I have invested a lot of time and money organizing all the research on this blog into the Categories in blue across the top. If I’ve covered it, you’ll find the information there. I also have certain posts tagged as FAQs – read them here. Retro Renovating is demanding mistress — so roll up your sleeves and dive in. Meanwhile, here are some of the top questions I get day in and day out:
Bathrooms
- Where can I sell, or buy, vintage sinks, tubs, toilets? See this story. On pricing: I give no advice. It’s what the market will bear. You have to do your own research based on your own market dynamics.
- Where can I find replacement bathroom tile? I have multiple stories on World of Tile — read them all by clicking here. See my navigation — Bathrooms / Tile category for all my stories.
- Recessed soap dishes? 4 places to find recessed soap dishes.
- Plastic soap holder for metal soap dishes? I have never wrestled this one to the ground. Answer might be in this catalog.
Kitchens
- Buying/selling vintage metal kitchen cabinets. See this story.
- Selling price of metal cabinets. See this story.
- Hinges for metal kitchen cabinets? I did this story to see if anyone could help. No one could. You need ingenuity on this one.
- Recessed white plastic backplates for old-model Geneva kitchen cabinets? None available. You need to salvage them from other units or change the entire look to use flat escutcheons (backplates).
- Best way to paint old steel kitchen cabinets? This is not a DIY site. That said, various readers have used various methods and also may have provided some resources. Best way to scan the available options is to go through the stories in the Kitchens/Steel Kitchens section. Note: Old paint may have lead in it; consult with a licensed professional about the materials that your cabinets are made of.
- How do I order something from RetroRenovation.com? You can’t. I don’t sell anything here — I write about stuff. See the individual stories, look for the links to the seller’s website.
If you do have a question — and you can’t find the answer — you can (1) make a Comment on a related post – subscribe to the comment to see my response; I read all comments, so generally, this is going to be the speediest way to get an answer. If you don’t want to leave the question as a Comment, contact me via my Contact form.
I grew up in a 30′s style home in Venice California. I remember the wall trim being a pale green and having a formica table with metal sides. I am also facinated by kitchens and homes with decor from the 40s-60s. I would love to find a pale green stove and accentuate the kitchen with vintage green and red cherry wallpaper and accessories.
Maria, welcome. My goodness, do I have a stove for you. I recently visited this company nearby and fell in love with this stove: http://www.goodtimestove.com/gas_stoves_magic_chef_9.html … Still need to do a complete post about my visit.
I LOVE midcentury design and just discovered your site. My husband and I live in a small house in St. Louis, built in 1949. I guess it’s considered a ranch house, although I’m not entirely certain. Just a post war simple “box” home but we love it. We have already finished our basement and would love to finish the attic space to add more bedrooms. The attic renovation will be extensive, I imagine, and will most likely result in re-doing the exterior of the home. Do you have any suggestions on good sites or books we could check out for ideas for a midcentury attic space and/or exterior re-do? I really want to keep w/the midcentury feel of the home both inside and out. Any suggestions you have about this would be most appreciated! I love your site. Thanks,
Allison
Hi Allison, and welcome. For attics, I really recommend the Armstrong 50s Interiors book – it’s mentioned in today’s lead post – and it’s the #1 book in my Amazon/Pamazon store on the top nav bar. They show some really great attic designs making use of the nooks and crannies. Be sure also to put “St. Louis” in the search box (middle column) for some cool posts about STL including our most favorite time capsule ever! On exteriors – look through my Categories (center column) so far. I don’t really have another resource for that identified yet.
