Here’s a timeless question: Readers Kate and Tom ask how to approach a Retro Renovation of their 1960s kitchen — which was updated by previous owners in another decade’s style — but, with an eye toward being thrifty and toward resale some day. What is your advice? Note: I’ll let readers comment for a while, then, I will follow up with my thoughts and what I learn from you!
Update: My followup story with my ideas is here.
Kate and Tom write (edited from two emails for flow):
Hiya,
This truly is a great resource! I’m pondering ways to re-vintage our 1960s house, which we bought a couple years ago from a couple who had done painstaking renovations of their own (not the original owners) in the 1990s. The house has their flesh-toned fingerprints all over it, and he was a master woodworker, so it’s a very professional 1990s vibe that we have to contend.
We have both lived in older homes that looked more true to their era, and we long for that midcentury look which seems to match the house’s soul. Here is a photo of the kitchen. We just added paint color but dislike hardware, granite, backsplash.
I’m still just in the visioning stages of trying to picture some remodeling, and need some input about our granite countertops/stainless steel/wood cabinets (cherry? oak) with their wrought iron pulls….Worried about resale value, and expenses just to create an aesthetic when what we’ve got functions well and is “up to date.”
What are your thoughts? How can we accentuate more of that 1960s vibe in a way that won’t detract from potential resale value?
–Kate and Tom in Minneapolis
Readers, what do you think?
How should Kate and Tom approach a Retro Renovation — also with an eye toward resale and unnecessary expenditures?
LIz says
My realtor friend says that my 1954 ranch in Portland, OR would sell for top dollar if I extended hardwood floors into kitchen, painted oak cabinets white and installed farmhouse sink with quartz or granite counters. Unless Kate and Tom plan to live there forever, why spend a lot of unnecessary $? Use retro accents.
Linda O'Connell says
I am using this home and kitchen for inspiration formy 60s ranch. A mix of old and new. Good luck. http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/home-and-garden/gallery-at-home-in-s-style-ladue-ranch/collection_f81fe27d-1892-5c3e-bbb7-43fbe77ca2f5.html
Tina Caldwell says
Was it Bunny Williams who said something along the lines of decorating is expensive; color is free? I would start with MCM colors EVERYWHERE to make the 90s greige feeling dissipate. Perhaps start with a wallpaper to set the design and colors. I realize the one change you’ve been able to make is to paint the soffit above the cabinets, but this is where you can get some punch that dictates the design. Something like this: http://clusterled.us/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/modern-design-mid-century-patterns-wallpaper-front-door-shed-for-kitchen-tile-backsplash-patterns.jpg
(I don’t know if that link worked or not). But anyway, it’s got colors and patterns that you can use and repeat in the rest of the kitchen. You can either paint the floor one of those colors, or, if resale is a big part of your thinking process, you can get a floor cover painted to match the wall paper. http://www.thekitchn.com/ugly-kitchen-floor-change-it-w-94617 Or a large area rug that complements it. Bring the shapes and colors into your hardware and with your countertop arrangements. If you’re drawing the eye TO the cool, colorful stuff, the eye won’t notice the granite that isn’t “quite right.” Everything you do won’t change the construction that much and when you sell, it won’t hurt somebody whose aesthetic isn’t as awesome. 😉
Cara says
Pam, I appreciate your always reminding us to renovate safely!
SO I do wonder why toxic, environmentally unfriendly vinyl flooring (not real linoleum, which is earth and health friendly) is so frequently promoted here. This is an article about some of the problems with vinyl flooring
https://www.thespruce.com/environmental-impact-of-vinyl-flooring-1314956
and this about the health effects
http://greenplanetethics.com/wordpress/pvc-vinyl-flooring-and-your-health/
Anyway, I would remove the granite and sell it, or donate it, replace with stainless steel which will last forever and has good resale value, paint the cupboards, change the knobs. If that’s wood flooring, I’d consider painting it in checkers or some MCM or classic pattern.
Can you get colored cover panels for the dishwasher& fridge?
Again, thanks Pam & others for all your work to save our history, but before vinyl, there was linoleum and I think it could be better all around if vinyl were not ubiquitous.
No offense is offended.
Pam Kueber says
Hi Cara, I am not an expert on this issue. Readers should do their own research.
Bill says
I imagine the article talks about the vinyl flooring releasing gases (outgassing). So does new laminated wood, carpeting and everything else made and coated by man. The new car or home interior aroma is cause by outgassing which continues until the installed products have completely dried out.
Pam Kueber says
Thanks, all. But please, let’s not take this off into this area. Folks: Do your own research.
Rosie Henik says
I have stainless steel appliances too, and my 1959 kitchen looks retro because I had Marmoleum square tiles installed in 2 colors. It makes any kitchen look vintage.
Joe Felice says
I’m of the belief that, when you have a properly-retro-renovated home (or room), it never goes out of style, and therefore, doesn’t need to be updated, except for maybe the appliances and fixtures.
Martha says
Frankly, and this is coming from someone who is home shopping right now, dont do anything but paint,curtains, and accessories, if you are trying to look retro. Why? I love retro and would be jazzed to find an ultimate retro reno to buy. But in the perspective of the number of people shopping? I am unique. And I did say reno, because I want a smooth working kitchen. Not to mention the fact, that one persons cool 60’s reno is another person’s 60’s reno dud. If your not planning on making this your forever home, keep the big ticket and time consuming items off the menu unless they are timeless choices. Good luck 🙂
Ellen says
Personally I would not go crazy changing things, not everyone likes the same thing. If you want go retro, stainless appliances are not the thing to have, neither is a microwave above the stove. I first would try changing the floor, to me it doesn’t seem to go with the rest of the room. I’d pick up a dark color from the counter top. Venetian blinds are a nice retro look. You can get them in many colors with larger slates and also pick the size and color of the webbing on the outside. I think the cabinets are just fine. Start there, maybe add some color to the back splash and see how you like that before you go crazy changing everything.
Lisa says
It’s a perfectly serviceable kitchen with nice cabinets. Add a colorful valance over the kitchen window, update the hardware with something that appeals to you, and augment with colorful canisters and countertop items. One step further would be to sell the appliance package online and replace with white appliances to brighten it up. Just like we are disappointed when people tamper with the old stuff, there’s no point in tampering with something that is of good quality.
Elizabeth says
Buy the GE Artistry series to get the look of vintage appliances. I have the matching fridge, gas stove and dishwasher in white and I love them! I was lucky enough to have the existing 1958 Geneva steel enamel cabinets still in place. Maybe you can find some that will fit your kitchen at your local Restore.
toni says
no longer being manufactured