“We have been told that the kitchen is a cross between ‘Betty Crocker’ and a morgue,” reader Alan says, adding a “haha” in his email to us. But maybe… not so funny. So today, a Retro Design Dilemma: Let’s help Alan with ideas to make his 1953 kitchen more homey, less clinical. Ooo la la: Lookie all the Vitralite glass wall tile — this one will be fun!
Help! We have an original 1953 kitchen featuring Apple Green Vitralite glass tile. The tile is in almost perfect condition — but we’re at a loss as to what to do with it. Part of me says “gut” and start over, but many tell us to “save the Vitralite.”
We’ve been in the house for five years and have been stumped for five years as to what to do with this kitchen! The green Vitralite is so overwhelming — even though we’re used to it. We have been told that the kitchen is a cross between “Betty Crocker” and a morgue. haha.
Above: Adjacent laundry room, with more of the tile, and some black trim.
Nom nom, we adore that vintage Vitralite! Hmmm… We spy a very interesting-looking clock in the initial photos that Alan sends and ask him for some closeup. Oh my word, look at this stunner:
And yes, the clock in the soffit… omg, it’s wild. At 12, 3, 6, and 9, it shows pictures of what families in the 1950s should be doing! 3 p.m. is playtime… 6 p.m. is dinner… 9 p.m. is dancing… and 12 p.m. is sleep!
I’d love you to help update this kitchen by giving us some ideas about countertops and floors! Currently, the counter tops are a Formica that is probably late 70’s — off white and a mess. The floors are a “plastic” laminate – trying to look like hardwood.
Our thought is to replace/upgrade the counters with stone (but we can’t figure out what that would go with the green vitralite), replace the cabinet hardware, remove the original light fixtures and install can lighting, replace the gold dishwasher for stainless, replace the white stove for stainless and call it a day! We just cant figure out what to do with countertops and the floor.
Vitrolite bathroom!
Readers, let’s hear your ideas for this Retro Design Dilemma:
- Okay, readers: Let’s hear your ideas for this dilemma! We will be back tomorrow morning with our design board and analysis.
Lana says
Paint the cabinets white and new nickel hardware. Add counter tops made from recycled glass in white with bits of blue and green glass in it to tie in with the vitrolite. Hardwood floors in a light color. I would have all the appliances match, either stainless, or if he wants to hang on to the vintage stove, then I would match the refrig, etc. in white. Retro style appliances would be great. Does the vitrotile have grout? If so I would change it from the existing dark grout to white. Depending on how much the owner likes the vitrotile, I would keep it on the wall with the built in clock, and perhaps replace SOME of the walls with sheetrock. Personally I love it and it is so unusual I would keep most of it. The laundry room is cool, too.
Joe says
Just getting rid of that ceiling fan would be a significant improvement. It’s just my opinion but, if the owners are really unnerved by how that tile makes their kitchen look like a morgue, they’re really not helping their situation by installing stainless steel appliances! I remember my parents talking frequently about their new kitchen that was installed in 1955. The main feature was the knotty pine installed on the bottom half of the walls. My mom insisted she wanted the green and yellow color scheme that was all the rage in the first part of the 1950s; she used that in her checkerboard tile floor. For the walls, everyone was pushing that Vitralite tile as “the” wall surface to use if you wanted to be fashionable (must have been the equivalent of today’s dark granite countertop fad). My parents thought that Vitralite was a horrible thing to use (they said it would make our kitchen look like a cafeteria, operating room or morgue). They played it safe and went with paint on the walls.
Beki R. says
Maybe start off by popping the laminate floor up to see what’s under it. It’s either a horrible mess or a hidden treasure. If you end up liking it, you’ll have more money to budget towards other items and possibly some inspiration on how you want the room to look.
lynda murray says
I just looked again. The ceiling fan should probally go.
lynda murray says
Oh, One more thing. It looks like you have plenty of space for some kind of interesting Island. You could have someone build a birch base , similar in style to your existing cabinets. (or look for a vintage base), Then Put a wood top on it, To warm things up a bit.( maybe an old bowling lane, restored).
lynda murray says
I think the Bathroom is fantastic! If you are not changing the bathroom . Why don’t you just leave the kitchen tile. First reason, Its so nice. And 2nd the whole house will have a nice flow with the similar tile. I like the Big chill appliances. They are pricy, But if your not changing the cabinets or tile… splurge! I would put a marmoleum floor. And a really cool retro countertop with a touch of that green color, from the tile wall in it. If the light fixtures are in good shape I would leave those alone. Then I would retro accessorize . I would pick an old dinnerware pattern and go crazy hoarding that for a few years . Display it all over. I would just forget about Silence of the lambs, and embrace the Betty Crocker angle. I really like the mantra of loving the home your in. Good luck!!!
pam kueber says
note lynda – the bathroom is from a different house…
Lynda Murray says
woops!