Here’s a post I did on attics, it’s an Armstrong interior: http://retrorenovation.com/2007/11/21/kellys-attic-retro-renovation-ideas-for-vintage-fans-mid-century-sofas-and-steel-kitchen-cabinets/
See the book here: http://retrorenovation.com/pamazon/
I am going to be liquidating a Estate full of Vintage Danish Modern Furniture in Portland Oregon. They were purchased at the Viking Store Princeton NJ in the late 50′s and early 60′s – Help where do I start? I do not have the designers names or manufactures names yet, but will in July. Most of it is teak but the other pieces are walnut. Any guidance you can give would be most helpful
Thanks
V
Hi Victoria. Sorry, this question is not in my area of expertise. Good luck, though. Portland is a hot mid-century market, and I am sure you will find lots of interested buyers there.
Hi – I’m hoping you can help me. My mom has a 1939 GE refrigerator that her family purchased new in ’39. It has been in continuous use (without repair!) until about two years ago when it was finally replaced with a more energy-efficient refrigerator. We live in the Pacific Northwest and I was wondering if you know if there is an antique appliance business I might contact to see if they would be interested in buying it. I’ve about Google-d myself to death trying to find one and have not been successful. Thanks for your help!
mary anne
Hi! I am fixing up my 1930′s bungalow to sell. I have metal cabinets with a drainboard sink that look like many of your 1940′s kitchen retro pictures. I am painting the cabinets and keeping the sink, but the countertop is beyond repair and needs to be replaced. I am not wanting to keep the original look of formica and metal edges, I’d rather go with something either solid surface or a tile countertop. One important thing to mention is that I want to mount the drainboard sink on top of the counter instead of flush next to it. I am at a loss for ideas and would really love some input.
Thanks,
Andrea
Andrea, I think that for a bungalow kitchen, tile would be much more historically appropriate. Be sure to take care regarding environmental and safety issues when repainting your steel cabinets. for example, test for lead paint and know what you are doing. See the EPA website links on my Fast & Easy pages.
Here is a post I did with ideas for a bungalow kitchen: http://retrorenovation.com/2009/02/27/create-a-sweet-pre-war-bungalow-kitchen/
Here is a shot of how the drainboard sink may look mounted on top of the countertop – http://retrorenovation.com/2008/05/12/trish-and-her-two-family-50s-house-in-woonsocket-ri/
Also, this seems to be an interesting website about bungalows and Arts & Crafts homes where you might find more kitchen inspiration: http://www.hewnandhammered.com/
Hi! I recently picked up a Thermador stainless steel oven and matching stove top here in Salt Lake City; now that I have it, I am not sure we can actually use it in our house. How do I go about finding out if anyone else is interested in Thermador Vintage stoves in my area?
Thanks, Kim
Kim and all other potential buyers/sellers: See this post, it’s about steel cabinets, but it applies to other items as well.
I have a really nice, curvaceous slipper chair in the living room. It is very comfortable, and it has this off-white furry kind of fabric on it. (it is hard to describe). I want to reupholster it to pick out some accents and colours I have in the room. I have these fabulous lime green pillows and accents, and one wall is a deep maroon eggplant colour. I want to find a really cool retro fabric or even a retro-inspired fabric, but I don’t know where to look. Any suggestions?
hi retroActive, do either of these float your boat…large collections available at both:
Full Swing Textiles: http://retrorenovation.com/2009/03/02/where-to-find-vintage-style-barkcloth-full-swing-textiles-is-a-new-player-in-retail/
Maharam fabrics (which some readers have successfully found on ebay, etc., be sure to read the comments: http://retrorenovation.com/2007/10/05/great-mid-century-design-fabrics-to-use-for-upholstery-and-draperies-from-maharam/
Just got back from visiting our friends in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Every time we go out there, we go berry picking and always stop by Rosie’s Diner – way cool:
http://gallery.me.com/masekclan#100249/IMG_0284&bgcolor=black
http://gallery.me.com/masekclan#100249/IMG_0272&bgcolor=black
http://gallery.me.com/masekclan#100249/IMG_0282&bgcolor=black
A great place, and it’s good to see that its still around.
