and, daybeds. They have additional colors in microfiber, if you want to split the difference between style-decades. Mid-century style bedspreads and daybeds at Touch of Class.

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LG Retro Classic TV, for Korea only, so far

pam kueber — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:00:56 +0000

Retro is rockin’ — even in Korea, where consumers can now buy this LG Classic TV in orange or woodtone for the equivalent of US$215. Snaps to readers Jane and Alisa, who both sent in this tip hours apart yesterday. Oh my. Love, of course. Here’s more info that Jane picked up on the radio and her web research:

Hello!
I heard about this new retro 1960s television from LG on NPR this morning. Since I’m a huge fan of mid-century gadgets and decor, this sounded like it would be right up my alley. I looked it up as soon as I got to work and am now in love. So far is only sold in South Korea. You can bet, though, that when it comes to the U.S., I will be purchasing one!

It is called the Retro Classic TV and it’s a 14 inch CRT. It looks like it’s straight out of the 1960s and even allows the viewer the option of watching television in black and white or sepia instead of color! The screen is fairly small and the television is not so compact, but I think it would be perfect for any vintage home. It also has a remote and is compatible with a cable box or dvd player. Apparently, though, the rabbit ears are designed for the Korean broadcast system and wouldn’t work in the U.S. Hopefully, they’ll modify it and send some over!

You can read more technical details about the LG Classic TV at PC World. And, you can get more photos of this retro style television at this Korean shopping site. Keep the tips and finds coming, readers — this is fun.

Meanwhile, know that you CAN get reproduction Predicta tv’s for sale in the U.S. They are costly, though — so much so, that they don’t even seem to list the prices on the website. Or at least, I can’t find them….

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30 patterns for vinyl floor tiles from the 1950s

pam kueber — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:00:38 +0000

David asked the other day: “We’re planning our basement finishing project and looking at VCT tiling options in the basement. Does anyone know where to find design ideas for Vinyl tiles? I’m seeing a lot for ceramic, but not many for VCT.” You ask, I deliver: Here are scans from 1950s Armstrong and Kentile catalogs.

The thing I like about the designs in my 1955 Armstrong dealer catalog is that they show the percentage of each color required. The Kentile designs come from a retail brochure, so you will have to do the math yourself.

Also remember: Armstrong still offers the the decorative shuffleboard. Come on — you only live once — get the shuffleboard!

Finally — Please know, readers — these designs are provided with the intent that you will use them with new vinyl composite tile (VCT). Always be sure, when you move into a house, to consult with experts to test all the materials in your house, including flooring, for stuff like lead and asbestos — and make informed decisions about how to handle these issues.

READ THIS VIEWING TIP: I have inserted the images very large so you can see the designs well — I had to click on the image THREE times to get to the largest version. Then, use my back button to return to the post.

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Random multi-color slate flooring — an authentic mid-century choice

pam kueber — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 11:00:45 +0000

Jeff recently reminded us that random multi-color slate flooring is a wonderful choice for a mid-century home. To be sure, I see this floor all the time in homes I visit from the 40s 50s 60s and 70s. It’s usually in porches, breezeways, or foyers — spots that require a very durable, waterproof flooring material. (But, I do not see this in kitchens and bathrooms. This floor is, I believe, traditionally used as a transition between the outside and inside, rather than a floor you’d want to live on all day long. That said, in a big open concept contemporary in a hot climate, I can see it being used throughout the house.) Jeff is purchasing his at Vermont Slate Depot, where as today, 10 sq. ft. costs $16.75 plus shipping. I also have seen this floor at my big local stone supply store, the same place everyone buys their patio pavers. So, you may be able to get it locally, as well, and save on the shipping. Design tip: That white grout shown in the photo is not what I’d choose. It will show dirt instantly. I’d have to eyeball it, but at minimum would start with medium gray.

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Vintage barware for a picnic

pam kueber — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:59:07 +0000

My friend Therese found these vintage glasses at a local junk store. They came in a basket with a handle with space for each glass and on the side, spaces for your napkins and silver. Like, you would keep these handy to tote to the patio. Aren’t they magical?

