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Whether you own a mid century home or simply love the retro look, you’ve found your place for: New product recommendations for your home renovation projects … inspirational vintage images … stories of other readers’ homes … quirky info about the 40s, 50s, 60s & 70s design ethic… and a community of homeowners dedicated to cherishing their postwar ranch, cape, colonial, contemporary, split-level and bungalow homes. Welcome — and here’s a roadmap to help you get started.

For inspirational design ideas for a kitchen or bathroom update:

Take a look at the Galleries
Play with the Categories (center column) – there are 1,200+ posts… one reader called this place a “mini museum”
Best idea: Come back every day — you never know what fun I’ll serve up

For products available today see these Pages for recommendations:

FAQs are under the header but here’s a link to take you straight to them.

Looking for something else? Seriously, the Search box – center column – works really well.

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A Privacy Policy
No buying or selling on the main blog — use the Forum

And please, take care when renovating!
We all care very much about managing environmental and safety issues properly, so when undertaking your restoration project, be sure to familiarize yourself with and use recommended best practices. For example, the EPA hosts a website on lead in the home and a website on asbestos in the home. Consult professionals regarding these materials, and also about the proper disposal of debris, etc.

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{ 79 comments }

Paula Cover February 23, 2009 at 6:41 am: My daughter and I just bough a 1950s house. I am interested in honoring the original kitchen and not destroying it with an “update.” I really appreciate your site!! Thank you so much. When and where are you coming to Portland? I live in Portland and would love to meet up with yoou and simillar.
Cobb February 23, 2009 at 3:09 pm: I have Crane ‘Yorkshire’ sink with faucets that looks exactly like

one that you have pictured on your website. It’s 24inches wide

20 inches deep. Can you tell me it’s approximate age?

Thanks,
Cobb
Susan Miller March 6, 2009 at 3:19 am: Do you have any pictures of backyards? For example, picnic tables, swing sets, barbecue grills from the 1950’s?
Pam Kueber March 6, 2009 at 2:42 pm: Susan, we have some photos of fences and screens…but not so much backyard accessories yet. I’ll keep an eye out, as I know readers are looking for stuff like this. You might also check out Brian’s site, AtomicAddiction.com, I kind of recall he might have some stuff in this vein, also, Mary-Frances at Midcenturystyle.net, Meanwhile here are some screen and fence posts (teehee):
http://retrorenovation.com/2008/04/26/50s-fences-more-ideas-courtesy-laura-b/
http://retrorenovation.com/2008/04/25/50s-fences-some-great-ideas-courtesy-of-laura-b/
longgonebaby March 14, 2009 at 7:47 am: I’ve just found your wonderful website and it reminds me of travelling to the States from Australia and being in awe of your architecture. Ours mid-century architecture is very different. I wish we had access to some of the furnishing resources you have over there!
Pam Kueber March 15, 2009 at 5:10 pm: Welcome longgonebaby, so sad that you are not here in retro paradise. But Australia is its own paradise. Some day I would LOVE to get there!
Mickey March 26, 2009 at 4:56 pm: Hello everyone!

Im in need of adivce…

I live in texas area near a lake. In 1943, 3 brothers were called to serve their country. The brother bought a peice of land near this lake and built 3 little cabins in a row out of 2 Montgomery Ward mail order homes.

In 2004 I bought the Last house that was built, it is a 1 bedroom,NO BATH, with a kitchen and screened in porch. I have spent the last 5 years making it “picture perfect” from the paint right down to the 1952 Norge in the kitchen. Heres my problem.

Last December the 1st and biggest house out of the 3 was torn down because the people no longer wanted it. I am in the process of buying the 2nd house (right next door to mine) When I went inside for the first time its a livingroom, bedroom,kitchen, bathroom combo. But to my HORROR some one had gutted and Panneled the walls throught. Its that dark paneling from like the 70’s. and to make matters worse they instles “popcorn” celinings throught too.
The out side refelcts a 1940’s bungalow and Id like the inside to refelct the 40’s to. But what am I to Do with all that panelling ?! I dont have enough to re-drywall So im afraid im stuck with it. I was under the impression that prefab houses of the 50’s used panneling a lot. but i cannot find any pictures and am Afrid I will be stuck with a wester themed lake 70’s house…

PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!
Pam Kueber March 26, 2009 at 5:38 pm: Mickey, we would LOVE to see your restored cottage #3 — send me pics at retrorenovation at gmail dot com.