Located on 14 Mile Rd, off of 131 in Cedar Springs,Mi
Nathan
Hello, We bought a house that still has the 1950′s metal kitchen cabinets. They are dirty and worn, and in need of painting. I’m looking for ideals and help on the matter. I’m thinking of lightly sanding them and paint them by hand with an OIL base paint. Thinking oil base will wear good and be able to clean nicely.
Is this a good or a bad ideal? ANY HELP will be very useful to us ASAP. Working on budget, but in great need to do something to help our kitchen.
Darrell, this is not a DIY site, we focus more on aesthetics. However, there is one post where a couple talk about their experience painting their old cabinets. Caution: Please educate yourself about environmental and safety factors whenever you work with original surfaces – for example, there may be lead in the old paint on these cabinets; take appropriate precautions. EPA websites for both lead and asbestos are listed on my New/Start Here Page, as well as most Fast & Easy pages including the Paints page. Meanwhile, use the Search box to find old posts about steel / metal kitchen cabinets including the one mentioned above.
Hello, we very recently purchased a 2nd home in Morro Bay, CA
http://picasaweb.google.com/beepscreech/ShastaBath#
I just uploaded some bathroom photos from our prepurchase walkthrough and am hoping one of you will help us identify what we have … we were told house was built in 1967, but county records have March 1966 bldg permit for carport that showed house already there.
I will take more focused photos and upload next week.
thank you,
I have a Tappan Fabulous 400 stove/oven combo that I just took out of my house. It works great. I just have a modern kitchen and this stove was out of place. Do you know of anyone that would be interested in a stove or a good place to sell a vintage stove like this.
Thanks
im looking for a tappan 400 electric stove at cocolarry9@excite.com
hi larry – please take this over to the Forum http://retrorenovation.com/forums
Hi Tammy — and other readers — there is no buying or selling on the main pages of this blog, it would get too jammed up. Here is my post that in general gives ideas and experience about how to buy and sell things:
http://retrorenovation.com/2009/04/09/how-and-where-to-sell-your-vintage-metal-kitchen-cabinets/
Good luck.
Where can I purchase retro paint in pink?
Becky, all of our paint resources are on the Fast & Easy paint page. A favorite is the Sherwin-Williams Suburban Modern palette, which includes a pink. Here’s the page: http://retrorenovation.com/paint-colors/
Love your site! We live in Calif and have fallen in love with a house built in 1958 in Eugene, Oregon. The design appears to be custom. How do we find out who designed the house? I tried googling 60 east 37th ave, eugene, or, but had no luck.
Thanks!
I love your website=) we have a house built in 1955 the kitchen has American Kitchen cabinets with maple doors + I was delighted to find copperplate under years of ugly paint on the drawers! We already replaced the faucet from Locke Plumbing and would like to get a fridge but need to raise 2 of the cabinets because all of the fridges are taller than the space. My query is this how do I raise the above fridge cabinets without harming them? how were they originally mounted?
my contractor said he could rip them out but I want to make sure no harm comes to my great retro cabinets.
thank you so much for your help
Mary
Hi Mary, I can only speak for my metal Geneva cabinets. They are screwed into the wall and connected to each other by screws. It was super easy to install them. Look for screws…..Other than that, I can’t really say but to take care.
Pam, I will be going over to the house I am hoping to move into in NOv. On Thursday, I will take pictures of what is left of the origional features (oh by the way I am in the U.K.). I can’t see where I commented last on your page, so could you message me back with your email, so that I can send you the pictures. Thanks again, and I am adicted to this site, I spent 3 hours on it last night, and came back to varify my email addy and am stuck back on it, I best get started with the day as it is 12 and I am still in my p.j.’s! Thanks, tamara
good luck, tamara, with the new home. sorry about that retro renovation addiction – it happens
I am loving this website
I’ve got a wonderful early 1960s house and unfortunately have to replace a front bay window (thanks to an active 10 year old with a soccer ball). I’d like to keep as true to the era as possible and would like suggestions as to type of windows. At present, the bay consists of 4 floor to ceiling casement windows – 2 angled on the sides and 2 in the “middle”. I’m concerned that by simply replacing them with standard vinyl casements the entire lot is going to look too modern or present-day. Any suggestions? I can’t quite shake the feeling that a bay window isn’t really a retro look…
I need Roman bricks (peach color) for my 1966 ranch home near the Mexican border. Does anyone have a lead? I have tried two Restoration Brick companies.
