Retro Renovation

Pam’s Kitchen

50sPam on Oct 26 2007

33 Responses to “Pam’s Kitchen”

on 02 Nov 2007 at 1:43 am 1retrokitch

I am looking for base cabinets for a 1950s Republic Steel Kitchen. Do you have any suggested sources other than ebay?
on 02 Nov 2007 at 3:25 am 250sPam

Hi RetroKitch!

I sympathize, as it took me more than 5 years to find the set of 1963 Geneva’s that I ultimately was able to install in my kitchen. You’ve just got to keep at it, there’s not really one easy way - although I have one thought that might be the way to strike gold. Here are some ideas:

- Craig’s List. Watch, and List.
- Do you have a Re-Store in your area, run by the Center for Environmental Technology? We do, and I’ve seen a lot of steel cabinets come through over the years.
- If you’re watching on ebay, put your search terms in every conceivable way, I’ve seen some gorgeous sets ‘buried’
- Old House Journal has a couple of Forums you might post on. There are also For Sale items.
- And last but not least — my big idea: The subsidiary of Republic Steel that once built the cabinets still exists. It’s in Canton, Ohio, and makes lockers and such. How about this: Try an ad in the Canton newspaper - or Craigslist there. I bet there are TONS of Republic cabinets in that locality. People do tend to buy local. I bet there are basements and garages full of the cabinets! Canton is a nice place to visit, and it’s football season, a great time to visit.

Waxing on — I have a lot of material on Republic. I think they had the greatest ads of what I call the Big 4 of steel cabinet makers in the 50s: Republic, Youngstown, Geneva and St. Charles. I have an awesome Salesman’s Sample kit from Republic, too. It will be in the photo with me when my kitchen is featured in a magazine coming up… stay tuned.

Hope that helps! Let me know if I can help in any other way! Pam
on 14 Nov 2007 at 12:56 pm 3KimR

I have some Republic Steel Kitchen pieces that look to be in pretty good shape. My Dad was
a handy-man in town and he got them from a lady. They have been stored in his shop for quite a few years. Leave me a contact e-mail if you are interested.
on 14 Nov 2007 at 4:02 pm 4vintage_kitchen

Pam, what a lovely job you did on your kitchen! I have a one full of , I’d say, late ’60s Geneva metal cabinets and I’m curious - did you have yours repainted before they were installed? I’m embracing fate and the fact that falling-apart counters mean that I’m going to have to do a kitchen renovation soon, but vacillating about what to do about the cabinets, which are in quite pristine condition. I’m inclined to hang onto them since they are in terrific shape and wear like, well, iron, but I could happily part ways with their current shade of chartreuse… but I’m not sure what one has to do to get good, durable coverage on the metal insides and the textured fronts.
on 15 Nov 2007 at 9:39 am 550sPam

Hi vintage_kitchen. I was very lucky in that my cabinets had their original finish, in great shape. They came from a cooking school that had been run by nuns (!) and had only been used for 8 years since they were installed in 1963. I cleaned them up with fine auto body compound, topped with turtle wax, used an electric buffer.

Regarding your cabinets - I’ve seen ones just like you’re talking about before. I actually kind of grew to like the chartreuse but I can understand your desire to change them, for some reason the color is not conducive to thoughts of food! I have read before of people repainting the cabinets. The best route appears to be an auto body shop, or professional paint shop. This will of course be pricey….There apparently also are now paints from companies like Sherwin-Williams that are supposed to be good for painting metal. So you might try that. Be sure to see the Sherwin-Williams Suburban Modern paint palette (featured in my Categories). Next week, I’ll scan some vintage brochures and show some additional paint colors that were used on steel cabinets.

Finally: Perhaps other readers have some experience repainting these cabinets? Let us know how your experience went! - 50sPam
on 16 Jan 2008 at 12:56 am 650sPam

Readers interested in steel kitchen cabinets:

Be sure to see the Postwar Steel Forum, all about this cabinetry from the 40s, 50s and 60s. Click here to go straight to the forum.
on 03 Feb 2008 at 6:56 pm 7Cate Greb

Pam my sister and I checked out your website. It is AWESOME! Your kitchen came out Beautifull. I know all the hard work you put into it, I’m impressed. Good luck with this site I’ll be visiting more. See you soon.
Cate
on 03 Feb 2008 at 11:04 pm 8Uncle Jack (Jack LeVine)

I’m late to the party, but love your website, and certainly am enthralled with your kitchen.
on 04 Feb 2008 at 3:41 am 950sPam

Thank you, Uncle Jack. I assure you, the party’s just started. Your blog looks awesome as well, I’ll spend more time with it. Along with CSI (my favorite) a voyeuristic view of vintage Vegas - what’s not to like?
on 06 Feb 2008 at 6:11 pm 10connie

Please Help!
Where can I get vinly or lineloum flooring (sheets preferred) that has the bommerang style motif? Or pick and tourquoise pattern?
on 10 Mar 2008 at 1:36 am 11Leru

Hi Pam - Love, love, love your kitchen. You have an obvious passion and talent for mid century decor. Keep up the great work.
and thanks for such an informative site!!