Meanwhile, I am sitting here reading and writing this from my 1951 basement home office. It has paneling and was painted when we moved in. Like, a cold stark chalky white, as I recall. I painted it avocado green – satin finish from the Sherwin-Williams Suburban Modern palette. And I absolutely love it. I don’t think there’s anything wrong – or “inauthentic” – about painting your paneling. While original knotty pine or pecky cypress or cherry or (whatever) of good quality and in excellent shape might be worth saving (and a shame to cover over) no one says you have to keep something that isn’t quite right or even, doesn’t suit you even if it is original. So…. paint!?
Mary Funderburg March 26, 2009 at 9:45 pm: I live in a wonderful 60s house – unfortunately, I have a husband who is adverse to 60s tiled bathrooms. He has already succeeded in gutting two – (one was a wonderful green and the other yellow – I begged to keep the yellow shower, but alas it is gone and replaced with an ugly tan tiled shower) only one remains and he wants to do the same to it. It has a wonderful white hexagon with one inch squares floor, tiled walls and a tiled countertop – all white with a few star tiles thrown in. Unfortunately a leak has developed under the tub and they say we must remove the tub to fix it – is there any way to remove a tub and not destroy the tile floor and surround? If not, is there possibly anywhere to find the tile to replace the ones that are broken by necessity? HELP
Pam Kueber March 26, 2009 at 10:05 pm: Mary – I leave it to you and your husband and your plumbing experts to solve the tub removal question. But if you need tile resources, they are at the top of this Page: http://retrorenovation.com/bathroom-hardware/.

Good luck.
Stevie-lyn March 30, 2009 at 5:24 pm: OMG!!!! I’m in retro heaven
I have been wanting to have my kitchen countertop replaced with a boomerang pattern for ages and am just a huge step closer now.

By any chance Pam or anyone else in here, can someone recommend a contractor to do this install for me in NY, Queens???

Thanks Ever So,

Stevie-lyn
Debbie Wauben April 14, 2009 at 9:21 pm: I’m remodeling my bathroom, and love the 50s look. Your site is just great. I’m glad I found it.
Thelma April 14, 2009 at 9:27 pm: I have a Youngstown Kitchen sink for sale. It is 54″ x 24″. Can some one tell me what it is worth. It is in good condition.
pam kueber April 15, 2009 at 12:02 am: Thelma, this is in the FAQs: http://retrorenovation.com/2009/04/03/how-much-are-my-metal-kitchen-cabinets-worth/comment-page-1/#comment-36065
pam kueber April 15, 2009 at 12:02 am: Debbie, welcome!
Debbie April 15, 2009 at 5:13 pm: AWESOME Site!
pam kueber April 15, 2009 at 5:16 pm: Deb, thank you! What’s your retro renovation story?
Chelsea Burton April 16, 2009 at 5:36 pm: I recently started remodeling an old house from the early 1900’s. My fiance’s grandmother deeded the house to us. i dont think its been remodeled or updated since then. I tore up the carpet in the living room, thinking of replacing it and come to find out there is wood floor underneath. So I hired someone to come in and restore it and it looks beautiful! Now my next two projects are the paneling in the living room (going to fill in the cracks and paint over it) and the kitchen. This kitchen is the smallest I’ve ever seen; smaller than most apartments. I don’t know if back in the day women didn’t desire large kitchens or what.

But anyway my fiance wants to tear out the metal cabinets and replace with new wood ones. But after looking at this website I relize that there is great potential for the cabinets. I don’t know how old they are I just know that the bottom ones are avocado green Ampco cabinets. The top ones were origianlly white painted green so I cant find a logo or anything on them. We’re on a small budget so does anyone have ideas about taking the paint off them and repainting them?

Also does anyone know how old these cabinets may be? they are in excellent condition!!
Chelsea Burton April 16, 2009 at 5:43 pm: Also along with the cabinets the fridge, sink, and oven are all the avocado green!
pam kueber April 16, 2009 at 6:07 pm: Welcome, Chelsea. We have tons of info on steel kitchen cabinets here. Please take the time and go through these posts to find the answers you are looking for: Go to the Categories box in the center column, then By Room/Kitchen/Steel Kitchen Cabinets. Readers have had best results with taking them for professional powder coating or auto body painting. If you are a Do It Yourselfer please be cognizant of all environmental and safety issues – there are many locations on my site to find EPA websites regarding both lead and asbestos, for example. Finally, we have ID’d Ampco cabinets on the Forum: http://retrorenovation.com/forum. But, I don’t have any information on them. Good luck.
Mrs. Seattle April 16, 2009 at 10:37 pm: I am SO glad to find this website! We are the second owners of a 1947 home. The home’s exterior is Roman brick. Neither of us like the look of the brick (condensation issues with the venting caused a “leeching” effect–white calcification-like marks, etc.). We got the old venting issue cleared up, but the marks are there forever, according to several masons. We’re wondering about painting the brick exterior. Was this ever done in the late 40’s/early 50’s. Neutral colors? Thanks so much.
pam kueber April 16, 2009 at 11:09 pm: Hi Mrs. Seattle – welcome. For sure I have seen references to painting brick. Royal Barry Wills talks about ‘whitewashing’ the bricks on Cape Cods in his books. I would think that it’s totally acceptable on ranches and colonial-ranch mixes as well.
Chelsea Burton April 16, 2009 at 11:56 pm: Hi again..i was just wondering when clawfoot bathtubs were used in most homes? havent been able to really find an answer.
pam kueber April 17, 2009 at 12:07 am: Chelsea, I would say WWII and prior. But a good place to ask: deabath.com
pam kueber April 17, 2009 at 12:31 am: Chelsea, found this interesting reference about one-piece cast tubs being invented by Kohler in 1911: http://www.us.kohler.com/planning/detail.jsp?aid=1115489476510&section=3&nsection=3&nsubsection=1&nitem=2

