Welcome to Retro Renovation® — your regular dose of mid century and vintage renovation and decorating resources… design inspiration… fun finds… and an archive of stories from an enthusiastic community of people all interested in cherishing their mid century and older homes.
Our focus here, first and foremost, is to help you find the products and sources you need to help remodel, renovate and decorate your house in authentic mid century style. We feature some sources for pre-war and post-modern homes as well. We’re here to help you get the job done — doing the research so you don’t have to.
Note: After 15 years — 3,000 stories! — this site has entered a new stage. Today, my focus is working to keep existing resource stories up to date so the site remains a solid reference. And, I want to continue to improve the site as an historical reference around things like steel kitchen cabinets, a longtime passion. To make time, I don’t blog as much, and comments are closed.
How can you make the most of the blog and its archive of 3,000+ stories about resources & inspiration:
- Dive into all our categories (in the navigation along the top of the page) and you will see, we have lots of research into all the products you might need to remodel and decorate. Along the way, we have lotsa other fun, too — always showing great gratitude and respect for the houses — and their owners — who came before us.
- And, important for anyone taking on an older home:
Renovating, remodeling and living in our midcentury and vintage homes can be gratifying, but please always remember, there can be safety and environmental hazards in the surfaces, layers, materials and products in our homes. Anything old, even New Old Stock, that you buy also may have issues. We all care very much about managing safety and environmental issues properly, so when moving into a home … when undertaking cleaning, repair, remodeling or restoration projects … or when adding old materials (salvaged, used, new old stock, etc.)… be sure to get with your own properly licensed professionals to determine what you are dealing with/working with so that you can make informed decisions how to handle, become familiar with and use recommended best practices, and also learn about the proper disposal of debris, etc. Read more: See our Be Safe / Renovate Safe page … the EPA hosts a website on lead paint in the home and a website on asbestos in the home, etc. Consult professionals regarding these materials, and also about the proper disposal of debris, etc.
<– I’m Pam Kueber. That’s me with my crazy wallpaper office … that’s my kitchen above — and this my blog, oh I luv it so. Doing all the research to find products to backdate my 1951 colonial-ranch house in Lenox, Mass., is what got me into this online escapade. In the course of my endless hunt to find products and design ideas sympathetic to my house’s undeniable mid-century bones, I got…. obsessed… I learned a lot… and I figured, why not share all my finds with other folks undertaking the same journey. And now – you have arrived!
This blog has lots about *modest, mid-century, middle-class* homes — ranches, Capes, Colonials, split-levels, contemporaries, bungalows. I also write about sleek *mid-century modern homes*… I love them all, but admit that I tend to worry more about the modest homes (themselves full of charm) being at more serious risk of being gutted, with regrets to follow later. Interestingly, both mid-century modern and mid-century modest homes shared many of the same technological features and design cues (like pink bathrooms) inside. For further info see my Mid-Century Modest Manifesto and my micro-site SaveThePinkBathrooms.com.
What’s covered here? Well: The design aesthetic of retro interiors, exteriors, culture, people, steel kitchen cabinets, colors, pink kitchens, pink bathrooms, hudee rings, pecky cypress, illustrations with people playing accordians, wallpaper, pinch pleat curtains, mint-in-box items — and readers’ fabulous jewel box houses, too. Get ready to be sucked into the retro vortex.
More info:
Above: As featured in the New York Times — yup, read all about our escapades in this 2,200-word feature story that appeared on p.1 of the Home & Garden section on Aug. 18, 2011.
Fast forward 10 years and another New York Times story called me “…the godmother of midcentury kitchens and baths, steering a new generation of homeowners to the four-inch square tiles that dominated homes for decades.” teehee
Oh, and here’s me showing off one of my office remodel. My friend Denise and I pasted about 200 squares of vintage wallpaper on the four walls, creating a crazy patchwork quilt (note: there is method in this madness) of 18 different designs of wallpaper. We celebrated by getting all Love American Style Gothic with the photo.
Hey, see me talkin’ about Mid Century Modest in this etsy.com video:
Press Coverage
2018 … I kinda stopped keeping track
2017
- Wall Street Journal: Big story on time capsule houses. I am the “subject matter expert.”
- Washington Post: Hey, we got a shout out!
