Mary put a lot of love into the complete renovation of her kitchen 10 years ago — those vintage-looking cabinets are all built from scratch — but now love of another kind has her putting it on the market for sale: “That kitchen made me so happy,” she said, “but I gave it up for love. I guess a good man trumps a cool kitchen.” Congratulations, Mary! The kitchen got the glamour treatment for the listing photos, so let’s take a look — and Mary tells us about her planning process and the products she used. Thanks for permissions from realtor Paul Carper and realtor Bart Stockton, who took the photos, both of Carper Miller Real Estate Group.
Mary’s kitchen After:Mary writes:
I love your site and I thought you might like to see pictures of my 1950s house. I renovated the original small 1950 kitchen about 10 years ago. I wanted to keep the 50s look, but open it up and add more storage. I had a blast researching home magazines of that era. The final product was bright and fun and I love it. The original bathroom is also in tact. It’s not pink, but it’s still the style of many houses of that time. I found some great wallpaper to watch the style of the bathroom.
I recently put the house on the market and I’m realizing it’s rare to find others who appreciate the style and retro fun of the house. The realtor described it as make everyday throwback Thursday. Haha. So far the feedback I’m getting from potential buyers is not so great. Most people don’t like the original bathrooms of that era and the retro kitchen is not their style either. It makes me sad that I can’t find anyone that will dig the style, but if it doesn’t sell in a few months I may need to sell it to someone who will gut it to an ordinary trendy style that will go out of date in 10 years or less (e.g. Travertine tile. don’t get me started….)
Mary’s list of retro kitchen resources:
- Cabinets were custom made. It would’ve looked weird to try and retrofit the old cabinets with new ones so they gutted the entire kitchen with custom cabinets based on the elevations. Someone commented that my custom cabinets look like something prefab from the 50s.
- Hardware came from Home Depot. As I mentioned before, some of the old classic hardware is still available at big hardware/home stores for not a lot of money.
- Countertops — As I was researching the color palette for the kitchen I also thought about the counter color. It was hard to find unusual colors at a typical showroom, so I found some great samples at my friend’s interior designer office. They have access to way more choices that your typical design showroom. Once I settled on an orange and yellow color palette I went with solid mango colored laminate. [ Editor’s note: See all our countertop research here, including our list of 10 companies that make laminate. ]
- Metal countertop edging — I cannot remember where I got the metal trim. I guess my contractor found that. [ Retro Renovation’s research on sources to get metal countertop trim. ]
- The double sink, typical for that era was special ordered from Home Depot. You’re not going to find that stuff in the showroom, but if you know the look you’re going for it’s most likely still around. Faucet was also special ordered from a catalog at Home Depot. [ Editor’s note: Surely that’s a hudee-ringed Kohler Delafield. ]
- The stove belonged to my grandmother. I still have the receipt from when she purchased it in 1953! It has since been restored and re-chromed to look brand new. That was not cheap, but I consider it a family heirloom that deserves to be taken care of. I was lucky enough to find someone locally who does that sort of thing. If you live in the LA area, Antique Stove Heaven is a good resource.
- The Vent-a-hood is actually new. I didn’t want to try to find something retro for that so I just went with a simple white.
- The floor is blue and black Armstrong vinyl tile. [ Readers: Remember to always check the Commercial section of websites — that’s where we often find what we want. ] I got the inspiration for the color and pattern from the book Inspiring Interior 1950s from Armstrong (affiliate link). [ Pam’s original “bible”.]
- For the walls, I wanted something bright colorful, which isn’t necessarily a 50s thing so I went through lots of color and design books, like this: Color Idea Book. No need to buy the book. Check it out from the library for free! Also, paint stores have lots of color combinations for ideas.
- Under-cabinet lighting — One of my favorite parts of the kitchen is the under cabinet lighting. They’re the simple hockey puck lights from Home Depot, but when you dim the halogen lights, the orange glow of the walls and counters is wonderful! It’s like a sunset.
- Dinette — In the breakfast room, the dinette set came from a local antique store and the chairs are from Target. Several years ago, they were selling dinette chairs that I think were created by the same manufacturer as dinette sets in the 50s.
