Oh, how we love thee: The original features — big and small — in our homes. They managed to avoid the curse of the previous owner update. Or, maybe you found a time capsule whose first owner who knew they had something good, and didn’t change a thing. Yes, we neeeeeeeded to see the original “they don’t make ’em like that anymore” architectural details and features in readers’ old houses — and you gave us 483 photos, to be exact! There is some FANTASTIC stuff in here! Uploader is now closed — thanks, everyone, for playing. Time to gawk! Above: Close-up of the room divider in Andy A’s 1962 house. Oh my! See? We bet you’re gawkin’ already. 🙂
To see the slide show, click on the thumbnail, it will enlarge, then use the arrows just below to move forward or back. You can start or stop the show from any slide.
Wendy in St. Louis says
Oh wow, what FABULOUS pictures! I was actually getting ready to throw a big ole’ pity party for myself, wondering why I didn’t hold out for a house with some of these drool worthy details. The main floor of my house is rather mundane. But then…d-oh! I have a great knotty pine basement! (If it was “finished” it was called a ratskeller in St. Louis. Lots of Germans here!) So I DO get to upload pictures!
The pity party has been called off, but envy still abounds.
Diane in CO says
Wendy, glad you cancelled pity-party. Your ratskeller basement, with fab bar and great checkerboard floor, is wonderful. The decorative vinyl tile with the playing cards is one of my favorite pics. You should have a lot of fun throwing poker or canasta parties down there, serving retro cocktails and little ’50’s canapes — or have a sock hop!
Susan says
LOVE LOVE Loving these!! Have put up pics of our house built in 1971 in New Zealand – but has lots of mid century features (possibly because it took NZ architects 20 odd years to catch up with European designs). #thisblogrocksmysocks
tammyCA says
Yea, more awesome-ness to view! Who’s 1942 cottage?…I want to hug it! So sweet. Love all the original, unique features and everybody embracing that…and, oh boy great vintage colors and warm woods!
All those door bells rock…I remember now those from years ago…and, the basement bars. Can remember relatives & neighbors homes with the basement bars. There are no basements out here but I often see cool original built in bars in Estate sales.
Beth Cochems-Budris says
It’s mine! Thanks.The picture next to it of the kitchen with the white cabinets, red Formica counters and yellow sink is mine too.
Beth
tammyCA says
Aw, lucky you. I collect vintage 1940s cards with cottages and yours looks just like some of them. 🙂 I sure love charming little houses.
Jay says
Now I know what my MC Modest ranch needs – brass tubular door chimes, slate flooring, built-in planter / bookcase / room divider, soffit lighting, etc. etc. I just need a bigger house to fit it all in. My head is spinning from all these great pictures.
Drew R says
Lisa Harm!
I am pea green with envy! Your Western Holly built ins are gorgeous as is the floor!
I am originally from Lincoln (LHS ’88, Wesleyan, ’92) and I am psyched to see Nebraska well represented!
Take care
Drew
MsKittyMuses says
All of these pictures are making me so jealous! The house we ended up buying last summer had very few interesting architectural details compared to a lot of the ones we saw, but it’s the one that worked out and we love it anyway!
There is a lot of inspiration (and motivation) for us here, since we’d like to add in some more interesting touches. Thanks to everyone for their uploads!
Sara says
Loving these pictures! There are so many I love, but Lynn in St. Louis, your vanity is amazing!!!! Good thing your home isn’t owned by someone who might go on one of those TV shows where they gut their “ugly” bathroom. Thank heavens you appreciate the unique beauty of your fabulous bathroom.
Lynn Reina says
Sara, thank you very much. We love our 1960 ranch. Pam actually did a story on the bathroom last Spring after we bought it. Look for the March 13, 2012 story “Wilma Flintstone’s1960 bathroom vanity”
Janet in CT says
I am ever so entertained and thrilled to see all the photos people have sent in. I love the formica vanity (and that floor!), Lori’s aqua kitchen, Mike in FL’s kitchen, the doorbells, the pull-out cart, oh- I love it all! Once again, my sincere thanks to you all for sending them in! And WHO has that fabulous car parked in the carport? That was a treat to see too!
Robin, NV says
Hah! If you’re referring to my carport, that’s my Subaru. A beautiful car but hardly fabulous. Thanks for the compliment though.
Janet in CT says
Robin, if yours is the white car, not the one! This is an older sixties car from the looks of it – maybe a Ford? Dark colored fastback but hard to see. Not sure where you live but carports seem to be kind of short-lived around New England – too much snow! But I do remember alot of them around when I was young but few survived.
Robin, NV says
Oops! I see the one you were referring to. Looks like a ’67 or ’68 Mustang Fastback. My dad had a ’67 Mach I. Pretty sure my Subaru would do better in the snow . . .
Pam – we need a carport uploader! They’re an endangered species.
philq says
I believe it’s a 1968 Ford Torino GT.
Janet in CT says
philq, that’s exactly what I thought it was too! Suits the carport perfectly! By the way, I in so in love with your kitchen with the aqua countertops and the aqua GE wall fridge! Just what I want!
philq says
Thank you, Janet. When we bought the house, we were going to gut the kitchen…now I have fallen in love with it, quirks and all!
Chicago Mel says
Shout out to the Formica vanity owners! I have the same laminate in my 1960s kitchen.
tammyCA says
Bar8, your 1936 staircase is like the one in the old ’43 movie I watched today “Since you went away”..a favorite movie about the home front in WWII. Love those old movies with great pre-war house sets…the kind of house I wish I had.
And, your door is like my front door..mine also has the X panes of glass on top.