Leru
maplegroveguesthouse (dot) com
A retro place to stay
on 19 Mar 2008 at 11:39 am 12KimR

I hope this is ok but I have listed a Republic Steel kitchen set on ebay and wanted people to know about it. Here is the link.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270220869583&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:1123

Thanks, Kim
on 28 Mar 2008 at 11:57 pm 13HaileeB

Hi Pam, I love your cabinets and the wallpaper pattern you chose (not to mention your clever, spare use of it). But what I’m most surprised to see is the light over your table. I first saw one of these in a friend’s family cabin. I have been looking for one ever since. Where did you find it? Does the pulley system still work?
on 29 Mar 2008 at 12:03 am 1450sPam

Hi HaileeB - Thank you for all your nice comments. Be sure to see the kitchen light that I just posted today (March 28) on the main page. It’s a beauty, looks like it was made by the same company as mine, and is currently up for grabs ebay, which is where I found mine about 2 years ago - in like new condition. And yes, it retracts like a dream. If you send out your vibes - you’ll find one, for sure!
on 05 Apr 2008 at 5:49 am 15Meryl

I just found this fantastic website!! Im hoping someone could steer me in the right direction for a paint brand for the right color of pink.
I built a farmhouse style home on my 5 acres and have tried to stay with a vintage look. I am a vintage enthusiast.
I want to repaint my walls. Here is my problem; I purchased beadboard style inset cabinets in maple finished in a classic winter white stain and then wiped with vandyke brown highlight for an antique look. I forgot on maple that a white stain can take on a pink hue. My ceiling is all tongue and groove and explosed 2×12 ceiling joists amber shellac as are all my double hung windows and pantry doors and floor boards. My counters are butcher block. I originally painted my walls antique white which looks sort of yellow next to the pink shade of the cabinets. After spending hours again at the paint store looking at Benjamin Moore historical and classic colors and not being able to come up with anything that takes the pink look away from the cabinets, it dawned on me that maybe I should be painting the walls ‘pink’!!. Not fight the pink hue of the cabinets but go with it.
So, the problem is what is the color pink I should be using. Benjamin Moore has a pink called ‘Queen Ann pink’ that reminds me of those soft pink tiles you used to see in bathrooms. Any ideas would be so much appreciated.
Thanking you all in advance.
Meryl
on 05 Apr 2008 at 2:03 pm 1650sPam

Hi Meryl. The color palette of choice for most retro renovators is the Sherwin-Williams Suburban Modern collection. It is available in both an interior and exterior series. Take a look at their interior card — and the “Appleblossom” pink. That is an iconic 50s pink and would be the first one I’d recommend that you try. Click here to go directly to that post. Send me some photos at pam@retrorenovation.com! Good luck!
on 06 Apr 2008 at 3:51 am 17Meryl

Thank you Pam. I will email you photos of my cabinets.
Would you be willing to give me imput for my living room walls also?
Thanks in advance.
Meryl
on 11 Apr 2008 at 8:05 am 18Retro Renovation » Ideas for Alice’s yellow Geneva kitchen

[...] Pam’s Kitchen [...]
on 28 Apr 2008 at 7:44 pm 19Helen Katz

Dear Pam,

The other day my husband a copy of “Old House Interiors” - I opened the magazine and saw the exact copy of my kitchen with Geneva cabinets- the same color cabinets, the same door knobs and the same layout. I thought someone had taken a picture of my kitchen.

When we bought the house many years ago the cabinets were pink - we tired of the color and had them painted in aqua.

I don’t know the exact year that the kitchen was renovated by the previous owner, but they left a 39″ Glenwood stove in the basement which I am interested in selling. I’d appreciate it if you could tell me how to go about selling it.

Many thanks

Helen
on 28 Apr 2008 at 9:08 pm 2050sPam

Cool, Helen. You do realize that the Old House Interiors kitchen - is mine? Are you based in Boston? You can post your stove right on the Postwar Steel Forum - on this site. It’s available from Pages or the Navigation bar at the top. Send me pic, too! Many thanks, Pam
on 02 May 2008 at 12:58 pm 21tiel roman

Hi Pam,

I’m in need of tee mouldings. Do you have any left over from your kitchen reno?
on 03 May 2008 at 9:08 am 22linda

I have a full set of 1950’s LYON kitchen cabinets, with original counter tops and sink, including three utility cabinets. Is there any interest or value in this set? if so please contact me ASAP, I’m not sure how long I can store these and would hate to see these go to waste. What a great set of retro cabinets!!!!
on 03 May 2008 at 9:39 am 2350sPam

Linda & others — Cabinets for sale? Post them on the Postwar Steel Forum - on the navigation bar at the top. Be sure to include PHOTOS and your LOCATION. Good luck! Pam
on 06 May 2008 at 1:33 pm 24Debbie I

Hi, Pam

Currently on ebay is a 40 inch frigidaire Flair which would look great in your kitchen! I’ve considered buying it myself, as I have one not quite as nice I’m cleaning up.

