Reader Sara is mid-mod-mad, but she is biding her time in a rustic farmhouse while she and her husband finalize their plans to build their retro ranch house on the same, large property. She can’t wait any longer to get her fix, though: She has been in the farmhouse for five years and wants a jolt of retro in her kitchen NOW.
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So, Sara has asked the Retro Renovation community for our suggestions on how to retro-fy the kitchen without spending a lot, as they will not live in this house for a lot longer. The cabinets are from an old chicken coop, she has been told. That sink is original. Oh, and wait til you see the highly sought after Armstrong 5852 flooring. She’s also provided an “inspiration photo” from our archives.
What are your ideas, Sara asks: Paint the countertops? Paint the cabinets? Paint the bottom cabinets? Change the wallpaper border? Change the wallpaper all together? Paint the window casings? Curtains? What about painting the lower cabinets and the counter red to match the sink and replacing the wallpaper with a small print that has red and aqua in it (have the turquoise fiestaware)?
Go to it, readers! I’ll wrap it up on Tuesday with a mood board.
Here is Sara’s inspiration photo:
Click on the first thumnail to start the slideshow. There are descriptions below each photo, along with arrows to move you back or forward:
And here is some more background:
Hi Pam. I’m so grateful (in advance) for all the practical and down to earth decorating advice I’m hoping to get from fellow “love the house you’re in” folks. We’ve been here 5 years now and it’s been a lot of work inside and especially out. Nature can take over pretty darn fast when a place is left vacant! Anyway, I’ve included a lot of photos so you can pick through them. Just thought you might like some outside ones to get a feel for this place. As you can see, the setting is beautiful. And you know my hope and plan is to build a mid century modest home to live in for the rest of our lives (next 40+ years). This place has no foundation, old everything, and not one of those “solidly built” homes you have back there plus we worry about the fact that it’s basically kindling. And with one bathroom off the utility room and 4 bedrooms upstairs it doesn’t suit an aging couple. It is actually the 2nd home to be built on this property. But in the meantime, I want to enjoy it. It is my husband’s dream property and he’s always wanted it. So for us it’s all about the location and the lifestyle it gives us. We will be making a smaller footprint by taking down (recycling old wood) the house and outbuildings and building smaller.
Hey, this place was “retro” when “retro” was modern! I’m thinking a western direction would work. Keep thinking how everything “western” was so cool in the 50s. Movies, clothing, ranches, even the Mickey Mouse Club had a western story line. I’m a little overdosed on the whole “lodge” theme. My grandma went from a farmhouse to a pink mid-century modern home. I think I know where she was coming from! I hope people have fun with it.
Many thanks! Don’t know anyone else who doesn’t want to gut something and put in “updates”.
Sara
Mo says
Oh, yes. I also have the cutting board, the blue graniteware coffeepot, and the globe in the ceiling fixture over the sink unit. Are we twins?
Mo says
If the Island is the same as mine, and I’m almost positive it is, it is a deep veinous red, almost the color of my Amana “big red” refrigerator. I know, but I couldn’t afford a Crosley.
I have a farm kitchen with limited space and counters, and my island is a treasure. However, I think I might commit various felonies to have that sink unit.
Tonja says
Sara, your kitchen has so much potential with the right 50’s accessories. You are 99% there! What a great kitchen.
I LOVE your cabinets as is! Please don’t paint them. They have character and match the home. Maybe someone else will be able to use them after you if you do not take them to the new house, which I would. I absolutely love your red sink and the red cabinet! I like that it stands out as a special focal point against the cabinets. I would take that to the new house too.
I see the island as problem. Paint it black to add weight like the cabinets have. Don’t leave it red because it competes with the beautiful, higher-quality sink and you will never match the color and finish.
I think that a turquoise countertop would be beautiful, but it’s expensive and seems like a waste. The one you have can work.
I would not leave the backsplash white because it really doesn’t tie into anything and it is bland. I can see it painted turquoise. But I actually think gold would look better with both the cabinets and the sink. Then add your beloved turquoise in small quantities as accent pieces. The cool turquoise will stand out against the warm woods and gold and red like turquoise jewelry from the Southwest. I love your turquoise pitcher especially!
As for fabrics, a cowboy themed fabric under the sink and as curtains would add a lot of personality. Just don’t overdo it or it will visually disappear and become overwhelming to the senses. The lace must go. Ten years ago, I bought 1 yard of cotton cowboy print fabric in brown, red, turquoise, golds, and creams. The cowboys and cowgirls wear 1950’s ranch clothes and the women are voluptuous and have 1950’s hairdo’s. It’s adorable. I think it came from Jo-ann. I haven’t known what to use it for. Isn’t it funny that now I see the perfect use for it, but it’s not for my home.
And definitely remove all of the 80’s decor and the wallpaper. How about light muted yellow (like Belgian Waffle by Olympic Paints) on the walls in the dining room?
Just my input! Please post pictures when you are done. 🙂
Sara in WA says
Under that wallpaper if particle board with seams. I could do a texture on it though which I did over paneling and wallpaper upstairs. Might as well have some fun with wallpaper in this house though.