But, need to sign off now. Good luck.
Chelsea Burton April 18, 2009 at 1:40 am: thanks for both the websites. Now i know about how much my tub is worth considering its in excellent condition! Also the story from Kohler was very interesting..thanks again!
Carol Wallace April 20, 2009 at 3:55 am: I am renovating my late parents’ home before putting it up for sale later this year. I recently realized that the grey marble tiles in the bathroom…..which I had long assumed were ceramic…are in fact classic 50’s plastic! This does present a slight problem, however, as I will need to replace several tiles that were damaged when my folks redecorated some years back. Anyone know a source for plastic tile? I have checked eBay, but all that I found there this week was pink marble. Gorgeous…but not what I need…..sigh.
linda dill April 20, 2009 at 5:47 pm: Any ideas on how to strip and repaint metal patio furniture glider rocker and chairs from the 40’s and 50’s and wear i can find paint colors???
pam kueber April 21, 2009 at 12:52 am: Linda, this is not a DIY site – you might check other sites for this kind of how-to info, along with paints that are recommended. We do have lots of info on historic midcentury paint colors, though, try here: http://retrorenovation.com/paint-colors/ … Good luck.
Mrs. Seattle April 23, 2009 at 8:07 pm: I had the “deco-inspired” knobs & pulls selected for my 1947 kitchen, but alas, I’d like to find a matching pull for the dishwasher. (It’ll be a fully-integrated one that requires a panel; we’re having someone make a match w/ our cabinets.) We don’t want to use two pulls, because we’re concerned about pulling on one side constantly, thereby possibly off-setting the dishwasher door. I need polished chrome/nickel. Any good sites/companies to consider (that have matching cabinet AND dishwasher pulls)?
pam kueber April 25, 2009 at 8:20 pm: Sorry, Mrs. Seattle, I have never researched this. But what about Atlas Housewares: http://www.atlashomewares.com/appliancepulls.html
pam kueber April 25, 2009 at 8:29 pm: Carol, I see these plastic tiles in gray on occasion on ebay. You’re going to have to wait it out. If you have a local Habitat for Humanity/Re-Store and are able to frequent it, there may be some there. Good luck, pam
armymom59923 April 26, 2009 at 5:34 pm: i am new to this site. i signed because i have youngstown cabinets in my kitchen that i want to take out. i am not sure of their year of production, but i think that they are diana goddess of the hunt. thats all i could find. i am trying to find out their value and having absolutely no luck.they are in good condition, with the exception of one door that came off. another is doing the same. they are upper and lower wall with a carousel and corner cabinet. i think i have a set of drawersa to it buried in my garage along with some mounted in my basement. is there anyone out there that can help me to put a dollar amount on these so that i can get new cabinetry? i just need an idea of what to start at. thanks so much.
pam kueber April 26, 2009 at 7:42 pm: hi army mom, this is in the FAQs up on the nav bar. good luck.
Donna April 27, 2009 at 12:11 am: I am also new to this site. I have several Geneva creamy white with all hardware kitchen cabinets to sell in good shape. Glass door fronts and glass side shelves. Pull out spring cutting board lots of other extras. I do not know how to place them on this site for sale or if I can. Thanks for all you do. Donna
pam kueber April 27, 2009 at 12:21 am: Donna and other new readers: All buy/sell items go onto our Forum: http://retrorenovation.com/forum. The main focus is vintage steel kitchen cabinets, and there’s also space toward the bottom for other stuff.