Thanks,
Francine
Help! I am looking for wheels for my St Charles kitchen draws and the nipple and recessed spring closures for the cabinet doors. My kitchen is circa 1957 and fab I love your site and have been on for hours since i found it.
Maureen, this question is covered in the FAQs.
I love your website! I recently moved into an old building and the kitchen needs a little help. I have wooden cabinets (someone painted them white in attempts to modernize) and the counter top and backsplash is a yellowy/beige tile with burgandy tile trim on counter edge and above the sink. I would like to restore the kitchen to give it a more retro feel. Any suggestions on what I should do with the walls and/or cabinets? email me for pictures if you’d like to help!
I was so pumped to find your website! We are purchasing a 1959 home which is a complete flashback to the era. Nothing has been remodeled and everything is pretty much prestine – exactly what we were looking for. The only small problem is the beautiful wood paneling in the living room is partially faded (except where pictures were hung and the couch was…there is a perfect outline of the curved back couch…we had to laugh even though we wanted to cry). Any ideas on how to fix this? There is paneling pretty much everywhere which we love and we don’t want to paint it or take it down (as it’s only half of the wall that is faded from the window).
By the way, your kitchen is AMAZING!!
I would like to add my pink bathroom photos.
This house has been “flipped” enough for a rental.
We are currently renting but may buy.
This bathroom distressed me for a long time…..but now I am grateful to find this web site and do something cute to the whole thing…..thanks
How can I submit photo’s
Casey, you can email your photos to me at retrorenovation [at] gmail [dot] com.
We have a 1952 pier and beam house, and we are looking to remodel our bathroom. I was so happy to find this site! We have a two-color typical 50s bathroom with the original 4×4 wall tiles. The tiles are deep maroon/burgundy and creamy yellow. They are in good shape, and, for budget reasons, I would like to keep the tiles , however, the bath was never tiled up beyond 4 feet and a shower is not plumbed in. Obviously because of the water, we really need a fully-tiled bath with a shower. Does anyone have any advice on trying to find matching tiles to finish out the bath walls? Or would a white or light gray in the 4×4 above the current tile “work”? (Currently the walls above the tile are a light gray.) My concern is that the new grout would never match the old. Anyone with any thoughts on how to approach this? Anyone had to do the same thing?
Hi Kirsten, and welcome. One reader that I know about, Culver City Bronwyn, had the same problem. She told me that she found a tile that was a “pretty close” match – although clearly not identical – and tiled the rest of the tub surround. She was very happy with how it turned out. My first question, though, since you are new, is: Have you looked through all the tile resources we’ve identified? In particular, B&W? See all of them here, there actually are more possible matches than you’d think: http://retrorenovation.com/bathroom-hardware/
Also, you can send me some pics if that might help, send to: retrorenovation [at] gmail [dot] com
I am about to move into the house my grandfather built in 1954. I am quite sure I will have lots of questions, but since the master bed and bath are first priority, the first thing I need to know is: Can the enamel be restored on the iron sink in the bathroom? There is a significant amount of rust around the overflow hole, and my mother is threatening to replace it with the cheapest thing she can find at Lowe’s. Help! Also, the metal trim is coming away from the side of my chunky perfect-for-shaving-your-legs bathtub. I am hoping this is simply a matter of gluing it back down, but don’t want to ruin it in the attempt.