- Pendant light is the KNAPPA from Ikea.
- Art — I found a book — All-American Ads of the 50s by Jim Heimann (affiliate link) — that features a bunch of 1950s advertisements and framed them in a grid.
I live in Dallas. It’s in a part of town with some older homes, some of which are have the retro flare. My realtor appreciates the style of the house and reassures me there are people who like this sort of thing. I just need to be patient. The market is slow right now though, so it will just take time. He agrees with me that he would rather sell it to someone who will appreciate it and not gut it completely.
It was a lot of fun researching and planning. The renovation was a PITA. It took 2+ months, but worth it. That kitchen made me so happy, but I gave it up for love. I guess a good man trumps a cool kitchen. The good thing is, we bought a great midcentury modern house that has a kitchen that needs some work. I already have ideas on how to renovate it to make it look great while keeping the style of the house. Can’t wait to do the same thing — update cabinets/storage and appliances while keeping the style of the architecture. This one has the groovy (but confining) pass throughs.
Only TWO MONTHS to renovation? That actually sounds fast to us 🙂 Wonderful job, Mary — and we can’t wait to see what you come up with at your new midcentury modern house! Thank you for sharing your home, and your story. We will keep our fingers crossed that a stylin’ buyer who appreciates period style walks through your door soon!
Link Love:
- See the listing for Mary’s colorful retro 1950s home in Dallas, Texas
- Thanks to realtor Paul Carper and to realtor Bart Stockton for the great photos, both of Carper Miller Real Estate Group
Dawn says
This is a timely article for us as we are contemplating putting our 1959 ranch on the market but having a hard time finding a Realtor who appreciates our home. Our first one told us we needed to paint the exterior (Original dusty rose stucco). Now, this is the same lady who sold us the home. Said “No one wants a pink house” (Um, we did???) I totally sympathize but like original poster I feel in my gut there is a buyer out there, I might just have to be patient. I love this bright kitchen. So what might turn off 10 buyers it will be the one thing that speaks to THE buyer. You only need one! Hope your lovely kitchen finds her next owner soon!
Jennifer says
By the way, when we walked into our house as buyers (which had languished on the market for a year), I got through the dinky hall and into the middle of the living room, saw the light and the mountains in the distance, saw the wavering adobe walls and the beautiful old wood ceilings, and knew I was home. I acted blasè as we walked through, I scoffed at the kitchen, period piece though it was, and when we left and my partner and I were alone in the car, I told him I loved it. We’ve reno’ed a lot (including the hall and the kitchen) but we did so with respect for the house’s design and architecture. You’ll find a buyer who gets it.
Jennifer says
Anyone who walks into this house with the intention of buying in your area is not going to be surprised by what they see, because they will have seen it ahead of time and decided it was potentially a good fit. I don’t know how you are aware of the comments being made–are they leaving notes for you? Is your realtor telling you what s/he’s heard? I do think that the staging suggested above is a good idea; I don’t know about repainting, because the character of the kitchen you’ve had is what jumps out in a good way, but without things in the kitchen, it seems bolder than it would on an everyday basis. I would also consider hiring a professional photographer, because although these pictures are very good, a professional can really bring out the best in your house and is not likely to accidentally overemphasize a feature that plays better in person. (There’s an article on apartment therapy this week that shows the difference between good and great realty photography.) Lastly, you could leave a “homeowner’s vision” statement on the counter that explains your overall intention to preserve the look and feel of the time because the bones of the house complement such a look, and yet creating a functional kitchen for today. It may or may not speak to the shoppers, but it would ease your own mind!
Elizabeth says
This is beyond awesome. That’s all I have to say.
JKM says
Don’t sell the stove with the house. Take and reuse it in your new home’s kitchen!
Kate H says
I LOVE IT. And if I lived in Dallas, I would buy it today. I am so sorry you have to sell it. I found that when I was looking for a house, after I saw two or three that had been “toned down” or “vanilla-ed” or “neutraled” they all ran together, and not in a good way.
In my opinion, neutral colors are for people who have no confidence in their decorating skills or taste. Greige colors are for the uninspired. BE BOLD! is what I say.
