One of our best stories yet! Christopher and Francisco send this wonderful email and photos:Pam,I have enjoyed your blog for so long. It is an endless source of inspiration in the restoration of our Philadelphia row home. Soon after we moved in, we met our neighbor Nora, an 89 year old widow with a passion for clothes, make-up, and MCM. Her home is immaculate. The kitchen, probably remodeled in the 60’s, has beautiful pink formica counters, wood cabinets, a Caloric wall oven, and a secret wall compartment for the paper towels.
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Nora’s favorite color is pink and her husband’s was blue. He remodeled a former bedroom into a large master bath using both colors. Nora is one of thirteen children. She grew up in the three bedroom house across the street. “The bathroom was the size of a phone booth,” Nora always says. Her husband Pete made sure she had the bathroom of her dreams.
We have many more pictures of Nora’s home and our own remodel. I look forward to sharing these with you. We love our pink bathroom and our retro kitchen. We are currently refinishing a set of metal Geneva wall cabinets and putting a new shine on our light blue 1950’s VCT floor tile. It is a pleasure to share this with you. Thank you so much.
– Christopher and Francisco
To view slide show, click on the first thumbnail, and move forward or back via the arrows below each image.
Thank YOU, Christopher & Francisco. I can’t even express how happy this story makes me. One of the things I love the best THE best THE BEST about our mid century homes is the fact that their original owners are still around to tell us their stories … and to share with us their immense gratitude at having these homes — even the smallest among them. Tell Nora, thank you so much for sharing her story with us! And my GOSH, she looks fantastic. See how that pink bounces off your skin and makes you all glowy? Or — in this case — I think the glow is coming from the inside. 🙂
Laura's Last Ditch--Vintage Kitchenwares says
If you NEED the canisters, I have some in my shop.
It looks like Nora would be a really neat neighbor! I love how she lived in a 3-bedroom with 13 siblings. Now everyone thinks each kid needs his own room. Ridiculous.
Tina says
We had the same exact chocolate brown Caloric Observador in wall oven in our South Philadelphia row home. It was well worn when we bought our house, and it bit the dust a few years ago. I was forced to replace it with a much less spectacular model.
Grits says
My parents had a house built in 1963 and it had the exact same wall over, and probably the same cooktop too. Great to see it here!
Deirdre DOrazio says
Aunt Nora is my great-aunt on my father’s side. She and all my paternal aunts and uncles were born in the house across the street (yes, all 13 born in the house, -my great grand-mother was never in a hospital!). Aunt Nora and Uncle Pete never had children. As such, they were second parents to my brother Derek and I. I spent many days growing up on their street bouncing back and forth between their’s and my grandmother’s house. I have crystal clear memories of being potty trained on the toilet in the large marvelous bathroom! -Did I mention I’m almost 40 and a doctor? Memories of this house are humbling reminders of the seeds of my personality. My best traits grew out of this magical home and the unconditional love of my dear Uncle Pete and Aunt Nora. I think of my life as a child in that home and I suddenly feel the simple heart warming beauty of the colors, sunlight, smells, and soft comfort swarming within those walls. Thank you Christopher & Francisco.
Charlotte Yeoman says
What a fun house. Love the bathroom and the kitchen. Wish we could find a red countertop material like your pink one. Thanks for sharing.
Modern June says
My grandma had a kitchen just like this!!! Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
Robert says
I remember those copper canisters very well.
My parents got a set of those as a wedding present in 1955. They were Ecko if memory serves.
I can almost hear Rosemary Clooney singing “Come On A My House” on a pink Eames style table radio when I see those pics.
Marvellous!
Propagtrix says
The canisters are West Bend anodized aluminum. I have the complete set, including the VHTF grease strainer/keeper. Even my flour feels sassy in pink aluminum.
Zoocrewmom says
I want to look exactly like Nora when I grow up. She’s radiant! Probably because she has such awesome taste…
Patrick Coffey says
That Caloric Range is the same one that was in the Petrie Kitchen on the Dick van Dyke Show…..by I love that kitchen and bath just gorgeous…..if they look that good what does the rest of the house look like?
Joe Felice says
That is truly a vintage kitchen! Although I have to say, I’m not crazy about pink. My kitchen would be turquoise & yellow. The canister set is too cool. I remember those. Everybody had one, just like the crouching black panther. Now the salmon & turquoise bathroom is absolutely HOT!