Reader Shannan and her husband are in the midst of stripping paint from their original wood cabinets. Shannan’s dilemma: She has asked for our advice on flooring, countertops and paint to complement the lovely woodtones, copper accents and aqua appliances. Bring on your ideas, readers — and Pam and I will be back at noon with our thoughts and some mood boards.
Shannan writes:
My husband and I peruse your site regularly for restoration ideas. We bought our 1959 ranch in 2013. We knew right away that this was the one. It was the most intact 50’s ranch we found. Most of them have been torn apart. We have painted every wall in the house and replaced the flooring. It was all carpeted, and we wanted something different. We are sticking to period appropriate flooring. We choose cork flooring for the bedrooms. We are in the process of replacing the carpet with red oak hardwood floors in the living room.
We even have a PINK bathroom upstairs. Still need a little work accessorizing, but that just takes time. We still have A LOT to do, but it will all come in time and money!
Here are some photos of what our kitchen looks like now. As you can see, it needs some help. We started two summers ago stripping the paint off our kitchen cabinets! We didn’t realize how much work it was and how little time we actually have…. So that project came to a halt. This winter we will be restoring our kitchen with period appropriate flooring and refinishing our birch cabinets, having a contractor come in early in the year to do the whole kitchen for us. Our plans in our kitchen ‘retro restoration’ include stripping cabinets and adding drawer glides and cabinet pull outs.
Also, we are trying to think of a way to better utilize the corner. A new boomerang countertop from Heffrons in Glacier is going to be installed. We are going with a neutral countertop color, because this summer I was lucky enough to find the turquoise cooktop to match the oven!
I have been struggling with a floor pattern. We know we want a VCT floor but are not sure of the color scheme. It needs to complement the original hotpoint turquoise oven and copper backsplash. This where we need some help. We definitely want to go with a VCT that won’t clash with the copper backsplash. We will replace the fridge at a later time. Any recommendations would be helpful too.
I asked Shannon — which Glacier laminate was she contemplating? The grey and white or the turquoise? Her response:
I guess we are still trying to decide between the two for the laminate countertop. I assume we will be putting metal banding too around the edges. Also need some help with a paint color for the contrasting picture window. Or any other paint options you may have in mind. I was looking some old posts of kitchen remodels last night and found one I really like:
I also attached some pictures of some of our vintage copper light fixtures.
Then, Pam and I noticed the GOLD SPARKLE LAMINATE countertop that Shannan currently has — the envy of many a Retro Renovator — and wondered why she was replacing it. Was it in bad shape? Shannan replied:
Yes, it is in terrible shape. Do you know of a way to clean it? There are some pretty gross stains on it. It’s not so sparkly anymore. 🙁
Okay, readers — Shannan needs your suggestions for what flooring, countertops, refrigerator and paint to use in her retro kitchen restoration. What do you think?
Pam and Kate respond:
First — Can you love the laminate you have?
Before we get into the possible solutions, Pam and I both wanted to drive home the point that fundamentally, we love the gold sparkle laminate countertop that Shannan already has. She says it is stained and not in good shape, but … it’s so desirable, can she live with any imperfections? When Pam and I were discussing the solutions for Shannan, we both agreed that if it were available today, gold sparkle laminate would be the perfect solution for Shannan’s countertops — that was before we realized they already were gold sparkle. See our story on Formica’s recommendations for six products to clean laminate. Of it that fails, perhaps cover the stained area with a drop in cutting board or trivet with hudee ring from Vance Industries?
- Gold sparkle laminate countertop — all mine after years of searching
- 70 vintage Wilsonart samples, including “Gold Satellite” shown above
- How laminate is made
All that said, we did consider replacement options…. on to our suggestions…
Some fundamental thoughts: Mixing warm and cold can be tricky
Pam here now. I had a tough time with this one — as I did in my own, turquoise-cabinet kitchen. The reason: Your aqua stove is a “cool” color. Your cabinets, cabinet hardware, backsplash, lighting and current countertop: “warm.” I think that getting warn and cool colors to harmonize — especially when you are dealing with very large swaths — such as the mass of cabinets and how they combine with the mass of floor — is tricky.
