Remember the Sunbeam appliance center (pictured at the bottom) that I bought myself for my birthday? Well, I recently saw this ad for another one, from Westinghouse. Isn’t it just spectacular?

Why these never caught on, I don’t quite understand. Probably the expense…But oh, as a design statement – well worth the investment. These are one of my favorite midcentury kitchen features – ever.

DESIGN TIP: Notice the nice little set of shelves built between two wall cabinets. A nice touch for collectibles, cookbooks or even appliances. Keep it tidy, though! Also a brilliant idea if you’re installing salvaged cabinets, and don’t have quite the right fit; see if you can make the shelves with extra cabinet frames cut down to fit…The idea in a postwar kitchen is to go for the “fitted look.”

This post was originally published on May 15, 2008.

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In response to Friday’s post on the patriotic 40s kitchen, Josh writes:I’m in love with that sink. Do they still make any like that? Thanks for the question, Josh. Unfortunately, not that I know of. But, I have some recommendations:

These porcelain-enamel-on-cast-iron or steel drainboard sinks were UBIQUITOUS in the postwar period, so you can find one if you are patient. Watch your Habitat for Humanity/Restore or local Re-Sell type place, Craigslist, my Postwar Steel Forum, and ebay. The one at the left (no drainboards, though, and in reality a ‘farmhouse sink) was recently on ebay – mint in packaging, never used and it went for about $400. Honestly, if I were looking for one of these – I would hold out until I found one in near-perfect shape.

In addition, watch historichouseparts.com, one of my favorite places. The first sink (below) was for sale on their site for $725, and count on a hefty shipping charge, too. Others shown are sold for the most part, check in frequently and I’m sure they’ll be glad to help:

I also recently found a site, thisoldtubandsink.com that says it specializes in vintage porcelain-on-cast-iron pieces, including refinishing. Honestly, I cannot vouch for the refinishing work – and from what I know about this, it can be truly tricky. But this merchant certainly also seem to have a number of as-is pieces in good shape such as this 42×25 double sink at $635. There are other pieces with drainboards as well:

Finally — I recently saw a couple of vintage drainboard sinks in Rejuvenation’s salvage yard, for those of you in the Portland, Oregon area.

And, don’t forget – that another very viable alternative, are the Elkay Lustertone stainless steel sinks made in the 50s and still available today. While they may not be as “sweet” as the white porcelain, they are probably in reality – more functional, as stainless steel does not chip, is very sanitary, and is easy to keep clean. I’ve done a number of posts on these in the past, click here for the most recent.

If you are looking for a vintage drainboard sink, be sure that the length and width will fit your space – and that the height of the integral backsplash will work for you as well. You’ll also need to “mate” the sink to the adjacent countertops, I don’t have any advice on this…

Again – there were millions of these made. For example, in the immediate (and less affluent) postwar period from 1946-early 50s, the sink cabinet/drainboard sink combo was marketed heavily as a standalone piece to be integrated into farmhouse kitchens — the Mrs. would keep her wood cabinets, only buy the steel sink base and complementary sink/drainboard. There were big names all over this action, too — Kohler, American Standard, Youngstown. That’s why you see so many sink bases ONLY (as in the photos from historichouseparts.com, above) for sale.

Finally, in further researching Josh’s question, I found two reproduction sinks that are made currently – both are very pre-war and are really meant as farmhouse style sinks to stand on legs or freestanding. Note, most cabinets today and in the 50s on, were 25″ deep.

Here’s the Nottingham Brass Sandford sink, it’s 42″x21″ and $969 free shipping from signaturehardware.com:


And here’s a Strom sink sold as Clarion by plumbingsupply.com (and others) at $1599 plus $175 shipping:

This Retro Renovation post was originally published on March 24, 2008.

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This kitchen from a vintage Caloric advertisement makes me very happy. And, I recently discovered that my wonderful graphic designer Suzy says her mom had one almost exactly like it! To be sure, this planked door-style is one of my all time favorites! It would be very nice in a classic western storybook ranch. Want to create one of your very own? Read on:

Some of my very favorite cabinets, from Omega. Finish choice: Autumn Birch:

You can get cabinet pulls just like this from Amerock, but in black:

Several wallpapers are from the usual sources – scroll over the images to ID them. Note, I included the first choice, which is clearly not bandana red, because I thought it had the same feel. And, be sure to scroll over that second one a couple of times – freaky optical illusion thing.