Discussion of pricing and other methods to sell are in the FAQ’s – along the nav bar.
Jim Whitman April 30, 2009 at 11:37 pm: Just bought a 1958 ranch in Hagerstown MD. All original including the Robin’s egg blue kitchen. There is a Youngstown Kitchen Dishwasher that needs to be cleaned, there is some mold on the inside racks. Any suggestions? The washer is the front load, not the top load. Is there any one that knows if there reparable? And who or were I can go for parts? Also….NU-TONE range hood parts?
thanks to all!! GREAT SITE!!!!!
pam kueber May 1, 2009 at 12:11 am: Hi Jim, and welcome. I don’t know the answers to the dishwasher questions. The site is really about aesthetics and design rather than DIY and Fix-It although occasionally we broach cleaning issues. I also don’t know where to point you to experts on the repair/parts question. On the Nutone hood the first place I’d ask is: R&I: http://www.rinutonedistr.com/, and there’s another place online I think that boasts Nutone repairs. Congrats on your house, your kitchen sounds fabulous!
Imalovesmax May 2, 2009 at 1:41 am: Woe is me! We are doing a mini-remodel of our 50’s bathroom and everything is great, but we can’t put tile in our 2nd floor bathroom because of the age of our Arts and Crafts Bungalow and issues of weight in this 100 sq ft bathroom. Also, we were told linolium and marmolium were no good because we are in the NE, very humid climate and because it is a bathroom – I even called Armstrong and they said it would void the warranty.
SO, we need to choose vinly – gasp. One is worst than the next. Are there any funky vinly dealers out there? We have 2-tone blue tile – kinda a light aqua with a darker blue every 10th tile or so.
Ideas? Thanks and FABU web site!!!!!!
pam kueber May 2, 2009 at 2:44 am: Hi Imalovesmax, and welcome. We have some vinyl composite tiles shown on the site – with streaks. If you want sheet vinyl, be sure check the Commercial (rather than Residential) sections of the websites of the various makers, including Armstrong, Mannington, Congoleum. Also try: Domco Tarkett… maybe you would like Fritztile… and oh, I have an update coming on Burke rubber tile – also very cool looking. Of course – all these need to be checked for bathroom use specifications. Here is the Flooring Page: http://retrorenovation.com/flooring/ – which includes some links to get you started on posts already done.

And thanks for bringing up the weight issue. Yes, tile can get heavy.
Imalovesmax May 2, 2009 at 11:39 pm: Thanks so much!!!!
pam kueber May 3, 2009 at 12:09 am: Imalovesmax, check out this bathroom, too – I just saw it, it has rubber sheet flooring and they say it’s okay for water!
Liz May 3, 2009 at 10:03 pm: I love this site and visit most days just to feed my eyeballs and spirit. Now I’m coming in hopes someone can point me towards some mid-century furniture experts. I have some very cool White Furniture Company stuff that I’m having a hard time valuing. Any suggestions for resources? Experts? Bueller?
pam kueber May 3, 2009 at 10:11 pm: Welcome, Liz – glad you’re checking in, \and so nice to know we’re helping out the eyeballs and especially – the spirit. Please comment early and often. Me, no know answer to your question — but other might! White Furniture Company experts out there???

Liz, you can send me a photo if you’d like for me to post it — retrorenovation at gmail dot com.
Cindy May 4, 2009 at 5:50 pm: Hi Liz!
I just joined the site about a week ago. I can’t get enough of it! I’m sure you will find Pam and everyone else so helpful.
RetroReDesign May 4, 2009 at 6:10 pm: Hello Pam!

I’ve been following your blog on and off for a while now… however, I haven’t done much commenting… thank for all of the great tips that you give.

I’m looking for Vintage porch posts and lights to put on my freshly renovated porch. Any suggestions?

Also, I have a blog where I talk about my Retro house, Finds and more… How do I get added to the blogroll?

Thanks, Lara
Mrs. Seattle May 5, 2009 at 12:38 am: Hi Pam,

Thanks for the tip on Atlas Homewares for appliance pulls. They have some styles that are definitely similar to what I’m looking for. A Seattle-based resource is Builders Hardware. Not sure what they have online, but I went to their showroom floor last week and was blown away with their choices. http://www.builders-hardware.com/default.aspx
Jenn May 6, 2009 at 5:34 pm: Hello,
I just purchased a 1959 home with all the renovations except the hall bathroom. It is in its original from and beautiful with mosaic floor tile and original tub complete with the original sliding doors, even the original shower faucets. The sink needs to be brought back to the 50’s though. It’s okay but a wall mounted sink with legs would be perfect. Your site is the only one I could find with what I needed. Kudos!!!!!!
Mrs. Seattle May 14, 2009 at 9:05 pm: Hi Pam,

Do you have any ideas for kitchen sink faucets for a 1947 home? We had a M76 Dishmaster, but took it out since it wasn’t as retro as we are looking for. I’ve seen your great photos/ads of late 40’s faucets, but I’m wondering if you know of anyone who is making repros of the older faucets. We’d go with anything up through the 50’s. Thanks for all your helpful advice!
pam kueber May 15, 2009 at 12:41 am: Mrs. Seattle, can you send me a photo of your kitchen and sink area and I’ll see what I can find/recommend? Email to: retrorenovation [at] gmail [dot] com and attach images. Thanks.