Comments for Retro Renovation http://retrorenovation.com A place for your postwar 40s 50s and 60s style kitchens, bathrooms and mid century modern home aesthetic. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:42:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on Retro flooring: Anita finds a stash of vintage aqua tile…but what about the asbestos? by SurfaceToAirMedia http://retrorenovation.com/2008/07/23/retro-flooring-anita-finds-a-stash-of-vintage-aqua-tile-any-takers-out-there/#comment-11008 SurfaceToAirMedia Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:17:43 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=3174#comment-11008 Asbestos is icky but I actually bought some similar plastic half-tiles from this guy: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11321730 Just for crafting, i hoped they might match our bathroom but i had no specific project in mind. Maybe it'll help somebody else! :) Asbestos is icky but I actually bought some similar plastic half-tiles from this guy:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11321730

Just for crafting, i hoped they might match our bathroom but i had no specific project in mind. Maybe it’ll help somebody else! :)

]]> Comment on Vornada fans - look good while you stay cool by Kayleen http://retrorenovation.com/2008/07/23/vornada-fans-look-good-while-you-stay-cool/#comment-11007 Kayleen Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:05:50 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=3168#comment-11007 I have two of those room circulating fans, they are AMAZING. People always think they are just another fan until you turn them on. They move air like nothing else. Love those fans. I have two of those room circulating fans, they are AMAZING. People always think they are just another fan until you turn them on. They move air like nothing else. Love those fans.

]]> Comment on Retro flooring: Anita finds a stash of vintage aqua tile…but what about the asbestos? by 50sPam http://retrorenovation.com/2008/07/23/retro-flooring-anita-finds-a-stash-of-vintage-aqua-tile-any-takers-out-there/#comment-11005 50sPam Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:26:05 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=3174#comment-11005 This whole string is raining on my don't-worry-be-happy parade. Therefore, I have removed the contact information and location. Does not sound like a good idea for anyone to even consider a tile with asbestos in it, unless they have professional advice. Cadman, I just posted an image of an aqua-colored Congoleum 12" tile. Did you see this one live? This whole string is raining on my don’t-worry-be-happy parade. Therefore, I have removed the contact information and location. Does not sound like a good idea for anyone to even consider a tile with asbestos in it, unless they have professional advice.

Cadman, I just posted an image of an aqua-colored Congoleum 12″ tile. Did you see this one live?

]]> Comment on Retro flooring: Anita finds a stash of vintage aqua tile…but what about the asbestos? by cadman http://retrorenovation.com/2008/07/23/retro-flooring-anita-finds-a-stash-of-vintage-aqua-tile-any-takers-out-there/#comment-11004 cadman Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:55:03 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=3174#comment-11004 How funny! I just spent the last hour running around after work investigating the available Congoleum and Armstrong colors for a VCT install. For anyone thinking of installing a new floor, Armstrong's turquoise is now DISCONTINUED so get it while you can. The alternatives are just not correct enough for a period look. I've also been playing with a box of NOS VAT Kentiles, half are brown striated, half sage/aqua but not enough to do anything more than pattern accents. Make no mistake, the asbestos is a concern, especially if you're bound by legal restrictions or re-sale limitations, but intact tiles with modern adhesives given a good waxing put the stuff lower on my concern list than those years in jr. high traversing the halls of friable insulation and questionable ceiling panels.... How funny! I just spent the last hour running around after work investigating the available Congoleum and Armstrong colors for a VCT install. For anyone thinking of installing a new floor, Armstrong’s turquoise is now DISCONTINUED so get it while you can. The alternatives are just not correct enough for a period look.

I’ve also been playing with a box of NOS VAT Kentiles, half are brown striated, half sage/aqua but not enough to do anything more than pattern accents. Make no mistake, the asbestos is a concern, especially if you’re bound by legal restrictions or re-sale limitations, but intact tiles with modern adhesives given a good waxing put the stuff lower on my concern list than those years in jr. high traversing the halls of friable insulation and questionable ceiling panels….