Retroski says
My first instinct is to preserve the tile and the wood cabinets; great bones in this kitchen! But there is a lot going on.
Key is to balance the textures/colors. Color wise, you can do so much with the green! Go with pastel accents like Moderntone, or bold cool-tone shades like cobalt blue or cherry red. Or more “neutral” with white/grey/blk.
Personally, I’d take inspiration from your ocean pic and go with blues/greens with coppery accents. Yes, copper!
Floor: Marmoleum-retro and nice subtle textures!
Countertops: laminate in red, blue or grey OR shimmery pale quartzite OR speckle-y recycled glass with color flecks in your scheme.
The celing: too much going on. Unify lights with ones that reflect on ceiling, using led bulbs. Ceiling fans are useful but this competes.
The grid of the inner window conflicts with the tile. The hood should match the stove. Depending on budget you could switch fridge and dishwasher but I’d focus on swapping the floor, counters and lights, and see where it goes!
Once you know your color scheme, then you can figure on making it true retro or contemporary, but retro in spirit.
Good luck! See greenbuildingsupply.com for Marmoleum and countertop ideas!
Bette Jean says
Love the idea of cobalt blue!
Marjorie says
I really like this kitchen – so spacious . I would try to add some lighting that complements the vintage…and remove the ceiling fan. Fresh Paint on the ceiling will also brighten it up too. I can highly recommend marmoleum linoleum tiles – much easier on your feet and knees than porcelain tile. I’ve had mine since 2012 and it still feels like satin under your feet and it’s super easy to clean.You already have a grid pattern on the walls so I would lean toward some accent tiles of black and green (that coordinates w/ the walls) scattered on a mostly solid color floor like a soft , pale, pale gray that picks up the tone of the chrome hardware and what appears to be the color of the grout lines on the wall tile….I think I would pick a gray tone for the counters but also consider appointing certain sections of the counter for butcher block or marble is you bake a lot- this is such a great room- too bad the windows appear to be white vinyl instead of wooden. They stick out like a sore thumb and would beautifully pull the room back in sync if they were the same as the cabinets.I would try to find some Black and White print fabric that’s similar to the little figures in the clock for curtains to disguise the white casing until you are ready to replace the windows.Perhaps get enough fabric for a table cloth. I would also replace the stove hood to match the stainless appliances you are planning or repaint this one to match until you get it replaced…..also assuming you are planning to change out the microwave to match…..I would probably change my light switch covers to a stainless or black or gray….
tammyCA says
Ok, I’ve never seen that movie & never want to so I’ll think of this…looking at your kitchen I picture a big well-worn vintage wooden bowl filled with green, yellow, red apples..that color combo is classic, cottagey and fresh (apple green is featured in the latest house beautiful magazine)..see Michael millers retro fabric on etsy, the one with the ovens, mixers, etc. for a similar color combo.
I wouldn’t do a black counter as that seems it would drag it down & soapstone, I can’t help it, always reminds me of awful biology class & cutting up frogs & creepy things in jars so…ewww. I’d either do good ole ceramic tiles, in cream, or light yellow with green liners. The floor would be a linoleum (considered eco friendly & it’s been around since 1800s..in palaces even)..using some combo of those colors, green, yellow, red, or cream in a unique pattern.
The cabinets and pulls are lovely & I wish I had some like them & all the unpainted wood is great & makes for a cozy kitchen.
Alan says
Oh…and for those familiar with the movie “Silence of the Lambs”…there is a scene in the movie where the FBI agent is in the county morgue. And guess what is on the walls? My green tile!
pam kueber says
oh my
Bob Connor says
If you watch an episode of Dr. G. Medical Examiner, her morgue is like that too!