Brian & Keri’s Happily Ever After $7,000 kitchen remodel
pam kueber - Updated: May 4, 2021
Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.
“We moved to Nashville… looking for a better
quality of life and a little house to love…”
When Brian and Keri moved into this Nashville house two years ago, they embraced their home’s heritage — and instead of gutting to granitize, they planned modest updates to the existing galley style kitchen to make the working and eating space even more fun to spend time in.
They did a lot of work themselves, spending just $7,000 to create a super-happy, pretty much “all new” kitchen — that looks like it’s been there 60 years. What’s old was repainted or otherwise freshened… what’s new is authentically suitable to the kitchen’s original era and design. Lots of great ideas, resources — and 17 great photos — all credited Brian McHugh — here. Brian writes:
Hi Pam,
We moved to Nashville two years ago from Los Angeles, looking for a better quality of life and a little house to love.
We fell in love with our 1953 cottage-style ranch at first sight, in part because of the mint green and black bathroom, but also because of the super cool red amazon logo on the front of the vintage Youngstown sink cabinet.
[Pam says: Brian calls the badge an “amazon,” but in fact, that’s the logo for Youngstown Diana kitchen cabinets, as in the Roman goddess Diana the Archer. That’s a Diana sink base above and here —
You can also identify Diana sink bases from the unique rounded apron (which holds the logo) and the stepped-back door design just below. Pretty. – Pam]
We even have a knotty pine den, complete with patterned wall paper ceiling. The house was somewhat neglected, badly painted, and decorated in a very utilitarian way. We decided we wanted to bring this neglected little house back with loving appreciation and a modern midcentury aesthetic.
Notice the original countertop and the old style, heavy duty, integrated edging — that’s pretty hard to find. Way cool. – Pam
The kitchen was our last big project. We wanted to double the size of what we already had, moving the washer and dryer, adding a dishwasher and microwave, and moving the old girl into the twenty first century. The original kitchen had a small set of original Youngstown steel cabinets with only two uppers and two lowers. It took almost a year to find another set of Youngstown cabinets to add to our existing set, in part because we were looking for a set with the chrome countertop bumpers and trim. We found a set in Knoxville, drove four hours one way to check them out and rented a trailer to bring them home.
We gutted the kitchen, removing the existing cabinets, and had them painted with the electrostatic paint process.
To save money, we prepped (the cabinets) ourselves, sanding eleven cabinets down to the bare metal. [Precautionary Pam reminds: Please always remember, there can be safety and environmental hazards in the surfaces, layers, materials and products in our homes. When working with old materials and products like this, be sure to get with your own properly licensed professionals to determine what you are working with so that you can make informed decisions how to handle, become familiar with and use recommended best practices, and also learn about the proper disposal of debris, etc. Be Safe / Renovate Safe.]
The original countertops were formica cracked ice. We replaced them with formica aqua boomerang laminate. We saved the original sink, got it refinished instead of replacing. It goes beautifully with logo on the front of the sink cabinet. The whole house needed the electrical updated, and the kitchen need plumbing moved to support our changes to the appliances. The washer and dryer (had originally) lived in the kitchen, which was the first thing to go…. We gave up our pantry and had water lines and power run to the pantry so we could install stackable units.
I wanted to save the original chrome “Fleur O Ray” flourescent fixture in the kitchen, so I found 4 replacement ballasts and installed them, making the fixture useable again.We had to ditch all the original brass door hardware with polished chrome, which complements the kitchen chrome well. Finally, We replaced the flooring with AZROCK laminate, which we found out about on your site. It’s Azrock VL-130 Classic Blue Gray vinyl tile. Tons of work, but totally worth it.
Max and Mitzi are nonchalant about The Retro
Suggestions for refinishing the cabinets, Formica boomerang counter top laminate, and flooring came from the Retro Renovation website. We managed to keep the entire kitchen remodel, including new appliances, plumbing, electrical, and flooring for under $7,000.
We both work in the visual arts, and collect art avidly. The walls of the kitchen are hung with some of our favorite artists: the typography under the clock is a collection of little “ass-ham” painting characters by Arizona artist Lesli Englert, the large print on the back wall and two small prints are by San Diego artist Scott Saw. There are also vintage valentines framed and hanging near the 1950s dinette.
