Sleeping Bee Alice writes:
Hello, I am a novice retrorenovator…and am loving your website.
My husband and I are leaving our modern, brand-spanking new customized kitchen for a charming 1950’s yellow Geneva kitchen in a home that we have fallen in love with. I’m having trouble thinking through the “enhancement” of the kitchen…the cabinets are in great shape and we really like the look…we have to replace the outdated wallpaper, bad flooring and yellow countertops. The fridge was gone.
I really enjoyed all the pink kitchens pictures…any such resources for yellow kitchens? (Pale, maize yellow.)
For future thought, we are also inheriting three fabulous tiled bathrooms…one pink, one blue, one aqua…will be looking here for complimentary design ideas for those as well…no gutting going on here!
Thanks!
No — thank you, Alice! For all the wonderful photos — and for letting us know, another sweetheart of a middle class mid-century home is being saved. Hallelujah!
Since this is already a long post, what with all the photos, you’ll get some suggestions tomorrow!
Alice says
For Stephan – tile measurements in blue bathroom. Stephan, I’ve emailed additional photos to Pam because I don’t know how to post them here. The measurements, much to my surprise, are:
Large tiles: 4 3/16 x 4 1/8
Small Tiles: 1 5/16 x 1 5/16
Hope this is helpful. Tell us how your project works out!
Alice says
Stephan – give me a day or two to get those measurements to you…happy to do it!
Palm Springs Stephan says
May I ask a question of Alice? What are the exact sizes, inluding fractions of inches, of the tiles on the floor of that blue bathroom? Thanks.
Palm Springs Stephan says
These photos are going to cost me a fortune, at least the ones of the blue bathroom! My own blue bathroom renovation has become seriously stalled thanks to a tile company (DalTile) that cannot seem to get its act together. But I was not really happy with the tile pattern I had ordered from them anyway. It was too contemporary and not an authentic ca. 1958 pattern. On seeing the fantastic pattern of your floor, however, I’ve decided to re-order new tile (even though the first batch … that has not arrived after 9 weeks … is non-refundable) and “copy” the pattern of your floor. But I am making an adaptation. Since my walls are white tile, I’m going to lay the floor with 3×3 unglazed white tile and 1×1 unglazed blue and black (in the same 3:1 ratio). It’s only money, right? How can I not spend a little more after seeing your wonderful floor?
Regarding the nicotine on the wallpaper, I have used Formula 409 spray cleaner on fiberglass lampshades with amazing success. Not sure that it will work on wallpaper, but it might be worth a small test patch.
Alice says
Wow – thanks for everyone’s comments…this is fun! I’ll try to figure out Flikr as suggested and post other pictures. The aqua bath is tiny, and my photo skills are poor, so the shots didn’t come out very well…I’ll try again soon.
Regarding the wallpaper in kitchen. Yes, I figured it was very ’60’s. Other than I’m just not a groovie orange person, it is terribly discolored with years and years of nicotine that just won’t come off. (Any tips?)
Joanne says
Hi Alice. OMG – couldn’t believe it when I saw your pink bathroom. I am restoring a little stone cottage on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Blowing Rock, NC – built in 1958. You have my exact pink tub and pink wall tile. My pink floor tile is different than yours, but pink all the same! A previous owner replaced the pink sink and toilet with white. The walls above the pink tile were painted baby blue – looked more like a nursery than a bathroom! I painted the walls a wonderful cream color called “Mayonnaise” by Ben Moore. It really makes the pink look fabulous. I’m absolutely not a pink person – so coming from me that’s a real compliment. My pink countertop is very, very worn and will need to be replaced – thinking of some kind of cream colored stone. Any thoughts?
pam kueber says
In general, our little midcentury modest houses tend to have… modest… finishes. Therefore, if you need to replace a countertop you might first consider laminate. That tends to suit the original finishes, I think… To see all my stories about retro laminates — see Kitchens/Countertops category
Morgan says
I have the same pink sink – isn’t is fabulous! I want those pink hexagon tiles…
I love your yellow cabinets. We just bondo’d and painted our Youngstowns white. Yellow would have been great on the inside.
I’m joining your novice renovator club and trying to preserve my little mid century abode as well.
Good luck and happy rehabbing.
Femme1 says
My grandmother had a square tub exactly like that (only in white). It eventually became the abode of our ancient chihuahua, Diamond, who went to live with my grandmother after we couldn’t stand him anymore (sad, I know). Seriously. The dog lived in the bathtub.
I can see why Alice and her husband fell in love with that house. It’s perfect…and the bathrooms look like they’re in pristine condition. I love the narrow accent tiles. Also, that pink sink is amazing.
Kitschy Kimberly says
How on earth did I miss seeing that huge pink tub? Now I am in love with both bathrooms. I agree with Maggie that we need more pics of this lovely home.
Kitschy Kimberly says
Oh Lawd, I am in love with that blue bathroom! It’s so perfect!
maggie says
O lucky, lucky, lucky Alice… I’m positively chartreuse with envy.
That built-in clock radio in the kitchen! Those jet-engine faucet handles and square tub in the pink bathroom! *sigh* And a SEVEN BURNER cooktop!
Alice, PLEASE start a Flickr photo pool so we can marvel at your swell home.
And please let the Gods of Vintage someday send me a house this well preserved.