Kathy says
I’m in the love it as it is camp! The property is absolutely beautiful too!
Larry says
Well…I’ll have to say that I too think that not a thing should be changed. This truly is an exercise in ‘loving the house you’re in’. The entire house, kitchen and all, is so perfectly sutied to it’s surrounings, property, etc. that I can’t imaging changing anything at all about the house. As much as I love mid century and retro, this house just ‘fits’ as is. I would give my right arm and leg to have the house and property…it’s gorgeous! But whatever you decide, good luck and I know it’ll be terrific!
Sara in WA says
Thank you Larry. I needed that! Wish I could have everyone over for some homegrown beef and apple crisp. Long story about how we acquired this place. We are blessed to be here. I do envy things like concrete and double paned windows though! 🙂
Sara in WA says
An answer for bungalowBill: the cooktop can crack under the weight of the canner. I use a pressure canner which takes only 2″ of water on the bottom. But water bath types (old blue speckly ones) get filled to the brim with water and canned goods. To replace the cooktop can be $300 +. Have to be very careful not to scratch it too. Coil types actually have a canning burner that’s heavier you can switch in. Isn’t that typical – with improvements often something else suffers. I don’t can as much as I used to but now we can’t eat the display.
BungalowBILL says
Thanks Sara. I’m from the suburbs so I don’t know much about canning. We outsource ours to Del Monte and the Green Giant.. 😉
Donna Mooney says
I think it would be really fun to take this in the cowboy direction. All the previous posters who have given suggestions are right on the mark. I would throw in some old camp blankets and maybe an old Mexican Saltillo blanket on the furniture in the dining area, to give it a splash of bright color. Leave the cabinets unpainted, but get rid of the wall paper. I think I would just paint that room a chartruce color.
Melissa says
If this were my kitchen I would just do things very cheaply with paint and fabric, and save my money and effort for the new kitchen. Here’s my $.02:
Leave chicken coop cabinets as they are. Emphasize that gorgeous sink by making it the focal point of the kitchen; change out under-sink curtains to something red and white, with matching window valances on sink and dining room windows. Eliminate valance on multi-paned glass door, however. Paint the under-sink cabinets, backsplash, kitchen island white (to go with present stove, fridge and dishwasher) – keep the matching cabinet hardware. Accessorize with turquoise accents.
Sara in WA says
The “backsplash” if you can call it that, is actually painted cedar siding so it has vertical grooves in it. I could paint it. And we took out a homemade light fixture that has red lanterns hanging on it. Light fixtures have to be the pull chain varity. The island is just a $199 JC Penny addition for additional storage and counter space. Seems much easier to change that hardward than any other. I saw a kitchen several years ago that had red bandana wallpaper in the kitchen. Too much? Check out Pam’s second photo on this page below. Could go that direction with painting the counters yellow. Remember what Gavin picked up on: This is temporary. Another 2 years? It’s so dark – ideas to lighten it up are welcomed. On the lookout for a used fridge that’s not white. I have dinnerware from a diner type restaurant that’s speckled tan with brown trim – platters, plates, bowls, brown mugs. Just a little canning note: don’t store it like I have it. Should be in a dark area. And don’t can on a smooth cooktop (like I’ve been doing). Previous occupant had action figures on those shelves. Wasn’t going in that direction. I appreciate all the input. Thanks for being understanding and gracious. I know what I have. Being a Realtor I see it all. I am thankful to come home to something that’s unique. If I see another cheap beige box I think I’ll scream. I know that you all appreciate the houses others may overlook which is why I relate to this website. You know what I mean.
BungalowBILL says
My only concern about painted counters is the durability and prepping food on them. But I do think a warm yellow or ochre would compliment both the wood and the sink.
Why shouldn’t one can on a smooth cooktop? Does the heat not get high enough?
Michelle says
I think it would be surprising to see how much it would brighten everything up with a new white countertop and painted backsplash. I don’t think you have to spend a lot on a countertop and if it would brighten the room and make you happy until your new home is built, why not? But I wouldn’t paint the counter.
SaraTinkelman says
Not sure how much sweat & $$$ you wish to invest in this wonderful place (what a porch!), but it occurs to me that a vintage post-war gas stove would really help; it might just be me, but if you could find a white equivalent to your red sink/storage unit (they musta made a million of ’em) then it would help unite the white fridge & white stove (unless you can find all three in *turquoise*!) and check out Country Curtains for those ruffly things that were s-o-o-o-o popular then & considered so “colonial”. You might want (again, if you don’t mind spending $$$) some of those “schoolhouse” style ceiling light fixtures which would also look like a mid-mod family’s attempt to “modernize” the place. And if it were *my* kitchen? Turquoise laminate countertops. I think the previous suggestion regarding a postwar colonial look is very sound both aesthetically and financially. I think high-style scandinavian would really struggle here (and much of it has become prohibitively expensive anyway), but brass candlesticks/mirror/American Eagle on or around the fireplace mantle would be *totally* retro-family-centered-cool. Gee, your project sounds fun!