Jess says
I felt the same way when I had to put my house on the market. The realtor – although knowledgeable about older homes – wanted me to repaint and neutralize everything. I found a new realtor the next day that specializes in midcentury homes. He loved it how it was. My house sold in 2 days.
Mary Elizabeth says
What a wonderful kitchen, Mary! You did a fantastic job, and I hope your patience and your realtor’s pay off. We’re all rooting for you!
That bathroom isn’t exactly pink, but it looks like a wonderful peachy beige and maroon.
That being said, there are a few things you can do other than gut the kitchen and cover it with granite counters and travertine tile.
Although I love the color combination you picked, I agree with Lynda’s comment that you can tone down the paint colors without losing the retro vibe of the kitchen (and other rooms).
Plus, I noticed that all those lovely half-round shelves are empty. It would be hard for people to imagine what to put on them. In fact, the whole place clearly states you have moved out and nobody ever cooked in that kitchen. There is a difference between too much clutter in a staged house and absolutely bare shelves. You might want to work with the realtor to stage the kitchen with a few well-placed mid-century collectibles, such as a cookie jar, canisters, stand mixer, tea pot, etc. You probably have plenty of these things. And how about some inexpensive curtains on the windows, or perhaps just valances to soften the look?
Even though I consider myself a fairly good amateur decorator with a vivid imagination, the ideas above aren’t original with me. They were suggested by the realtor showing the midcentury home I eventually bought–after the house had been on the market for months and the seller absolutely refused to tear out the knotty pine kitchen. When I first saw the house with the beautiful kitchen cabinets and pink and gray bathroom, there was absolutely nothing in it. I liked the house and was imagining myself cooking in the kitchen and where I would put my things and what kind of window treatments I would want. Not everyone has that kind of imagination. Several weeks later, I came back, and the seller had added curtains to the home and a few knickknacks on the round shelves by the kitchen window and in the built-in hutch. She told me later that she had dug around in her attic for stuff that had been in the house originally. Although I didn’t like the color of the curtains, they did give me an idea of what type of window treatments would be suitable for the style and age of the house. After she did that, she suddenly got other offers besides mine–luckily mine was the highest bid. 🙂
Dan says
Yes, those colors may be a bit much for the granitized, stainless steeled masses, but someone ( like me, perhaps? ) is going to walk in, sit at that table, and never want to leave. I have the perfect paisley shirt to match that kitchen full of sunshine.
Are you seriously planning to leave grandma’s stove behind?
The only criticism I have, and I see this in a lot of kitchens new or old, is that I like a bit of counter right next to the stove.
Good luck!
pam kueber says
Yes, dear readers: Check your local/state building codes — I have heard that this is a code issue. I am not an expert though.
lynda says
I think the house is very nice. However, the general public is not okay with intense color. I would use neutral paint and let people imagine the colors they might love. You could have pictures of the the original colors on a photo board in the house for a little inspiration. I think the orange, yellow, pink, and even the living room blue are too much for the masses. I like the kitchen, and I would not change the counter. Have you thought of taking some of the cabinet doors off and putting in colorful dishes? Some of the Fiesta dishes would look nice or look up Iittala Origo Orange for some pretty blue and orange dishes for the open cupboards. I know you were not asking for advice, and I love the look of your home. However, I am sure you agree, selling is always nice!
Retroski says
What a spiffy, fun kitchen! Looks fun to cook in, too. I have to agree about putting in some orange, cobalt, turquoise, or gold Fiestaware or other vintage tchotchkes to personalize the space for buyers. There’s got to be some retro lovers in Dallas; I heard (from a family member) it was a hot market since many people are moving into Dallas for jobs, etc. they had a hard time finding a Dallas house in their price range since demand drove prices up.
John says
How could someone not love that kitchen? When I walked into the kitchen of my 1959 ranch before I bought it I exclaimed, “wow, the kitchen has the original cabinets”, to which the realtor said “you’ll probably want to gut the kitchen”, was he surprised when I said “No Way, I love the original cabinets and counters”!!!
I have those same four dinette chairs from Target, made in Chicago even, by a diner company!!
I hope you find someone who appreciates and loves the beautiful retro kitchen you created the way it is.
John