Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.
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Alexandersays
I have an old cast iron bathroom sink. It has som numbers on the bottom but I’m not sure how to read them. Perhaps you can help me. There are two lines. It looks something like this:
2
1 12 16
I don’t know what the 2 stands for and I think that the 1 is Jan, 12 is the 12th day, and 16 is the year. If that is correct, what year? 1816? 1916? Please tell me if you know.
Pam Kuebersays
I am not an expert on this question, Alexander.
Pamellasays
Alexander – it won’t be from the 1816 – if you can upload a pic the shape will aid in dating it.
Pam Kuebersays
Photos cannot be uploaded to this site per se. Upload to a photo sharing site then post the link…
Tamarasays
I bought a mid century home in a historic district and am planning on replacing all the 1990s beige tile through out the home. My home has honey oak baseboards and trim through out, which I’m pretty certain are original to the home. What flooring would be a good match? I’m resisting painting over the old trim. I need something pet friendly as I have two large dogs.
Nikkisays
Hi Tamara,
Sounds like a lovely home, perhaps see if Pam will post some pictures along with your question (pictures help). Not sure where your house is, but in the northeast most MC homes had oak flooring.
I have 2 dogs as well and they are hard on wood flooring – not so much the nails but the “accidents”. Anyway here is my short list
Forbo flooring well know for their linoleum they also have other products that you may like. I was just there and they have some new offerings.
Just make sure that whatever flooring you choose has the undertones correct for the period – meaning no grey tone (which is wildly popular today) because it will scream “NEW” and won’t coordinate well with the mid-brown tones of MC.
Good luck and post pictures of your reno…. we love ’em all!
Tamarasays
Thanks!
Cathi Allensays
I am looking for parts for a 1954 GE Lazy Susan Refrigerator that I am restoring. The specific parts I am looking for are the freezer door, the drawer underneath the freezer, the front door handle assembly, the bottom grill/toe kick, the outside door shelves and the glass on top of the pull out drawers on the bottom.
Charsays
Pam….
Maybe you can help? R.E. Nutone Bathroom Ceiling Fan! Is there any way to get just the knob that goes over the metal piece that comes out of the wall, to turn on the fan/ timer? It has a mini vise grip on it now!!!
The house was built in 1947…but the fans may have been put in in the 60’s!
Pam Kuebersays
Char, I am not an expert. Consult with a pro.
Christinesays
We have windows that are like casement windows but are in three sections horizontally so they crank out. I need to replace them as they are not efficient but do hot want the look of sash windows – I want a more original mid century look and am not sure that sash windows would look right. My windows are 40″X50″. Any suggestions?
SD Amysays
Hi Pam,
I have been trying to find the article in which you covered reflective address/name plaques – they still make them. I can’t seem to find it and would be pleased as punch if you could direct me to it.
Thank you much!
SD Amy
Pam Kuebersays
I took it down because I received notes from several readers saying that the communication was not good. That is they sent their money and order and did not hear back for months and months and the company’s phone message box was full so they could not connect. Subsequently, I did hear that readers received their plaques after a long delay (like, 6 months). Even so, I am not sure I will repost the story. I’ll think about it.
Amysays
Thank you for the speedy reply and glad to know that I wasn’t just losing my mind 🙂
Hi, Looking for hinge hardware or door for Youngstown Diana style cabinet. This is a double sink unit. Help!!!
Pam Kuebersays
no known new source, ya gotta scavenge
Dansays
I removed some old sheet metal cabinets from an old house. The base has an enamel top with built in sink. I cannot find a manufacture’s label but the sink has a date and some numbers spray painted on the base, 4968 followed by a date 2/4/54 and KMP526-6.
How can I find the manufacture’s name and possible value to these cabinets?
Pam Kuebersays
I don’t know how to decipher such codes. Also, I don’t do valuations here.
Love your site, lots of great inspiration!
We are restoring a 70’s condo kitchen and had Armstrong Standard Excelon Imperial Texture VCT installed. Background color was Carnival White (white with streaks of primary colors), and then randomly used 6 other colors of tiles (Lemon Lick, Tyrian Purple, Marina Blue, Cherry Red, Pumpkin Orange and Sea Green).
Sandrasays
My mom has bought new appliances for her 1966 ranch house since she believes that’s what renters want. I’m trying to salvage her still working gas Wedgewood single oven (with broiler drawer below) since it still works perfectly. Would appreciate ideas on where to best post this item to see if there’s any demand. Many thanks for your suggestions.
Pam Kuebersays
Hi Sandra, I think that the most common place to post these is craigslist. Good luck.
