by Pam Kueber on October 7, 2008
Readers still looking for major furniture sets like dining rooms and bedrooms should remember to keep your eyes - and heart - open for traditional furniture from the postwar era. This stuff is far less “popular” today than “modern” sets — but how can you linger over the lines of this 1955 Drexel Peasant Provincial and not agree how beautiful it truly is? I love the stain on this wood as well. And - you will be able to buy it for a song! (eBay photos - listing come and gone.)
If you have a Cape or colonial-ranch, all the more reason to consider traditional-style furniture, which is sympathetic to the lines of your home. With this particular set, I see a tone-on-tone small print wallpaper by Thibaut to go-with. But, you can take this set any number of directions - it is very versatile.
Want to stay on top of all Retro Renovation news? Subscribe to our Saturday email newsletter.
by Pam Kueber on July 7, 2008
This vintage dining room set is up on Last Day ebay - but I love it so much I have the feature it down here for posterity. I’m hammering away at this issue right now: Mix up your decor! This set is so eclectic - the color, the scalloped table edge, the upholstered chairs with their unusual back - it’s probably not what you would go looking for - but it would be smashing nonetheless. Keep you mind open and your interior, delightfully unpredictable.
Want to stay on top of all Retro Renovation news? Subscribe to our Saturday email newsletter.
by Pam Kueber on April 17, 2008
Portland Amy wrote to ask about paint colors and I requested more info — so that we can all continue our 50s voyeurism. Amy writes:
Here is the story on our house; it was custom built in 1953 in Portland, Oregon. We are fortunate enough to have the original blueprints. The man who had it designed is rumored to have been a builder at the time and the craftsmanship is impeccable. You can definitely see that in the gorgeous open beam ceiling. The pictures do not do it justice. When we found it it had been repossessed and was vacant. Apparently the previous owner was a recluse and lived in the basement so nothing had been touched in years. I am still in shock at the amount of original details. Yes, the gold wallpaper in the kitchen is original! We haven’t touched a thing and don’t plan on it either! I will send photos of the bedrooms soon, too. The master bedroom has a wonderful built-in vanity and original silk wallpaper with a hand painted cherry blossom mural. Seriously, it is a gem. I am so happy to share it with you and fellow RetroReno readers who are in the process of getting their homes back to their original post-war glory.
The dining room has a textured ceiling that is painted gold. It’s original so I’m not touching it. It looks hideous at certain times of the day, but is absolutely stunning at night. I was considering the coral color [Amy and I were thinking alike, both looking at the Sherwin Williams Caribbean Coral for its potential in her space] in the dining room as it would compliment the ceiling beautifully and would pull out the color in the TV trays. 
…Did you notice the horse figurines on the bookcase? I would have passed them up at the estate sale had you not posted your equestrian blog that very week. Thank you! We’ve just recently realized that living room was originally grasscloth that was painted over in white. I can’t afford to replace it just yet, but am considering a muted gold/green and doing a brushed finish that might mimic the original. I just don’t want it to look too faux finished.
We love the basement floor too! There is enough room to add another bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette down there. Once we get started on that major project I will definitely be keeping my eyes peeled for some steel beauties!
Want to stay on top of all Retro Renovation news? Subscribe to our Saturday email newsletter.
by Pam Kueber on March 20, 2008
Magbot writes:
Pam, I’ve been following your saga since you first found your kitchen cabinets (can’t recall how I found out, probably mentioned in some other design blog), and swooning over your gorgeous reno. I fervently hope to someday redo a mid-C ranch as impeccably as you have.
My question: I’ve owned several of the 1950s dinette sets with chrome/formica tables and chrome/vinyl chairs, but recently I found (and snatched up!) a dinette unlike any I’ve seen, neither in person nor in vintage ads. The entire set, table and 4 chairs, is ENTIRELY formica, every surface completely covered with light grey woodgrain formica. I love its curvy legs, the spacers on the chair backs, and its original retro-tweed green vinyl seats, plus it’s in superb condition. Two pix are attached.
It has no maker marks of any kind. Would you know anything about its possible age or background?
Much thanks for your wonderful, inspiring blog,
…Maggie
Thanks, Magbot/Maggie #2! I have never seen a dinette like this. Incredible! Maybe another reader has?
Want to stay on top of all Retro Renovation news? Subscribe to our Saturday email newsletter.
by Pam Kueber on March 15, 2008
So what kind of vintage flatware do retro renovation readers prefer? I am going to be tied to the computer all day Saturday - so send me an email and/or photos and I’ll post them throughout the day. We did this with dinnerware a while back, and it was lots of fun.
