The oven in Christine’s kitchen — complete with original-finish pink Lyon kitchen cabinets — finally gave up the ghost and could no longer be repaired. A mini-makeover was soon under way — and the “after” — just lovely! Double-happy for me, Christine was able to use our new laminate — Retro Renovation® by Wilsonart First Lady Pink — for the project. Christine has been extremely generous in providing detailed information about the contractors and resources she used.
Christine writes (edited to combine multiple emails):
Hi Pam:
I finally got a chance to take some pictures of my pink kitchen remodel. As you’ll see it was designed around the original 1962 Lyon steel kitchen cabinets.
My pink oven broke, and the appliance company in California, which I found through your blog, and which sent me parts in the past, couldn’t rebuild the part I needed this time. So I had to say good-bye to the oven, hello big counter top and laminate wall.
I started the remodel the same month you released your laminate line. SOOO lucky for me! The installer even created matching grout so the counter and backsplash look seamless. Thank you for creating this wonderful boomerang laminate. I LOVE it!! I wish I could’ve used it in so many more places, but some got broken during the remodel.
When we took the pink stove out we found two glitter laminate chip samples — one for the kitchen and one for the pink bathroom. The pink counter in the pink bathroom had been removed before we bought the house. I tried to salvage the gold counter top but the biggest piece was damaged by the oven that sat on it. The other side I had planned to reuse in my basement, but it didn’t work out. I gave the largest, nicest piece away so it wouldn’t go to the landfill.
As you know, I’m still trying to sell the left over Wilsonart pink pieces on craiglist (links long gone.) I was able to use a lot of the pink laminate I bought — I use smaller pieces as place mats, the front of my old stove cabinet drawer, or other DIY projects. It won’t go to waste — it is just TOO cute! I just kept trying to find more counters around my house to use it on.
Taking photos of my current house and the materials used made the biggest difference in being able to find similar or the same materials in today’s market. Several of the contractors had great ideas on how to use modern materials to create a timeless look. Jay Potter at The Floor Store suggested I use Wilsonart Satin Aluminum laminate on the edge of the kitchen counter to replicate the look of a metal edge. This idea saved me money and allowed me to wipe crumbs off the counter without catching them on a metal trim. I loved the look so much and wanted as much consistency as possible, I redid every counter in my house with the metal edging — three bathrooms and a laundry room.
It was the laminate installer, Allan Knutson of Adams Interiors, who suggested I get custom-colored grout to fill in the gap between the countertop and backsplash so my little kitchen felt bigger, I wouldn’t have any trim to collect crumbs and it would truly look seamless.
My general contractor, Sean MacNeela of Corrib Construction, usually works on big houses with big budgets that feature the highest end styles. But as my neighbor who also owns a 60s ranch, he knew a lot about the value of good bones, mid-century styles and how to find those same materials in today’s building market.
Most of my supplies were purchased from our local building materials shop, 52nd Ave. Hardware.
They were all happy to help me find just the right lights, wood, colors and materials needed to help me keep my kitchen in the mid-century where it belongs.
Thanks, again, for your interest in sharing my experience so others don’t have to look so hard. Please keep sharing stories — you’ve helped me fix, replace and find new ideas that are allowing my house to go back in time.
Fondly,
Christine
The resources that Christine used in her pink Lyon kitchen refresh:
- Counter top: Retro Renovation® by Wilsonart First Lady Pink [see all of our stories about the line here.]
- Edge: Wilsonart Satin Brushed Natural Aluminum
- Pink grout: Miller Urathane Grout to match counter *Purchased through The Floor Store
- Floor: Azrock VCT Pinch of Salt * Purchased through The Floor Store, installed by Adams Interiors
- Refrigerator – Fisher & Paykel
- Dishwasher – Bosch
- Slide-in Stove – Fisher & Paykel
- Appliances all *purchased through Basco Appliances, installed by Corrib Construction, Sharpe Plumbing and Precision Electric
- Sink and Faucet: Kohler Vault sink, Mirabelle faucet *Purchased through Ferguson, installed by Sharpe Plumbing
- Window: Milgard *Purchased through 52nd Ave Hardware, installed by Corrib Construction
- Lights: Ikea globe lights, GE LED bar light *Purchased through IKEA and Home Depot, installed by Precision Electric.
Thank you, Christine, for so much time to write up your resources, take photos and invite us into your kitchen. Which is, of course: Perfect!
Christine says
WOW – I adore my updated kitchen, but didn’t really expect this much love for it from the retro community I so admire. Before every purchase I consulted stories from Retro Renovation so I could do everything possible to keep my little pink kitchen as close to its 1962 roots as possible. As you all know, it’s a tough job. Without this blog it would be impossible. Thank you for the support and always sharing your own stories so we can keep the mid-century alive and beautiful!
Christine
libbyontheprairie says
LOVE the idea of aluminum laminate for the edging! I think I will use this idea in my new counter top project! Thank you for sharing your lovely kitchen!
Karin says
Woah, this pink kitchen is oh so swoonworthy. No lyin’, I can’t stop oohing and aahing over the lovely color of the countertop and Lyon cabinets. Everything works. What a brilliant new way to do countertop edges. The chrome pulls are stunning art deco delights. I adore stories about RR readers’ super cool kitchens. The creativity and originalty never ceases to amaze me. This one is definitely a contender for the best 2017 reader kitchen. and it’s only January. Great post thanks.
Nikki says
What a fabulous makeover! Love everything about the kitchen, nut I especially love the aluminum laminate trim! I’ll be using that in my kitchen remodel. May I say you look absolutely fabulous in the dress!
mag says
I see that your dishwasher was running. ????
Love the aluminum laminate used for the edges. The pinks all work well together.
Diane says
The aluminum laminate trim is brilliant! Saving that idea for my kitchen remodel.
Brooke says
I agree, I never would have thought to use just another laminate to achieve the same look. Awesome!
Tisha says
Beautiful work! This is a great example of “sympathetic remodeling.”
I have the same fridge – bless Fisher & Paykel for making a cabinet depth “skinny” fridge. It was the only one that fit! But now I have stove envy. I wanted an induction range and they didn’t make one at the time, so I bought one that doesn’t look nearly as seamless as yours, Christine.
One question: what did you put behind your stove as your splash guard? I didn’t see it in your materials list.
Christine says
Tisha,
Thank you for your kind compliments. The backsplash is from the same giant sheet of aluminum laminate I used to edge the counters. Much more cost effective and easy to clean than real stainless steel.
Thanks!
Christine
Tisha says
Ah. I should have guessed. Great idea. 🙂
Stacy says
This kitchen”s “mini-makeover” is just fantastic! The First Lady Pink RR laminate is so perfect in there. Great job!
Jay says
Very clean and streamlined looking. You were very lucky to be able to work your new stove into the existing cabinets. I like your Harker China pink cream and sugar; I have them in yellow. Thanks for sharing!
Christine says
Hi Jay,
I love Harkerware thanks to the entire pink/grey serving set of dishes, bowls, cups, etc. my mother-in-law gave me. I use them as my daily dishes so they’re getting worn out. But how else can you truly love them, but by using them. Cheers to Harkerware!
Christine
kathy says
love the tip about steel looking countertop trim. beautiful renewed kitchen!