Now that the holiday frenzy is kinda sorta dying down, I’m getting back in the groove with features about reader homes. Did I say “groove”? Veronica — who is closing on her first house — a 1976 contemporary — today, is already chomping at the bit to get her retro nesting under way. And, she wants our help with paint colors for this 1976 kitchen. Interestingly, this is really typical of how readers find my site: They make an offer on a new/old house… immediately begin online research on how to renovate and update it … and land right here among us, sucked into our “back-dating” retro vortex. Veronica writes:
I have recently bought my first home- a 1976 contemporary. I want my first project to be the kitchen, but on a tight budget my only option is to paint… I am having a hard time picking out paint colors. They are currently black and white but it feels too stark and cold. I want to keep a mid century mod motif- I was thinking grays and browns to match the brick red colored tiles on the floor, but I would love some ideas.
My husband and I are first time home buyers in the Albany, NY area. Relatively speaking, it did not take us too long to find our dream house- a 1970’s contemporary. I knew before we even began looking for a house that I would not buy a “cookie cutter” house. When we walked in to this house, we fell in love with the spiral staircase and the retro feel of the house.
The layout is a bit awkward- the main living space (kitchen, dining, and family room) are in the walkout “basement”. The main floor is a wide open living room- the third floor holds the bedrooms and there is even a fourth floor loft area (accessible via ladder). I am very excited to add even more midcentury mod touches to this house!
We are closing on the house Wednesday and will begin our renovations this weekend.
thanks pam!~Veronica
kate mckinnon says
Another vote for “live with it” for a while. But it’s nice to have a project to jump into. Paint is PERFECT, and of course you’ve got wall in there to start on.
Painting cabinets is like painting mullioned doors and windows: hard.
Plus the black and white is kind of cool. LOVE the hardware!
I would think about an orange, green, or yellow countertop. Personally I’d go for a hot colour.
And then I’d start painting swatches, figuring out a pop art colour for the wall with the pass-through.
And green plants, definitely plants! This is the 70s, after all.
Retromodgirl says
Congrats on the new house! How about using “Magician’s Cloak” from Valdspar from Lowe’s on the walls, and a jazzy royal blue of some sort on the cabinets? With lime green accents all around? I got the idea from this Albany artist’s retro 70s kitchen:http://community.livejournal.com/saucydwellings/1650608.html#cutid1. Her blog is here: http://www.modachromehome.com/. You might be able to email her at her blog. She has some great color ideas!! She also sells retro fabric in her Etsy shop.
Retromodgirl says
Also, her etsy shop is here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/allaboutevelyn?ref=seller_info.
Tami says
Awesome house. You’re going to have a great time there! Others have already recommended living with it as is for awhile – and I can’t recommend this route enough! See how the space functions and how the light acts through the seasons – those are intangibles you just don’t know well at this point.
About the 70s colors: I grew up with them and they are indelibly paired in my psyche with unsure, unhappy times. And then I married a guy whose studies and work took us through Eastern & Southeastern Europe during the bad ol’ commie days where those colors were embraced everywhere, paired with drab concrete construction and acrid coal smoke. Scarred, I know. I just cringe to see them recommended.
So that’s why I like suggestions like James’ above. Try updating those colors with today’s equivalents. Instead of orange, try a coral. Instead of brown, try eggplant. Instead of avocado, try lime green or one of the cool bluegreens. You’ll find more fabrics and other accessories available to coordinate with them too.
Elizabeth Mary says
Hi Veronica,
Congratulations on your first home, it looks fabulous. Like others I would suggest not doing anything too drastic too quickly. I too have had the experience of totally changing my mind about what I want done over the course of a few years. The kitchen looks just about perfect to me, honestly. The cupboards are really unique, with those handles, and I like the combination of white and black a lot. The walls seem to be just wall board, with no tile or anything else, so I think a bit of paint there could be grand. Some cheery not too deep/dark green, or gold would go with the black and white and also the brick red floor, I would think.
Good luck on whatever you decide. And if your are new to the Albany area, Welcome to the neighborhood! I am about 35 miles away and am crazy about this entire part of the country.
James says
Something Mondrian-esque would look terrific. Think of keeping most of the cabinet panels white, but using (very sparingly) an orange, green or eggplant color drawer and/or cabinet panel every so often. Restraint is the key to a successful design. I have a picture somewhere in an old decorating book, and the effect is tremendous – will try to find it and scan it.
Gavin Hastings says
Pam…could you locate that wallpaper from England that you featured several months back? Same company that had the swallows on gray…but they had a wonderful modern floral with gray and orange tilted flowers.
2 rolls of that across the backsplash would really get the ball rolling and hold off major changes for a few years! Thanks.
Gavin Hastings says
Sanderson Dandelion Clocks….but I don’t know how to show it. It is black, white and colors and nothing else would be needed!
Gavin Hastings says
33 pounds a single roll @ John Lewis. Room done.
pam kueber says
add a link… ? although this one is “aspirational” as veronica only wants to paint right now. of course YOU KNOW that my first response would be: graphic wallpaper!
pam kueber says
yes, that is a great design. has a real 2010 contemporary modern feel that bridges the decades as well. you can even get dinnerware! i’ll feature this in my post tomorrow…
pam kueber says
sunflower clocks design too large for the backsplash, though, i think. ttfn – need to do some house-work (of course)
Mark says
Nice place!
Leave the pulls and handles alone whatever you do!
I would paint the walls only if it were me, leave the cabinets alone for now.
The walls need a shade of yellow, not too bright but bright enough to know it’s yellow.
Leslie says
Congratulations on your new home! I actually love the black and white kitchen and I could immediately see the walls painted green. Of course we will call it avocado but there are so many fresher updated versions available. Accents in orange and turquoise would be cute. Have fun and remember once you get started your home will constantly be evolving… it is definitely an ongoing process.
Marc says
Veronica –
Congrats! It’s a nice kitchen… like everyone says, wait awhile. Grab some of those retro decorating books from the 1970’s. This one has a lot of potential. I’m seeing lots of bright yellow, orange or lime green.
Don’t try to make it something it isn’t.
Pamela says
I really like the cabinets & countertops the way they are. The hardware is just awesome and the laminate is totally functional. I wouldn’t touch them. I agree that the kitchen feels a little cold & stark. I think painting the walls a vibrant color is the way to go. I am seeing avocado green walls with stainless accessories and some sunflowers in a colorful vase!