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.
Bridget says
Our house was built in 1959, I at first did not truly appreciate all of the retro touches but now I am so glad we did not have enough money to redo everything and I absolutely love my home! I have tried to stick to vintage style, it just works so well!
Andrea says
Our brick Cape Cod was built in 1952, and we have lived in and loved it just over four years.
My husband and I lived in a Victorian for 16 years, and drove by our current house at least a dozen times a week—it’s on a rather busy corner. I often thought, “What a cute little house!” It has four giant maple trees towering over it, and the Cape Cod style appealed to me.
When we decided to downsize, coincidentally (?) a “For Sale” sign popped up in the yard of this house. It was love at first sight. Turquoise bathroom on the main floor, pink bathroom upstairs. Aquamarine kitchen with matching countertops and a gorgeous vintage stove—what more could a girl want?
Our decorating style is mostly Traditional, influenced by the floor plan and Colonial Revival details in the house. It’s definitely “mid-century modest,” not “mid-century modern.” I let the house speak to me—this is a style I had not lived with before. We kept several antiques/old furniture, and my passion is for anything exotic—Asian, Turkish, Moroccan, etc. So I guess you’d call it Traditional/Eclectic.
Sold our ornate Victorian dining room suite on Craigslist, and (also on Craigslist) found mid-century “traditional revival” pieces (sideboard, breakfront, secretary). I never used to like these classic pieces, but after living here a year or two, I could feel the house begging for them. And I have learned to love them.
In the kitchen and bathrooms we celebrate the retro vibe. My aquamarine kitchen is my favorite room in the house.
Now I’ve written way too much! LOVE Retro-Renovation and check in daily. I’ve told local realtors about it so they can direct clients there when they consider or buy a mid-century home—hopefully before they tear out their pink bathroom!
pam kueber says
Andrea: ” coincidentally (?) ” … that says it! i loved your story! keep writing as much as you want, anytime. and thanks for sending retro love to your local real estate agents 🙂
Amy Hill says
I downsized seriously by buying this house, too. The last place was a new build and three times the size of this one.
I use the same sorts of things in my little house that you do to decorate…Lots of vintage asian pieces and shaker style antiques. The house is sort of “plain” and reminds me of colonial America. I kept all my Pumpkin Pine pieces because they go so well with the color of the floors, and match the original paneling in the sun room/ laundry room.
Thanks for sharing about your house! I really enjoyed reading your post!
Elaine Cantrell says
I live in a 1962 split level that’s had two major additions. The first was in the 1970’s, and it enclosed the garage and made it into a family room. The second was done in the 1990’s. This addition added a large dining room and pantry off the kitchen.
One of the bathrooms had lavendar tile in the bathroom, and it’s still there even though we had to replace the floor tile. This bath also has shower doors with swans. We put pink tile and floral wallpaper in our powder room, and we love it.
When we moved in the house had copper appliances and gold flecked countertops. Unfortunately, they had to be replaced.
My decorating style could probably best be described as eclectic. We have everything from antique buffets to new upholstery, but mostly I’d say we have an early seventies style.
Laurie @ Little Blue Chairs says
our house was built in 1984. I have removed most of the 80’s from the interior. I am not decorating it in any specific era, however, I do like to add some vintage pieces. I want a house to look like it has evolved over time.
Jane (aka) Elvis says
Congratulations, Amy!
I live in a 1956 ranch that had little done to it over the years, except all the doors were cut high for the berber carpet we immediately pulled out when we moved in. My husband would say my decorating style could be described as chaotic, but I do try hard to edit. We are gradually acquiring lots of older furnishings from the sixties and really love that transitional look.
Amy Hill says
Thanks, Jane! I think the collage turned out really nice. Mel did such a nice job!
I know who ever wins this next contest will enjoy their collage as much as I do mine.
It’s also fun to read all the entries and see how other members decorate their MidModHomes!
TappanTrailerTami says
Congrats Amy! Love your collage – house, truck, and everything!
Amy Hill says
Thanks, Tami! We take the truck out for a spin sometimes to get ice cream!
Traci says
Hi Pam,
I just bought a 1948 post war bungalow, 748 sq ft. I am only the 3rd owner and purchased it from my grandmother who lived there for 30+ years. It has a lot of the original details still like the pink bathroom (love it and am trying to find a way to return it to its original glamour), original stove, and of course plastic tiles in both the kitchen and bathrooms. I am being very intentional in my design decisions and am working very hard to mix the original late 40’s and early 50’s style in with special pieces that were my Grandmothers and feel like the “belong” in the home with my own pieces collected from my travels. I was born and raised in southern Cali and am working on mixing the open feeling of those homes with a strong retro style Asian inspiration that I love.
I also have an 8 yr old son who is very active and all boy so I am trying to protect both the home and him as much as possible so that we can all 3 live in harmony.
Keep doing what you are doing, I love reading your website and have gotten lots of ideas, tips, & inspiration here. It’s good to know I’m not alone. 🙂
Traci
Alex Haines says
Hello!
I am moving into a 1932 craftsmen late next month. My decorating style would best be described as hoarding. Anything vintage is mine. I love it all, from turn of the century to early 70’s.
pam kueber says
hahahahahaha, that’s my style too!
Kelly says
Yay! Another chance to win!
Our house is a 1956 model and we’re trying to stay pretty true to the 50’s era with some 60’s thrown in.
pam kueber says
Yes, Kelly, Mel & I will do this monthly – would rather see LTHYI collages with real reader houses than with ephemera ones!
Jessica says
Our house was built in 1879 and was fully renovated in the late 50s. We’re working on an ecclectic style… reviving the victorian charm, maintaining bits of the 50s quirkiness, and bringing in some of our own modern aesthetic.
Suzi says
Ours is a split level, built in 1956. It is definitely mid century modest, with 1200 square feet.
I love modern – but it is hard to find mid-century pieces that we can afford! Someday, I hope to restore the kitchen to it’s original baby blue glory. Meanwhile, we enjoy our pink and blue bathrooms!