
I bumped into this 1958 kitchen over on our Forum, which helps readers buy and sell vintage steel kitchen cabinets and other salvage items to remodel their homes in authentic period style. Reader Nicole recently bought this single-owner, Seattle house. Alas, there is water damage to the cabinets. She is replacing them with a like design and selling this gorgeous vintage Ventahood exhaust fan. I initially contacted Nicole just to get more photos of the fan. But, crikey, she then also sent more photos of what proves to be a stunning house with stunning views to the Pacific. Mouse on down on for eight more photos and for a bit of Nicole and her husband Jeff’s story ->
We just bought our house and are working on some renovations, but keeping it in line with the 1958 feel. 🙂
We bought it from the original owners, and have all of the plans, can you believe it?! We were looking for a house with a view – plus open floor plan.
It was designed by Ralph Anderson, a famous Mid Century Modern architect in Seattle. We had lived in a bungalow and a tudor (both rehabs)… We walked in and we fell in LOVE. We had to have this house..
I’ve added photos of the house, and one of the kitchen photo is an AWESOME one of the ventahood! 😉
We are not, unfortunately, (able to keep the kitchen) — some of it had water damage. But we are keeping the cabinets in the garage, and ordered the closest looking ones we could!
We have vintage chevron pulls that we got at the Re-Store and are keeping the sweet red lights. Plus, other vintage lights. The Ventahood (is for sale here): http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/app/2794818079.html
And the Oven (is for sale here): http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/app/2825017337.html
Let me know if you need anything else, and am thrilled to have you feature it!
It is a Beauty!!! 🙂
Thank you so much, Nicole, for sharing these photos. And thanks also to ImageArts Photography for making these photos available and giving me permission to use them here on the blog for our archive-of-great-houses; you do gorgeous work.
Now. Nicole: “It is a Beauty!!!” — even with three exclamation points and a happy face — seems like… the understatement of the year. Ummm, will you adopt me? Do I spy with my little eye: sliding doors in the foyer wallpapered with metallic wallpaper? DAGTH. I also adore the Arabesque tiles in sunroom (?) — Nicole says they are resilient. And what’s that wood on the back wall of the kitchen behind the dinette. As the New York Times said, you know we have an “…inexhaustible enthusiasm for the minutiae of home décor…”
I am so happy you are renovating in harmony with the home’s original style. Also, props for working to find a new home for the vintage pieces. Now that we have the “before” photos of your kitchen, we will be eagerly waiting for the “afters” to come soon. No pressure, dear.
One more thought, readers: When we talked recently about creating “timeless kitchens” the recommendation to do “medium-tone wood cabinets” came up. Here’s a great example of what I think, is a great piece of advice.

















TammyT says
Wow–just wow!!! I now have something to show when asked: “what exactly is it you want in a house?”
Megan B. says
I love this house — reminds me of the fab mid-century houses in Pebble Beach I used to visit as a kid when my mom was cleaning them!
Oh, and not to be a turd in the punchbowl, but those views are of Puget Sound, not the Pacific. The Pacific is another hour or so west, at least.
pam kueber says
Thanks, Megan, geography is my way worst subject.
Valencia Bathe says
This is the most amazing house I’ve seen on Retro Renovation and I’ve looked at all of them…it seems like some kind of magic place far, far away in a land of well, near perfection! Thank you for letting us look at your wonderful home! And congrats!
Kirsten says
I’d love to know which neighborhood this house is in…
Rita@thissortaoldlife says
This is making it a little hard for me to love my 70s split-level in Gresham, Oregon. Grew up minutes from the Sound, in a 50s ranch. Feeling a little homesick. What an amazing place.
TappanTrailerTami says
Beautiful house Nicole! Are you planning on keeping the stone entry flooring? I just love that.
More than anything though….your view makes me SOOOO homesick, down here in California. I was born, raised and lived my whole life in the Mt. Vernon/Burlington area, north of Seattle before moving here. I miss my GREEN surroundings and WATER! I even miss the clouds on some days!
Nicole says
We would never touch the stone floor…we love it!
Lissie A. says
Annie B. said it – “heartbreakingly beautiful” – mostly because I don’t get to live in it!
Just another Pam says
Wow, gorgeous house!
Carole says
Omg…that house is gorgeous, and that view! A beautiful northwest view!
That is one house that I’d leave as ‘original’ as possible. 🙂
Jamie Farone says
This is totally amazing!!! congratulations!!! I can only imagine what you can do with an open floor plan such as this!!! wow!!!!! A+++ please post some more pics whenever you finish the kitchen! what a view!! its like being on a vacation 24/7 , 365 (this year 366) days a year!!! ^_^