Retro Renovation

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 [...]

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Hot item! You know how much I love these!

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I am SO obsessed with steel kitchen cabinets. Where in the world did I get that, it is so weird. I also am fascinated with anything vintage from Sears & Roebuck and these cabinets in Minnesota are very snappy indeed.

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Maggie writes,
Pam..thanks for your great photos. I’m moving back to my childhood home and restoring the 1959 kitchen. I’m looking for the silver color trim ring that seals in the TURQUOISE porcelain sink! That matches the turquoise wall oven and stove-top and the white, black and turquoise design in the floor! Thank [...]

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Magbot writes:
Pam, I’ve been following your saga since you first found your kitchen cabinets (can’t recall how I found out, probably mentioned in some other design blog), and swooning over your gorgeous reno. I fervently hope to someday redo a mid-C ranch as impeccably as you have.
My question: I’ve owned several of the [...]

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Another online pick from Sarah Superstar. Hey Maggie, do yours look like this?
I LOVE the way that GE pushbutton panel looks, it is so cool from a graphic standpoint. But then, I am prejudiced by my own 1959 GE Pushbutton stove.
Thanks, Sarah! P.S. I want to live in Victoria, BC! Talk about gorgeous!

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I felt blog ego come upon me (horrors, ego!) when Ronn challenged my assessment that the countertop in this kitchen was original. Maybe yes, maybe no, but if his belief is that it’s 90s because of the integral backsplash and edge (rather than the pattern) - I did respond that I’ve spotted integral design [...]

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This are so cool! A toy Youngstown kitchen dishwasher, full 10″ tall — it works — and comes with little dishes, all in the original box and with the original paperwork. Apparently, this was a giveaway when you bought a real “Jet Tower” dishwasher. I have tons of early 50s marketing literature, and I [...]

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Professor Pam here. So don’t you all feel like BETTER PEOPLE for having read about Philip Johnson’s kitchen? I do! In fact, I am going to re-read Monday’s story right now!
Meanwhile, here’s a pop fun, 1957 (the mega year!) kitchen for you. One of my favorites - which shows that yes, you can pickle/wash your [...]

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Regular readers might be interested in the February edition of Old House Interiors magazine, which includes a feature on our kitchen, along with an “Inspired By” piece that I got to byline, at the back. Yes, that’s me in my vintage dress that matches the kitchen This was incredible fun, with all my thanks [...]

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