I drove Kate a little nuts making mood boards to try and begin to assess how to balance warm vs. cool colors. For sure, I would get all the samples, put them in my space and torture myself and DH for a good long time, before I made a final decision.
Here you go:
Option 1a: Cool Glacier countertop, Cool Raw Silk floor
Above:
- White GE Artistry refrigerator
- Vitros Glacier boomerang laminate from Heffron’s
- Azrock TexTile VCT floor in Raw Silk
- Paint — aqua color to match the vintage appliances
This option is Kate’s favorite. It would make for a light feeling kitchen with the light flooring, white and grey countertops and white refrigerator. Making the wall turquoise would add color to the space along with the vintage aqua appliances that Shannan already has. The cabinets and copper backsplash and light fixtures help warm up the space. Shannan could also add a few more pops of orange or pale yellow to bring more visual warmth to the room.
Option 1b: Cool Glacier countertop, Warm Autumn Haze floor
Above:
- White GE Artistry refrigerator
- Vitros Glacier boomerang laminate from Heffron’s
- Azrock Cortina VCT floor in Autumn Haze*— like in Pam’s kitchen
- Paint — aqua color to match the vintage appliances
See how the warm floor and the cool countertop are competing, compared to 1a? Pammy no likey.
*Ugh. After doing all the work on these mood boards, we discovered that Azrock Cortina Autumn Haze has been discontinued. However, there are other colors in the new(ish) Azrock TexTile line that are good substitutes, so we’ll continue as planned…
But, I like the warm floor with the warm cabinets.
Option 2: Cool turquoise Glacier countertop, Warm Autumn Haze floor
Above:
- White GE Artistry refrigerator
- Vitros Turquoise Glacier boomerang laminate from Heffron’s
- Azrock Cortina VCT floor in Autumn Haze — Haze — like in Pam’s kitchen
- Paint — aqua color to match the vintage appliances
Even though the countertop is still technically cool, Pammy likey better, because there’s more color in the countertop — the aqua — and for some reason, that helps.
YES: In this kitchen, Pam loves the idea of stainless steel edging. It will look great.
Option 3a: Cool Charcoal countertop, Cool Raw Silk floor
Above:
- White GE Artistry refrigerator
- Formica charcoal boomerang laminate
- Azrock TexTile VCT floor in Raw Silk
- Paint — aqua color to match the vintage appliances
Pam is liking the charcoal Formica. The darkness is picking up on the blackhandles etc. of the stove.
Option 3b: Cool charcoal countertop, Warm Autumn Haze floor
Above:
- White GE Artistry refrigerator
- Formica charcoal boomerang laminate
- Azrock Cortina VCT floor in Autumn Haze — Haze — like in Pam’s kitchen
- Paint — aqua color to match the vintage appliances
To ensure an all-brown/beige interior does not look too drab, (1) be sure the space is well lit and (2) add pops of a well saturaged cool color as an accent.
Option 4: Warm butterscotch countertop, warm Autumn Haze floor
Above:
- White GE Artistry refrigerator
- Wilsonart retro butterscotch boomerang laminate — like Amber used in her kitchen.
- Azrock Cortina VCT floor in Autumn Haze — Haze — like in Pam’s kitchen
- Paint — aqua color to match the vintage appliances
Those butterscotch boomies look great with wood cabinet, but we’re not so sure when your appliances are aqua.
Option 5: Cool solid aqua countertop, cool Raw Silk floor
Above:
- White GE Artistry refrigerator
- Abet Laminati laminate in Azzuro Mary (or coordinating aqua color — we’d likely try to get as close in color to the ovens as possible — get samples to be sure) — like Betty Crafter’s kitchen
- Azrock TexTile VCT floor in Raw Silk
- Paint — light yellow to bring more warmth to the space
A solid countertop aqua could look good.
