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Retro Renovation

Remodel & decorate in Mid Century Style

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Home / What to Collect

Retro homes from the 40s 50s and 60s: Affordable and increasingly, fashionable

Pam Kueber - Updated: April 7, 2020

Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.

world war II postwar housing 1946 cape

When I started the blog, I of course labored over the name for it. But I immediately latched on to Retro Renovation once I understood that it was a term truly used by contractors — although really just beginning to catch on. The start of a serious trend — which I know we all believe in!

world war II postwar housing 1946I also like the name because (1) it just simply is what the blog is all about… (2) you don’t need to tell people how to spell it… and (3) of course, it’s got that alliteration thing going.

So now, I’m also excited when I see the term pop up in headlines, most recently in Grand Rapids, Michigan’s Development News.

I also like the article because it points out the underlying reality that the “American Dream” of the 50s was so much more modest. Today, the small scale usually makes these homes much more affordable… within reach…(and what style, too). Maybe … reconnecting with the ‘original’ American Dream — ala the 1946 jewel boxes shown so lovingly in these ads — is a a pretty smart move?

 

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What to Collect

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