Arpa has good-looking yellow laminates. Yellow neon laminate, too, from Formica:

About as basic as you can get today for an electric stovetop. From GE:

About as basic as you can get today for a built-in double oven. From GE:

The floor is from Congoleum. Go look their Commercial section, under tiles, and also see their Commercial sheet. Lots of great choices:

This Retro Renovation classic post has been updated from the original first published May 19, 2008.

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I recently found this image of 10 original paint colors for St. Charles steel kitchen cabinets. I believe that these are circa 1957.

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Glamorlux Nancy in Fairfax, Virginia, is updating her 50s kitchen and has her inspiration photo all ready to go. The kitchen is already quite nice looking – the overall feel of the space is terrific, and the cabinets are well-made. Nancy’s chosen her countertop and has her hardware… but she still is pondering what color… or colors… to paint her original 50s cabinets…and the accent – or not – for her new Azrock Cortina floor tiles.

Nancy writes:

Hi Pam,

I’ve seen on your site where you and your readers provide ideas for “remodeling” vintage kitchens and baths… Well, here is our kitchen, pre-restoration.

As far as I can tell, a lot is original – cabinets, GE Textolite countertops (golden beige twilight), and plastic “copper” tile backsplash. However, it is very late 50’s, and we prefer a “prettier” early 50’s look. I want our new color scheme to include: aqua (turquoise), pale yellow, red and white.

The original Textolite counters are sort of beat up and lack the metal banding, so we are planning on replacing them. We’ve already purchased the aqua boomerang Formica laminate and stainless steel banding to make the new countertops. Since the copper tiles are only over the range, we are planning on removing them, and then making a taller backsplash on the countertops.

The flooring is obviously not original. I ordered some samples off of the Azrock website, and they came within a few days! My favorite is called Cirrus V-785… (and I want to use this) for the majority of the floor, with a diagonal or random pattern of Azrock’s “Spearmint”, “Honey” and “Coral Reef”…. But, my husband said that might be too much with the boomerang countertops. Our kitchen will have a Mexican theme, so we’re going for a festive look. …

As I mentioned in another email, we’ve been going back and forth on whether to paint our 1959 wood cabinets. I’m really not into the wood look, although I know it was very desirable in the 50’s. Do you think we’d regret painting them? They are worn and slightly water-damaged in areas, so if I kept the natural wood, I’d have to refinish them anyway (which I don’t particularly relish doing). We are now thinking about painting the cabinet “structure” white, but then having the doors and drawer fronts yellow and/or coral. I’ve seen this done in vintage magazines… Do you like that look? The original Amerock cabinet hardware is gold, so I found the same style in chrome on eBay. Oh well, one thing I’ve learned from pouring over vintage “Better Homes and Gardens” magazines is that really “anything goes” when it comes to decorating a 50’s kitchen!

And, thanks for the compliment about the kitchen. It is definitely not a “chef’s kitchen” and the counter space is practically nil. We’ll be adding some shelving on the wall where the Cosco cart and microwave are now. Ha, ha – I wonder how many potential buyers took one look at the kitchen (and the pink bathroom) and decided the house wasn’t for them! I’m including some “inspiration” pictures I’ve collected, to give you an idea of what feel we’re going for. Any ideas are welcome!

Thanks so much,
Nancy

First of all, Nancy, I am so impressed with all your hard, focused work. You are someone who Gets Things Done. You go, girl! My thoughts on your questions:

• Remember how Jerry Seinfeld used to joke that when you have a bad headache, you want to take just enough aspirin to kill you – but then back off a tad so that you don’t? That’s the way I tend to feel about decoration and color…. Lay it on, but then edit it back some and you will be happier. In that vein (if that makes sense): I vote with your husband. That Cirrus floor will look beautiful and has enough going on in its own right that you don’t need to add diagonals or other color punches. I also believe your eye needs somewhere to rest as it dances happily around your happy kitchen.
• Regarding the cabinets: Go ahead and paint ‘em and never look back! Another idea: Base cabinets one (darker) color, wall cabinets another (lighter) color.
• And Retro Renovation Peanut Gallery: Be sure to chime in with your ideas, too!

All that said — Nancy, you seem to have great instincts and have really thought a lot about this. So don’t get too stressed out and ultimately – trust your own heart. We can’t wait to see the finished job – thanks for sharing!

