Take a look back at all of the reader home remodeling stories we’ve covered and you’ll notice one common theme often surfaces: Unless the renovation is DIY, most homeowners need to convince their contractors they aren’t nuts for wanting to build 1950s pink bathroom or a ’60s kitchen. However, in the case of Meghan and her husband Will’s 1954 Florida ranch home kitchen remodel, the surprising opposite is true. The couple were all set to remodel their kitchen using relatively contemporary finishes until Jason, their wood worker, decided he just couldn’t build a modern kitchen around the showpiece of the space — the couple’s professionally restored 1950s vintage Universal stove.
All the lovely “after” photos are by Philip Marcel Photography, used with permission 🙂
Jason’s ultimatum was great news to Meghan, who had tried to convince her husband to go retro from the very beginning. How to get Will on board? Once again it was Jason who suggested that Meghan tell Will the kitchen would be more Jetsons and James Bond than retro kitsch. His idea worked — once Will envisioned a cool, space age kitchen where cocktails would be shaken — not stirred — he warmed to the idea of creating a retro modern kitchen.
The result is a kitchen that is modern with a retro twist. A light and airy white, pastel blue and grey color scheme makes the space feel larger, more open and clean while also allowing the refurbished vintage stove to take center stage. Many 50s inspired details such as the Marmoleum flooring, boomerang laminate countertops with aluminum edging, boomerang chrome cabinet pulls and mid century styled pendant lights help support the vintage vibe of the space while details like the glass subway tile backsplash and custom zig zag valance edged in aluminum add a modern touch. As an added bonus, making a few changes to the kitchen’s layout also allowed Meghan and Will do nearly double their kitchen cabinet storage space.
The wood cabinets were custom made and painted a light blue to mimic the style of vintage steel cabinets, but just behind their retro facade, modern amenities like under cabinet lighting, plenty of storage space for large pots and pans, hidden garbage and recycling bins, lazy susans and quiet close drawer and door mechanisms ensure that Meghan and Will’s 1950s kitchen has all the conveniences of a 2014 kitchen.
The couple also decided to use new technology to install an undermount sink in their laminate countertops — making it easy for them to wipe crumbs and spills into the sink.
Meghan hopes to replace their side by side stainless refrigerator with a retro style GE Artistry refrigerator in the near future, but other than that the couple could not be more pleased with their retro modern Jetsons kitchen remodel.
Read more
Meghan — a self described “recovering journalist” has written extensively about her retro modern kitchen remodel over on her blog Metaphors Mixed.
Resources to create this colorful retro modern kitchen remodel
- Cabinets — custom made by Jason Straw Woodworker. You can read more about Meghan’s “Jetsons ” kitchen remodel on Jason’s website too.
- Vintage stove — professionally restored by Antique Appliances. You can read more about Meghan’s stove saga over on her blog.
- Cabinet pulls — boomerang drawer pull from Rejuvenation
- Boomerang laminate countertops — Wilsonart Retro Dungaree
- Aluminum countertop molding from Eagle Aluminum
- Kitchen sink — Wilsonart double equal HD undermount sink
- Faucet — Kraus KPF-1621 single lever pull out kitchen faucet from Amazon.com
- Glass subway wall tile — Subway Tile outlet
- Pendant lights — Astron mid century pendant light from Rejuvenation
- Flooring — Marmoleum — Color: Concrete
It is fantastic to hear about carpenters like Jason, who believe in restoring homes with period appropriate details. Even better though is that Meghan and Will ultimately decided to go with this colorful — yet sublime — retro flow.
Mega thanks to Meghan for sharing her kitchen remodeling story with us — again, to read her full account, head on over to her personal blog, Metaphors Mixed. Another huge thanks goes out to Philip Marcel Photography for granting permission to feature all of the “after” photos of Meghan’s kitchen here on Retro Renovation.
Pat says
I totally relate to her stove story! We have a Detroit Jewel that no longer would go above 350 degrees. My husband tried several things, thermostat, coupler, nothing worked. So he called a friend that used to work for the gas company and he told us to check for blockage in the gas line. Well, that wasn’t the problem, but in checking that he found a place that adjusts the flame, there is a low flame adjustment and a high flame adjustment and the high flame was turned way down. I can now bake perfect pizza once again at 450 degrees. I am so glad we didn’t give up. I just cringe at the thought of buying a new stove, they are just so plain and my sister (who has a new one) says the burners just don’t cook the same as the old ones.
Martha says
I love that undermount sink. How do they do that with laminate?
pam kueber says
It’s a newish thing… google it, I am pretty sure Wilsonart has lots of information out about it…
Amy in Sacramento says
That is SO encouraging to hear that a contractor is recognizing (and pushing) the value of keeping the retro style, rather than ripping out all of the character of a home and putting in granite. Don’t get me wrong — I LOVE granite (in the right application) but this contractor recognized the right situation for a retro redo and spoke up. Kudos to him!!! I hope the word gets around that he is the go-to guy for retro redo’s in that area.
Laurie Louise says
Such vision! And exquisitely accomplished! Congrats to all!
Mary Elizabeth says
I am totally with Melissa on this. It is a unique kitchen with a retro feel rather than a reproduction ’50s kitchen.
Congratulations to Jason for his vision and to his clients for listening to him.
Mary Elizabeth says
And I forgot to say, the light fixtures are dynamic and the stove a real beauty. Worth the hassle and the wait!
Melissa L. says
I love this remodel. It is clean and fresh but still feels retro. I think it is one of the most unique kitchens I’ve seen, as it doesn’t just recreate a vintage kitchen, but manages to meld modern and retro in a new way. I love the colors too. Well done!
Catherine says
I love it! The whole effect is so harmonious–there are so many great details, but none of them is allowed to take over.
Meghan says
Thanks for the retro love, everyone! We were so inspired by Pam and Kate and their fabulous website, and are thrilled to be featured here.
Ashley says
Love love love this kitchen remodel. The colors are beautiful and really open up the space. That stove is gorgeous and definitely worth being the focal feature in the room.
tammyCA says
Very cool…crisp & clean. Love that unique zigzag valance that echoes the cabinet pulls and tile design. Those pretty pendant lights are nifty, too. Good for the contractor! There needs to be more like him.