Beautiful!
on 06 May 2008 at 9:43 pm 25Alice

Hi Pam,
I noticed in the photo of your kitchen that your fridge is the same depth as your cabinets. I am having trouble locating a fridge that works with the depth of my Geneva cabinets…what brand is your fridge and do you mind if I ask the depth?
on 06 May 2008 at 9:55 pm 2650sPam

Hi Alice. I have been meaning to do a post on fridges for a while and will try to get to it soon. My fridge is a Sub-Zero 42″ side-by-side with the “old fashioned” grille at the top, and white metal panels (from Sub-Zero) applied. It was the total splurge of the kitchen. It is counter-depth. I chose it because it was the only fridge I really found that had true retro styling, was counter-depth, and went 84″ tall - all the way to my soffit, which I needed as I did not have cabinetry for above the fridge. It’s the 642 side-by-side found here: http://www.subzero.com/BuiltInRefrigeration/642Refrigerator

Go to the second photo and that’s my fridge, although you cannot see the panels.
on 06 May 2008 at 10:04 pm 2750sPam

Thanks, Debbie I!

I saw my first Frigidaire Flair at an estate sale about 5 years ago, before I was truly in the market. They are fantastic! Send me a picture of yours and your project! As for a new/old stove going into my kitchen - my husband demands the next one be gas. Warning to all: Ensure that if you pick up an old gas stove, that it has “CP” - automatic safey pilot. You do not want to be match-lighting and many states outlaw non-CP stove. I learned the hard day. A story for another day.
on 06 May 2008 at 10:26 pm 28Alice

Thanks for the quick response Pam! Hoping that you won’t regret turning around your answers so quickly, I have two more for you:
I’ve noticed in some 1950’s advertisements a wall-mounted dishwasher…which to me makes a lot more sense than our modern version that you have to bend over to empty. Are you aware of any modern wall-mounted versions?

Question two: I can’t tell from these photos what you main countertop surface is…did you use laminate and then put on the steel edgin?

Okay, three questions: Were copper accents ever used? (i.e. copper edging)
on 06 May 2008 at 10:26 pm 29Alice

I apologize for the type-o’s!
on 07 May 2008 at 12:45 am 30Chris

Wow. Just… wow.
on 07 May 2008 at 1:12 am 3150sPam

Alice - The Colbert Report (re-run on Comedy Central at 8 p.m.) is over so I’m back at the blog:

1. Re wall-mounted dishwashers: I don’t have the answer to this one. I do know someone who “raised” their dishwasher in their circa 2002 country kitchen - but I was under the impression that there was simply cabinetry, like a drawer, underneath. On the other hand, I have seen a number of vintage kitchens with ovens that were higher up (as in the link, below); never a dishwasher, though, although now I will keep my eyes out.

2. My countertop is laminate - Formica’s Skylark/boomerang laminate in aqua. The steel edging is mounted over it. See my post today on edging!

3. Regarding coppertone edging - I have never seen it. But, coppertone was very very popular throughout 50s kitchens. Even, on cabinetry. See this post for coppertone to the max: http://retrorenovation.com/2008/02/29/50s-kitchen-american-brand-coppertone-and-wood-combo/

To see a couple of other posts regarding coppertone - search “Copper” or “Coppertone” in the Search box. Finally, I will add that the are some ‘bronze’ stoves and fridges today - I kinda like them. They have a very retro feel to me.
on 14 May 2008 at 5:37 pm 32sharper

Hi all,
That kitchen is great!
I’ve got a project of a teardrop trailer, with the same feel as that kitchen, and trying to find 50’s and 60’s furnishings for the kitchen and sleeping compartment.

What I need specifically is some aqua or turquoise fabric with boomerangs on it, to match or coordinate with the same turquoise with boomerang vinyl I have on the countertop. I don’t need much, just enough for the two tiny windows on the doors, and perhaps some for throw pillows. I’ve looked everywhere that I can think of, been through hundreds of sites from google searches, but can’t find what I want. There is ONE fabric that is aqua with boomerangs, but it doesn’t have the right “feel” to it. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
on 14 May 2008 at 11:23 pm 3350sPam

Hi sharper –

The atomic barkcloth in my kitchen valance comes from melinamade.com. It’s a great match to the aqua Formica boomerang laminate - which I also used. What do you think? Please make it into pinch pleats, sir!!! No rod pockets!

And, send me a pic of your trailer. We want to see! We all want vintage trailers, too — to go with our vintage houses! Pam

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