]]> Comment on Retro flooring: Anita finds a stash of vintage aqua tile…but what about the asbestos? by Palm Springs Stephan http://retrorenovation.com/2008/07/23/retro-flooring-anita-finds-a-stash-of-vintage-aqua-tile-any-takers-out-there/#comment-11000 Palm Springs Stephan Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:27:32 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=3174#comment-11000 Have that television mesothelioma attorney's number handy if you buy the aqua tiles! I'd snap them up in a heartbeat at any price if it were not for the asbestos. But in California, any real estate seller must sign documents disclosing to potential buyers whether or not any of a long list of toxic or banned substances, including asbestos, are known to be present in or on the property. And if they are present, the buyer can (and should) require the seller to have them properly removed at the seller's expense. In fact, I think it is illegal in California for residential property to be sold if asbestos is known to be present. I do not know about other states, though. And as LoveOfThornhurst says, asbestos abatement is hugely expensive. Have that television mesothelioma attorney’s number handy if you buy the aqua tiles! I’d snap them up in a heartbeat at any price if it were not for the asbestos. But in California, any real estate seller must sign documents disclosing to potential buyers whether or not any of a long list of toxic or banned substances, including asbestos, are known to be present in or on the property. And if they are present, the buyer can (and should) require the seller to have them properly removed at the seller’s expense. In fact, I think it is illegal in California for residential property to be sold if asbestos is known to be present. I do not know about other states, though. And as LoveOfThornhurst says, asbestos abatement is hugely expensive.

]]> Comment on Amy’s 1953 time capsule, Portland by jody http://retrorenovation.com/2008/04/17/amys-1953-time-capsule-portland/#comment-10989 jody Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:27:43 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=2000#comment-10989 'Sand blasted and white washed walls' is what I've heard. We have those same walls (almost): http://flickr.com/photos/jodyhughes/2469131612/in/set-72157601143959896/ also from a custom built Portland house (1954). I think our houses are related. Though, ours was updated a few times throughout the years, we're in the midst of restoring it now. More pictures if your curious: http://flickr.com/photos/jodyhughes/sets/72157601143959896/ ‘Sand blasted and white washed walls’ is what I’ve heard. We have those same walls (almost): http://flickr.com/photos/jodyhughes/2469131612/in/set-72157601143959896/
also from a custom built Portland house (1954). I think our houses are related. Though, ours was updated a few times throughout the years, we’re in the midst of restoring it now. More pictures if your curious:
http://flickr.com/photos/jodyhughes/sets/72157601143959896/

]]> Comment on Retro flooring: Anita finds a stash of vintage aqua tile…but what about the asbestos? by loveofthornhurst http://retrorenovation.com/2008/07/23/retro-flooring-anita-finds-a-stash-of-vintage-aqua-tile-any-takers-out-there/#comment-10976 loveofthornhurst Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:49:58 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=3174#comment-10976 Holy Cancer Batman! Those tiles really are cute. HOWEVER, I have to discourage anyone from laying asbestos tiles in their homes. There are excessive health, legal, environmental, legal, and other legal hazards involved. Many people will not buy your house knowing they're there because they are expensive to remove (did I mention the legal issues?). If the tiles were already there, I might concede on this issue - we attempted to save our kentile too. But in order to maintain asbestos laden tiles, you have to wax constantly & try to avoid even a particle of dust being produced from the floor. Now, to offer a solution: Congoleum makes fabulous, fancy, colorful, commercial composite vinyl tile that could fool any retro-renovator (barring the 12" size of the tiles) and some of it sells for less than those old asbestos beauties. I highly recommend it. Holy Cancer Batman!

Those tiles really are cute. HOWEVER, I have to discourage anyone from laying asbestos tiles in their homes. There are excessive health, legal, environmental, legal, and other legal hazards involved. Many people will not buy your house knowing they’re there because they are expensive to remove (did I mention the legal issues?).

If the tiles were already there, I might concede on this issue - we attempted to save our kentile too. But in order to maintain asbestos laden tiles, you have to wax constantly & try to avoid even a particle of dust being produced from the floor.

Now, to offer a solution: Congoleum makes fabulous, fancy, colorful, commercial composite vinyl tile that could fool any retro-renovator (barring the 12″ size of the tiles) and some of it sells for less than those old asbestos beauties. I highly recommend it.