Welcome, Laura. This site is about aesthetics, not DIY or fix-it. But I can tell you that I do not think there is a long-term acceptable way of restoring enamel – especially in sinks and tubs that get constant water. Have you tried something like ZUD to remove the rust? Keep it off the chrome, though. And be sure to read and follow all the directions to use it safely…. Regarding the metal trim around the bathtub: Metal trim? I need to see that. I am not sure what you are talking about. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bathtub with metal trim around it. Send me photos at: retrorenovation [at] gmail [dot] com. We look forward to helping out with your house!
Any good websites out there for 1945 style? We have a cute stone 1945 colonial. Love that it still has most of its charm! We’re working on rennovating the bathrooms right now. We got the original tub refinished in our master bathroom. It has blue and grey tile. Any photos around of bathrooms with blue and grey? Just looking for some decorating ideas!
Hi Dawn, this site focuses on the postwar era – you should be able to find lots of tips here. Go to the Categories in the center column – learn how to navigate it to find posts and photos for your style. Welcome.
I am totally hooked on your website! I recently inherited my grandparents teeny weeny (435 sq.ft.) c 1900′s cottage on Crystal Lake in Oak Bluffs, MA (On Martha’s Vineyard). It was rented for 15 years by the same old couple who have decided to buy and live year-round on the island, so now I want to upgrade the place. My husband has already redone his kitchen in Oak Bluffs and we chose the Formica boomerang pattern in tomato soup. I’m repeating this theme in this little cottage because I love it so much and it goes with a collection of Jadite Fire King I have. I am buying the Northstar small (11cu.ft?) fridge in mint green and have given up on finding a 20″ stove in that color. So I’ll go with white (unless you have a better suggestion).
I was then hoping I could find a good retro style microwave in the same Northstar mint green, but only landed on the microwave/convection oven/grill that Northstar makes. Way too heavy to put over the little stove, and too big (and expensive!). Any suggestions on that score? Is there a retro microwave out there?
I discovered your wondferful site when I was looking for 1950 kitchen shots. You have me ready to tear through the attic where I’ve hidden treasures from my parent’s home, which I cleaned out in 2003 after 44 years. I even have a glass jar of multi-colored popcorn that was never opened. Can’t wait to see what else will surface. I’m glad I don’t like to throw things away!
Thanks for any input and I will send along pictures as things unfold. It will be a year-long project before I’ve turned this into the gem I remember as a little girl. It faces a little lake and also Vineyard Sound, where the ferry boats come in and out.
Thanks for providing such a stimulating website. It makes me smile from ear to ear!
What is the link to your old blogspot blog pages.
Thanks.
Christina
Christina, all of my old blogspot pages are also hosted on RetroRenovation.com…
Does anyone know where I can get a 1950′s fridge fixed in Arizona?
Thanks,
Erin
i found a swan neck rocker in an antique store. it is covered in nogahide. i want to have it recovered in kroehler nylon frieze. i see the fabric on your site.ebay didn’t have much. can i buy it from your site? if not where can i get some? thank you.
hi joellen, i don’t sell anything on the site. you’ll have to watch ebay…or look for a current fabric today that provides the look that you want. good luck!
I am about to move into a rental house that is fabulously mid century modern. The home was a custom build in the 50′s and has many original features still. The whole house (including the kitchen) has wood cabinets with boomerang pulls in a copper or bronze finish. There is real wood paneling and hardwood floors. The trim is natural wood as well.
My question is about interior paint colors. I feel that this home lends itself to a somewhat sophisticated palette rather than the more playful colors of many 50′s homes. Plus I love pastels but my husband doesn’t.
Can you give me some ideas?
Nicole, check out the California Paints palette… you can get there via the navigation: PRODUCTS/Accents/Paint. Autumnal colors also were popular in mid-century America — that might be a route for you to go. Good luck.
Hi,
Love your website. I am “renovating” my kitchen, but I really want a retro-looking vinyl floor and I can’t find where to buy it. I’d love a black/white look but not checkerboard. I have seen the flooring I want but lost the name. Any ideas who still sells this kind of flooring?
