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WHAT IS THE VALUE of a set of vintage steel kitchen cabinets? What price should you ask? This is one of the top questions that I receive on the blog. The answer is not definitive — but there are a number of factors to consider, including: Condition, Size of Set, Brand, and Location.
Read on for more, plus some pricing guidelines. And also see my post on how and where to seel your cabinets.
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Readers are constantly sending emails asking where to find cabinet pulls for vintage kitchen cabinets made by Youngstown, Geneva, and other makers. The answer: Not an easy one, I am afraid.
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Where to find a shade for my vintage ceiling fixture – including those you can set into pulldown fixtures like these vintage Progress lights? A popular question recently – and reader Skyla has found a great resource – mylampparts.com. This place has shades — they actually seem to be called diffusers — in a variety of widths and some pretty groovy designs, too. Price is pretty reasonable. You might also check your local Re-Store/Habitat for Humanity… at mine they often have complete fixtures for as little as $3 – you might want to buy one just for the shade.
Click here for the diffuser page at mylampparts.com… this also seems to be a goldmine for all other … well, lamp parts, as well. Thank you, Skyla, for your ace retro-detective work!
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What product can you use to clean vintage chrome so common in 40s 50s 60s and 70s kitchens and baths? One of our handiest readers – jsnugbear says:
I have found Noxon 7 metal polish works excellent to clean and shine old chrome and it puts a protective coating on it as well while cleaning. It comes in a green plastic bottle. I use it on all my chrome in my 50’s kitchen and furniture with metal leg caps..
John
Thank you, John! I for one am getting some of this asap.
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A reader wrote to ask how to bring the luster back to her vintage laminate countertops. Paste wax, maybe? To get the answer, I turned to expert Grace Jeffers. She is the writer, design historian and materials expert responsible for restoration of the Ralph Sr. and Sunny Wilson House – including its gorgeous Mondrian-style kitchen, above. Grace wrote back pronto:
Douse them with COUNTERTOP MAGIC. DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT USE WAX. Plastics do not like wax, they like oil. In the Wilson house I used almonst an entire can of countertop magic for each 4 x 8 panel. Let it soak overnight and then polish with a clean cloth in the a.m.
Grace Jeffers
Thanks, Grace! And reader – oopsy, I lost your email, thanks for your question!
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How to add storage to a small mid-century bathroom? With all the postwar focus on hygiene, why is there so little space for soaps, lotions and towels? We look at some minimal-clutter solutions today.
Heck yeah there is more…
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Some of the bricks on Nancy’s midcentury fireplace are discolored…the spotting almost looks like burns, she says. She has original photos of the 1950s study – says that the color change has occurred over time…and that it does not look good.
Does anyone know what may be causing this? Is there a way to clean the bricks? Or should Nancy paint over the whole installation? There is painted brickwork in other parts of the house… What do you think, readers?
Related posts:
Above – Grasscloth in Pam’s living room. Perhaps add this to Nancy’s husband’s den as well?
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This is a hot topic: Readers are hearing from floor sales people that they need to polish and buff their newly installed vinyl composite floor tiles like the professionals do in office buildings.
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DC Girl Rebecca sent in this question about hootie rings. Yes — hootie rings! Heck yeah there is more…
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Welcome to RetroRenovation.com -- your daily dose of mid century renovation resources... design inspiration... fun finds... and a growing community of people all interested in restoring, preserving and cherishing their 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s homes. Kitchens like this 1948 St. Charles steel kitchen...well, this family was living the dream!
