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.
Ericka says
We just bought a brick house built in 1950. Other than the hardwoods being refinished, not much has been updated. There’s a kitchenette in the basement with original countertops and chrome knobs (swoon!), and the cabinets in the main floor kitchen are the original wood. We’re going to try for classic mid-century on the main floor, with turquoise walls in the kitchen to match the Fiestaware, and accent items in yellow, red and chrome. The bathroom has original tile in great shape, with a handful of decorative tiles that are the Franciscan Echo pattern. When I found a mug in an antique shop that matched those tiles and realized what it was, I nearly exploded.
In the basement where the kitchenette area is, we’re going to have a more atomic-style sitting room.
I’m positively giddy about how much of the house is original, and it’s really not going to take much to make it fabulous! =)
Megan says
I just bought a 1955 brick house, 4 beds, 2 bath. It took us over 2 months just to make it livable, before we could even move in. We live in it now and love love love it but we still have a lot of work to do.
Jeanne says
We live in a 1952 1400 sq. ft. story-and-a-half brick bungalow. We bought it from the two adult sons, of the deceased original owners, who grew up there. It is definitely a time capsule, with original windows, knotty pine basement, knotty pine upstairs and grey/black tile bathroom.
The only thing updated was the kitchen in 1960! They knocked out the wall between the kitchen and dining room and created an open pass-through space with a groovy 1960 Philco coppertone double oven, brown refrigerator, Nutone food center in the white/gold spec counters and a nutone pull-out exhaust fan over the oven. I found some of the old painted plywood built-in kitchen cabinets installed in the basement and garage.
It was definitely a custom kitchen back in 1960 and the envy of the neighbors. The sons said everyone always loved it when they came over and visited the house while they were growing up. Also the sons told us of all the card parties that took place in the knotty pine basement on Friday nights. There is a built-in bar area in the basement with some very cool wallpaper, which I need to take a picture of sometime and post it. I am definitely keeping it up!
I’m trying to maintain the 1950/60s aesthetic with some minor conveniences and updates here and there. It truly is a timely “green” way to go – by buying perfectly good used items on ebay and craigslist. The hunt is part of the excitement and it makes me happy – especially when I find exactly what I’m looking for! Like my Broyhill Brasilia bedroom set that I just got!
p.s. I was born in 1957, so the 50s/60s interiors REALLY remind me of when I was growing up. I’m assuming that is part of the charm and attachment for me. 🙂
Lugine says
Our home was built in 1946. It has a lot of dark wood woodwork so we have kept the walls light colors to highlight the woodwork and vintage furnishings.
Angela says
Hi-Our ranch home was built in 1956. When we moved in 4 years ago, it was like walking into a time warp! We purchased the home from the estate of the original owners, who never did a thing to it since it was built. We have painted the walls, refinished the wood floors, and updated both bathrooms, keeping the awesome ceramic tile, (black and white) and (blue)–our next project is the kitchen, everything is original and I would really like to save the cabinets (birch). I love, love, love your website and I tell everyone I know who likes my home to check out your site!
Angela
Liz Bolton says
Admittedly I skimmed through the comments but I think mine is the grand-daddy of houses – or make that the grandmama. When I bought it the town had the date as 1784. I’ve come to believe it might be as late as the 1830s. When I started researching the house it turned out to be on land that Abigail Adams and her sister inheirited from their father so now I really want to pin down the date.
I love many eras of houses – all the way from the really early ones through the early 1960s. I’ve been a collector all my life and have all sorts of things stashed away – for my eventual 30s era kitchen, 50s era rec room etc. Instead I’m going for traditional antique style in my old house with a bit of 30s collectiblia in the kitchen.
Krista Keim says
Hi- our bungalow was built in 1906. I’d always wondered if that was true, because it all the other houses in our neighborhood are 1920s or so. But last month my husband, contractor and I went up into the attic to see if we might make it into storage space, and on the floor we found newspaper from 1909. Hooray! It’s true!
I have just taken the pledge to save it’s early 1950’s pink bathroom.
Pattikakers says
My vintage 1700 sf.1952 ranch was built in the hot, Mojave Desert on 1-1/2 ac. The owners were said to be in a fatal car vs truck crash right after the house was built. I am the third owner, winning it at an auction in 1996 for $41,000. This home has weathered some strong earthquakes, including a 7.5 in 1992. The original steel crank out casement windows are stronger than any window you will find today. The front room window is 15′ wide. I have the Youngstown Kitchen cabinets that are original and I cook on a 1950’s Kenmore range. I did remove the red carpet and install tile floors, added back patio, and removed a block wall between the living room and dining room. The main bath is the pink iridescent tiles. The second bath was blue iridescent but were beyond repair. The 30′ front patio has original tongue and groove pine ceiling. I guess you can call it Bonanza meets whimsy. My style is vintage cowboy/cowgirl ranch since I have owned horses for 35yrs until recently. I relax on the road in my vintage 1966 SilverStreak Travel Trailer. I have been vintage since I was a little girl and my family giggles at my quirky style. I tell them at least they have funny stories to tell. I was born in 1953.
Susan Moran says
Ours was built in 1962. The house turns 50 the year that I turn 30 so we’re going to have a BIG to do!
Amy says
Our home was built in 1952 and we know there were some additions done either later in the 50’s or early 60’s. A very well known Florida builder lived here with his family. The home had been very neglected and we have had it for almost three years before trying to update. We are embracing what we have and are going to reinstall the original vanity cabinet and medicine cabinets in the “kids” bath. The kitchen had to go but I am trying to keep the mid-century look with its replacement. The post/beams look great – all wood repaired, and with a fresh coat of paint. The exterior needs a lot more attention but we will get to that eventually. Just found some geat mcm furniture for the dining room as well.