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Look at these two – “Bronwyn the Bad Visualizer” and husband Greg. I have to say: They are even cuter than the vintage pinch pleats in the background. And you know how I feel about pinch pleats. Bronwyn wrote to me … in July (gulp, I’ve been overwhelmed.) She tells me it’s also taken this long for her to get a contractor on the line – so there’s still time for us to muddle up her brains with alternatives

Hi Pam,

Love your website (and your love for Stephen Colbert)!  My husband and I are in the midst of partially redoing a 1950’s kitchen in Culver City, California (i.e. Los Angeles).  We’ve got a tiny galley kitchen with the original wooden cabinets and also black and white checker floor tiles (which we are keeping).  We are definitely replacing the countertops with Formica Aqua boomerang.  My first question is about backsplash.  I notice  that in most of the 50’s photos, the kitchen sinks usually have windows over them and therefore just a 4-inch Formica backsplash.  Ours is up against a wall. We’d like to have a full backsplash because we are…well, splashy. We were thinking of putting in white tiles with some black accents to mimic the floor.   Do you think tile would make sense?  Would that pattern look appropriate next to the boomerang countertops?  We’re trying not to be “too busy” as the kitchen is rather small and we don’t want to look too circusy in there.  Any suggestions?  Also, our walls are currently painted aqua and I feel that that is going to be too much if we have the aqua counters.  Any good, simple, contrast ideas?  Thank you so much for any suggestions.

Most Sincerely,

Bronwyn the Bad Visualizer

Of course, I asked Bronwyn more information about her house – and of course, there are some great stories. So keep reading to get to that part.

Meanwhile, regarding the backsplash:

• I discussed this with my number-one go-to source on color issues — my husband David, who has a really great eye. He has made the point that given the small size of your kitchen….that it opens into the dining room where there is more going on… that you’ve got a beautiful new Fridge coming… and the fact that you will soon have aquamarine countertops – a simple, calming-force backsplash is advisable. I looked at it from every angle (literally) with him, and agree:
• Plain, satin finish, 4×4s – running horizontally (not in diamonds as now), will allow other more important aspects of your kitchen to shine.  We don’t think that even little splashes of black are advisable – the black wants to dominate too much.
• Regarding wall color, first keep the aqua that you have and see how that looks. But, for the wall, calming white might also be the best. You can add accent color in any number of ways via your accessories.

Gosh, no one will actually believe I am finally recommending: White!

So now, more from Bronwyn, who tells me that her name is Welsh, although she is not. Her father named her after a character in “How Green Was My Valley”:

Hi Pam,

I love our stove too!!  It is an O’Keefe & Merritt Stove. I believe that O’Keefe & Merritt was a big Los Angeles stove company, but alas is no more. I had the stove repaired recently and the repairman said to NEVER replace it–it would last forever.

We don’t have a pink bathroom–we have a funky green one!  If you’re up for it, I actually have some tile-related questions on the bathroom too, but since I don’t want to overwhelm you, I’ll hold back unless you’re really interested…:) [ Post to come - Pam]

Greg is a musician and works on scores for film and television.   I…currently work at a health policy organization in an editorial capacity (that’s the shortest way to describe my job).

As for why we like retro stuff….I was born that way. Greg and I love the detail and thought of past eras. People put so much more effort into architecture, clothing, hair…anything. We love that attention and love for detail that defines Americana.  Although I love the 50’s, my favorite is the 1930’s-40’s.

Also–Pam, I should have mentioned. We had those polka-dotted curtains in the dining room made when we moved in.  Not sure how “authentic” looking they really are, but we just thought the that the material was cute and went for it.

As for the story….we purchased the house in 2005.  Shirley had died in 2001 so there was one other owner Paula) before us.   Back in 2005, the LA housing market was hot and buyers practically had to beg to buy houses.   We looked at all available (10) houses on this side of LA  that day.    We were depressed because all of the houses in our price range were right on the side of the freeway or literally the last house before the end of the runway at the Santa Monica airport.    The only house that we liked (actually loved) was this one!     Paula had decorated the living room like a 1950’s beauty salon (I actually thought an old lady lived there and had a business). The house was on the market 5 days–never had an open house–and Paula had to move immediately.  She had 3 offers.  Right before we made our offer, Greg and I were sort of stalking the house and managed to “run into” Paula and introduced ourselves.   Long story short, we eventually got the house.  We found out from our agent that we didn’t even have the best offer, but Paula liked us because she knew we’d maintain the integrity of the house (i.e. not tear it down and build a McMansion)

Shirley didn’t get married until she was in her 50’s so she never had kids.   When she died, the neighbor sold the house and just left the dining room set with it.  It just fits the room and wouldn’t make sense anywhere else.   But since she has no children, Greg and I like to pretend that we are her kids!

