Here’s a good one — and a good followup to yesterday’s story discussing “when is it *okay* to let go of something original?” and introducing the Retro Renovator’s Creed. Karen wants our help. She wants to brighten up her 1954 kitchen … should she replace the ceramic tile countertops with something more sparkly? Read on for her entire story and question… then let’s confuse her some more with all our ideas and opinion –>
Pam, You ROCK! Thank you so much for hosting this retro reno PARTY!
I’m throwing my hat in the ring. While my dilemma is not new or particularly unique, I could sure use some help from all your retronistas. The simple problem is whether to replace a perfectly good, original, 1954 tile countertop with one that will add pizzazz.
We bought the house 20 years ago from the original owners. It had not been touched since a year before, and sneaking into it late one night, we were truly caught in a time warp. Back then, we were too busy raising three daughters to make any changes to a perfectly usable pink bathroom and all original everything else, apart from new carpet and the addition of a dishwasher. When I began to breathe and look around, I had no idea what I had or what to do with it.
Then, I found this Brown Saltman sideboard in a dirty old junk store. It had amoeba handles and the glass top, and I HAD to have it. After we squished it into the dining room and I saw the flow to the corner fireplace, it truly hit me as an epiphany: This house was one of those fifties retro houses! Seriously, this is 15 years after we moved in.
Then came a year of mad ebay, yardsale and junk store shopping. I’ve settled down on the buying, but still pass the counter tops with a sigh. While replacing them seems sacrilegious, the grout is a germ magnet, and the colors are drab next to the gorgeous ash cabinets, well, they will be gorgeous once I steam and refinish them.
I have my eye on some of that new glass tile for the backsplash and maybe a black formica counter? So, help. What do you think?
Any suggestions are soooooo much appreciated.
Thank you, Karen. But no: You ROCK. Your house is just lovely!
What do you think, readers?
Should Karen replace her original ceramic tile countertops?
If yes, with what?
If no, how to add the ‘pizzazz’ she seeks to this kitchen?
I will hold back and see what you say… but I for sure have some ideas.
SusanD says
Although I understand the appeal of a new countertop and backspash, the current countertop is so striking and irt matches the cooktop and oven beautifully. I have seen many two tone tile counters, but nothing in that particular combination. I would renovate in stages. I think that if you refinish the cabinets and replace the hardware, the countertop will really shine. If the grout is a problem, you can have it professionally cleaned and sealed for not too much money (I have mine done about once a year for about $350, which includes three tile floors). You can always change the counters later if you are still not happy with it. Some new paint or wallpaper and your beautiful kitchen will be stunning.
Kathryn says
Pleeeeze…..Noooooooooooo……. They are beautiful and once you refinish the wood cabinets they will pop again!
Regrout if you must, but please leave them…they have personality…ORIGINAL personality!
Jeff says
Hi, don’t remove the tiles! Or the cabinets over the peninsula.
As others have suggested, use glass doors on both sides, reeded or “Flutex” as it’s known by trade name and perhaps even some inner cabinet lighting to showcase the shadows of the dishes and glass ware inside?
Refinishing the cabinets is a great idea, and retain the appliances as well, the look is terrific, and no doubt the removal of the countertops would be an arduous affair.
Pick up the look in lighting, the glass cabinet doors, flooring, etc. A lovely kitchen and baths, too, don’t change them either!
You can regrout if necessary, but leave it at that.
Jordanna says
If you do get new counter tops (*sniffle*) do consider that if you are not painting the cabinets a lighter colour, black will suck out even more light than the current tiles do.
I don’t h-word black by any means, black is often wonderful, but a kitchen all in black and brown sounds somber to me.
Unless you’re turning the cabinets a very reflective colour, which I’m not sure I would as the wood is pretty, I would go light on the countertops. Formica has some new marbles that are very pretty. There’s also the linens someone mentioned up thread.
I’ve seen a lot of rich brown wood cabinets with black counters in the last ten or so years and it can look classy but I must say… my personal bias is… it is just often very dark, and it is a look that really saturated the market in the last few years, black granite (or fake granite) on dark cabinets. You need really great windows and lighting to make it look nice and not just like the Batcave.
nina462 says
About black countertops…I see you have a dog. I have black appliances (not by choice) and 1 short haired cat. I keep my kitchen very clean & tidy….but everytime the sun shines in you can see pet hair on the stove/refridgerator. You will see this every day –
I would go with a creamy background boomerang or sparkly countertop.
Rainey says
NO WAY!! I’d love to have those tiles! They may not be the color scheme you want, but they are neutral enough that you can totally jazz up everything around them and make them work.
I do have a retro kitchen (well it’s getting there…the house is 1927 but the kitchen is a work in progress!)…and I have some sort of cheapo countertop. I’m debating my countertop change, but the one you have is one of the front runners!
Don’t tear it out…work around and with it…make it part of the stellar new kitchen!
Barb S. says
I might be out of line here… But whatever that thing is on the back of the toilet, I need it!
Karen says
Haha, Its one of those old porcelain girl vases totally plastered in old costume jewels. It won third place at the county fair in 1963, still has the ribbon attached.
Barb S. says
Smart idea! I think I’m going to try to make one of her! This post was fun and informative. I can’t wait to see what you decide!
Peter says
Keep the tile! I, for one, am sooo done with the granite countertops and new engineered finishes being offered. Printed period laminates might be cool, though.
There’s just something about older tile tops and backsplashes that adds some history to a kitchen.
Sarah Chilcote says
Keep ’em! There are a million new black countertops out there, but your tile one is practically unique. Better to do something with the ash cabinets – maybe a glossy paint?
Eartha Kitsch says
Such a beautiful home! Congratulations on making it your own! My husband’s grandparents had those exact same countertops in their house. Still there to this day.