Retro Renovation » vintage kitchen

Vintage style patio furniture

pam kueber — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 08:00:57 +0000

Vince recently wrote in with a link to this great looking, vintage-style patio set. “I thought you might be interested in seeing the nice vintage patio set that is being offered by Crate & Barrel in their outlet site. You can purchase pieces separately or an entire 5 piece set.” I believe that these are very classic style of what’s called “motel chairs” because, you got it, they sat in front of motels and motor court inns. Motels….Ah the car and the summer vacation. I remember the scene well — Mom and Dad piled us into the back of Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser. Put the back seats down and treated it like a playpen, no seatbelts of course. Chain smoked with windows up and the A/C down. Drove 90 mph. Good times. That got me to thinkin’ I would do a round up of other possible motel chairs out there…I know I’ve seen them. And, on my second clickaroo, I found that Apartment Therapy had recently done one. AT’s round-up includes Plow & Hearth, Grandin Road, LL Bean, LB International, and Vermont Country Store.

Also, don’t forget my post on Woodward patio furniture — it’s not “motel” style but still, quite close to authentic retro. See the post in the first Related Posts, below. And of course, you can always find vintage. Methinks the old ones may be more heavy duty – although not with that shiny new powder coated finish.

Thanks, Vince, for inspiring this very important summertime post!

Sundrella aluminum patio umbrellas – in production since 1956 Some days I am just so gosh-darned pleased with myself,...
Mid-century galvanized metal patio set I live in a dinky New England village, so we...
Vintage style ice cream churns Where to buy a vintage or vintage-style ice cream maker?...

Vintage 40s and 50s kitchen drainboard sinks

pam kueber — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:00:30 +0000

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.

16 vintage Kohler kitchens — and two mid-century kitchen sinks still offered today Let me take you on a little stroll though...
Vintage 1941 Montgomery Ward metal kitchen cabinets VINTAGE EYE CANDY today — a complete catalog of steel...
Montgomery Ward American Kitchens sink bases, drainboard sinks and faucet MIB, Boise INCREDIBLE FINDS — Two American Kitchens sink bases and porcelain...

From vintage farmhouse kitchens to “the new kitchen of tomorrow”: Television footage from 1956, 1957 and 1958

pam kueber — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 08:00:59 +0000

1950s &60s Kitchens(The New Kitchen of Tomorrow Today)

Grab a cuppa, retro renovators, and watch this wonderful set of kitchen videos from 1956, 1957 and 1958 – selling us straight-edged electric appliances and in charcoal, it seems. Thanks to Barbara in Ohio for this excellent find! I particularly like the first sequence, showing how older, farmhouse kitchens could be updated for the modern way of life. That old, patched-together “before” kitchen is like the one my grandma had on the farm in North Dakota. A little bit of counter, a stove that also provide heat, a small icebox – and a kitchen table where all the work got done and nine people ate every meal, too.

Remember, it wasn’t until the post-war period that the idea of “fitted kitchens” – with built-in cabinetry, long uninterrupted countertops, and integrated stoves and fridges — all based on “scientific, efficient, step saving” (and “wife saving”) layouts — really took hold. It’s so interesting: As a nation we are such believers in technology… science… progress. We are optimistic — hard working — and innovative. It’s something to remember in these economic times. A good thing, a hopeful thing.

16 vintage Kohler kitchens — and two mid-century kitchen sinks still offered today Let me take you on a little stroll though...
Soffits: Midcentury kitchens need them I AM AN ADVOCATE OF KITCHEN SOFFITS, or as some...
A 1956 kitchen palette In 2010, I will try and hunt down and feature...

Where to get the steel ring that “locks in” a vintage sink, Maggie asks

pam kueber — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:09:54 +0000

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 for any help or direction!
maggie

NP, Maggie. Mac the Antique Plumber to the rescue again — well, maybe. They seem to have these metal mounting rings (sold separately from the vintage style sinks, which are also a great find!) in number of sizes.

However, one big potential issue/problem I can see – is if you have an integral faucet. These are not for that style. I’m concerned, I’m afraid that’s what you have – because that’s what I have – my metal ring is about 42 x 21. My reco, if none of these listed sizes are right, to start: Ask the Mac folks, my experience is that they are great. Let me know how what they say. If it doesn’t work out, we’ll search some more — and maybe other readers have some ideas.

