Nathan recently purchased a 1962 time capsule home. He truly appreciates the beauty and history in this blonde wood kitchen full of pristine, museum-quality appliances not to mention a fabulous pink porcelain drainboard sink. But, he is himself a craftsman and furniture maker, and has his own creative vision for a mid-century inspired kitchen of his dreams. So, now he is trying to find the right buyer for this mint, unused 1962 kitchen including a pink General Electric combination wall mount refrigerator, a pink GE automatic electric built-In oven, a pink GE cooktop, a pink GE dishwasher, and a pink cast iron double bowl sink.
UPDATE: As of Feb 2015 — this kitchen HAS BEEN REMOVED AND SOLD.
UPDATE Jan. 2018: I was first with this story in 2010 — EIGHT years ago — and to this day, other blogs are still rewriting the story and promoting it as if it’s new. Yikes.
Nathan purchased the home late last year from the original owner, who built the house but for personal reasons never lived in it. Oh my, the kitchen is a real beauty.
Once the shock wears off, be sure to notice also the mosaic tile on the floor, and the four-inch tiles on the backsplash, on the soffits, on the wall in the dinette. I’ve never seen tile on soffits, for example. The cabinets — the pink countertops and appliances — the tile — and the light — all combine to make this a luminous kitchen indeed.
Oh, and I’ve never seen scribing (I think that’s what it’s called) of the ‘vents’ underneath the sink and cooktop like this before. The atomic cabinet pulls are gorgeous, too — note, Nathan plans to keep the cabinet hardware.
Nathan for sure is selling the appliances and the drainboard sink. The kitchen, he fears, will not demo well, because it is built directly into the walls. But it’s a possibility that it could also be removed intact.
Finally, I want to forewarn: No chest beating, please, in Comments, over Nathan’s decision not to keep this kitchen. I have never ever said this site is all about having to keep everything original. At its heart, in addition to identifying resources, I’m about just helping people understand what they have in their homes so that they can make informed decisions. Nathan knows what he has, and wants the kitchen to go to someone who will truly be able to love it. (The gorgeous vintage light fixture – stays.)
Click on the gallery shot above to go to Nathan’s flickr photostream to see more photos. You can also see some of his custom furniture by Nathan Chandler — I’ll feature some of his mid-century inspired pieces shortly. Thank you, Nathan, for giving us the opportunity to see your kitchen and potentially, to help find it a good home.
Hayley says
That kitcken gives new meaning to time capsule! WOW! Fridge…Ah-mazing!
Carole says
I know there are reasons, but I can’t imagine doing all of that work and then not living in the house.
I couldn’t personally do quite that much pink, but this is truly a time capsule setting. And I do have to admit that fridge and stove be fun! I love that fridge!! Why don’t we have styles like that these days? What a great idea to have it all in wall like that.
I’ll look forward to seeing what is done with this kitchen. There are so many possibilities. 🙂
Shane says
@#&%!! Lol
nathan says
Thank you for all the kind words. I am blown away by all your responses. I will definitely keep Pam posted on the sale of the kitchen as well as the eventual renovation.
Eucritta says
Now, this is a natural wood kitchen I can get behind – so much light! And if I were anywhere near the vicinity, I’d snap up that sink in a second. I want those shelves by the window too. H’mm. I need to consult with the family carpenter, I think!
Wasn’t there a post awhile back on a company offering similar cabinet hardware new? At least, atomic boomerang pulls?
Retro Junkie says
Amazing, I’m in love.
Tamara Hoffbauer says
Un-Be-Lievable!!!
What a stunning specimen of minty fresh retro pinkness! It’s a bit sad that Nathan is planning to keep the hardware though – it makes the whole thing sparkle! I don’t blame him 🙂
What fabulous appliances. I wish I wanted a pink kitchen, if I did I would be on my way to Nathan’s right this minute with cash in hand. Is that a beast of a sink, or what?
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for someone, and I truly hope the lucky buyer makes an effort to save the cabinetry. Surely it can be done? I’d love to see this kitchen photographed in it’s new home one day!
Can one still find those wall refrigerators? Cool design!
kimmy kupcakes says
Love it! Hope it finds a great new home.
mcelroyarch says
wow – i’ve never seen a horizontal refrigerator like that from the early 60s! love that it’s pink..
Candice says
I swear I don’t work for second use, but i mention them here all the time. The wall fridge… i saw one of those at S.U. in white… i thought it was commercial, but now i think it was meant for an install like this. What a great ergonomic design!
Good luck nathan, on all counts.
I’m in a similar situation on a smaller scale. I’m trying to sell some retro stuff to a loving home because it doesn’t fit into my plans (or my home, which is much older).
Thanks for sharing, the sink, the breakfast bar, I feel pretty, oh so pretty!