Thank you in advance…
Lori in NC
Lori, you can see all my flooring spotlights (so far) here: http://retrorenovation.com/category/kitchen/flooring/
Hi! We have a midcentry – 1953 – house with poor curb appeal. We have just had an appraisal, and a discussion with a realtor as part of a remodel we are working on….and both dinged us on curb appeal and the low pitch roof. The low pitch roof is an integral part of the architectural style….and we don’t want to put up a false roof (as was suggested!) so we need to work on sprucing up the curb appeal. We need professional help! How can we jazz up the curb appeal, focusing on the mid-century modern aspects of the house? It is plain, and we have tried adding interesting but simple plantings….but apparently that is not enough. We need some pizazz. Some real 1950′s or even 1960′s touches that would make this boring house look like something more than a huge long strip. I have looked at pictures and tried to come up with something myself….but I think I need some outside advice. Can you suggest somewhere I could post pictures and get some input?? Thanks!!!!!
I just found this site yesterday an it is SO NICE to know that I am not the only one that loves the 40/50′s look. My house is 70 years old and the bathroom I have kept complete to that period and recently installed gray/white glass tiles around the tub area. My kitchen I still have the original cabinets, formica countertops and the 1943 GE stove that was in MINT condition when I moved in. The only thing I could kick myself over is that the old refrigerator that was dated 1961 GE that had the huge metal handle was in the garage still working perfect. But stupid me had it removed – if only I could find it….. THANKS for the site and I will be telling lots of my friends about this as well.
Pam
What kind of floor would you suggest goes with the coral boomerang? (for a kitchen)
Thanks,
Chris
chris – check my flooring category – it’s in kitchen category
I’m looking for the woven grass mats they used to sell at Pier 1 and similar places in the 50s & 60s. They were in about one-square-foot squares that were sewn together, but could be separated to make a rug whatever size you needed. The mats were easy to fold on the seams, as I remember. Any ideas? Thanks!
I have seen them at World Market.
Hi! This site is helping me appreciate my gold flecked counter tops! I am stumped what color to paint the cabinets – which have been stripped (wood). Most of the fixtures in the house are brushed nickel or chrome – but the kitchen has the gold flecks. I think I should just ignore them but they also used it as backsplash, so it’s pretty pervasive. I couldn’t find many pictures with this color on the countertops – any help? The kitchen is smallish and dark (remodeled?
thanks!
Hi Pam, I am new to the site and would really love some ideas for my dilemma. We have a guest bathroom that has the pale yellow sink, tub and toilet. The walls and floor tiles are a mix of alternating avocado and yellow. I spent countless hours trying to find some fabric that would work. I eventually chose a really pretty toile pattern that has almost the same tones of yellow and green and made a window treatment and shower curtain. Here is my problem; because the colors are so similar and the vanity and walls are painted a yellow/creamy color, the bathroom is almost oppressive in its color scheme. I need to introduce a new color to walls and vanity to break up the monotony but I am stumped. Should I just go with bright white or introduce a third color? I would be happy to post some pics if there is an appropriate place to do so. Thanks!
Pam, I love your site! Any advice – Am finally ready to order my Big Chill frig. Ques is Red or Yellow frig? I have tons of 50′s red accessories and some yellow. My cabinets are Ivory/antiq white built ins. My countertop is black soapstone.
Also any advice on what color to paint the walls for either color?
Thanks so very much-
T
Hi,
I am new to your site, and finding it difficult to manage. Sorry, but I am looking to buy some metal cabinets. I live near Lansing Michigan.
Please let me know what you have.
Thanks Janine
Look at the Forum — see the link in the upper right hand. Also up there is New/Start Here info. Yes, it can be intimidating at first… I’m trying to pack a lot of info in! Good luck.
