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!
Colleen says
Hi Nancy,
I agree with those who believe you should steer toward your inspiration kitchens…but also in a cautious way by painting the frames and then deciding what to do about the doors. I also like a different color on the doors than the frames.
On the floor…I say keep it simple but add some interest. Maybe not ALL of the accent colors you like but just one or two and maybe just a simple frame instead of diagonals. Just a thought.
I probably shouldn’t even be weighing in since instead of keeping my black and yellow 1950 bathroom I’m “Updating” it. Keeping the yellow tile (why I stumbled on this site…trying to find some replacement tiles (going to check out B&W)) but the black has GOT to go! Anyway, sounds like your kitchen is going to be beautiful! Have Fun!
Neil says
Pam,
We have a 1947 “cottage” that we have just decided to do a 40s kitchen remodel. We are having trouble with the countertops and flooring. Would it be correct to go with Formica and steel edged counters? Or is that mostly 1950s? We were thinking of all stainles steel and maybe one section in butcher block. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Mid Mod Pam says
Welcome, Neil. I have a post coming tomorrow that will provide a little help. But why don’t you send me some pics and I’ll let you know what I think specifically, and we can all see your cottage? email images to: pam at retrorenovation dot com
Mid Mod Pam says
Neil, did you see the 40s post on Monday? Also – take a look at the new Galleries! A bunch of pics are up from 40s kitchens, and I will add more over time. I would say for sure, yes, laminate with edging is appropriate, and stainless steel is fine, too. Note, stainless steel is “cold”, laminate would be softer, warmer. And I definitely like mixing up the surfaces. Be sure to see my kitchen photos … and also read the posts (Fast and Easy: Countertops and Edging section) showing countertop design ideas. Hope this helps! Send pics if you like! pam at retrorenovation dot com
Country Life says
Nancy, I too have the 1970’s kitchen cabinets (same wood but a tad darker than yours). My home however was built in 1868 and the kitchen floor is wide heart pine with hand forged nails. I can’t afford to get new the kitchen cabinets but the wood cabinets with the wood floors is a bit too much (the cabinets go to height of the 9 foot ceilings so it really is a wall of brown). I’ve painted mine an antiqued white and redid the hardware to avoid the 70’s “modern” and more in keeping with the vintage look of the house. I am so pleased to take that step. It wasn’t easy sanding down the cabinets and doors and the antiquing took a good deal of time but in the end it was worth it. Best of luck in your project.
Mid Mod Pam says
Country Life – Welcome!
Joseph McKinstry says
Hi,
I’d recommend painting the cabinets and going toward the picture you posted. Nice thing about wood is that you can always strip and refinish if you don’t like it. In fact, since you’d have to sand and refinish the cabinets anyway, even to keep as-is, why not paint them in the meantime to see if you like it?
In our 1943 house, we had the same wood cabinets, but with thick varnish on them (yours may not be so ugly). We painted the base cabinets white and the doors yellow, and have never looked back!
Mid Mod Pam says
Joseph, thanks for your first comment and welcome. We’d love to see a photo of your kitchen some time – email me at pam at retrorenovation dot com!
Glamorlux Nancy says
Hi Kim, Rita and Darkgardyner – Thanks for your input! Yes, I think I am leaning towards painting them. I appreciate the rich tone and texture of the wood, but being a child of the 70’s I still think of wood cabinets and paneling as being of that era. The cabinets are also more worn than shows up in the pictures, and being a perfectionist, I can’t live with them in that condition. Refinishing the frames and doors seems like a daunting task!. However, as Rita suggested, I could just refinish the doors. Hmmm…
Kim – I’ve picked out a Mexican theme. When I finally get to that point, I’ll be incorporating vintage decals and cafe curtains. Can’t wait to get to the fun decorating part!
Darkgardyner says
Paint them!!! I love the pretty 50’s kitchens too, and painting was the very first thing I did. What a difference! Bright and clean and fresh and cheerful!!! There are a few reasons to preserve the wood, but I think you should follow your heart—to the nearest paint store! Do it, I say, do it!!!
Rita says
Hello,
May I make a suggestion? If it were me, I’d paint the cabinet frames in a high gloss enamel – a nice ivory works well – and leave the doors with their wood finish, although I’d probably lightly sand and give them a nice gloss coat of varnish.
By the way, I’m assuming you’ll remove the doors to do the work. Also, be sure to buy true enamel paint (not latex enamel). In fact, this is one of those jobs where if you do it yourself, be sure to “Ask Sherwin-Williams” (or some equivalent) as the application of true enamel requires a certain type of brush. (If you have someone else paint them, make sure the painter has experience and knows how to do real enamel). Anyway, well worth the end result!
Kim says
Hi Nancy,
I think you inspiration photo is terrific. While leaving the cabinets in their natural wood tone is a safe and common choice for many, I think going for the more “kitchy” look of the white painted cabinets with brightly colored walls, retro countertop, cheerful curtains, and a resilent tile floor would totally look amazing!
You can walk into 90% of homes today and look at wood cabinets that are stained but how often does it make you smile and think retro?
I say go for it! Find a theme to incorporate like mexicana, cherries, tropical pattern, etc with fabrics, dishes, and colors. plus a cool old stove with character would really add to the charm of the kitchen. Look at old fiesta ware type ads for ideas or seek out old magazines and you’ll see lots of cool ideas.
No guts, no glory…
Best,
Kim
nancyb says
Megb – Sounds like you have a family treasure! Can’t wait to see pics!
megb says
wah! I’m so excited! My kitchen has been frozen in time since i bought granny’s house. My pride and joy (and hers too) is the 1952 Tappan range, still in top notch working condition. I have these wood cabinets ALL over the kitchen. In the canning kitchen downstairs, I have the metal rimmed, steel cabinets with the boomerang (orange) formica. I feel hopeful now that I’ve found you. I’m also feeling guilty that I had granny’s couch recovered because the fabric weirded me out…it was RECOVERED in 1953. Original purchased date is 1937. eh
I’ll be watching.
megb