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.
Brandi says
What a fun contest! And this collage kinda resembles my house…
My house was built in 1952 – so it has an odd mix of ’40’s and 50’s in the design. It was originally a 750 sq ft house but had an addition put on in 1984 (not by us). We are keeping the bones of the house fairly original and remodeling with the era in mind. When we redid the kitchen we purchased a 1953 Chambers Stove from Craigslist. We also found a 1954 pedestal sink that we will install when it comes time to redo the bathroom – hopefully soon. As far as colors, I have almost exhausted the Sherwin Williams Suburban Modern pallet. We like lots of color – the kitchen is Holiday turquoise, living room is a vibrant orange, bedroom is lime green. The guest room will be purple and grey, and the addition will be yellow!
Fun, fun!
Pam says
My little knotty pine cabin was built in 1955. It is right in the heart of Portland (walking distance to downtown) yet totally hidden away from the hustle and bustle. It was built by noted Portland architect Roscoe Hemenway but totallyunlike anything else he has ever designed. I call it the cowboy cabin. At only 1,050 sq. ft., it is full of charm and details like a huge rock fireplace in l.r., little fireplace in dining room, wide-plank mahogany floors, river rock tile floors in the bath, 50’s cabinetry in the kitchen and black hammered cast iron hardware everywhere! Not to say that it doesn’t need lots of tlc, but it’s my go-to retreat everyday of the year!
TappanTrailerTami says
Your cabin sounds awesome! It felt like a retreat just reading your description!
Zoocrewmom says
Our home was built in 1973 and we’re slowing fixing the updates of a previous owner. We’ve been here for two years and it’s slow going with 2 small children, but it’s coming along! I would say my style is Hollywood Glamor mixed with Midcentury while my husband’s is “yeah, OK.” My recent triumph was a rockin’ bedroom set that we picked up for $320 – it just needed a little love!
Albert says
We’ve lived in our 1800 sq. ft. 1947 1.5 cape cod style home for three years. 1270 downstairs and the rest upstairs in a finished converted attic that has wood paneling painted white, which we don’t mind at all. The house also has a mostly unfinished, mostly daylight, nearly full basement with a one car garage. The primary struggle we have with the house is with keeping up with the gardening. However, we do love our small vegetable garden.
We instantly dug the arches, built-ins, and post-WW II kitchen when we first walked into the house. While the house isn’t a modern ranch, we’ve been furnishing the home with mostly Mid-Century Modern or MCM inspired furniture and fixtures but with some Art Deco, some more traditional 1940s, and just regular ol’ non-period stuff thrown in. Most of the furniture has been bought used at vintage stores and originates from the 1940s to early 1960s. The fixtures are mostly Art Deco, MCM, and ‘atomic’ reproductions. We’re still working on decorating the home and on managing the yard. We’ve replaced the tile countertops in the kitchen with Marmoleum and aluminum rippled edging. We’re not purists, but we’re wanting the kitchen to be reminiscent of a kitchen from the 1940s or 50s. The original cabinets aren’t going anywhere. The bathroom on the main floor has the original tub, and so we’re looking forward to making the bathroom look more like a bathroom from the 1930s, 40s, or 50s.
Anyway, we just like living in this home. It’s not perfect, but it’s our house and we respect and love it. We’ll be raising our first child in this home within the next month or so.
Jen Terman says
My house was built in 1951 in a Levitt Town inspired neigborhood. It was quintesssential post-war, Los Angeles/San Fernando Valley suburbia. We are slowly restoring its original charm with respectful modern updates. My latest triumph: new baseboard that exactly replicates the original. Woot!
I am so pathetic.
pam kueber says
Jen, you are not pathetic at all. You are my hero of the day.
Katy says
FUN! My ranch house was built in 1957 and I am the second (!) owner.
I have a gorgeous ming green American Standard bathroom with hunter green tiles. All of the rooms are REAL wood paneling… pecky cypress in some, knotty pine in others. The light fixtures are awsome western style wagon wheels and variations on that theme. There are big architechturally integrated windows in the front. I’ll stop there.
My furniture is a mish mash but, give me time. I’ve only had it for about 6months! I’m working on keeping it totally fifties…
Wendy Southerland says
My husband David and I purchased our 1959 ” granny ranch” in 2004. We still can’t imagine living anywhere else. We purchased from the original owners daughter, after it spent 2 years as a rental. Luckily, it escaped any bad updating. Hardwood floors that had been covered since 59, two tiled bathrooms, turquoise Formica countertops, great GE stove, and the original Westinghouse fridge. Since purchasing this house we have added our touches as well. Color, color, color. The inside had never been painted. Someone said it looks like a skittle bag throw-up in our house. I take that as a compliment! Our style is mid-century/vintage on a budget. Our house is truly our home.
leslie ryan says
our adorable home was built in 1912 and is currently decorated in the ‘ gee, i wish i had more cash for decorating/ thank the gods for thrift stores’ style. my projects for the summer are redoing the bathroom in pink and grey (just like my grandma’s old powder room) and painting the kitchen yellow- cause all kitchens should be yellow, at least in my world!
love the site, btw. thanks for all the great inspiration.
Culver City Bronwyn says
Hi! We live in a pink 1955 ranch. We are doing mid-century, but probably not so modern. The highlight of our house are the inherited photos of the past owners, their original furniture, and especially the O’Keefe & Merrit stove.
Rebecca Swanger says
I love the 1957 ranch we call home! It’s taken a few years to get our gem uncovered in a late 50’s early 60’s vibe, but well worth it. First was the bathroom keeping it’s turquoise Formica counter tops and painted glass tiles. Second the kitchen with red VCT flooring with a few other primary colored tiles thrown in and the bulk heads are used to display my vintage fruit chalkware collection. Our current project is the living room filled with vintage furniture and the hardwood floors will be refinished next month. Next project: the basement. Making a house YOUR home is the best feeling!