Alexander says
I have an old cast iron bathroom sink. It has som numbers on the bottom but I’m not sure how to read them. Perhaps you can help me. There are two lines. It looks something like this:
2
1 12 16
I don’t know what the 2 stands for and I think that the 1 is Jan, 12 is the 12th day, and 16 is the year. If that is correct, what year? 1816? 1916? Please tell me if you know.
Pam Kueber says
I am not an expert on this question, Alexander.
Pamella says
Alexander – it won’t be from the 1816 – if you can upload a pic the shape will aid in dating it.
Pam Kueber says
Photos cannot be uploaded to this site per se. Upload to a photo sharing site then post the link…
Tamara says
I bought a mid century home in a historic district and am planning on replacing all the 1990s beige tile through out the home. My home has honey oak baseboards and trim through out, which I’m pretty certain are original to the home. What flooring would be a good match? I’m resisting painting over the old trim. I need something pet friendly as I have two large dogs.
Nikki says
Hi Tamara,
Sounds like a lovely home, perhaps see if Pam will post some pictures along with your question (pictures help). Not sure where your house is, but in the northeast most MC homes had oak flooring.
I have 2 dogs as well and they are hard on wood flooring – not so much the nails but the “accidents”. Anyway here is my short list
Forbo flooring well know for their linoleum they also have other products that you may like. I was just there and they have some new offerings.
https://www.forbo.com
I also like US floors: http://www.usfloorsllc.com/
Just make sure that whatever flooring you choose has the undertones correct for the period – meaning no grey tone (which is wildly popular today) because it will scream “NEW” and won’t coordinate well with the mid-brown tones of MC.
Good luck and post pictures of your reno…. we love ’em all!
Tamara says
Thanks!
Cathi Allen says
I am looking for parts for a 1954 GE Lazy Susan Refrigerator that I am restoring. The specific parts I am looking for are the freezer door, the drawer underneath the freezer, the front door handle assembly, the bottom grill/toe kick, the outside door shelves and the glass on top of the pull out drawers on the bottom.
Char says
Pam….
Maybe you can help? R.E. Nutone Bathroom Ceiling Fan! Is there any way to get just the knob that goes over the metal piece that comes out of the wall, to turn on the fan/ timer? It has a mini vise grip on it now!!!
The house was built in 1947…but the fans may have been put in in the 60’s!
Pam Kueber says
Char, I am not an expert. Consult with a pro.
Christine says
We have windows that are like casement windows but are in three sections horizontally so they crank out. I need to replace them as they are not efficient but do hot want the look of sash windows – I want a more original mid century look and am not sure that sash windows would look right. My windows are 40″X50″. Any suggestions?
SD Amy says
Hi Pam,
I have been trying to find the article in which you covered reflective address/name plaques – they still make them. I can’t seem to find it and would be pleased as punch if you could direct me to it.
Thank you much!
SD Amy
Pam Kueber says
I took it down because I received notes from several readers saying that the communication was not good. That is they sent their money and order and did not hear back for months and months and the company’s phone message box was full so they could not connect. Subsequently, I did hear that readers received their plaques after a long delay (like, 6 months). Even so, I am not sure I will repost the story. I’ll think about it.
Amy says
Thank you for the speedy reply and glad to know that I wasn’t just losing my mind 🙂
Pam Kueber says
Note, I just reposted it. https://retrorenovation.com/2014/12/02/midcentury-house-plaques-name-address/
Don Cutway says
Hi, Looking for hinge hardware or door for Youngstown Diana style cabinet. This is a double sink unit. Help!!!
Pam Kueber says
no known new source, ya gotta scavenge
Dan says
I removed some old sheet metal cabinets from an old house. The base has an enamel top with built in sink. I cannot find a manufacture’s label but the sink has a date and some numbers spray painted on the base, 4968 followed by a date 2/4/54 and KMP526-6.
How can I find the manufacture’s name and possible value to these cabinets?
Pam Kueber says
I don’t know how to decipher such codes. Also, I don’t do valuations here.
Ellen Peters says
Love your site, lots of great inspiration!
We are restoring a 70’s condo kitchen and had Armstrong Standard Excelon Imperial Texture VCT installed. Background color was Carnival White (white with streaks of primary colors), and then randomly used 6 other colors of tiles (Lemon Lick, Tyrian Purple, Marina Blue, Cherry Red, Pumpkin Orange and Sea Green).
Sandra says
My mom has bought new appliances for her 1966 ranch house since she believes that’s what renters want. I’m trying to salvage her still working gas Wedgewood single oven (with broiler drawer below) since it still works perfectly. Would appreciate ideas on where to best post this item to see if there’s any demand. Many thanks for your suggestions.
Pam Kueber says
Hi Sandra, I think that the most common place to post these is craigslist. Good luck.