2015-2016…
- HGTV.com: In Defense of Pink Bathrooms — A Q&A with me
- Chronicle TV: Big story on my house and my kitchen and the Retro Renovation Revolution!
- Washington Post: The TV-watching public’s long love affair with tray tables
- The Times of London: Something is happening in smart bathrooms — Designers say pink is back after a long absence.
- WFMJ-TV: Effort to Bring Back 1948 Youngstown steel kitchen cabinets
- Ummm: I got out of the habit of updating press coverage of the blog…. I’ll work on it again at some point… maybe.
2014
- New York Times: “When Blogging Becomes a Slog” (but not for me — I am the wise old owl)
- Huffington Post: The 10 Best Renovation Websites for Living out your Dream Home Fantasies.
- Der Standard newspaper profiled the blog. It was in German, so I’m not sure what it said. But I asked on Facebook, and a reader told me it said that, “You are now as loved as David Hasselhof in Germany.”
2013
- Fixing to Die: Retro Renovation® and a reader remodel featured on the blog inspired the setting and story line for Elaine Viets’ “restoration comedy” murder mystery, Fixing to Die. The book debuted #9 on the Barnes & Noble paperback list.
- Yankee Magazine: Six-page story in Sept./Oct. issue — 1.7 million readers! — about the blog and my house. “Fifties and Fabulous.”
- Globe and Mail: Loud and proud 1970s chalet
- Columbus Post-Dispatch: Back to the bones: Restoring ’50s homes
- California Home + Design: Celebrating Midcentury Modest
2012
- Ft. Lauderdale Magazine: Midcentury Modern Architecture Makes a Comeback
- Minneapolis Star-Tribune: Vintage Vibe
- Hamilton (Ont.) Spectator: Kitchens Cook Down Memory Lane
- msn.com: What we can learn from 1970s homess
- The Daily Mail (London) online: Give your Home the Mad Men Look! How one blogger inspires retro renovating tips.
- Blog Aids in Renovation of ‘Mid-Century Modest’ Homes. Nationally syndicated story appeared in newspapers including:
- Akron Beacon Journal
- Seattle Times
- Miami Herald
- Detroit Free Press (twice!)
- Palm Springs Desert Sun
- San Antonio Express
- Baltimore Sun
- Kansas City Star
- Toledo Blade
- Eau Claire Leader-Telegram
- Ogden (UT) Standard-Examiner
- canada.com
- …and more.
Summer 2011
- New York Times 2,200-word profile about Retro Renovation and its readers: Restoring the Retro House
- St. Louis Post-Dispatch — Preserve the Pink (bathroom)
- msn.com — New Respect for the Ranch House
- Portland (Oregon) Monthly Magazine Online — Sofa Shopping
- The Oregonian/Oregon Live — The Retro Queen
Feb 2011
Jan 2011
- Minneapolis Star-Tribune: Bathrooms Still In the Pink
- Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: Name that Home Fad
December 2010
October 2010
- AP interviews Pam for story, Used Building Materials a Hit Among Home Owners, that runs in news outlets nationwide.
August 2010
- Arizona Daily Star: That 50s Tile with Style
- Home is a Four-Letter Word: Penny Pinching with the Stars
- Home is a Four-Letter Word: Lovin’ the 50s
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
- Etsy.com video profile.
January 2010
- Knoxville News – Maribeth’s 1970s retro renovation
- Finalist and 4th place winner in Apartment Therapy’s annual contest to name the best home design blog of 2009
June 2009
April 2009
March 2009
- Eugene, Oregon Register-Guard on retro revival and home show talks
- Our tour of the St. Louis 1995 time capsule home covered by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
- Desert Living Magazine
Dec. 3, 2008
- Pam talks with the National Kitchen & Bath Association about retro kitchen design popularity
Sept. 29, 2008
March 2008
- Pam’s kitchen on Apartment Therapy
Winter 2008
Fall 2007
November 8, 2007 — News Release, PRWeb
Thanks and Credits: Many thanks to the many folks who have helped, and continue to help, make this blog possible. Including:
- The rockin’ readers who help feed the blog day in and day out with their tips and projects!
- All the advertisers who make doing this work fulltime possible.
- Margaret Roach, for all your support. AwayToGarden.com, Margaret Roach Media.
- Brad and all the Webdev and Maintainn team, for keeping the online bogeybots at bay. WebDevStudios.
