Update, Monday, May 31: We have a winner — congratulations, Robin L. — who has been notified and is whoopdedoo happy. 🙂 ENTRIES NOW CLOSED. Watch for another contest – different question – same prize – a “Love The House You’re In” custom collage made by our collage artist laureate Mel Kolstad – in June.
Amy was the first winner of a “Love The House You’re In” custom collage made by our collage artist laureate Mel. That’s Amy’s wonderful house… and Amy’s husband’s vintage truck… all interpreted by Mel. This is such a fun contest — let’s do it again. To enter this month:
- Leave a comment on this post answering the question: What year was your house was built? If you like, I’d love to hear about what era/style you are decorating it in… but this is not required.
- And, subscribe to my newsletter. Yes, this helps me build my newsletter list… I send ’em out max twice per week.
Please read all the rules here before entering. I’ll pick a reader next Monday morning.
Erica Adkisson says
Our house was built around 1920 and has been in my family since 1959. It has many original details from the 20’s but the front part had some fire damage (by a kid building a gasoline powered rocket in the garage) and was rebuilt in the mid 50’s. The last extensive remodeling was done in the kitchen and bathroom in the early 1960’s, and an additional bathroom was added in the 1980’s. We are working on bringing what we can back to the 1920’s in a farmhouse feel, but we’ll keep most of the updates from the 60’s, this blog has convinced me that our pink bathroom and 60’s kitchen are worth keeping. So that means the 1970’s linoleum and shag carpet are going. Some day when we are done with it, we’re just hoping for a simple home that fits our needs.
Melissa says
My house is a 1963 Ranch. It has a lot of Prairie Style elements to it (deep horizontal grout in the exterior bricks), so the dining room is prairie style. The rest of the house is really vinatge eclectic–most of my antiques are from about 1900-1960. And yes, I have a pink bathroom with floral detail tile! My white tile bathroom is painted purple, so I always ask people if they would rather go to the pink or purple bathroom.
Denise says
Our house was built in 1960, we’ve lived here for almost 11 years now. The exterior is a mix of cedar siding and Roman brick facade on the front and all of the bedrooms have the long, narrow windows set high up (affectionately referred to as ‘prison windows’ by us). I wish we had the original kitchen cabinets (likely birch), but one of the previous owners had them refaced in cheap oak. ::sigh::
We are in the process of decorating with mid century furniture as we can acquire it off of Craigslist. Unfortunately, mid century is very popular here in the PNW and most of it is located in metro areas that are quite a distance from us so redecorating has been a bit slow (i.e., we either can’t afford a lot of the pieces listed or they are snapped up before we can get out to see/buy them!). We have found some great pieces though and they really fit with the house!
Elizabeth Brunner says
1957 for main house. plus a “wing” from the early 1960s. Bought lots of the original furniture with the house, plus a player piano and organ. Decor has heavy 1950s flavor, plus some bright colors that feel 1960s and plenty of whimsical touches. Love your blog.
Robin Leiss says
Hi! Great contest! Thanks 🙂 There are conflicting stories about our house. When we bought the house 3 years ago, I looked at the closing paperwork and the earliest date I could find was 1948. However, the lovely elderly couple next door (who have been living there since 1954) said that they watched our house being built in 1956. So it’s a mystery. But I don’t care because it’s a lovely little golden brick ranch house and it’s our home. We have an original PINK bathroom! It was painted over with the ugliest beige flat pant when we bought the house (HORROR!) and we scraped a bit of the paint off to see what the color was underneath and when the pink showed thru, I literally squealed with joy. It’s back to it’s original glory now.
Nancy says
Love the collage! It’s really a loving way to snapshot a well loved home.
We live in a 1964 tri-level that can’t commit to any one era! We’ve retained the original PINK bathroom and knotty pine den, while updating the kitchen and turning a second story screened porch into a real room. Decorated in family antiques, hand me downs and vintage finds – it’s a comfortable home where the decades blend and the contents tell wonderful stories.
While we once toyed with the idea of moving or relocating – learning to love the house we are in has given us more happiness than searching for it elsewhere.
Diane Cassidy says
Hi…Thank you very much for this contest & the RetroRenovation website. Couldn’t be without it. We own a 1957 ranch house, & I am incorporating decorating schemes & renovation ideas from the 1950’s, 1960’s, & 1970’s, as I love all 3 decades. I would say our house lives in about the year 1973, as houses of that time would still have “leftovers” from the 1950’s & 1960’s. My house & I are both loving it (hubby too after he looks beyond the four walls).
Christa says
Hi there! Our house was custom built in ’68. We have a bit of an eclectic/transitional/retro/ vintage vibe going on. I try not to use anything I don’t like (which doesn’t leave a lot out since I like quite a bit!) I really just try to “listen” to the house which tells me quite bit, actually, when I am paying attention. Thanks for the great website. It gives me loads of ideas!
Marcia says
We just bought a 1958 home typical of Florida’s central east coast, a concrete block bunker that was renovated about five years ago. We’re trying to revive the ’50s look, and love all your tips! Keep them coming.
denise says
It was a fun contest and I’m happy for your generosity to do it again! I was wondering who won and it’s fun anticipating the look of the collage…like a little visual present.
My house was built in 1950, a 750sf Ranch.
Decorating style? you mean if I ever get done? LOL … vintage/retro/antique/artistic … hardly anything ‘new’ and mostly thrifted or free.