Retro Renovation

Zeinab found this really cool off-the-floor dishwasher about Sleeping Bee Alice’s retro dream. From looking at the Fagor website, I think the d/w also can be installed as part of this neat $1,199 cooking center.

And there’s a cool cooktop center, too. Not sure whether it really fits my retro rubric, but I like the concept.
Zeinab [...]

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Lawrence Bill sent me a link last Sunday to a New York Times story about staying neutral with your decor - especially the very basic, expensive stuff. In the very broadest sense, I tend to agree. A basic rule is, the more expensive the thing is - the more conservative your choice should be. [...]

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Yesterday Palm Springs Stephan answered a question on his post about vintage Palm Springs homes by detailing how the Hollywood elite built - and lived there - pretty modestly all things considered. So I remembered this photo that I had of Doris Day in her 1966 kitchen. And, even though it’s an ad, for [...]

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I know that a number of readers are on the watch for retractable kitchen lights. So they’ve probably already seen this one listed on ebay.
Design tip: The point I want to make about this, though, is one I often make: That while many of us may be looking for “modern” accessories rather than “colonial” [...]

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I’ve had this image for some time, as it illustrates quite beautifully some nice tips about creating built-ins — built-ins, of course, being essential in a retro renovation!:

“Built-in” means a nice solid wall on both sides. There’s definitely something about the solidity of a nook like this.
Really nice how this design uses wallpaper on the [...]

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How is this for a simple post? I saw a couple of these 1966 maple cabinet doors online for sale. The detail seems very nice — a good example to replicate, for someone looking for a maple door with a more traditional feel than our other favorite, the radius-edge slab.
Look closely - put on your [...]

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This kitchen makes me very happy. It would be very nice in a classic western storybook ranch. Want to create one of your very own? Read on:

Some of my very favorite cabinets, from Omega. Finish choice: Autumn Birch:

You can get cabinet pulls just like this from Amerock, but in black:

Several wallpapers are from the usual [...]

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“What refrigerator should I get?” is one of the most common questions from readers undertaking retro renovations. I struggled with the issue, too… did a lot of research and tortured over the decision.
In the end, I went with Sub-Zero, and I think it was an investment well worth it. A great part of my decision [...]

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Remember the Sunbeam appliance center (pictured at the bottom) that I bought myself for my birthday?
Well, I recently saw this ad for another one, from Westinghouse. Isn’t it just spectacular?
Why these never caught on, I don’t quite understand. Probably the expense…But oh, as a design statement - well worth the investment!
DESIGN TIP: Notice the nice [...]

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Welcome to Woonsocket Trish (way fun to write that), who has questions about her new/old two-family in the beautiful state of Rhode Island:
Hi Pam,
I found your website while I was searching the web trying to find out more about our kitchen. I absolutely love what you do and enjoy reading your blog. I was [...]

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