- Erica Berger, for making me look good. Erica Berger Photography.
- Kit Latham, for helping me get into the dot.com world. KitLatham.com.
- Suzy Massey, for design support. PhoenixMassey Studio.
- WordPress, for a great blogging platform that has made it possible for so many new voices to find their communities. wordpress.com
dogsRbetter says
Currently in the process of measuring my steel kitchen cabinets. I will be offering the entire lot tat reasonable cost to someone who will appreciate them. The sink is not available and the sink unit itself has rust issues at the bottom. I think they will clean up nicely. In addition I have a steel Hoosier unit and an extra steel lower cabinet to be included. The entire package I would say is in fair to good condition for age. Needs condition TLC and a fresh color. Few uppers available. I will be taking photos of each piece along with measurements ASAP. If interested please let me know. Cindy
pam kueber says
Hi Cindy, no buying/selling here on the main blog or it would be chaos. Take sales over to our forum: https://retrorenovation.com/forums/
Wendy Lindquist says
Hi all – This is my first comment although I read RR website on a daily basis these days. I’ve lived in Chicago in vintage buildings (early 1900s) for 35 years. A year ago August I moved to a ‘new’ condo in a high rise right on Lake Michigan, – a dream come true for me! I’m now on the 7th floor of a building built in 1963 – so MCM/Retro has been a fun challenge, trying to incorporate years of collecting vintage & Swedish (my heritage) into a new & somewhat unfamiliar era. I figured my first big project would be to paint my original robin egg blue metal Geneva kitchen cabinets white (I had NOTHING that blended with THAT blue!), and replace my blue bathtubs, toilets and bathroom tile. But that was not in my immediate budget. You may now breath a major sigh of relief, because THANKFULLY, I found this website and not only did NOT paint/replace, but have become educated about the true treasure that I have in my new home and have very comfortably incorporated both eras! Decorating and collecting have always been passions. I’m happily shopping on Craigslist, and at thrift stores & Goodwill again for what I’ve coined ‘inexpensive experiments vs. expensive mistakes’ – paying almost nothing for pole lamps, furniture, table lamps, ceiling fixtures, etc… If something doesn’t ‘work’ – I’m not out much.
Here’s my question (finally – sorry!) My kitchen cabinets are in great shape for being 52 years old, BUT they need a good cleaning. I tried a couple cleaners in an inconspicuous spot but unfortunately the paint came off. I have a can of paint that is very near their color. But what can I use to CLEAN off the grease and grime from over the years? Thanks for any suggestions!
pam kueber says
Hi Wendy, and welcome out of lurking status!
I have Genevas. They were only used for 8 years so the paint was still thick etc. To clean them, we used products meant for cleaning and polishing cars. I recommend you go to a shop that handles classic cars and ask them what they recommend.
Note: For the basic cleaning of my cabinets I recall we used very fine auto body compound. We went very very slow, as they does take off paint. But just a wee bit. We had started with a heavier grit — and fortunately on a tester cabinet that we were not going to use — and it took the paint off. Ouch. So that’s when we went down to fine auto body compound.
FINALLY and IMPORTANTLY for anyone reading this: The old paint may have lead. Do your own research – consult with your own properly licensed professionals — to assess what you have and how to make informed decisions.
Eileen Herlihy says
Try rubbing alcohol. It cuts the grease quickly! I have used it on lots of items. Greasy heater grates, stove top fan grates, top of stove hoods. Its non toxic, cheap, and the smell evaporates. Again check on an inconspicuous place. It has not taken off any paint for me. But still test it.
Renee Shanker says
Hi,
I am renovating my kitchen in White Plains, NY and am looking for a fabricator who will make a laminate counter with stainless steel edging. I called one laminate guy who said he doesn’t do that. I also called NY Metal however they will not give out references. Do you know anyone in Westchester or the Bronx who does this work?
pam kueber says
Hi Renee, we have a national audience, so I don’t have local recommendations. I suggest: Keep trying around.
