Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.
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Genya Foxsays
Thanks so much for this! Just decided that we needed a laundry chute in our 1966 ‘almost capsule’ . Lo and behold I checked your amazing site and as usual, it delivered up not only the result- but we have same colored tiles (mine are leaves) and mahogany cabinets- and beige sink -WEIRD when I searched for ‘laundry chute’. BTW loved your new wallpaper in the beige/grey/leaves. I’ll have to send a pic of my counter tiles.
Amandasays
My husband and I are currently trying to purchase an Arkansas rock cottage that was built in 1930. I was happy to discover that the house still has what appears to be the original steel double “farmhouse” sink with the steel sink base. The sink base has several cabinets and drawers in it.
All of the other cabinets were replaced with cheap “wood” at some point.
How can I tell what this sink is coated with? Are all steel sinks from that era porcelainized? Someone has put several coats of latex paint on this one, so I’m having trouble figuring out what the original coating is.
When I feel the edge of the sink, where it hasn’t been painted, the margin between the coating and steel is very thin, but hard. Unfortunately, the opening there is just thick enough to slip the tip of my finger into. I can’t actually see anything!
If I were to have the sink sandblasted down to the bare metal, would automotive paint be sturdy enough to withstand daily use in a sink? I have a friend who owns an auto body repair shop……
TerriLynnsays
Maybe powder coating would be better than automotive paint….
Jennysays
Why?
pam kuebersays
Paint will not hold. See our story on re-porcelaining, it should come right up in our search box.
Conniesays
Is there a place to upload pictures and ask questions so that I can get decorating help from others?
I love this site and find things everyday that are so helpful. I confess, though, I don’t know how to get back to threads and pictures that I stumble onto day to day. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
pam kuebersays
If you use the Search box, it works pretty wall…Also, all stories are categorized in the Navigation categories at the top… Hope this helps.
Bethsays
Are there any retro decorators in the Austin, Texas area that can be hired to shed light on a new house that we just purchased to see what is unique and should be kept compared to demo?
Thank you!
Beth
pam kuebersays
This, I do not know…. One suggestion: Talk to owners of some of the vintage shops and see if they have any recommendations – Room Service Vintage is one such store, see this story: https://retrorenovation.com/2013/03/15/archizoom-safari/
Other ideas: You might also see Betty Crafter’s blog and ask her — she lives in Austin. And, the folks who own Crestview Doors likely will have some good ideas for you.
Hey: Tell everyone I sent you, okay? Good luck! Send us pics of your projects!!!
Kristensays
I have searched and searched this site along with so many others out there and have yet to find the answers I am looking for.
My house was built in 1947, and I believe it has the original kitchen cabinets and countertops. I have been unable to definitively pinpoint the exact year of the cabinets because I do not know if they really are from 1947, earlier, or perhaps later. They are Geneva, and they have the recessed plastic handles with chrome pulls. I am willing to share photos with anyone who can help me figure out the year of these beauties! Many thanks in advance.
pam kuebersays
The recessed handles were the earlier version of Genevas. I don’t know a way to pinpoint the exact year. They did not change much as far as I know — only recessed to not-recessed handles.
Colleensays
We have the same Geneva cabinets. I would like to be able to change out the recessed plastic part for something of color, maybe blue or red. Any ideas on how to do that? I was also wondering if there is a place on this site where we can list things like this for sale to each other and buy from each other?
Mary Elizabethsays
Alert to reader looking for Malibu Pink Homart tile: Now offered on eBay.
Perhaps someone knows where I might find a retro gas fireplace burner?
I have largeish gas fireplace in my “new” home (built in 1960) with the original logs but the burner part where the flames flicker out is missing!
Any ideas? Thanx!
Mary Elizabethsays
Hi, Jmsv! You should call your local provider for natural gas or propane, whichever you have. They will install a burner for you safely–may have to replace the logs as well with a newer version, but that’s all good. Good luck with your project, and remember what Pam always says, “Renovate safely!”
richard feldmansays
Hi,
We have a pair of Tomlinson dressers in our bedroom. There is a tall one and a long one. The style was featured in a 1951 advertising poster that I saw of the company furniture. They were taken from my mother in law’s home after she died and we’ve used them for many years. They need work to restore them, but my wife wants to get rid of them. I, on the other hand, want to restore them, do something “creative” with them to make them more contemporary or find a loving home for them. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks
Mary Elizabethsays
You don’t show us which style of the Tomlinson dressers that you have, but they hardly need updating. Some of the styles look very much like IKEA pieces that are popular now, except that may of the Tomlinson pieces are real wood, such as rock maple, instead of laminate. Check to see whether yours are solid wood before doing anything to them.
