by pam kueber on September 5, 2009
Where has Karmi been all these many months? Well, I know. I hear from her via email now and then…she’s been lurking, she tells me. And — she’s a-workin’ on her kitchen. Then, there’s that thing called “life” and “work” going on, too. She wrote me the other day. Says the kitchen is almost done. The main countertop had to go back for rework (oh, we know these things happen…) but this piece fit. Enjoy this little slice of her aqua and pink kitchen. The whole kit and kaboodle to come soon.
by pam kueber on July 30, 2009
Reader Averyl is a new owner of a mid-century home. She recently wrote to share how she had researched — then met – the home’s original owners. I asked her to tell us more… Read on for Averyl’s wonderful story. Heck yeah there is more…
by pam kueber on July 1, 2009
A READER BLITZ continues – I only have about 50 more to go. Today, one of the wildest vintage kitchens that I have ever seen. Yes: All of those 8″x8″ plastic tiles are original. Kurt explains:
..
I have a 1952 kitchen that I’ve restored. The walls and ceiling are covered with 8″x8″ silver pearlescent Tilemaster tiles. It’s a mind blower. I inspect houses for a living (10,000 and counting…), and I’ve never seen anything like it. When I bought the place, I had originally planned to gut the kitchen, but once in, I became entranced with the stuff. It’s magical………I bought the house from the home’s (built in 1922), second owner, who remodeled the kitchen in 1952. The tile is held in place by the old crappy tile setting adhesive they used then; periodically, tiles will come loose, and I resecure them with modern adhesives. I put the cabinets in, and moved some of the tile around to fill in holes left from removing some stuff so I could fit in a real refrigerator. I worked pretty hard to keep the flavor of the original remodel in ‘52. I want to put in boomerang formica when I change out the countertops next year. There’s a little eating nook/banquette built into the corner (out of the photo) that’s equipped with some Thonet chairs from the early 50’s. It’s a pretty tight little composition. If I had a better camera (wide angle lens), you could get the feel of it better. Note the original Nutone fan over the door @ the left. The sink is an original Elkay Lustertone with draining sideboard. I think you get the idea. It’s pretty wild in real life with the correct lighting.
Kurt, while I have not seen a kitchen quite like this one, I have seen a few with larger, Marlite- (laminate-style) walls and ceilings. I think this was an uncommon midcentury renovation for older homes and farmhouses. Case in point:
See this vintage kitchen with Marlite covering the walls and ceiling, just like yours. If, for example, you had troublesome plaster walls — you could just cover them over with these miraculous manmade plastics. Thanks so much for saving this little architectural gem – and for sharing it with us. And yes, Kurt, we also need to see your 1959 American Standard bathroom, in seafoam green when you get a chance!
by pam kueber on June 30, 2009
WELCOME TO GinaUSA’s 1960s bathroom. I am really quite in love with this style of mosaic tile — 3/4″ or 1″ squares — and in this case, with little porcelain splatters. I generically call this “Romany Spartan” tile because that’s the company that seems to be in all my vintage magazines. I know of at least one source for tile pretty close to this, still (continue after the jump.) Ooooh, peek at GinaUSA’s door handle, too — crystal. Yes, you can add this bit of sweetness to your house, if you prefer it rather than mod metal. Heck yeah there is more…
by Pam Kueber on May 16, 2009
The post about Madison Sarah and her hunt for a 50s or 60s home drew lots of comments, including a lovely note from Sumac Sue, aka Judi, of Lexington, Kentucky. Her comments were really moving, so I asked her if I could make a post out of them – and asked if she could send pictures to go with. She kindly did, and even added some more info at my request. A long post – but well worth the time to read and think about. Sumac Sue is a former newspaper reporter – so the girl can turn a phrase! Maybe other readers have similar stories about their neighborhoods that they would like to share? Send in your stories and your “walking tour” photos and I’d be happy to make this a regular feature. Thank you, Judi (Sumac Sue), for getting this started! Heck yeah there is more…
by pam kueber on May 2, 2009
by pam kueber on February 17, 2009
Diana’s 1963 home in suburban Pittsburgh includes something that I haven’t seen in the flesh yet — mid century oak cabinets in a “planked” style, complete with colonial wrought-iron hardware. Planked cabinets are one of my favorite all-time looks. Of course, Diana noticed right away that her “Koenig Cabinets by Elish & Co.” are a great match for the cabinets featured in the vintage Caloric kitchen featured on the homepage of the site in the new multimedia box. I know of at least one company that offers planked door style today – Omega/Dynasty. Read on for more from Diana – including the brochure (saved from the dumpster, of course) created to market her Ryan home. Heck yeah there is more…
by pam kueber on January 26, 2009
A wonderful vintage Moen faucet. Linen laminate to die for. A Westinghouse appliance center. But maybe still not “flamboyant” enough for Tim, a longtime reader who now works at Rejuvenation – parent company of Satellite, our contest sponsor. He’s house hunting…and has sent some pictures. Tim, I will not push you. Hold out for the house that makes you jump up and down in the foyer. And first and foremost: Location location location – it’s true. Heck yeah there is more…
by pam kueber on January 14, 2009
St. Louis Shelly has a gorgeous gray bathroom in her 1956 house. The drain of her sink has rusted out, and she needs an all-new sink. Good news: The sink appears to be a Kohler Tahoe with hudee ring, and this model is still available today in a light gray. Bad news: It will take 42 days to get the sink via special order. I referred Shelly to this post — and asked to see more photos so that we could all ogle the gray bathroom – a color I haven’t featured yet. Oh my goodness, this is so beautiful – the vanity…THE FLOOR…the shower door…THE GRAY! The only thing you could need: Some wallpaper (of course!) or some print for your walls to bring in color. Once either of those are in place, you can spec your towels. Heck yeah there is more…
by pam kueber on January 12, 2009
Pink bathrooms? Of course! But they are just symbolic of our enduring love for the pastel rainbow of midcentury bathrooms featuring tile and/or fixtures in coral, peach, green, blue — and yellow. Reader Susan’s sparkling yellow bathroom is a real time capsule. It’s simple – but beautiful – with some great tips to either enhance your own midcentury bathroom – or recreate a new one. Read on for: Sinks, Tile, Knobs, Wallpaper – and more photos from Susan’s bathroom.
Heck yeah there is more…
