‘Betty Crafter’ wrote me a happy email and sent me these happy photos, which reminded me that I need to start another microsite in the same vein as Save The Pink Bathrooms. Only the new blog will be called: Say Yes to the Knotty Pine. Don’t try to buy the url away from me. It’s mine all mine buwahahaha. Meanwhile, here is Betty’s “miracle” story and more photos of her gorgeous time capsule knotty pine kitchen…She writes:
We just bought the house less than a month ago so we have a long way to go, but here’s our short story so far!
My husband and I decided to move because although we lived in a pretty fab 50’s house in a great location, it didn’t have the original kitchen and bathrooms I’d always wanted. Just before our house hit the market, I saw this one online. I almost stopped breathing. I really didn’t think a house like this existed! Turquoise counters? Knotty pine paneling in half the house? A pink AND a green bathroom? Fireplace? Creek? Barn?
Crikey!
“It looks like the inside of a Spartan trailer!” I squealed.
I immediately called our realtor who refused to show it to me because: “I’m already showing that house to two clients who DON’T have homes to sell first.”
Well I was so insane for this house that the hubs and I drove there and convinced the seller to show it to us herself! Upon seeing it in person I was even more sure this was home. It’s a miracle we ended up here because we weren’t the only ones who loved this house. But luckily for us the other offers fell through just about the time we got offers on our home, and here we are!
We don’t want to change much because the house is pretty much perfect. We tore up the carpet to install green apple VCT in all the areas with the knotty pine paneling and hardwoods in the rest of the house. The turquoise stove and bar chairs came with the house – lucky us! Otherwise it’s all original.
Is it possible to be in love with a physical object? I could not love my new house any more. Also, I’ve started a blog — Betty Crafter — to chronicle our caretaker and preservation efforts if anyone’s interested… The pink bathroom has an unfortunate 80’s vanity, but I found a pink wall hung sink for $5 on the forums here that will be going in soon. Then some fresh paint inside and out and a Crestview Door and we’re done! My main concern is preserving what’s here. There are a few stains on the counters, and I’d like to find the best way to clean them and protect them from future stains. I also need to give my paneling the “Eartha Kitsch treatment” but they are in pretty decent condition as is.
Also, in one of the first shots I sent, that is a NuTone Intercom/Radio that even goes out to the barn! We even have the owner’s manual – when we moved in there was a file folder on the counter with every receipt for service and owner’s manual to everything in the house since the 70’s.
Crikey! BC, you have some mighty fine happy going on there in your little piece of time capsule paradise. I love the way you used the fabric on the kitchen chair to choose your floor color and tie in with the skylark blue Formica countertops. I also LOVE the way the peninsula eating area curves out, from the bottom (eating counter) to top (prep counter) — what a great idea from the past. Send me pics of your other projects when they are ready for prime time. And: A barn and a creek? Those, too! Tip: for cleaning countertops, our reco is Countertop Magic…
Nina462 says
I will be happy to join in the parade of knotty pine! The reason I bought my house is the knotty pine kitchen and basement/bar. (I even have knotty pine furniture in the basement). My credit union website – has a knotty pine background option (which, of course I chose for when I do my online banking).
I love the turquoise combination – something to think of when my appliances go (drats, I have brand new black ones that came with the house). However, as you all know I have the cherry theme going – hmmm turquoise & cherry red & knotty pine? I do have the snowflake corning ware as well – coveted by my dear niece (she’ll have to wait).
Love, love, love your kitchen! Now – what type of everyday dishes do you have? I have Golden Wheat by Homer Laughlin – it’d go great with any knotty pine decor!
Thanks so much for sharing.
gsciencechick says
What is really great about Betty Crafter’s kitchen is that she seems to have fantastic storage for a home of that vintage. Love that hutch/shelving area with the glass! I also like the counter area, too.
I would love to hear more about the stove.
Our knotty pine had been previously painted, so we had to repaint vs. strip. OTOH, we are also in a neighborhood of 60’s homes where you canstill find lots of original knotty pine and pink bathrooms.
eudora says
The happiness on your face says it all, Betty! Your kitchen is like a dream…and like the one of my childhood beach rental…one of the houses that, come to find out, has influenced me more than any other…and I was only ever in it six or eight times! I am thankful the real estate gods shined upon you and yours!!
tammyCA says
Oh, WOW! I love it! I’ve always loved knotty pine as it is what my childhood home’s kitchen and an aunt’s was…it’s a warm, glowing cocoon kinda feeling. I always hit the pause button on “Mad Men” for their same kitchen. 🙂
Happy for Betty to find her dream home and it being just so perfectly preserved. 🙂
BTW, I recently went to a backyard gathering at an older house that had a wonderful PINK vintage bathroom…the pink tile practically covering the entire room.
Betty Crafter says
Thank you SO much for all the love everyone! Part of the reason this is my “dream kitchen” is that my kitchen decor colors have always been turquoise and avocado, so the green floors were a no-brainer! They look great in the attached living/dining too though.
I’ll definitely keep you guys posted on the rest of the house, especially the pink bathroom restoration! Just wait til you see the green bathroom though – it’s the real star!
Lynne, the only cool ceiling fixture in the house is the one you can see there over the sink, unfortunately. Everything else is ceiling fans. But never fear, we have a few danish modern ones we brought with us that we’ll be installing shortly!
And Tami, the dress is a $5 estate sale find.
Thanks again for digging the kitchen!
pam says
Umm, I just have to pipe in: Notice what the background of my blog is? 🙂
Elizajane says
I love the knotty pine! We were ” ” this close to getting a house with a knotty pine kitchen very similar. It had PINK counters and sink. I loved it! Alas, it was not to be. Oh well, I can live vicariously through this blog and yours too Betty. Hey did anyone notice that the ceiling is also turquoise? Great kitchen! Thanks Pam for posting this.
Lynn-O-Matic says
Eeeeep! More major kitchen envy here. What a glorious combination–I never would have thought to do the green floors, but it works so well with the blue and pine.
My favorite detail has to be the angled sides where the counter meets the breakfast bar. Amazing.
You’ve only lived there a month, AND you have young kids in the house, and you have already decorated and accessorized that much? Supermom! We’ve lived here almost seven years and our place isn’t that done yet!
Jane S says
All I can say is… WOWZER. 🙂
Barbara says
Eartha Kitsch…my favorite person in the world gets a shout-out over her knotty pine. FABULOUS!
Love her house – love the turquoise. Can’t wait to see the bathrooms. What lucky people you all are to find these houses. I live in California where it seems a homes interior is remodeled at least every five years. Very few original work still standing!