Some people say that you should never refinish a vintage piece, that you will lower its value. I say that any furniture I have should look in good condition, as I buy it for my home, not for an investment.
If the dressers are solid wood rather than veneer, and if they are in really bad shape, you may want to strip and refinish them in a color a little lighter than what they are now (the color has probably darkened as it aged). You can have this done professionally if you aren’t sure about the wood and/or are not skilled at the finishing process. If your wife really dislikes the style, not just the shabbiness of the finish, and you can’t talk her into giving them a chance, sell them “as is” on Craig’s list to give them a good home.
If your object is to use them in your home and you do decide to have them refinished, I would suggest multiple coats of clear matte-finished polyurethane. especially on the tops of the dressers. I know some purists would not find this finish authentic, but dresser and table tops get beat up by having stuff spilled on them, animals jumping on them, and objects such as a ring of keys pushed aside so that they scratch the finish. Some mid-century furniture makers put wood-look laminate on the tops of tables and dressers for that reason, because they didn’t have the tough polyurethane finishes we have now.
Mary Arenas Carysays
Hi all, I have a beautiful clock built in the wall if my kitchen. Lately its seems to be getting louder. It hums but just louder now. Who do you think Id call to work on this?
Thanks
pam kuebersays
Try to find someone locally who works on clocks who has been doing it a long time.
Sam Rsays
If it’s an AC-powered Telechron-type movement, they’re difficult to lubricate when the grease eventually dries out and/or gunks up, as is likely the case here. Best to talk to a clock shop that might have dealt with them before, or search Google for something like “Telechron repair” or “Telechron lubrication” (any DIY repairs would be at your own risk, of course).
If the mechanism is accessible, it might honestly be easier to install a battery-operated quartz movement with the original hands. I’ve done that on several vintage Telechrons with bad movements.
Genya Fox says
Thanks so much for this! Just decided that we needed a laundry chute in our 1966 ‘almost capsule’ . Lo and behold I checked your amazing site and as usual, it delivered up not only the result- but we have same colored tiles (mine are leaves) and mahogany cabinets- and beige sink -WEIRD when I searched for ‘laundry chute’. BTW loved your new wallpaper in the beige/grey/leaves. I’ll have to send a pic of my counter tiles.
Amanda says
My husband and I are currently trying to purchase an Arkansas rock cottage that was built in 1930. I was happy to discover that the house still has what appears to be the original steel double “farmhouse” sink with the steel sink base. The sink base has several cabinets and drawers in it.
All of the other cabinets were replaced with cheap “wood” at some point.
How can I tell what this sink is coated with? Are all steel sinks from that era porcelainized? Someone has put several coats of latex paint on this one, so I’m having trouble figuring out what the original coating is.
When I feel the edge of the sink, where it hasn’t been painted, the margin between the coating and steel is very thin, but hard. Unfortunately, the opening there is just thick enough to slip the tip of my finger into. I can’t actually see anything!
If I were to have the sink sandblasted down to the bare metal, would automotive paint be sturdy enough to withstand daily use in a sink? I have a friend who owns an auto body repair shop……
TerriLynn says
Maybe powder coating would be better than automotive paint….
Jenny says
Why?
pam kueber says
Paint will not hold. See our story on re-porcelaining, it should come right up in our search box.
Connie says
Is there a place to upload pictures and ask questions so that I can get decorating help from others?
Thanks,
Connie
Kate says
Hi Connie,
You can submit your decorating question for consideration as a Retro Design Dilemma. Just follow the instructions on this post: https://retrorenovation.com/2012/07/17/do-you-have-a-retro-design-dilemma-ask-us/
Kathy Davey says
Hi everyone,
I love this site and find things everyday that are so helpful. I confess, though, I don’t know how to get back to threads and pictures that I stumble onto day to day. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
pam kueber says
If you use the Search box, it works pretty wall…Also, all stories are categorized in the Navigation categories at the top… Hope this helps.
Beth says
Are there any retro decorators in the Austin, Texas area that can be hired to shed light on a new house that we just purchased to see what is unique and should be kept compared to demo?
Thank you!