Hi Pam,
In doing some research on my house, I have found out that the original 5 support columns for the front porch and carport were replaced with large white fiberglass or vinyl type supports sometime in the 1980′s. They really do not “fit” with the rest of the MCM architecture of the house. The columns look like something from Tara in Gone With the Wind – very southern and very 19th century. A friend who is a contractor looked at them and the rest of the house and said the columns appeared to be decorative and not load bearing. I am looking to find some wrought iron or aluminum porch posts that are more like the original MCM ones that were removed from the house. I have been looking at the few architectural salvage companies within 70-100 miles of where I live and have had no luck finding anything and the wrought iron places around here (central Florida) do not have any. Do you or your readers have any other possible sources for the MCM type wrought iron porch posts? Thanks so much!
I don’t know of any off the top of my head, Jana. I’ll put it on the list to research and/or watch out for. I tend to think: They are out there. For example, I’ve seen stuff like this used as supports for “patio rooms” – those ones with canvas roofs that you get at places like Target or Wal-Mart to set up outdoors in the summer.
Hello !! I have a GE refrigerator that I LOVE LOVE LOVE that I have in my office. I’m missing a couple of parts – nothing major. There’s an aluminum and bakelite handle on the drawer under the refrig that’s broken. Also I think there’s a sliding drawer on the inside with a glass top that’s missing. ( I think it’s a vegetable drawer.)
Anybody know of a place/website where I can get missing parts? I can post a pic of the frig if I could figure out how to do it
thanks!
try these resources, pat: http://retrorenovation.com/2011/08/29/parts-service-and-advice-to-fix-old-stoves-and-other-vintage-appliances-a-list-of-9-online-resources/
I live in a 1951 compact ranch. I am enclosing the carport and am looking for garage door that fits the style of the house. Further complicating things is the siding (most of the house is brick) on the house runs vertical.
Any ideas?
Deb.
I just bought a house with a mid 1950s bathroom with pink fixtures (tub, toilet & sink) in amazingly good condition. I would work with them except the walls are mint green mudset ceramic tiles. I do not like the color combination at all. Unless I can get some ideas to work with these colors, I will sell the fixtures because to remove the mudset tiles, the walls have to come down. Any suggestions?
Mary, I have many many stories with ideas about decorating pink bathrooms. This includes pink and mint green — which was a popular combination. PLEASE don’t do anything rash and tear out perfectly good mud-set tiles; there is NOTHING BETTER. See all these stories: http://retrorenovation.com/category/bathroom-categories/pink-pink-bathrooms/
I need help – remodeling kitchen area in our 1969 home – unfortunately we were not able to keep any of the cabinets as they were built directly onto the drywall and came off as splinters..have wanted to try to stay true to the time period of the home but it had so many layers added that we thought we would have to start from scratch – we were surprised in one area. The kitchen & laundry/utiltiy/hall off of it had the same 12×12 tiles from a miami vice redesign – but we were surprised to find that in the kitchen there were 2 layers of linoleum underneath – none in good condition – though the original had a cool design and we’d have loved it to have been tile so it would have fared better. The paper backing from that bottom layer is still firmly attached to the concrete and we can’t seem to get it up with anything (heat gun, home depot linoleum removal rental, chemical from hd, etc – only heat gun and raser seems to work inch by inch)- we want to put down new tile so I think I need to cave and ask the tile installer to include this removal in his price unless there are any ideas on how to get it off???
AFTER going through all that, I’ve hit up on what I thought was a WONDERFUL surprise – teh hall/laundry area DOES NOT have the same surprise underneath – instead there are original 1 inch and 1×2, and 2×2 inch tiles in tan shades that would go wonderfully with the large tiles I want to do in the kitchen… for the last week I’ve been chipping away 12x12s and their thinset from the top of these little porcelain tiles…. only to realize that the entire floor creeks – it’s all loose and just floating on the concrete?! The thinset or whatever the adhesive was (now a cream color) was so thin and brittle, it’s not holding the floor down. I can remove a bunch of tiles just by picking at them with my finger, and the rest are just together with grout – a chisel under one edge lifts a large section. I am DEVASTATED… I can’t imagine taking each tile up, thinsetting, and repositioning each little tile back down. There was a backer, but it was like a negative – some black plastic with stop sign holes through it which breaks to the touch now. I have a 2 ft squared area up at this point, but have about another 20 off feet on the ground in probably the same condition. One extra note – the old tiles are much thinner than the new kitchen tile, so we know we’d have to do some sort of threshold between the two, and we can’t mix and match .
