Entries now closed. Be sure to check the blog regularly — there will be another contest in May. Amy was the winner of our January contest to win a Love The House You’re In Collage — and that’s her classique mid-century modest home, above — as immortalized by collage artist extraordinaire Mel Kolstad. To win our April contest, all you have to do is:
Leave a Comment answering the question, “What project is at the top of your to-do list month?” If you want to leave a tidbit on its style, that would be cool, too. Please read all the rules here before entering, they all apply.
This month’s contest rewards regular readers — I’ll pick a winner late Monday night. Yay on all of you who check in daily!
“I LOVE Amy’s house! The minute I set eyes on it I got all nostalgic – this little beaut reminds me of the neighborhood in Green Bay, WI where I grew up. I loved the challenge on working with REALLY tiny “bricks” and making the “wrought iron” railing, and the fact that Amy wanted her family in the photo because they’re so supportive of her. That’s what it’s all about.”
Thanks, Mel! Read more about her work on her cool blog, Ephemeraology.
P.S.: Not to tantalize, but Jenni and I are putting the finishing touches on Mom’s bathroom today (Friday). Big reveal to come this weekend. If we survive. 🙂
Scott Avis says
Hi. Pam
My project and question is:
I’m in the middle of painting the kitchen of my 50’s bungalow in Vancouver BC.
I had painted it a teally blue but it seemed too much so after some research I’m now painting large diamonds (one foot by six inches) in peptobismal pink, kermit green, butter yellow, and mauve. on the largest wall and over the cabinets, My friends think I’ve gone Easter crazy or something, but this sounds fifties doesn’t it???
I would love your thoughts
Scottago
Jenny says
This year’s Spring project is building and installing a series of built-in shelves in the bedroom. It’s a bit of a birthday present for me as the shelves will house my collection of owl figurines that is currently crowded beyond capacity on top of a chest of drawers. My DH has become quite adept at creating built-ins that match the original ones that came with our 1953 Cape Cod. Can’t wait!
Stacy says
I wish I could say this months project would be to put in new a new yellow and aqua VCT floor in the kitchen of our 1947 home but in reality it will be getting the summer garden started. Last summer right after we bought the house we built a raised planter bed for vegetables. Because it was so late in the season I didn’t have veggies until September. This year I want to be eating homemade salsa in July! We will also be puppy proofing the house for our new 6 month old 54 lb bundle of puppy joy!
Jordon W says
My husband and I bought our 1965 brick ranch 2 years ago this month. We (mainly me – I’m the handy one!) have worked our butts off turning what was once a foreclosed rental property into a fun & functional midcentury modest dream. The only remaining projects, which we are determined to finish this summer with the help of my retired contractor father, are the eat-in kitchen & exterior/landscaping. Hopefully my pop remembers the whole “Don’t touch my green oven!” ordeal… LOL! My little 27″ drop-in is small but mighty! Anyway, I’m not only extremely excited to makeover the remaining areas but also to spend time with Dad. My family lives an hour from us & having here for a couple of weeks will be so great! Even though he is still a busy fella with several rental properties to maintain, he has given top priority to helping us ‘finish’ the house. Reason being, you might ask? I need to be finished climbing extension ladders, pulling guttering, spray painting & the like before our home’s real transformation can take place. After 3 years of wedded bliss, my husband & I are ready to start a family! An awesome piece of art like this would be the perfect way to commemorate this summer of “nesting”! **P.s. Pam, my dear, how about some retro nursery ideas?
Missouri Michael says
All of my upcoming projects are outside projects. Not that there aren’t several things that need to be done indoors, but it’s time to be outside after being cooped up all winter! My biggest upcoming projects are power washing the house, cleaning up the flower beds and planting red salvia and yellow marigolds in them, and fertilizing the lawn with weed-n-feed to get rid of those annoying marigolds.
Missouri Michael says
make that annoying dandelions… (face palm)
Nadine says
I would like to clean up my dining room ceiling. The idea I’ve had in mind is to use a stencil on each of the 16″ (or so) squares to make them resemble a tin ceiling. The colors would have to be subtle. I also need to finish putting the molding up. I have some brackets to put up a decorative shelf above the front windows, too. That reminds me, I crocheted some edgings for curtains & I need to finish them. The rest of the room is basically done & I like it, but to finish it off would be divine.
Connie says
What project is at the top of my to-do list? Buying paint! How’s that for a thrill. 🙂
It took me two years to find some window treatments that I liked. (Think lots of light but still privacy as we live in the big city and the house next door is all of 4 feet away.) Finally found some really cool Venetian Blinds, made out of heavy translucent plastic – very Blade Runner! (Note: I don’t live in a mid-century house but a 1920s brick bungalow. I’ve been going for a more deco look but Retro Renovation is still a great resource.) My dining room went from a cave to the brightest room in the house. I just get a big smile on my face every time I walk through there now.There is one downside though, the dingy old paint on the walls is really obvious. Now that the weather is finally getting nice, time to paint. I picked out my color so now its just a matter of getting to the paint store and buying it. I can’t wait to see how it turns out.
Janet Gore says
I’ve been in this 50 year-old house for three years … and we’re still not done with “all the little things” that need fine tuning.
When “she’s” all sparkling clean, I enjoy showing her off … and saying “I just love the quirky house I’m in …. and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else”.
Erin says
We need to do some more spring clean-up on our yard! 🙂 The oak trees are still dropping leaves!
Jana says
WHEW, ALMOST THERE! 🙂 Being a teacher, I have the blessed luxury of having some concentrated time off of work during the summers. My dad was an avid DIY advocate who taught me many valuable home repair and renovation skills when I was growing up and helping him with his “puttering projects”, so I really enjoy working with (and on) my house. Each summer for the past 5 years I have chosen one room in my house to renovate & redecorate. (I have a cute little 1969 ranch in FL.). This summer is the last major room – the guest bathroom. I am on a really short “shoestring” budget, so it is a challenge, but such fun when I hunt bargains for my planned summer project all through out the year. This year the guest bathroom will get a makeover. I’m painting over the original yellowing blue cornflower wallpaper (its glued directly to the sheetrock), I’m replacing my seriously chipped cast iron sink and dropping in a genuine vintage NOS hudee ring “Daisy” model :). It took me awhile to get the hang of mounting the ring (I put one in my other bath last summer). I’m painting my vanity to match the blue ceramic tiles and putting on new hardware, and installing a new bath mirror and light fixture (super bargain from Lowe’s). I have a good friend who is a licensed contractor who supervises me with the electrical stuff and helps me with mounting. (He wants to make sure I don’t burn the house down)…. and the biggest project will be — ripping up the nasty linoleum floor tile (2 layers, I checked). I will be laying some white and blue mosiac tile for the flooring. My scariest challenge will be repainting the bathtub since I have never done that before. (ANY SUGGESTIONS AND TIPS PLEASE?) The bathtub is seriously scratched, stained and worn and I will be attempting to paint it white again using a reseal/repaint kit. The finishing touches will be a retro wall paper border, art from a flea market and a vintage shower curtain. I have two words to that age old back to school question “How did you spend your summer vacation?” RETRO RENOVATION! 🙂
pam kueber says
🙂