Beth
pam kueber says
This, I do not know…. One suggestion: Talk to owners of some of the vintage shops and see if they have any recommendations – Room Service Vintage is one such store, see this story: https://retrorenovation.com/2013/03/15/archizoom-safari/
Other ideas: You might also see Betty Crafter’s blog and ask her — she lives in Austin. And, the folks who own Crestview Doors likely will have some good ideas for you.
Hey: Tell everyone I sent you, okay? Good luck! Send us pics of your projects!!!
Kristen says
I have searched and searched this site along with so many others out there and have yet to find the answers I am looking for.
My house was built in 1947, and I believe it has the original kitchen cabinets and countertops. I have been unable to definitively pinpoint the exact year of the cabinets because I do not know if they really are from 1947, earlier, or perhaps later. They are Geneva, and they have the recessed plastic handles with chrome pulls. I am willing to share photos with anyone who can help me figure out the year of these beauties! Many thanks in advance.
pam kueber says
The recessed handles were the earlier version of Genevas. I don’t know a way to pinpoint the exact year. They did not change much as far as I know — only recessed to not-recessed handles.
Colleen says
We have the same Geneva cabinets. I would like to be able to change out the recessed plastic part for something of color, maybe blue or red. Any ideas on how to do that? I was also wondering if there is a place on this site where we can list things like this for sale to each other and buy from each other?
Mary Elizabeth says
Alert to reader looking for Malibu Pink Homart tile: Now offered on eBay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=331100624316&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:3160
jmsv says
Perhaps someone knows where I might find a retro gas fireplace burner?
I have largeish gas fireplace in my “new” home (built in 1960) with the original logs but the burner part where the flames flicker out is missing!
Any ideas? Thanx!
Mary Elizabeth says
Hi, Jmsv! You should call your local provider for natural gas or propane, whichever you have. They will install a burner for you safely–may have to replace the logs as well with a newer version, but that’s all good. Good luck with your project, and remember what Pam always says, “Renovate safely!”
richard feldman says
Hi,
We have a pair of Tomlinson dressers in our bedroom. There is a tall one and a long one. The style was featured in a 1951 advertising poster that I saw of the company furniture. They were taken from my mother in law’s home after she died and we’ve used them for many years. They need work to restore them, but my wife wants to get rid of them. I, on the other hand, want to restore them, do something “creative” with them to make them more contemporary or find a loving home for them. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks
Mary Elizabeth says
You don’t show us which style of the Tomlinson dressers that you have, but they hardly need updating. Some of the styles look very much like IKEA pieces that are popular now, except that may of the Tomlinson pieces are real wood, such as rock maple, instead of laminate. Check to see whether yours are solid wood before doing anything to them.
Some people say that you should never refinish a vintage piece, that you will lower its value. I say that any furniture I have should look in good condition, as I buy it for my home, not for an investment.
If the dressers are solid wood rather than veneer, and if they are in really bad shape, you may want to strip and refinish them in a color a little lighter than what they are now (the color has probably darkened as it aged). You can have this done professionally if you aren’t sure about the wood and/or are not skilled at the finishing process. If your wife really dislikes the style, not just the shabbiness of the finish, and you can’t talk her into giving them a chance, sell them “as is” on Craig’s list to give them a good home.
If your object is to use them in your home and you do decide to have them refinished, I would suggest multiple coats of clear matte-finished polyurethane. especially on the tops of the dressers. I know some purists would not find this finish authentic, but dresser and table tops get beat up by having stuff spilled on them, animals jumping on them, and objects such as a ring of keys pushed aside so that they scratch the finish. Some mid-century furniture makers put wood-look laminate on the tops of tables and dressers for that reason, because they didn’t have the tough polyurethane finishes we have now.
Mary Arenas Cary says
Hi all, I have a beautiful clock built in the wall if my kitchen. Lately its seems to be getting louder. It hums but just louder now. Who do you think Id call to work on this?
Thanks
pam kueber says
Try to find someone locally who works on clocks who has been doing it a long time.
Sam R says
If it’s an AC-powered Telechron-type movement, they’re difficult to lubricate when the grease eventually dries out and/or gunks up, as is likely the case here. Best to talk to a clock shop that might have dealt with them before, or search Google for something like “Telechron repair” or “Telechron lubrication” (any DIY repairs would be at your own risk, of course).
If the mechanism is accessible, it might honestly be easier to install a battery-operated quartz movement with the original hands. I’ve done that on several vintage Telechrons with bad movements.