Thanks again for the website! It was a wonderful resource while we were renovating the kitchen, and we couldn’t have done it without you.
Best,
Keri and Brian
Thank you, Keri and Brian, for sharing your story and all these wonderful photos. FANTASTIC kitchen. I love it, and suspect it will be one of our favorites of the year. Even a contender for 2012 Hard Way Award, methinks.
.
Readers, Brian and I chatted about some other things in our back-and-forth. In particular, I wanted to share that he and Keri chose professional electrostatic painting over powder-coating because they were told that (1) the high heat necessary for powder coating could warp the doors and that (2) the material used to stiffen and sound-insulate the doors might even catch fire under the high heat of powder-coat baking. Be forewarned and moreover: Consult with professionals.
.
Also, stay tuned for some more photos from their home. Knotty pine den with wallpapered ceiling, you say? You know I’m onto that.
Beautiful kitchen!! I love that you were able to refurbish the cabinets. We have the same cabinets in our kitchen–I bought the house 12 years ago because I loved the cabinets with the Diana logo and because there was a beautiful O’Keefe and Merit stove. The cabinets were not in great shape when we moved in. Now the drawers will only open with force and the doors are falling off their hinges. The fixtures appear to be worn away. Did you have to address these problems? We are trying to decide between saving what we have (which seems like a huge challenge because they seem to be falling apart around us) or starting over.
Leisa Gsays
This is absolutely gorgeous. You have such a wonderful space, that is very inspiring! I am in the process of buying a modest 1955 cottage. My eyes nearly popped out of my head when we looked at it, and I found that it had the original Youngstown steel cabinets and pulls!!!!!
Briansays
Hi Katie-
The drawer pulls are original Youngstown drawer pulls that came with the Youngstown cabinets when they were made in 1953. They are getting hard to find but sometimes you see them on ebay. Search for “Youngstown boomerang drawer pulls”
Thanks
Brian
Katiesays
Love your cabinet and drawer pulls. Where are they from?
Wow, this is the first time I’ve seen metal cabinets here with the same chrome bumper trim (now I know what to call it!). I have Youngstown cabinet in my house in Los Angeles, and I need to replace the countertops SOON! (they’re warped) I would love to know how exactly you did that, Keri & Brian. Did you just use elbow grease and loving care to pop them off? Any special tools?
Briansays
Hi Allison-
Thanks for for responding. My wife and I moved to Nashville from Venice Beach, CA. and are missing the amazing weather. As for removing the old laminate, We have the original laminate countertops. Under the laminate. The countertop is stainless steel, which we kept to adhere the new laminate to. I bought Klean Strip mineral spirits from Home Depot. I also bought a sharp, wide painter’s putty knife. I lifted off the corners and removed whatever laminate I could. I then brushed the mineral spirits around the edges, lifting the laminate up as much as I could to get the mineral spirits under the stubborn laminate. Give it 15-30 minutes to break down the glue. It lifts right off after that. I used the putty knife to remove as much excess glue as I could. I used an orbital hand sander with a 80 grit sandpaper to remove the remaining glue, which also roughs up the metal surface to allow the new adhesive and laminate to make a good contact. Wash off the metal surface to make sure the surface is very clean. I applied a coat of Dap Contact cement to the clean surface, dropped the new laminate on, and clamped clamps all round the edges. I placed cardboard over the laminate, placing bricks (you could use any flat, heavy object) in the center to apply weight so the laminate makes good contact and adheres to the countertop. Let it dry overnight, and the countertops are ready to go back on. You could do it all in a weekend. Any more questions? Let us know
Brian & Keri
Karinsays
Hi Brian and Keri,
Your kitchen is my favorite on RR. I bought the same Youngstowns with chrome bumper trim and I love them. I had my cabs painted blue by an autobody shop. The counters came with a white background boomerang laminate. I already bought the aqua laminate before I found the cabinets, so I am planning to put it in exactly the same way you did. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences.
I have a question about the counterttops. Did you remove them when the cabs were painted? I had to unscrew and remove the countertops in order to have the cabs painted offsite. One of the counterttops has warped. Actually, the steel substrate under the laminate and chrome bumpers has warped. I am currently trying to fix the warp with some heavy weights before I re-attach it. Did you keep the steel substrate?