When we moved in, we inherited the dining room set, the original blueprints, the original contract on the house (it’s about 10 pages), Shirley’s wedding album (Shirley married Ferdinand in the 1970’s), several slides with photos of the house, and Ferdinand’s extensive record album collection!    We don’t know much about “Ferd” other than he LOVED music.  We have his fantastic record collection–complete with his hand-typed index card filing system–of big band, Christmas music, Reader’s Digest albums, and Elvis! Last year for my birthday, Greg bought me a record player and we are known to push back the furniture and dance to Ferdinand and Shirley’s music.

Bronwyn

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Ooooh. Look at this – a St. Charles kitchen with wood fronts! As longtime readers know, part of the history of steel kitchen cabinets was their fight vs. wood cabinets. Toward the end … as steel started to lose out… you started to see the mash up of wood and steel. In particular – wood doors, with their painting and repair flexibiity, onto the strong steel bases.

Click thru to read on, and see 12 photos in all —>

In this kitchen, note the cool Railite countertops – Jennifer, I would be forever indebted if you could send us a clearer photo, we are all diagnosed vintage voyeurs — and the Revco refrigerator-freezer looks quite terrific as well. All for sale now, retro renovators.

Pam,

I’ve attached a PDF of the cabinet documentation, which was done in 1956. Basically the kitchen has:

- a built in Tappan EoLV-10 oven (stainless steel) – it’s the first thing that caught my eye! That’s cool – very retro… someone would like that… I said…
- a built in Tappan ERF cooktop (SS)
- a Revco fridge/freezer – like a soft brown color

Countertops – Railite – white with like a gold pattern on it

Stainless steel sink – fan above stovetop.

Cabinets – see the attached for the actual count of units. The fronts are wood, the inside is like a harvest gold color. The lady had covered each shelf with contact paper, so it came off and the insides are in really good condition. The outsides of most of the cabinets look really good. There are a few cabinet fronts with some wear.

I suppose I could try ebay or craigs list, but then I came across your site. You have great taste. I’m not retro, but am artsy and appreciate good style – you’ve got it!!

This 92 year lady kept everything. It’s like walking back into time…. Her daughter who sold it to us said that her mother got this state of the art kitchen in the 50’s… It’s held up well.

Jennifer Whiteford
Rockford, IL – about 90 miles northwest of Chicago

Thank you so much!

If any readers are interested, contact Jennifer directly at cjjwhiteford@mac.com. Good luck and thanks for working with us to find this kitchen a happy retro home, Jennifer.

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• Put it on a rod that wraps around your horizontal 2″ blinds, or stretches in front of them from cabinet-to-cabinet or cubby-to-cubby.

This valance is a real steal at $15!

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Longtime readers will recall my fixation with 50s and 60s electric plug-in devices to organize all the wonderful wife-saving appliances on the top of your kitchen countertop. Remember these previous posts?:

• Happy birthday to me – my Sunbeam birthday present!
• And this Westinghouse model.

This time around — a whole cabinet! Yummy! Anyone have one of these, I wanna see it live! Image: Vintage Sunbeam.

Source: American Home, April 1959.

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Yes – if you love Betty’s knotty pine, 50s kitchen – you can recreate one for your own home. And if you’re not into scouting for vintage items – don’t worry, you can do it with all-new products and materials available today.

The keys to this kitchen are the knotty pine cabinets, of course…the laminate countertop with metal edging…the cabinet hardware…and the wallpaper. Pull them together with new or vintage appliances – and a goodly number of knick knacks — and you’re in business. Supply your own lechery, heartache, intrigue and backstabbing. Here is the checklist:

Here are links to previous posts with more detailed information about a number of these resources:

• Knotty pine cabinets from Cabico
• Amerock pulls and cabinet hardware
• Green nevamar marrakesh laminate for the countertop
• Stainless steel edging three piece installation
• Streaky floor tiles from Azrock

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