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.
Centers and Squares says
Amazing! And even the original dishwasher soap boxes that came with the machine. I’d love to know the story behind the lack of use.
This very much reminds me of vision-in-pink kitchen I stumbled on when showing a house for sale eight or nine years ago. It was a ca. 1900 house but someone had spent a great deal remodeling it circa 1945-50 or so and then seemingly using it for only the shortest time. You got the impression that a man may have lived upstairs but the majority of the house was total time capsule – a la Better Homes and Garden 1948 – paneling, furniture, rugs – everything pristine, nothing newer added at all.
But the kitchen!! ALL pink – metal cabinets, every appliance, Formica counters, and every accessory (and there were plenty). There was even a dining table made with the pink Formica top and metal legs. It seemed barely used – used enough for the pink enthusiast to gather all the accessories but not touched to speak of in decades.
It was before I carried a camera with me and I’ve thought of it for years wondering about the back story. I keep meaning to send a note to the owners – I can only imagine – and hope – that they were retro enthusiasts who’ve preserved at least the kitchen.
Liz
Cathy says
I am soooo envious! I hope it can go to someone who really truly appreciate this fabulous Americana!
Mark says
Very nice find!
I’m wondering how a house that sat empty for so many years stays in such great shape.
I’ve always heard that an empty house deteriorates faster than one being lived in.
No doubt it was cleaned before the photos or maybe the original owner kept it cleaned over the years?
What is the rest of the house like?
More pics of the rest of the house!
Must have been tough to decide to tear that out!
MrsErinD says
Most gorgeous kitchen I ever saw ever ever ever, sigh just dreamy, I wish I could buy it all!!
Thanks Nathan for seeing the beauty and selling the appliances to someone who will love them!
tiki.torch says
Donate it to a museum!!!
georgiapeachez says
Oh Nathan, be still my heart. I hope he finds a good home for this vintage perfection. xo, suzy
nina462 says
I thought I loved my kitchen…that’s dreamy!! I can see some red geraniums in there…make me want to put on my apron and serve up some coffee & cake (or cocktail).
pam kueber says
Linda (and others): Nathan’s email is in the post — please read carefully and if you are interested, contact him directly.
Rebecca says
Nathan,
I sent you an e-mail regarding this set yesterday. Did you receive it?
Thanks,
Rebecca
Laura says
I am in LOVE with this and live close to where it is. I talked to Nathan about buying it since I’m buying a house with a vintage teal and black tiled kitchen. Are you kidding me…how great would this be in there!?My budget is what it is…and I’m afraid my offer was a slight insult to him…but a girl’s gotta try, right?…
Best of luck to Nathan. I hope this finds a happy home!