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.
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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.
Above: Before. Alas, the oven could not be fixed.
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.
Above: Toward the end of setting up this story, I asked Christine if she could send a photo of herself to include with it. She asked if I wanted her to set one up with her wearing her mother-in-law’s 1960s prom dress. Heck to the yeah! And oh my, it’s fabulous, she looks fabulous in it, and they both look fabulous with the pink kitchen! It’s a fabulous fest!
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!
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Jana says
Of all the cute kitchens on RR, this is hands down my favorite! It’s amazing!
Ree says
I love this kitchen. Just finished a major renovation on mine to bring it back to more of what it would have been when the house was build in 1957. I wish I had seen the use of the metallic laminate on the counter edge because it would have been perfect for my kitchen. That is a genius idea. I also like the use of the same laminate behind the range as a back splash. Great way to save money. A house 3 doors from mine has the original pink metal cabinets and a stainless cooktop and wall oven, so stainless was in vogue then.
Sandra says
After the war, we had to have peacetime uses for all that aluminum and steel (beats blowing it up). Peace and prosperity go together and should always be in vogue.
Ben says
What an amazing kitchen! Very well done!
angie says
in love it beautiful love the pink
Cara says
Very nice. Was that an old sink with a hudee ring?
I trust it found a good home!
That laminate looks great!
Cynthia Newport says
This kitchen is absolutely stunning!! Thank you so much for sharing. I love the edging you used and really everything. We have a pink and black bath which needs a redo. Mainly paint as the walls are. Deep pink and charcoal and will be painted pale pink. The kitchen especially needs help and I look forward to studying what you have done here. Great job!
Joe Felice says
Very-tastefully done. In this case, even the modern, stainless-steel appliances work.
Dana says
The loveliest of pinks, so lucky
Kel says
I so agree! I love the pink, the metal cabinets, the hardware, and last of all- the glittery countertops!!!!
Caryn says
Love this little kitchen, laid out very much like ours in our little MCM “dollhouse.” The pink laminate is beautiful, and the metallic as the edging is a great idea, especially with the stainless steel appliances. Very trim.
Christine wears that dress like it was made for her, lovely!
Kris says
Lovely job, lovely- BUT: I am much more impressed that Christine can fit into her M-I-L’s prom dress than the entire kitchen!! She is absolutely TEENSY! I was going over my old vintage 50s dress patterns- “average” waist? 24″.
PS One More Thing: Praise be to Christine for not doing an “Open Concept” kitchen/dining. It’s going out of fashion and firefighters HATE it. They say it’s the fault for many a house burn-down than anything else. Fires used to be contained to one room, now they take over the whole house. Why would anyone tear a wall down, and have to have a supporting beam to make up for it at a great expense? That’s like cutting your leg off and replacing it with a prosthesis.