Option 6: Cool solid aqua countertop, warm Autumn Haze floor
Above:
- White GE Artistry refrigerator
- Abet Laminati laminate in Azzuro Mary (or coordinating aqua color, get samples to be sure) — like Betty Crafter’s kitchen
- Azrock Cortina VCT floor in Autumn Haze — Haze — like in Pam’s kitchen
- Paint — light yellow to bring more warmth to the space …
- Or.Pam says, this one would look good with the Bradbury Atomic Doodle wallpaper, too. She says that this is also a favorite combo — because like the charcoal countertop, the aqua countertop reads like a new graphical element — and is a stock/deco paper (vs. special order/digital print) laminate.
Paired with the warm floor.
So there you go, Shannan. We bet that helped. Or confused you more. Which?
Cindy Friday Beeman says
I would love to see what happens to your cabinets. We have the same kind. I’m keeping the old copper hinges, and have added new copper handles. The wood needs help. I’ve read a lot of different things about what we should do to save the birch laminate (plywood cores). Like you, I want to add pullouts. We want to try to do cabinets ourselves; seeing yours with a professional might persuade us to work harder to find a professional who won’t just want to “yank them out” because it’s easier for them. I vote for 1B. I also think you might not know until you sample whatever you’re doing to your cabinets. Taking off the paint and re-doing will not match it exactly to your existing wood-face cabinets. I’m guessing your pro will redo it all so they are similar. Once you know what the cabinets will look like, you’ll know if warm or cool is dominant in your mixed kitchen. If your goal is to make the cabinets as warm as they are now, I think warm will be dominant. Thus, 1B. Can’t wait to see results. Thanks for sharing.
Kathy says
I have had some luck with using Bar Keepers Friend Gel for stains on countertops and porcelain sinks. Don’t scrub hard with it–just scrub in lightly to spread over area and let sit for 10-30 minutes to let the boric acid lift the stain, and repeat if needed. It is a very dilute mixture, so don’t let the word acid scare you. Boric acid crystals will lift stains out of wood surfaces without damaging the finish.
pam kueber says
Me no go nowhere near Barkeeper’s Friend! If it’s a last ditch effort, maybe. But NO!
https://retrorenovation.com/2012/07/11/formica-recommends-6-products-for-cleaning-and-restoring-laminate-countertops/
Kathy says
Have you taken a look at the IVC sheet vinyl floor (listed above) in Marble 618? It would pick up the copper tones and is similar to the color the cabinets are currently painted. Would be a nice warm/cool contrast, esp. if you keep the painted wood cabinet face frames. I have some vintage fabric with that sort of rust/brown/charcoal and aqua combination and it looks great.
I also like the dark grey option, Modus 589, with flecks of warm tones in it, although that might be a bit dark. I think it would clean well though.
http://www.ivcfloors.com/Sheet-Vinyl-Tile
It might be cheaper to just refinish the doors and paint the frames, no matter what floor and counter you pick. Black or charcoal grey could work. Maybe even white to tie in with the white appliances.
Also, I think the refinished wood is a bit darker than what is shown on the mood boards–the photo used has a lot of reflected light on the surface. So the color isn’t quite as washed out and pinkish, but more honey toned, as pictured. That alters the color balance and the contrast with the floor. The cabinets will be darker, the floors probably somewhat lighter with light hitting them.
I agree with comment above that color matching your stove to repaint the dishwasher and refrigerator would be smashing. And I love the Bradbury fabric, especially if you go with lighter options.
Spoonflower has lots of retro-type patterns in all kinds of colorways that might pick up the tones you need–you can even design your own custom pattern and color way.
Sometimes adding more color and pattern is a way to tie in a lot of different colors and elements in a room. Kitchens are tough because there are so many different fixed elements to tie together.
pam kueber says
Yes, that marble 618 is awesome.
This company has a lot of options for we Retro Renovators!
Joe Felice says
Of the choices, 1a is my fave. To me, the problem is always going to be the refrigerator, which, in my mind, must match the oven. My first thought was the same as Pam’s and Kate’s: Why replace the counter top? But if it must be replaced, #1 is the best. And the floor has to go, and I like the linen-look VCT, although I would prefer one with the aqua in it. And I hope you do use the wallpaper. It’s so authentic.
Sarah says
Hi Shannon and all–
This is the Sarah, whose kitchen you linked up there. I thought I’d throw in my 2 cents.