]]> Comment on Eye-popping midcentury time capsule in Des Moines - fabulous! by Sumac Sue http://retrorenovation.com/2008/07/21/eye-popping-midcentury-time-capsule-in-des-moines-todays-time-capsule/#comment-10970 Sumac Sue Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:12:52 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=3095#comment-10970 Holy cow! What a beautiful place. My favorite place to hang out would be that little table in the pool. But I really think I could be pretty happy anywhere in this house. Thanks for sharing, Shawna. Holy cow! What a beautiful place. My favorite place to hang out would be that little table in the pool. But I really think I could be pretty happy anywhere in this house. Thanks for sharing, Shawna.

]]> Comment on Painting metal kitchen cabinets: Jay and Jamie’s Nashville condo with retro renovated Youngstown cabinets by 50sPam http://retrorenovation.com/2008/02/13/painting-metal-kitchen-cabinets-jay-and-jamies-nashville-condo-with-retro-renovated-youngstown-cabinets/#comment-10967 50sPam Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:26:54 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/2008/02/13/painting-metal-kitchen-cabinets-jay-and-jamies-nashville-condo-with-retro-renovated-youngstown-cabinets/#comment-10967 Be sure to see the RE2 Basics page for all the different posts with ideas on how to repaint. Did you see the Rick Wrench method? What do you think of that one, Ms. Sign Painter Wonder Woman? Thanks for this info to add to our list! Be sure to see the RE2 Basics page for all the different posts with ideas on how to repaint. Did you see the Rick Wrench method? What do you think of that one, Ms. Sign Painter Wonder Woman? Thanks for this info to add to our list!

]]> Comment on Painting metal kitchen cabinets: Jay and Jamie’s Nashville condo with retro renovated Youngstown cabinets by karmi_woolfe http://retrorenovation.com/2008/02/13/painting-metal-kitchen-cabinets-jay-and-jamies-nashville-condo-with-retro-renovated-youngstown-cabinets/#comment-10935 karmi_woolfe Wed, 23 Jul 2008 02:18:13 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/2008/02/13/painting-metal-kitchen-cabinets-jay-and-jamies-nashville-condo-with-retro-renovated-youngstown-cabinets/#comment-10935 I am in the process of stripping my Youngstown uppers and used an old trick from my signpainting days. I'm sure it's not very "green" but it was a lot faster. I used a secret weapon that every 50's housewife will already have: oven cleaner! You "do" have to use precautions, as this chemical is very toxic...but haven't we all stuck our head in an oven loaded down with this stuff? You absolutely MUST do this outside, and be ready for a heck of a mess, but my hubby and I got 95% of the paint off of 4 uppers (30"x18"x13") in one day. Some stubborn areas required a second application. We hosed them off and used rubber scrapers to help remove paint once it had wrinkled up. The next day, we used 320 grit sandpaper to remove what was left, and then rubbed them down with Skyco brand "Ospho," which "stops rust/prepares rusted surfaces for painting. I was about to experiment with painting my cabinets on my own and found this post helpful, so I thought I would add what I know. I experimented with every step of this process on the BACKS of my cabinets, which would always be my first advice to anyone doing it on their own. I'll be glad to share information or pics with anyone who is interested! I am in the process of stripping my Youngstown uppers and used an old trick from my signpainting days. I’m sure it’s not very “green” but it was a lot faster. I used a secret weapon that every 50’s housewife will already have: oven cleaner! You “do” have to use precautions, as this chemical is very toxic…but haven’t we all stuck our head in an oven loaded down with this stuff? You absolutely MUST do this outside, and be ready for a heck of a mess, but my hubby and I got 95% of the paint off of 4 uppers (30″x18″x13″) in one day. Some stubborn areas required a second application. We hosed them off and used rubber scrapers to help remove paint once it had wrinkled up. The next day, we used 320 grit sandpaper to remove what was left, and then rubbed them down with Skyco brand “Ospho,” which “stops rust/prepares rusted surfaces for painting. I was about to experiment with painting my cabinets on my own and found this post helpful, so I thought I would add what I know. I experimented with every step of this process on the BACKS of my cabinets, which would always be my first advice to anyone doing it on their own. I’ll be glad to share information or pics with anyone who is interested!

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