Hot item! Just yesterday, Cody sent in this great kitchen from craigslist — Burlington, Vermont. He wrote:
Hi Pam I just ran across this on Craigslist and thought it was quite a find! It’s a time capsule kitchen and they are selling the pieces off (sad) … it looks to be in great shape. Thought you may like to share it with your readers and maybe find a good home for this kitchen!
The ad is now gone, but we captured the info originally provided by the seller:
1950 VINTAGE KITCHEN: We purchased a home that had one prior owner and no children. The kitchen is in unbelievable nearly perfect condition. The home was built custom and the best products available at the time were used. The home was placed in service in October of 1950 and remains in its original condition. We are enlarging and cannot use the kitchen. If you are interested in the entire kitchen we will discount, from $8500 to $7500. We will sell off piece meal on a first come first serve basis.
Cabinetry by Youngstown: Includes upper and lower cabinets with 2 lazy susans, two bread boxes, broom closet, over refrigerator cabinets and half round end shelf. Counter top, Melonite wall panels, recessed over sink light with stainless steel trim, and decorative fluorescent ceiling light with crystal decoration. $1,800.
Like-new Westinghouse stove with 4 burners and surface work area, large warming drawer and two pot storage drawers, timer, surface light and manual. $3,500.
Like-new Westinghouse refrigerator: features a “frost free” freezer compartment, butter storage, egg trays, interior lighting, and manual The E on Westinghouse is missing, but we are trying to order from a restoration company. $2,400.
Westinghouse dishwasher and sink base combination: The dishwasher has not been used in 40 years and we do not know if it runs. Single bay porcelain sink with drainboard on top of dishwasher. Cabinet storage under sink and manual for dishwasher $800.
Custom white Youngstown cabinets
Custom lazy susan & built ins throughout
Like-new Westinghouse stove with warming drawer
“Frost Free” Westinghouse refrigerator
Pam adds: Wow. Gorgeous kitchen… I’m in serious love with that stove. And, I love this listing because it seems to be a great example of how a modest-sized, U-shaped kitchen was put together. Also, this color combo seems to be a particular classic for the period — the pistachio green countertop, the kelly green floor, the white cabinets. I am pretty sure that the kitchen original to my 1951 house was this color scheme — we found kelly green tiles underneath the 70s vinyl sheet… and we had this pistachio green countertop (linen design) in two of the bathrooms. Finally — note the small scale of the fridge — replicate with a Smeg … or seek out vintage…. Thank you, Matt, for getting this post up pronto.
roseanne says
I have the same stove and have looked to no avail for the model number. oven and broiler have both stopped working so am looking for cause and replacement parts so model would be a big help.
pam kueber says
See our section Kitchen Help/Appliances for our story on where to find help. It’s also under the FAQs
SusieQT says
I bought replacement elements from Antiqueappliances.com. I have not yet put them in though!
Alison says
I am buying my grandparents 1956 ranch style house. It has original general electric white stove/ oven. I use it daily and love the vintage look,zz
Gloria says
I was looking into remodeling my kitchen when I found out I had a Youngstown kitchen. Now I need to know how to clean them up. There is some rust under the sink and on some of the hinges.
pam kueber says
Great, Emily! This is not a DIY site, but see our category Kitchens / Steel Kitchens, where a number of readers have shared their experiences. Also please know, there can be vintage nastiness such as lead paint in our old houses — consult with your own properly licensed professional.
amber says
OK. 1st off I’m new here & I apologize if I’m not posting in the right area 🙂 This kitchen looks kinda like mine, don’t get me wrong I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Youngstown metal cabinets. They are in mint condition. My only problem is it’s just too much white!! I have ALOT of cabinets…. The counter is original also. Its a dark marbly green & Formica (I believe) with stainless steel banding on the curved edge and also on the back curve to the wall. The range is a 1950s Westinghouse. Them we have the newer refrigerator. I would love some pointers on how to make my kitchen more inviting. Cozy. Just want to tie it all together. Some cabinet colors would be great…
erv bell says
I AM DESPERATELY LOOKIN FOR A PIN OR KNIVE HINGE FOR A VINAGE KITCHEN CABINET DOOR. ANY LEADS?
pam kueber says
this is covered in the faqs, erv. bottom line: none known – salvage is your best bet unless you can cobble something together ….
MinnyMoma says
I know for around $2400ish, you can buy a “new” retro fridge…
and it will come with a freezer department a lot bigger than that one.
Elizabeth Estelle says
I have a kitchen very similar to this for sale. Is anybody interested? I do not have the fridge or stove but the cabinets, marlite wals and ceiling, and some dishes.
pam kueber says
Elizabeth – no buying/selling here on the main page, but head over to the Forum, https://retrorenovation.com/forum/ , where there is a very active buying/selling community. Good luck!
Mary says
That kitchen is so cute and 100% efficient in design. So many of today’s kitchens are excessive in size and design. Simple is better!
Holly says
Aces! I think I’m in retro love! I would die to have that kitchen!
Jackie says
Wow, that is my dream kitchen!!
That pale green linen laminate is showing up all over the place lately. Why, oh why, won’t they start making it again?!