Too much fun, we almost missed it: October 26 is our birthday — RetroRenovation.com has turned eight. In addition to shaking up a Shark Bite, we want to celebrate by asking all our dear readers:
- What would you like to see more of on the blog?
- What burning questions do you have that we might be able to get all Brenda Starr about?
- Any other suggestions… comments… encouragement?
Proceed to the comments section, then go find a cake, cookie or cuppa and join us in a toast to more fantastic years ahead!
Brooke says
I also would love to see some more landscaping, soft and hard.
Allison says
I’d love to see more on “softscaping” the mid century house; i.e. the use of authentic fabric patterns and weaves in retro deco. While its not difficult (and not cheap!) to find period fabric and draperies on ebay, its harder to know which contemporary fabrics will do for an authentic looking substitute.
Window treatments, particularly in the kitchen and bath were often colorful, quirky and DIY, and since these survive only in magazine pages and old photos, they’re harder to research.
I have been buying, selling, collecting and enjoying vintage printed cotton tablecloths for many years, and its fascinating to see how the evolving printing and dyeing technologies through the years of the 20th century effected the sorts of table linens available to the thrifty housewife.
Elizabeth says
Hi – happy birthday! Just wanted to post that this site is such a breath of fresh air. I found your site when we were pursuing a 1953 home in an amazing, walkable location to everything. When I walked into the home, owned by the original and only owners for 60+ years, I got goose bumps. Even though I have a lot of previous experience remodeling and doing the (now-I-know) dreaded griege/white kitchen, I just instinctually loved this house just.the.way.it.is. Knotty pine paneling, formica orange countertops, built in stereo, handmade cabinets, slab wood doors, the mid century lighting, laminate flooring, green bathroom tile, asbestos tile. Unfortunately, seller decided to back out of contract and not sell (she lived there for 60+ years – I wouldn’t want to leave either if it were me), but this house/this site has changed my ways forever. NOW we are actively pursuing a home that is untouched and I get a nervous, sad reaction when I see updated homes.
Your essays on knotty pine, pink bathrooms (can’t say I like them yet, but I am warming up to the idea)….really reminds me that those make a HOME, not the cookie cutter white shaker and granite/quartz countertops. It feels cold. I want my kids to grow up with color, not a home that looks like every other home out there.
Thank you, thank you RR for changing the lens of my life.
As far as your questions, I love seeing pictures of readers homes, the time capsules, old advertisements….all of that. I hope to participate more when we find THAT home.
Happy, happy birthday RR
pam kueber says
Awwww, thank you for the lovely message. Good luck in your hunt — may the perfect home find you!
vintigchik says
This is my favorite site! I love the work and heart that you both put into it everyday. I am a kitchen and bath designer and would like to restore my 1949 kitchen. I would love to see more articles about original style wood cabinets and where to source them. For instance, I’d like to see old photos of original kitchens aside from advertisements. My house is in the country and seems a little “behind the times” for the era. Would shaker panel doors be appropriate. Plywood cabinets are nonexistent at least in my searches. Any info would be great. Thanks again.????
pam kueber says
Hi vintigchik, Can you find someone to get you full overlay slab doors with a slightly rounded edge? Think: Like steel kitchen cabinets, only in wood.
Debbie in Portland says
Happy 8th Birthday and thank you for all of your hard work, creativity, and meticulous research! Retro Renovation has pointed me in many different directions to bring the kitchen and bathroom in my 1923 bungalow back to their colorful 1940’s-remodel past life. 🙂 I love your reader stories of bringing their homes back to their original glory, and your research to locate things that we all thought weren’t available anymore. Your your constant delight in both your own efforts and the efforts of your loyal RR-ers always makes my day. Wishing you many more successful years!
Jonny says
I’d like to see more readers homes toured. I imagine that’s tough since you have to depend on submitted photos, but my favorite articles take a tour of other people’s complted houses to see all the things inside.
mcmgirl says
Congratulations & Happy 8th Birthday! I can hardly believe it. I found Retro Renovation in 2009 & I thank you Pam & Kate for all the help & inspiration you have given me in renovating my 1957 home. I could not have done it without you! I wish you both much success for the future.
Leslie says
Happy Birthday! Through RR you have both added joy to many lives! I’m grateful for the info, tips and creativity.
tammyCA says
Happy birthday RR! Love all the features; time capsules, readers downloaders, sources, the crafts (’cause I’m an avid crafter who tries to recreate the vintage look mostly of the ’40s-’60s and craft the old kits, too)..so yes, maybe more craft sessions please (love the how to videos) but still all great work on RR!
I’ll probably never have my own fantasy “Lana Turner sunken living room with white carpet, pink velvet sofa with pretty colored silk pillows, cool metal room divider, shiny brass & glass bar cart, Martinis, pastel candy Bon bons on the coffee table,”..but it would be neat to see more Hollywood regency style homes..the pared down elegant look rather than the Louis 15th style. I still think about that one time capsule, was it the dance teacher? And of course, Maryann Roy’s amazing doll size room creations..that’s what I’m talkin about. 🙂
emma says
Happy Birthday, RR!! I am so glad I found you two years ago when we were starting the home buying process. I’ve been hooked ever since! Heh, all my requests are totally selfish, but what the hey– more late 40’s and early 50’s homes. I’d love to see what people do with partial basements, as that’s something we’re struggling with right now in our remodel– how to have the utilities down there but also a space we actually live in. I’ve scanned through the search bar and have found some results (1948 home theatre, be still my heart), but it’d be nice to see other examples. I’d love to see more modest midcentury homes, as it’s nice to see how the space in these were used. More retro dilemmas and subsequent follow up, landscaping/gardening ideas, catalogs and advertisements from back in the day….