I like the matching turquoise soffit, it really ‘ties the room together’ but if it were me, I’d ditch boomerangs or a pattern that is busy as I think it would clash with the backsplash (which I love). Something similar to the gold sparkle to tie in with the copper backsplash I think would be swell (a light color with a brassy touch).
As for the floor, I would go for something bolder than white or grey. I really like my black floor with the additional odd tiles thrown in for a pop of color, but if black isn’t your thing, a nice bright or bold yellow would look fantastic against the turquoise. You could do a border of a contrasting color, or a minimalistic pattern. Pam’s got pattern resources up the wahzoo on RR–it’s where I drew much inspiration.
You’ve got a great space to work with, I love the appliances, the copper accents, those beautiful warm wood cabinets and lots of light.
Best of luck!
Sarah
Shannan says
Hi Sarah! How do you like your dark floors? At first I thought I wanted one but we have a pug who sheds a lot!
Sarah says
I REALLY LOVE THEM. Like, really and totally. There are three groupings of three alternate tiles (some white, some light aqua) just to break it up but it’s been great. I currently have 2 dogs and when the kitchen went in, I still had my old lady dog who had super long hair and shed a ton—but it never was that noticeable. (I also keep a small dog bed in the corner of the kitchen for them to hang out in while I cook, which is a lot). The VCT is a breeze to clean and when you wax it it looks marvelous and shiny.
Both the black and the white were off-the-shelf colors at Home Depot, the aqua I found at Re-Store but I’m sure something similar is still available.
Shannan says
I notice that your hardware is chrome. I am little hesitant to get a darker floor with the copper backsplash and such. I think we are going to try and keep the gold sparkle laminate. It cleaned up really nice except for a few minor spots. We have some water damage under the sink so a new cabinet is being made. If only Pam could do a mood board with the gold sparkle floors and maybe the striations in
midnight or twilight with azure and atmosphere intermixed. 🙂
Sarah says
I’m so glad you were able to perk up your laminate. I was really depressed when there was nothing I could do to our coral squiggle–it was bleached out in spots and really scratched up from someone cutting directly on it for a million years.
You know what you could try? Just go to HD, or order a square or two of whatever colors you are interested in and set them next to your cabinets and see how they look. The off-the-shelf colors are really cheap–I think around a dollar if I’m remembering correctly.
pam kueber says
Hey Shannan,
Reader Andi spotted this – http://www.ivcfloors.com/Flexitec-Product-Page.aspx?p=88&o=Modus – another potential contender
Dee says
Have you considered using a checkered tile floor combination? I somehow think a turquoise alternated with a beige or off-white could be very very interesting… I also think a sparkly countertop would be really interesting.I love the copper back splash, however it could be too much going on with that and the chrome appliqué…
dg says
Also, I forgot to mention: where you had the gold sparkle countertop, I had the gold sparkle flooring. But it was worn beyond worn; I had tried all kinds of things to bring it back to life but it finally had to go.
dg says
My kitchen is much like yours and I struggled with the flooring decision for many years. Warm? Cool? Does it need to be light colored to help brighten things up? (Have only one north facing window.) Finally it occurred to me that if the floor was both warm and cool — much like the rest of the kitchen — it would speak to everything going on. And if it were darker in tone than the rest of the kitchen it would probably make everything look richer as well as lighter. It worked and I couldn’t be happier:
http://imgur.com/2Z6WXkk
http://imgur.com/yMPhd7N
Kelly Wittenauer says
Love that turquoise oven! And the cabinets taken back to the natural finish. Yes to the copper backsplash, hardware & lighting too. I would avoid changing to chrome hardware or adding metal edging to the counters, as I feel it would be too much going on with the copper & the stainless trim on the oven. I like the charcoal boomerang & think the turquoise cooktop would be stunning against it. I suggest painting the fridge & dishwasher to match the oven & using a charcoal-ish floor with that. I have American Olean Shadow Bay porcelain 12″ square tile in color Seagrass with dark counters & natural cabinets in my kitchen & love it. We chose it for it’s ressemblence to charcoal slate, but it also has lighter tones mottled in so it’s not too dark – and more functional than real slate in the kitchen.