We are just tired – demo of 2.5 weeks on the kitchen, no kitchen at the end of the night, so ideas are appreciated – because the easy way out at this point of course would be to take up all the little tiles and reuse them elsewhere, carry the large kitchen tiles thorugh this area and get the project done… but I’m so dissapointed every time I walk in there and stare at what I’ve lovingly uncovered..
hi Gelcys, It’s impossible to diagnose such issues online. Moreover: PLEASE know that there can be vintage nastiness — like asbestos and lead — in old materials like the ones you are uncovering. Including in tiles of all sorts, and in their adhesives and backings. CONSULT WITH A PRO regarding what you have, and are uncovering, so that you use safe environmental and safety procedures!
Hi Pam,
I’ve been lurking since… forever, and I decided to out myself today on the mermaid contest thread. But, I don’t know how to comment on the thread since I don’t see a comment box. Did I miss out on the contest?
Best regards from Chicago!
Darlene
Yes, Darlene, contest ended this morning. Glad to hear from you, though! We’ll be having another contest soon. Pam
Hi Pam,
Where can I find a contractor in the New York City area that can reface and reinstall a set of metal kitchen cabinets? I saved some from an apartment identical to mine and would love to get them gussied up and restore the kitchen to its original splendor.
Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Jodi
NJ resource identified, as I recall…..http://retrorenovation.com/2010/04/09/the-seven-month-saga-of-susans-steel-kitchen-and-her-recommendation-for-a-metal-cabinet-refinisher-in-new-jersey/
Hi,
I have been scouring this site for a long time but never posted anything until today
I recently moved to another house which is in need of a new kitchen so to speak. This house was build in 1950 and underwent a ‘bad’ remodel sometime ago. I have always loved the Mid Centery Mod feel and style and have the oppertunity to re-untroduce that to this house, starting with the kitchen. Having just received a Frigidaire Flair Custom Imperial Range from a friend I really would like to design the kitchen around this and I would love to get some input from other readers. Money is a little tight so it will be a slow process unfortunately, but need some ideas.
Thanks,
Mischa Hof
HI, new to all this(blogging). I have a very nice porcelain kitchen sink, on a nice metal base. I love my sink, I’m re-doing the kitchen, and would love some ideas about whether to keep the base. The rest of the cabinets are wood, which I will be painting a very pale ivory. Do I keep the base, paint it ivory too, or let it go. I have just a glimmer of an idea to mount the sink on some old piece of furniture, like the bottom half of a hutch, I love that furnitur-ish look in the kitchen.I’d love some help with the decision, and any ideas for mounting the sink!
hi hope, it sounds very interesting. hey, can you email me photos? Use the Contact box to establish contact – then I can give you my email. many thanks, pam
im looking for a tappan 400 stove electric larry
Hi: I’m looking for guidance on a mid-50′s house, which was built in a faux-Japanese style. I am trying to scan an old picture to send.
Any ideas where I might look?
Thanks
Hi. I just bought a house that was builit in the 1930s. It still has the original art deco fixtures. I would like to sell them and was wondering if you had any ideas where it would be best.
Thanks
ebay
Hi Pam, I love to look at Retro Renovations-great sight! I love mid century modern homes. Here is a link to some of the mid century modern homes here is Eureka CA. Some are more contemporary and others have very colorful kitchens from the past. All of the links on this page give great info on materials etc. and the history behind these homes. All of these houses are being retro fitted. Hope you enjoy the sight!
http://www.eurekamodern.com/