by pam kueber on March 7, 2009
Last July we got our first look at Cindy’s 60s ranch home in Holyoke, Massachusetts. A real midcentury time-capsule beauty that needed some work – and which she has been accomplishing with great sensitivity to its original lines and features. In August last summer, I went to visit Cindy, as we live only an hour away. How delightful to be sitting here today – in my cold computer cave, 20 degrees outside – and see proof that warm July and August will be here soon enough. Several photos from Cindy’s house were featured in an earlier post, but I took a bundle more, featured here today. In particular, I was entranced by the many small, yet very carefully
selected, details within the house – from that beautiful Asian-style doorknob — to the porch light – to the can lighting – and on and on. Oh – the “Goldwater in ‘64?” It’s a bumper sticker I picked up at an estate sale and brought for Cindy as a little housewarming. For the graphics, we didn’t talk politics! And wouldn’t you know it, it matches her kitchen.
Click through for 28 wonderful photos in all! Heck yeah there is more…
by pam kueber on March 6, 2009
Jane aka Elvis sends these photos of her lovely yellow-and-blue retro renovation kitchen. In completing what sounds like a fast-paced update, she combined some of the old, with some of the new — probably pretty typical for all of us looking to combine the best of today’s functionality with the wonderful spirit and lines of our home’s original era. Read on for Jane’s material list, choices, vendors and learnings, along with more photos….
Heck yeah there is more…
by pam kueber on January 23, 2009
How should Mandi decorate her 1956 bathroom with its peach and salmon tile? She has asked for our ideas. Wow, this is a wonderful color that we don’t see it all that often. To get started – you know what I will recommend: some vintage wallpaper – and there are some beautiful choices available. Mandi also shows us some photos of her vintage kitchen, which is in great shape. And very Florida: Terrazzo floors — in the living room and bathroom. Wow! Heck yeah there is more…
by pam kueber on November 10, 2008
Maryland Nancy has completed the retro renovation of her 50s bathroom – and it’s spectacular. Nancy gutted two small, worn bathrooms to create one larger guest bath. She was intent on maintaining the mid mod feel – and incorporated original yellow fixtures. I recall at one point, she emailed me that she had finally chosen her tile colors – and was so happy that the blog gave her confidence to embrace color. This bathroom is a testament to take some chances! Nancy, you have a beautiful eye, way to go!
Heck yeah there is more…
by pam kueber on October 24, 2008
Palm Springs Stephan finished his bathroom – it looks great! – and sends us this complete report, which includes a couple of new sources that I for one need to check out Heck yeah there is more…
by Pam Kueber on August 19, 2008
After we looked at the Alcoa Aluminum time capsule home in Minnesota a few weeks ago, we heard from Steven in Rochester, New York, who owns another of these houses.
He’s decorated just beautifully! The more I look at his interiors – the more I appreciate every detail and the mix of colors and textures. Swoon…
And, Steven has some original sales material and has posted it, along with 50 photos of his gorgeous home, on Flickr.
He says that in total – there were 23 of these “demonstration homes” built around the country – and there’s a list in the brochure.
Steven says about the house:
This house is located in Brighton which is a suburb of Rochester, NY. It was designed by architect Charles Goodman and it is 1 of 23 homes that were built for Alcoa Aluminum’s “Care-free Home” demonstration project.
It was built in 1957 by Fred P. DeBlase.
We moved into the house in June/07 and have spent the last six months working on the inside and outside. The house is not in its completely original state. Over the years the two bathrooms and the kitchen were remodeled. We intend to redo all of them more to period in the near future.
The original national sales brochure was handed down with the house and I have scanned and posted it too. On page 15 there is a listing of the locations of the 23 homes that were built.
And be sure to click here to see all 59 photos in Steven’s Flickr photostream!
Thank you so much for sharing, Steven!
by pam kueber on August 2, 2008
We have a new reader, LA Leslie, who loves wacky ebay items – and her wonderful 60s groove pad. And what’s not to love? I want a conversation pit surrounded by wrought iron railings!
Click here for Leslie’s story — and her swimming pool, built-in bar, exterior and more! Heck yeah there is more…
by pam kueber on July 17, 2008
Hi Pam, Since discovering RetroRenovation.com it has become a “must go to site” each morning! Thanks for all the information and enthusiasm you provide.
I am about to update some aspects of my 1960s bathroom and two of your posts this week caught my eye – I never thought much about my shower base and was considering replacing it…not anymore! I have an original terrazzo base.
I was also thinking of removing my toilet-side magazine rack. After reading your post about the Hall Mack fixture I know why there’s a little shelf but fortunately I don’t smoke! Enclosed are some photos, also one of an ashtray conveniently located on the other side of the toilet!!! I sometimes put a little vase of flowers there! Note the privacy panel above the magazine rack and the recessed scale that opens up when needed!
The bathroom project will involve new tiles in shower stall and bathroom floor, laminate refacing on vanity/privacy panel and paint the walls a different color. I was happy with the bathroom the way it is but the moisture in the shower has seeped behind the grout and has been absorbed by the sheetrock……it can’t be regrouted again, so that’s what got me started. Everything else will stay as is. The wall tiles are oatmeal in color and say romany spartan on the back. I doubt I can find the exact ones so will look for something that will coordinate – I will let you know, and can send you some “after” pictures if you’d like. I’m going to try to retain the 1960s look through use of colors and style. If you know of any vendors I should consider please let me know!
I’m also attaching a few kitchen photos. I renovated 2 years ago and although it’s not 100% loyal to 1960s materials, one thing I did was use laminate for my *cabinets*. I highly recommend it for ranch houses of this era….It gives a wonderful European/1960s look and is incredibly easy to care for.
I also stenciled and painted the backsplash with a wallpaper design I saw in a magazine and tried desperately to locate at many wallpaper dealers including Second Hand Rose in NYC. (If you have a resource for someone who can paint or superimpose my design on the tiles it would provide more protection against spills and splashes than the painted sheetrock.)
The original kitchen also has an indoor barbecue grill with its own damper and chimney flue…..it works beautifully with wood chips and is a constant source of conversation!
It would be great to meet you….let me know when you come this way, I could show you some of the 1960s neighborhoods in Holyoke!
Thanks again for your wonderful site!
Cindy
Holyoke, MA (30 minutes from Lenox!)
Thank you, Cindy, for all these great photos and your retro renovation story. Suffice to say I am quite jealous of all these great built-in features – especially that foldaway bathroom scale and the barbeque! Some responses to your questions:
- You know, I’ve actually seen vintage ads for Romany Spartan tile, I’ll keep an eye out next time I’m going through my 60s ephemera. Regarding tile suppliers: Try S.J. Masters, it’s based in Connecticut, they have some 60s style designs. Here’s some tile of theirs that I have shown before, they have it different colorways. My other reco is always to go to the biggest tile store you can find – and talk to them. My experience has been that there are regional players in the tile business that may have unique stuff.)
- Regarding replicating your ‘vintage wallpaper’ – which is FABULOUS – onto tile – that sounds like a great idea, but I’m not sure how to get it done. There must be sources. Readers?
- Your kitchen looks awesome – and you know what, laminate cabinets ARE retro-authentic. I need to research the exact date I start seeing Formica cabinets appear in magazines – but I’m pretty sure it’s by the late 50s.
- And finally…a tour of vintage Holyoke? I am in!! I am due a trip soon over to a secret retro junk location…to that big garden store in Hadley…and to the Trader Joe’s. I’ll email to set a date, I’m serious!
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!