Me? I use vintage Coronation stainless that my grandma Aggie Kueber gave to me shortly after I was married. I also bought a complete second set a year or two later, when Oneida reintroduced it for a time. I recently checked with the company, and the only “true” vintage pattern they still offer today is Revere - a very colonial pattern. You can also find complete sets on ebay - there are some real beauties.
Owning and using vintage flatware every single day is one of the greatest ways to be in touch (ha!) with the period!
Want to stay on top of all Retro Renovation news? Subscribe to our Saturday email newsletter.
by Pam Kueber on March 11, 2008
Continuing the theme of the week, another great interior to scrutinize and learn from.
This 1952 living room dining room comes courtesy the interior designers at Armstrong Flooring. To be sure, this company had a massive influence via their advertising in establishing the postwar look. Seems like they were among the first to figure out that if you employed interior designers to finish a whole room — especially as it was a new look for America — it would be lots easier to sell the pieces — starting with the floor. [click to continue…]
Want to stay on top of all Retro Renovation news? Subscribe to our Saturday email newsletter.
by Pam Kueber on March 10, 2008
I feel like I’ve been very focused on kitchens and bathrooms the past several months, so for the next several weeks I will be trying to spotlight a greater selection of 40s 50s and 60s living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms.
Let’s start with this amazing living room dining room from 1952. The color combination is simply mesmerizing - to me, at least. This particular shade of pink (touch of salmon?) is so inviting…its relationship to the paneled wall is brilliant - I would never have thought of trying this…and the ‘peek’ into the aquamarine kitchen is terrific, too.
Notice also how they’ve matched the floor-to-ceiling pinch pleat draperies to at least one chair, a classic designer trick. And last, I think it’s so wonderful how — again — they’ve included colonial details like the gorgeous oil painting and the dining room table (laquered in black to modernize it). This addition of the unexpected…makes this room all the more perfect.
Want to stay on top of all Retro Renovation news? Subscribe to our Saturday email newsletter.
by Pam Kueber on February 6, 2008
This Danish Modern take from Heywood Wakefield is beautiful, don’t you think? Again, the company is so well known for its iconic blonde furniture, we forget they were a full-line manufacturer. This ad for their new, 1959 Contessa line says there are 45 pieces in all, including for the bedroom.
A pretty vignette, altogether — and notice the walls, which I peg as grasscloth. I put grasscloth in a similar colorway in my living room, dining room about two years ago, and we love it. I’ll do a post soon on this very classic and versatile wall covering option.
Want to stay on top of all Retro Renovation news? Subscribe to our Saturday email newsletter.
by Pam Kueber on January 14, 2008
Anne & Gary have a lovely house in Oregon and updating it in true retro renovator style! They have a blog — now on the blogroll — and did a post on their dinette find recently. I love it! While, the popular chrome-edged ‘diner’ style tables and chairs are really great, there’s also lots of room in our decorating arsenal for the more elegant styled dinettes like Anne & Gary’s “Virtue Brothers” model.
Separately, I’d been on the watch for more dinette alternatives, and found this great 1953 ad for Arvins. This set was designed by Raymond Loewy — one of the most influential industrial designer of the era.
Along with Saarinen tulip tables - it’s great that there are a variety of possibilities for our kitchens and dinettes!
Thanks, Anne & Gary, for sharing! And, I’ll be doing more posts on your house moving forward, as you have a lot of interesting things going on!
Want to stay on top of all Retro Renovation news? Subscribe to our Saturday email newsletter.
by Pam Kueber on December 19, 2007
I received a number of emails from readers on their everyday dinnerware. Here’s what Mitzi of Vintage Goodness is into:
Hi Pam, I wanted to throw my 2 cents into your discussion about dishes… I am a die hard Corelle fan. It is lightweight for easy washing (no dishwasher here, unless you count me!), it is almost impossible to break, there are tons of patterns and coordinating pieces (especially with Pyrex, my other favorite), and it is pretty easily thrifted. 
I actually started out with an all white set my mom gave me that was what she used when I was a kid, so it has sentimental value as well as being tough as nails. A couple years ago I scored a huge set of Butterfly Gold, which was what my grandma used, for $5 at a sale. I put the white dishes away and used the Butterfly Gold until I opened my eBay store - then a big chunk of it got sacrificed for the sake of inventory. So now I have a mix of my original white set and the Butterfly Gold set… see why eclectic is my favorite word? hehe
Anyway I can’t imagine using anything else, though I do hope to someday be able to switch patterns again! I’ve attached a pic from my store of some Butterfly Gold cereal bowls.
Talk to you soon!
Mitzi
Thanks, Mitzi! I love the graphics on this Corelle. No question, this stuff is indestructible!
Want to stay on top of all Retro Renovation news? Subscribe to our Saturday email newsletter.