Briansays
This kitchen is incredible! The paint is beautiful as well. What is the color and paint code? I want to paint my kitchen with this color. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
Briansays
Hey Brian-
Thanks for the comments. So, I got the paint from Home Depot. It is a sample from Glidden, but I had them use Behr, as it is a better paint. The coor is Robin’s egg. The color code is GLB08. Any questions? Let me know
Brian
Briansays
Hello,
Thanks for getting back with me so quickly. My wife and I really appreciate it. Thanks for the info and the paint code. Once again this kitchen is amazing and thus gives me ideas for my Cape Cod kitchen as well.
Thank You,
Brian
Denisesays
I have recently purchased a 1938 home in its original state. There is a Kelvinator stove/oven 3drs in the kitchen. I am trying to find out what is worth it works and if I want to keep or sell it. I need help!
Thank you so much for sharing these pictures and your story. I grew up in a house that was brand new in 1955 and had Youngstown cabinets exactly like yours. I loved that red logo on the sink! I would take a 1950s kitchen over today’s “modern” kitchens any day of the week!
When Brian and Keri moved into this Nashville house two years ago, they embraced their home’s heritage — and instead of gutting to granitize, they planned modest updates to the existing galley style kitchen to make the working and eating space even more fun to spend time in.
They did a lot of work themselves, spending just $7,000 to create a super-happy, pretty much “all new” kitchen — that looks like it’s been there 60 years. What’s old was repainted or otherwise freshened… what’s new is authentically suitable to the kitchen’s original era and design. Lots of great ideas, resources — and 17 great photos — all credited Brian McHugh — here. Brian writes:
We fell in love with our 1953 cottage-style ranch at first sight, in part because of the mint green and black bathroom, but also because of the super cool red amazon logo on the front of the vintage Youngstown sink cabinet.
[Pam says: Brian calls the badge an “amazon,” but in fact, that’s the logo for Youngstown Diana kitchen cabinets, as in the Roman goddess Diana the Archer. That’s a Diana sink base above and here —
You can also identify Diana sink bases from the unique rounded apron (which holds the logo) and the stepped-back door design just below. Pretty. – Pam]
To save money, we prepped (the cabinets) ourselves, sanding eleven cabinets down to the bare metal. [Precautionary Pam reminds: Please always remember, there can be safety and environmental hazards in the surfaces, layers, materials and products in our homes. When working with old materials and products like this, be sure to get with your own properly licensed professionals to determine what you are working with so that you can make informed decisions how to handle, become familiar with and use recommended best practices, and also learn about the proper disposal of debris, etc. Be Safe / Renovate Safe.]
I wanted to save the original chrome “Fleur O Ray” flourescent fixture in the kitchen, so I found 4 replacement ballasts and installed them, making the fixture useable again.We had to ditch all the original brass door hardware with polished chrome, which complements the kitchen chrome well. Finally, We replaced the flooring with AZROCK laminate, which we found out about on your site. It’s Azrock VL-130 Classic Blue Gray vinyl tile. Tons of work, but totally worth it.
Thank you, Keri and Brian, for sharing your story and all these wonderful photos. FANTASTIC kitchen. I love it, and suspect it will be one of our favorites of the year. Even a contender for 2012 Hard Way Award, methinks.
Phil says
Please help, I’m looking for some original design, Aqua Boomerang Formica for my warn out countertop. Is anyone still holding onto some in storage?
Tim says
I have the Youngstown cabinets in my home I am wondering what they are worthwhile
pam kueber says
See our Kitchen Help / Steel Kitchens category – we have a story on this from 2010, which you can use as a barometer, along with other info there. https://retrorenovation.com/category/kitchen/steel-kitchen-cabinets/
Elizabeth says
Beautiful kitchen!! I love that you were able to refurbish the cabinets. We have the same cabinets in our kitchen–I bought the house 12 years ago because I loved the cabinets with the Diana logo and because there was a beautiful O’Keefe and Merit stove. The cabinets were not in great shape when we moved in. Now the drawers will only open with force and the doors are falling off their hinges. The fixtures appear to be worn away. Did you have to address these problems? We are trying to decide between saving what we have (which seems like a huge challenge because they seem to be falling apart around us) or starting over.