AND IMPORTANTLY, what is this torturing us with a juicy description of your kitchen and NO PHOTOS? What do the cabinets look like? Send ‘em to me, sister! Thanks for writing, Maggie!

Vintage 40s and 50s kitchen drainboard sinks In response to Friday’s post on the patriotic 40s...
Deco style metal sink cabinet: An all-new brand? I went to an estate sale yesterday and in the...
Montgomery Ward American Kitchens sink bases, drainboard sinks and faucet MIB, Boise INCREDIBLE FINDS — Two American Kitchens sink bases and porcelain...

Vintage kitchen linen dish towels — 58 of them — today’s ebay pick

Pam Kueber — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:21:10 +0000

This is quite the instant collection. Not one, not two, but…58 linen kitchen dish towels from the 60s through the 90s, including a number of calendar towels. I have a number of these, which I have picked up at estate sales, and I really love them. They get so nice and soft.

Bath towels, rugs and a nice selection of shower curtains from Restoration Hardware I was at the big mall yesterday and scooted...
12 vintage pinch pleat panels on ebay These vintage draperies are just beautiful – and there...
Vintage Kohler 4″ lav faucets for sale on ebay For those of you looking for 4″ bathroom sink faucets...

Vintage West Bend percolator – mint in box – today’s ebay pick

Pam Kueber — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:46:37 +0000

So…I must stop buying all these great retro relics mint in their boxes! This is a great great great item, so EXCRUTIATINGLY painful as it is, I set it free into the retroblogosphere!

Happiness is: A vintage percolator MONEY can’t buy you love. But it can buy...
Merry Mint-in-Box on eBay Look at this: A 30″, mint-in-box Rangemaster 100 range...
Timo Sarpeneva cookware – mint-in-box Snaps to magnarama for spotting this amazing ebay listing...

A vintage Delft coffee grinder — with memories from Sarakay — today’s ebay pick

pam kueber — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 17:07:18 +0000

Sarakay spotted today’s ebay treasure:

Hi Pam! I love reading your blog because I’m a product of the 1950’s and your pictures bring back memories. I wondered if you would be interested in this “eBay find”?

Sarakay continues:

My folks were much more traditional than atomic in their decor … actually, since we were a military family our furniture’s primary requirement was that it should be sturdy to withstand many moves! We had one of these and put it up in the kitchen of whatever house we were in at the time.

In those days you would get your coffee beans at the A&P (grocery store chain). There was a coffee grinder at the end of every checkout lane, and the checkout person would grind your bag of coffee beans for you if you wanted. My mom always ground her beans at home with a grinder exactly like this one, so the coffee would be fresher. There’s nothing like the aroma of freshly ground coffee.

If I were more of a coffee drinker I’d bid on this, just for the memories.

Thanks so much, Sarakay, that was so great! I think I can actually smell the coffee brewing, which is a big deal because coffee is MY LIFE — after steel kitchen cabinets, of course The grinder is wonderful – it would look right at home in so many retro reno kitchens!

Vintage Kohler 4″ lav faucets for sale on ebay For those of you looking for 4″ bathroom sink faucets...
12 vintage pinch pleat panels on ebay These vintage draperies are just beautiful – and there...
Bo Sullivan identifies my vintage pull-down kitchen light Kitchen photo: Copyright Kit Latham. One of the highlights of...

A celebration of retro kitchen accessories – today from ebay

Pam Kueber — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 13:48:05 +0000

I’ve been collecting a bundle of ebay listings, and several are due to expire soon, so here are lots of little obsessions to share with you:

A total of six of these neat Heywood Wakefield Woodite Trim-Line chairs are listed:

A combination, vintage Oster can opener and ice crusher, very retro with starbursts:

A vintage stationery mixer and bowls from Sears:

A vintage Hotpoint kitchen timer:

Oh, and for all of you contemplating updates to your cherry paneled rumpus room, I love this wagon wheel sconce. Honestly, in three months this is the first such sconce that I’ve seen come up for sale. I only wish that there were a pair or even more. Interesting to know that these exist!

Pink bathroom accessories on ebay Plenty of pretty pink bathroom treats on ebay, as...
Pink bathroom accessories on etsy Jump onto my etsy.com favorites page and see the...
Retro bathroom accessories from Hall-Mack — the Metropolitan budget line This is the last of the three Hall-Mack 1962 bathroom...