Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.
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341 comments
Comments
J Oliversays
Where can I find wall to wall carpeting for a small bathroom..5 x 8
pam kuebersays
We have a story on this – use the Search box, it should take you right there
Paulsays
Crane Plumbing is no more: They have merged with American Standard.
robinsays
I’m looking for a pamphlet on how to take sears and roebuck metal cabinets down. Model # 526-2940. thank you
I like it! Nicely done. I’ll ask Kate to do a standalone story. Toilets! Our favorite subject!
Paulsays
If only it came in colors like Venetian Pink, Regency Blue, and Ming Green!
pam kuebersays
Yes…
Paulsays
BTW, by standalone story, you mean there will be a blog post about it, or only on Facebook?
pam kuebersays
on the blog
Barbarasays
Do you have any ideas on how to store aluminum tree branches so the don’t get ruined
pam kuebersays
Per my experience, they usually come in narrow kraft paper sleeves/tubes. You slide them against the grain, so to speak, and pull them out with the grain.
Sarasays
Hello!
I have have a lovely mid century kitchen, with not-so-lovely plastic tiles in my row home built around 1900. I’m looking for advice on how to remove the organgey-brown adhesive underneath. I’ve been told to cut out the wall, but they are plaster, and I would really (really!) like to avoid that. Also I plan on re-tiling with ceremic subway tile afterwards, so getting a 100% smooth surface isn’t a #1 priority.
Thanks!
pam kuebersays
Sara: Precautionary Pam warns: There may be vintage nastiness such as lead and asbestos in the old layers of our old houses, including in adhesives. Get with your own properly licensed professional to determine and assess what you have so that you can make your own informed decisions.
Michelle bsays
I love the valuable resources you website offers! Thank you! Where would I find information about removing marine paint from ceramic tile? My friend just bought a darling 1946 stucco bungalow and the previous owner has painted over the taupe and blue bathroom tile with a combination of marine and latex paint. How can it be removed without damaging the tile? Any direction or advice is appreciated!
pam kuebersays
Michelle b, I am not an expert on this, but recall that one reader (a couple, so two readers) had success using Citristrip Gel – not sure if it was marine paint, but they used Citristrip Gel to get a lot of paint off a lot of surfaces. Here is their story: https://retrorenovation.com/2014/06/23/vintage-trailer-1958/
Also note my Precautionary Pams: Old surfaces and materials can contain vintage nastiness such as lead as asbestos; get with your own properly licensed pro to test/assess what you have so that you can make informed decisions.
Judy Droubiesays
Where could I find out how much my Youngstown Kitchen Jet Tower junior dishwasher be worth? It is still in the box with all the dishes and silverware. It is from the late 40’s.
J Oliver says
Where can I find wall to wall carpeting for a small bathroom..5 x 8
pam kueber says
We have a story on this – use the Search box, it should take you right there
Paul says
Crane Plumbing is no more: They have merged with American Standard.
robin says
I’m looking for a pamphlet on how to take sears and roebuck metal cabinets down. Model # 526-2940. thank you
pam kueber says
We don’t have such a thing.
Ronda F. says
Could the triangle above my garage have been a dovecote? Now it is just foam backed aluminum siding that has mesh ventilation behind it. (It is accessible from in the attic.)
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.2344254,-75.2749051,3a,75y,6.6h,95.82t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1shJJHvVSaXCOgd9aoM5rcsA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1 .. hoping this shows it.
pam kueber says
Might have been! Are there others in the neighborhood?
Ronda F. says
None of the other houses are like mine. Most are older colonials or cape cods with a few plainer and smaller ranch houses.
Paul says
Does B&W Tile have an email address? If so, please can you tell me what it is? Thanks!
Kate says
I think you’ll have to call Paul. I don’t remember seeing one on their website.
Paul says
I did find the email. It is bandwtile@yahoo.com
Paul says
Pam, I have found a new option for 1950s style toilets! They only come in white, but it will look good in a vintage bathroom. Here is the link:
http://www.signaturehardware.com/bathroom/toilets-and-bidets/two-piece-toilet/halkett-two-piece-toilet.html
pam kueber says
I like it! Nicely done. I’ll ask Kate to do a standalone story. Toilets! Our favorite subject!
Paul says
If only it came in colors like Venetian Pink, Regency Blue, and Ming Green!
pam kueber says
Yes…
Paul says
BTW, by standalone story, you mean there will be a blog post about it, or only on Facebook?
pam kueber says
on the blog
Barbara says
Do you have any ideas on how to store aluminum tree branches so the don’t get ruined
pam kueber says
Per my experience, they usually come in narrow kraft paper sleeves/tubes. You slide them against the grain, so to speak, and pull them out with the grain.
Sara says
Hello!
I have have a lovely mid century kitchen, with not-so-lovely plastic tiles in my row home built around 1900. I’m looking for advice on how to remove the organgey-brown adhesive underneath. I’ve been told to cut out the wall, but they are plaster, and I would really (really!) like to avoid that. Also I plan on re-tiling with ceremic subway tile afterwards, so getting a 100% smooth surface isn’t a #1 priority.
Thanks!
pam kueber says
Sara: Precautionary Pam warns: There may be vintage nastiness such as lead and asbestos in the old layers of our old houses, including in adhesives. Get with your own properly licensed professional to determine and assess what you have so that you can make your own informed decisions.
Michelle b says
I love the valuable resources you website offers! Thank you! Where would I find information about removing marine paint from ceramic tile? My friend just bought a darling 1946 stucco bungalow and the previous owner has painted over the taupe and blue bathroom tile with a combination of marine and latex paint. How can it be removed without damaging the tile? Any direction or advice is appreciated!
pam kueber says
Michelle b, I am not an expert on this, but recall that one reader (a couple, so two readers) had success using Citristrip Gel – not sure if it was marine paint, but they used Citristrip Gel to get a lot of paint off a lot of surfaces. Here is their story: https://retrorenovation.com/2014/06/23/vintage-trailer-1958/
Also note my Precautionary Pams: Old surfaces and materials can contain vintage nastiness such as lead as asbestos; get with your own properly licensed pro to test/assess what you have so that you can make informed decisions.
Judy Droubie says
Where could I find out how much my Youngstown Kitchen Jet Tower junior dishwasher be worth? It is still in the box with all the dishes and silverware. It is from the late 40’s.