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Merry Marimekko from Crate & Barrel

pam kueber — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:00:21 +0000

I was at Crate and Barrel recently and had the chance to ogle their mid-century Marimekko linens. Continuing our hunt for all things authentic vintage Christmas, check out the Marimekko Manty tablecloth and napkins from 1959. Also see the Tamburiini, 1962, offered in red or ivory. Crate and Barrel Marimekko.

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Martha Stewart flannel sheets at Macy’s

pam kueber — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:00:26 +0000

At the big ole Black Friday sales comin’ up, I might have to get me some of these Martha Stewart novelty flannel sheets. I want to hibernate all winter cuddled up with plaid scottie dogs, snowmen, penguins and snowflakes. The sheets are already on sale on line at Macy’s, but you know there will be coupons and such raining down from the advertising heavens shortly.

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Alexander Girard bedding and shower curtains at Urban Outfitters

pam kueber — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:00:16 +0000

Urban Outfitters features bedding, shower curtains, cloth curtains and wall art, all based on archival designs by Alexander Girard. I particularly like the shower curtains, and they are now on sale from $20-$25. The quilts — which also have matching shams — are pretty groovy, too. Urban Outfitters – Alexander Girard.

First spotted by SparklyThings.

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Mid-century children’s bedrooms from Ethan Allen, 1974

pam kueber — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:00:56 +0000

I 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?

Images in this post are from Ethan Allen circa 1974 — ahhh, The Brady Bunch Years. Continuing with our bedroom series for a few more days, I chose them to illustrate another point, which is that there are numerous “traditional” styles that are just fine for mid-century homes. Lots of this stuff is solid wood, and you can buy it really inexpensively.

I have seen a number of the Ethan Allen sets with the modular bookcases, desks and drawer cabinets and my goodness, they are so functional and so well made.

"Growing up room" - phase one

A couple of other thoughts on kids’ bedrooms:

Personally, I would buy a new crib out of safety concerns – the image above is shown only for decorative inspiration. Bunk beds, similarly, scare the heck out of me. Do your homework re child safety when you’re thinking of buying and using anything vintage.
When your kid is big enough for a bed, and if you’re going to buy something you plan to have them grow into — I recommend going straight-away for the full-sized bed. By the time they are 13 or 14, they want a bed this big. When they’re littler and have sleepovers, they can double up. When they are older, the friends just sleep on the floor. When the kid is little, and they are sick, you can lay down next to them. I had a girlfriend who is really smart, studied and networked on such things tell me this early on. I didn’t listen. She was right.
Once your kids get old enough to care — let them decorate their own room, of course. It makes for awesome memories and is, I think, super important to establishing a sense of self. We need to do a whole post (hold please!) on our first personally-decorated bedrooms. I remember mine well… a very formative decorating experience.
Capel braided rugs — great for kids’ rooms, get a design that includes a variety of colors they can grow into and you are all set.
Bedspreads — go look at the corded cottons and other childhood classics (like the one in the first photo today) on Vermont Country Store’s website.
Wallpaper? Here’s one room I’d say “no.” That’s because wallpaper is so personal … Your kid will want to change their wall color two-to-three times growing up. Wallpaper is a ton of work and your work will likely not have much of its day in the sun. But if you want to do it for “you” and your baby’s nest, knowing that he/she will likely want it gone within 8-10 years, well, go for it.
Changing tables make great laundry centers in the laundry room after they’ve gone out of diaper-changing use.

"Growing up room" - phase two

With that said, decorating a child’s room “in mid-century style” is just as wide open as in an adult bedroom. If you are buying vintage furnishings, there are great deals out there, especially if you have an open mind regarding style. In fact, I like to say that vintage bedroom sets and dining room sets are the best bargains around. That’s because you only have x-number of bedrooms and only one dining room. After that, you are done. So folks don’t generally “collect” them, like Stangl birds or whatever. This means there is less demand, which means lower prices.

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