Leisa G says
This is absolutely gorgeous. You have such a wonderful space, that is very inspiring! I am in the process of buying a modest 1955 cottage. My eyes nearly popped out of my head when we looked at it, and I found that it had the original Youngstown steel cabinets and pulls!!!!!
Brian says
Hi Katie-
The drawer pulls are original Youngstown drawer pulls that came with the Youngstown cabinets when they were made in 1953. They are getting hard to find but sometimes you see them on ebay. Search for “Youngstown boomerang drawer pulls”
Thanks
Brian
Katie says
Love your cabinet and drawer pulls. Where are they from?
Alison Schmidt says
Wow, this is the first time I’ve seen metal cabinets here with the same chrome bumper trim (now I know what to call it!). I have Youngstown cabinet in my house in Los Angeles, and I need to replace the countertops SOON! (they’re warped) I would love to know how exactly you did that, Keri & Brian. Did you just use elbow grease and loving care to pop them off? Any special tools?
Brian says
Hi Allison-
Thanks for for responding. My wife and I moved to Nashville from Venice Beach, CA. and are missing the amazing weather. As for removing the old laminate, We have the original laminate countertops. Under the laminate. The countertop is stainless steel, which we kept to adhere the new laminate to. I bought Klean Strip mineral spirits from Home Depot. I also bought a sharp, wide painter’s putty knife. I lifted off the corners and removed whatever laminate I could. I then brushed the mineral spirits around the edges, lifting the laminate up as much as I could to get the mineral spirits under the stubborn laminate. Give it 15-30 minutes to break down the glue. It lifts right off after that. I used the putty knife to remove as much excess glue as I could. I used an orbital hand sander with a 80 grit sandpaper to remove the remaining glue, which also roughs up the metal surface to allow the new adhesive and laminate to make a good contact. Wash off the metal surface to make sure the surface is very clean. I applied a coat of Dap Contact cement to the clean surface, dropped the new laminate on, and clamped clamps all round the edges. I placed cardboard over the laminate, placing bricks (you could use any flat, heavy object) in the center to apply weight so the laminate makes good contact and adheres to the countertop. Let it dry overnight, and the countertops are ready to go back on. You could do it all in a weekend. Any more questions? Let us know
Brian & Keri
Karin says
Hi Brian and Keri,
Your kitchen is my favorite on RR. I bought the same Youngstowns with chrome bumper trim and I love them. I had my cabs painted blue by an autobody shop. The counters came with a white background boomerang laminate. I already bought the aqua laminate before I found the cabinets, so I am planning to put it in exactly the same way you did. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences.
I have a question about the counterttops. Did you remove them when the cabs were painted? I had to unscrew and remove the countertops in order to have the cabs painted offsite. One of the counterttops has warped. Actually, the steel substrate under the laminate and chrome bumpers has warped. I am currently trying to fix the warp with some heavy weights before I re-attach it. Did you keep the steel substrate?
Brian says
This kitchen is incredible! The paint is beautiful as well. What is the color and paint code? I want to paint my kitchen with this color. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
Brian says
Hey Brian-
Thanks for the comments. So, I got the paint from Home Depot. It is a sample from Glidden, but I had them use Behr, as it is a better paint. The coor is Robin’s egg. The color code is GLB08. Any questions? Let me know
Brian
Brian says
Hello,
Thanks for getting back with me so quickly. My wife and I really appreciate it. Thanks for the info and the paint code. Once again this kitchen is amazing and thus gives me ideas for my Cape Cod kitchen as well.
Thank You,
Brian
Denise says
I have recently purchased a 1938 home in its original state. There is a Kelvinator stove/oven 3drs in the kitchen. I am trying to find out what is worth it works and if I want to keep or sell it. I need help!
pam kueber says
Hi Denise, We have a story on this with some reader suggestions about where to delve for info: https://retrorenovation.com/2011/08/29/parts-service-and-advice-to-fix-old-stoves-and-other-vintage-appliances-a-list-of-9-online-resources/ Good luck!
Carol Cameron says
Thank you so much for sharing these pictures and your story. I grew up in a house that was brand new in 1955 and had Youngstown cabinets exactly like yours. I loved that red logo on the sink! I would take a 1950s kitchen over today’s “modern” kitchens any day of the week!