Liz Campbell says
Hi! I was wondering if you can tell me how I can get the instructions on how to make the light that is shown on Pinterest that is made from the crystal vases and glasses? I believe it was named “Put a light in it, 24 bulb upcycled pendant lighting. Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated.
pam kueber says
We did this video that might help: https://retrorenovation.com/2011/03/18/video-make-pendant-lights-out-of-thrifty-vintage-finds-put-a-bulb-in-it/
jeff says
any idea where I can purchase some tile window sills? I need 3 or 4 pale yellow with little tiny spots. very common in mid century homes in florida but can’t find any replacements. thanks!
pam kueber says
I don’t know the answer to this one. Could you use glass cut to size? Go to a glass store / shower door store. Or: How about those marble pieces used in doorways?
JOSEPHINE LARKE says
I would like to purchase some old mosaic time. You
have no number to call?
Josephine Larke
pam kueber says
We do not sell anything here, Josephine. Go to our Bathroom Help / Tile subcategory for all our research on this subject. https://retrorenovation.com/category/bathroom-categories/tile/
CHRIS says
I HAVE A QUESTION I BOUGHT ALL OF THE CUPBOARDS OUT OF A 1940 S KITCHEN AND WE WANT TO GIVE THEM BACK SOME LIFE MY BRO IN LAW SANDED THEM AND PUT A TYPE OF RUSTOLEUM PAINT ON IT AND NOW IT ISNT SMOOTH ANYMORE BUT FEELS VERY RUFF PLEASE IN THE EASIEST WORDS YOU CAN COULD YOU TELL ME WHAT MIGHT HELP TO GET IT BACK TO THE FEELING OF SOFT ON THE CABINETS TY VERY MUCH WILL BE WAITING FOR YOUR RESPONSE TY CHRIS
Colleen Flack says
They are metal right? I wonder if after sanding he cleaned them perfectly, the bumps could be caused by dust. You might try a small door, lightly sand it till its smooth, clean all the dust off, and when it’s 100% dry, repaint it. If that gave the results you want, you need to carry on. We have all been there,it’s a mundane job, you have our support and sympathy).
Another thought, I once painted an old metal bed indoors in the winter. I cracked the window open and left it overnight to dry. The bed got cold and the paint dried bumpy, and I learned another lesson.
Good luck
pam kueber says
Chris / Colleen and others: Please remember that old cabinets may contain paint with lead. Be sure to consult with your own properly licensed professional to assess what you have so that you can make informed decisions.
Re repainting steel cabinetry: We are not experts, but readers have tried different things with various results. See our Kitchen Help / Steel Kitchens subcategory to get to those stories.
Melinda says
Wet sand with increasingly fine sandpaper, available in auto stores. Start with 1000, if not happy with that, then go to 1500, and to 2000 if you’re really going for it. I went to 2000 and then buffed with rubbing compound (also at auto store) and my cabinets are amazing now. And really, WET sand, not dry sand.
pam kueber says
Again: Beware lead paint issues; consult with your own properly licensed pro to assess what you have so that you can make informed decisions
Lisa B. says
Better link – http://tinyurl.com/onp3jv4 Very cool 1951 ranch – no longer on market – just really interested in the builtin BBQ’s in both kitchens, love to know the manufacturer!
Lisa B. says
Does anyone know what kind of BBQ this is built-in to the basement kitchen? http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/fsba_lt/house_type/2102235640_zpid/1950-1957_built/size_sort/37.505368,-79.823914,33.651208,-85.646667_rect/7_zm/0_mmm/
pam kueber says
I don’t know for sure, but Nutone is a good bet.
DeEtta Aljets says
Good Morning, We have lived for 42 years in a house built in 1950 or 1951 and have never remodeled the kitchen!! Have added a dishwasher, great stove, and new frig, etc. but am still using my old KITCHEN QUEEN sink by the CRANE CO.!!!! Also, have the same cabinets (wood) made that year. Anyway – after all these years and the home having housed 9 children and their parents, the old Kitchen Queen needs new hrdware, especially the pulls and two knobs on the drawers and doors. Thanks to my husband, the faucets still work, but the spray mechanism is gone.
Do you have ANY clue as to where I could obtain replacement hardware and perhaps, faucet and spray set??We’v used this thing so crazy long that now, instead of throwing it out, I’m actually starting to “like” it and would like to restore it. ANY help you could give me would be appreciated. We live in the middle of North Dakota, so have no restoration stores or such close to us. Thanks so much!!
pam kueber says
Hi DeEtta, thanks for your email. For Crane, contact deabath.com — that’s where I would start.