I love old houses because they come ready-filled with a history of love. Today: Judy’s lovely story about the 1958 kitchen that her mother Doreen still uses today, after moving in when it was brand new.
Yes, 58 years in the same kitchen… which even after hearty duty serving up three squares a day to five children, remains in great condition … with the same pots and pans, same glitter laminate, same checkerboard tile… little changed from the day it was built. What a testament to quality — and to tender loving care. Judy’s key question — in return for sharing this story — is: Can we connect her with someone in Calgary, Alberta, who would be interested in visiting, documenting, and perhaps even agreeing to remove the kitchen and set it up somewhere so it can be visited? This is a time capsule story she would like to see endure.
I asked Judy if she could tell us the story of the kitchen. She wrote:
We quickly outgrew the two bedroomed bungalow my father and his brother built in the northern outskirts of Calgary, and moved in 1958 to a new four-bedroomed ‘split-level’ in the city’s expanding southern suburbs. We soon became five children surrounded by countryside, biking everywhere, and always came home hungry.
My mother’s kitchen was her domain – organised, clean, polished, and productive with home-made bread, tins of cookies, three meals a day, plus snacks like popcorn and fudge for seven of us. The ages from father to youngest child were spread over 52 years; this may explain why no changes were ever made, there was never a break in the cooking. At the age of 91, my mother still cooks for herself, as well as her middle son and grandson who look out for her.
A 25 lb. turkey was slow-roasted for seven hours when an extended family of up to 14 gathered for Thanksgiving and Christmas. (We’d have to take turns for the roasted skin flap, which meant the prize came only every couple of years). For New Year, we would tuck into her homemade noodles and turkey broth.
Her cupboards still hold to the same arrangements as in the beginning: tea, coffee and crackers above the gas stove, flour, sugar and other baking needs above the single square metre of workspace she had.
The original, giant, Whirlpool fridge, working until recently, is now stored in the basement.
The linoleum floor, regularly waxed is still in great condition.
Formica work top, mahogany plywood cupboard doors with copper knobs and pull-down copper pendant lights are just as they were in the beginning; even the full set of heavy, aluminum, Wear Ever pans with copper lids and Bakelite handles.
Wall-mounted knife holder and rotary can opener have been in place since the beginning. Tappan oven and gas stove top still work perfectly.
Is it exceptional for a kitchen of this period to exist, still be in use, and be almost intact? I’d love to know. Also, I’d love to think that the kitchen might be preserved. Anyone buying the house after she’s gone will tear it out. Can anyone help? My main question is this: Would anyone be interested in visiting, documenting, and perhaps even agreeing to remove the kitchen and set it up somewhere so it can be visited? I’m grateful to find a like-minded, knowledgeable and enthusiastic ear for this. It would mean a lot to have someone in Calgary look at it.
Judy, I do know someone in historical preservation in Calgary. I will be sure to email her this story, to see if she has any ideas for you. Meanwhile, I take a stab at one of your questions:
Q. Is it exceptional for a kitchen of this period to exist, still be in use, and be almost intact?
A: Yes. We do see them, but they are getting more and more rare. Your mom’s kitchen is particularly notable, I’d say, because it still has the laminate countertops and original flooring — these often get replaced over the years. I see that you have changed out the fridge and the dishwasher, possibly the faucet, too; but these are easier to replace with authentic vintage if that is a goal. Flooring and laminate: Not so much. In fact, there is no known source, worldwide, for glitter laminate right now. So this kitchen is a delight to see. It’s also so incredibly heartwarming — and again, rare, I’d say — to see cookware and decor still in place, still in use. Such a testament to enduring quality, care and thrift.
I will also say: Unchanged vintage kitchens and houses — time capsule houses — have become increasingly desirable over the past few years. Many readers here are actively seeking them out. We want the original glitter and floor tile and wood cabinets and appliances — all of it! So don’t give up hope that the next people who live in this house won’t love it as much as you do; it’s possible. That said, yes: Gut remodels happen. More often than not, that’s the harsh reality. So we will do what we can to help you — maybe a museum WILL be interested. We’ve seen it happen before.
Thank you so much, Judy, for sharing this story with us. It’s just wonderful. xoxo
VANDA HUMAN says
If I moved into the house the kitchen would stay just as it is. I love vintage / retro reminds me of my grans house.
Sara in the Catskills says
Omg!! I just bought a house with the SAME KITCHEN. Same layout, different colors—my countertop is GE Textolite in Gold Nugget, and I’ve been collecting Star Glow dinnerware to match. I was searching on Pinterest to find some ideas for modern upgrades (example: tile backsplash instead of worn laminate) that would enhance and respect the midcentury aesthetic, and I came across this. Kudos to my kitchen-twin!
Lauren says
My husband and I bought a house with the original kitchen and bath from 1958. Tappan double wall oven and same aqua counter tops.
Love this story!
Elaine says
I am in the US and have my grandmother’s original 1958 kitchen except for floor. We have the 1958 Western Holly oven that still works great. The kitchen tile is still intact. White tile with the Franciscan starburst pattern. They don’t make things like they used to.
Shambie says
Brings back so many memories of my childhood kitchen, except we had pink appliances and pink glitter countertop! I hope you find a special place so people can see/revisit the style.
Kayla says
My boyfriend and I just purchased our first house. We have almost the same Tappan oven, but unfortunately it doesn’t work. I’ve searched and searched for a repairman, but have had no such luck! Any suggestions? Another crazy thing…we have the same beautiful countertops with the gold flakes! It literally looks just like our kitchen, I had to do a triple take!!! The same setup and everything, how cool! Please let us know if anyone knows how to have someone come out and look at our oven. We really don’t want to get rid of it. It’s turqouise and still in great shape/super clean.
Pam Kueber says
See stories here: https://retrorenovation.com/category/kitchen/other-stuff-such-as-appliances-accessories/
David Eastman says
Check out repairclinic.com. They have lots of instructional videos for trouble shooting appliances and a lot of the repair parts for fixing them. I’ve bought parts for a 50’s era Hotpoint kitchen range that we used until a few years ago (turquoise … I love it, girlfriend hates it.)
ADRIENNE varvil says
that can opener…I think it was called Swing A Way.. charming…
Simeon Shorting says
I have and live in a home myself that’s from the 50’s i have that exact same counter top, the same pull down ufo lamp in the kitchen, it also has chrome boomerang handles on the cupboards.. ive done alot of work to my own home to make it like the 50’s again…. my entire home is all true 1950’s and is in Canada here in Saskatchewan SK.. Happy to share more info and stories
Kathryn says
Two years ago my husband and I bought a “time capsule” house from 1959. Everything, and I mean everything, is original. Our Tappan 24″ oven is finally beginning to wane in effectiveness and it pains me to tears to even think of replacing it. I love how this kitchen is preserved and still used as it should be. We bought this house because we were not going to change a thing in it and I’m hoping that the next owners you come across feel the same way, too!
Joan Massey says
I love ❤️ the fact that the set of Wear Ever pots are still being used. That was the set my Mim had also. I only have one small pot left now at the camp. That aqua counter top just beautiful.