After nearly 15 years of blogging about the retro, I have stepped back from posting regularly.
To make time for new endeavors, I can no longer respond to emails asking for personalized assistance. Please note: I do not sell anything. If you are looking for a particular item, the blog is full of many resources, give the Search box a whirl!
If you are writing about advertising, please contact me here.
Drew says
Hello!
I’ve searched the site high and low and cannot find any reference to what I would call “sandstone” masonry. Here in Seattle I often see it used in fireplaces and sometimes in place of where you would expect to see roman brick on the exterior of homes. It has a large variation in size, for instance, my fireplace has blocks that are as large as 8×24 and as small as 1×2. It appears to be a natural stone product, and aside from having a flat bottom and top, the sides of the stones are not machined. Any idea what this is called and if it’s still produced?
Pam Kueber says
Hi Drew, I don’t know the answer to this one. I tend to think that back in the day, materials like these were locally sourced. That is, particular to native materials or manufacturers in a given area.
In wood, I think those kinds of edges are called “live edge”, I don’t know if that term is relevant to masonry…
Jane says
Have you seen this one? https://shop.claysquared.com/mid-century-colors-c10.aspx
Pam Kueber says
Jane: Those are B&W Tiles.
Reader Deb says
Hi Pam,
I know you’ve been to EcoBuilding Bargains a few times, so you might know. Are you allowed to bicker with them over the price? I’m asking because I spotted a Geneva “60 stainless steel sink (I have the same one in my kitchen that goes with the older Geneva cabinets with the plastic insert behind the handles.) It’s listed as sold and the asking price was $200. Do you think that’s what they actually sold it for? https://ecobuildingbargains.org/products/stainless-steel-sink/
Pam Kueber says
I don’t know… I tend to think not. That was a great deal.
Reader Deb says
I have an extra one in the garage that I purchased with a set of Geneva’s to add to my kitchen when we remodel it, hopefully this summer. If I sell it for that much it will cover almost half the cost of what I paid for the entire set! Crème Caramel wall laminate instead of paint or wallpaper and not just for the backsplash is looking pretty good right now.
Maggie says
Hi, do you know of any sources identifying residential designers who love MCM kitchens? I have a mid-century modest ranch but the kitchen was redone sometime in the 80s. I’m trying to find someone who could help me bring it back to a more mid-century style. Even after trolling this site for weeks, I just don’t have the design sense to do it myself. 🙁 I live outside of Chicago.
Thank you!
Dale Gates says
Good morning,
I am a general contractor with a passion for restoring things of beauty and good craftsmanship. This has included; cars, boats, church cathedrals and mid-century homes. Over the last 3-years I have specialized in purchasing tired 1955 – 1960 vintage homes in Oklahoma City and performing extreme attention to detail total transitional renewals of sensible blending of old and new. Much to the surprise of many critics, my wife and i have successfully enhanced and saved a couple Pink Bathrooms.
I am in possession of the following items and would appreciate your advise as to where the best place is for me to post them for sale? All are in exceptional condition and have been meticulously detail-cleaned.
1957 Crane Toilet – Pink in Color
1956 Crane Bathroom Sink – Pink in Color
1956 Crane Bathroom Sink – Gray in Color
1957 (+/- 120 pieces of Pink Subway Tile & Corner Pieces (used but it came out remarkably well and is 100% reusable)
Thank you for your time and advice.
In appreciation.
Dale & Sheryle Gates
Pam Kueber says
Hi Dale, Nice to hear from you! Answer: Craiglist; maybe ebay too if they don’t move but then shipping’s a hassle. Good luck.
clarence stockton says
i see on your website you have a vintage accordian shower door i would like to get but i dont see a phone number i built my home 1977 and have byflod shower door like the one you have on your website
Pam Kueber says
I don’t sell anything. Go to the story and look for the link in brite bold blue to get to the company that sells these https://retrorenovation.com/2012/05/10/10-nos-tub-master-accordian-door-shower-doors-for-a-vintage-travel-trailer-or-home/
Mary says
Does anyone have tips on hanging fragile , authentic 1950’s wallpaper? I’m determined to use it but it’s tearing so easily. Thanks!
Pam Kueber says
Have you put down liner paper?
Are you sizing everything?
After that I guess I’d say: Go slow. Make sure the paste is correct. I’d consult Hannah’s Vintage Wallpapers for their instructions.
Rhonda Canales says
I have some questions about an engineered paneling you have on your website, but I canno find a phone number to contact you. Can you please provide me with a phone number or please call me at [edited].
Pam Kueber says
Rhonda, I do not sell anything here. You need to contact the company(s) profiled in the story(s). There is usually a hotlink in brite bold blue.
Pamela H. Duncan says
PLEASE UNSUSCRIBE ME FROM THIS BLOG
Pam Kueber says
I presume you meant the newsletter, and I unsubscribed you.
Geraldine says
December 24th, 2017
Dear Pam,
Thank you for sharing Art and Mary ‘s Santa and Reindeer story. It brings back a very memorable time. In 1954 my parents bought a pattern for Santa and his Reindeer like the one in your story. My Dad cut out each piece carefully out of plywood. He and my Mom patiently and very carefully painted each and every part. Rudolph was the only one with a red nose. My Dad was so smart. He created a motorized mechanism and Santa’s Reindeer moved up and down. It was so great to see and passer-bys would stop and watch the lighted display.
After my Dad passed away in 1975, the display was forgotten and over the years it just laid abandoned. No one seems to know what happened to Santa.
Thank you for sharing Art and Mary’s story and letting me write mine.
Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year.
Gerry Covert