Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.
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rogersays
Looking for a replacement part for a Virden “eyeball” flush-mount ceiling light.
It’s a black die-cast diffuser — 3 concentric circles, outside diameter 3 5″., three little projections to hook into the inside of the swiveling spherical hood. When you drop it while replacing a bulb, it shatters when it hits the kitchen floor. . . I installed the lights in the mid-sixties when we re-did our kitchen, doubling its size . . . is help on the way?
Nancysays
Before my husband and I were married 57 years ago we saw and fell in love with a beautiful round purple/amethyst Blenko table lamp. That was our first purchase together. It still has an important place in our living room; however, many years ago the round amethyst finial was broken. I did write to Blenko a few years ago about obtaining a replacement; however, I never received a reply. Possibly that was when the company was going through bankruptcy. I am wondering if partnering with Rejuvenation will allow me to order such a replacement.
pam kuebersays
I suggest you try Blenko again, as well…. Good luck!
Patricia Lewissays
Does anyone have a 1960’s Frigidaire Flair Stove for sale? I had one in the late 70’s and loved cooking on it – unfortunately we were living in a rental at the time and when we moved the landlord wouldn’t sell it to us. I’ve been looking for one ever since.
We recently purchased 20 pieces of living and dining furniture from Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin collection made by Henredon with Heritage fabrics in 1955. Fabric on living room pieces is pristine but dining room chairs have been recovered and need to done again. I’ve not been able to find out what the original fabric looked like and have only found one good FLW licensed fabric through decodame.com but don’t care for the colors. Any leads on what the original might have been and any good options available? BTW, love your sight! Thanks.
pam kuebersays
Hi Jeff, thanks for your nice comment. Alas, I do not know this one. You might contact — Taliesen?
Ruthsays
My mothers’ house has the original pink 1963 bathrooms intact. We recently convinced her to leave them alone! But one sink seems to have corroded and sprung a leak. My hunt for a replacement has not gone well…….. Anyone have any ideas? I need a round pink sink with a huddee ring. Thanks.
pam kuebersays
See our Bathroom Help / Sinks category.
Lacysays
Just purchased a lovely red chrome dinette set. The formica top is solid red but I wondered if any readers may have had success in painting/stenciling designs. I always wanted to have one with a pretty graphic, but the ones I liked have always been so pricey.
Would love advice, tips, etc., as far as what to do to prepare, what paint to use, etc.
Thank you!
Lacy
Terrisays
I just bought a set of Heywood Wakefield Ashcroft at auction. Sectional (4 chairs), corner table, end table, two servers and a big round shadow box shelf. They need some TLC but are basically in good shape. Any suggestions on how to bring them back to life?
pam kuebersays
we have a story on this – use the search box
Kassandra Bradberrysays
I have an original wall sconce over built-in desk in my 1959 house. It has a cool tear drop shaped glass shade, which I found in the cabinet over the desk. Only I can’t figure out how it was originally in. When you use the plastic thing that tightens down where you screw the light bulb it dose not tighten enough to keep it from moving around and looking like it’s about to fall out. Any ideas what is missing? There are no outside screws in the metal base like in some fixtures.
pam kuebersays
Hi Kassandra, Questions like this are difficult if not impossible to answer online. There were so many configurations of lighting back in the day. Also: Getting the glass on Safely is a concern. Maybe… the next time you have electrician in the house, have them look at it? They may know, plus they will be attuned to the safety issue. Good luck.
Thurmn Carsonsays
We would like your phone number. We have an old ranch house that is all vintage. The bathroom is yellow tile, yellow sink, yellow tub, and yellow toilet. We need a new yellow low flow toilet. Can we get yournmber to call you?
pam kuebersays
We do not sell anything here. You need to use the Categories. Bathroom Help/Toilets will get you to our stories on where to find yellow toilets.
Sharp#2says
I’d love to get the RR community’s help on identifying the steel cabinets that came with my home. I’ve looked through the brand collections and don’t see anything like them, so I’m hoping the experts out there can lend a hand. There are no labels to be found anywhere on the cabinetry. The cabinet faces are flat, but the upper cabinets have a very pronounced curve on the left and right edges. The lower cabinets do no have the curve. The handles are chrome, elongated half circled (half ovals?) that are mounted horizontally in the center of the door for the lower cabinets and vertically on the lower corner that opens for the upper cabinets. A double drainboard, single basin porcelain enamel on steel sink is installed on top of the lower cabinets?
Anyone have any guesses? I would love to know how old they are and find a faucet of similar age to match. Thanks so much!
pam kuebersays
can you provide a link to photos? Also you can go thru our Kitchen Help/Steel Kitchens category to see if you can spot them.
I don’t recognize this one immediately. I have sent the link to another reader who is quite expert and may be able to identify them. If so, I will post the answer.
roger says
Looking for a replacement part for a Virden “eyeball” flush-mount ceiling light.
It’s a black die-cast diffuser — 3 concentric circles, outside diameter 3 5″., three little projections to hook into the inside of the swiveling spherical hood. When you drop it while replacing a bulb, it shatters when it hits the kitchen floor. . . I installed the lights in the mid-sixties when we re-did our kitchen, doubling its size . . . is help on the way?
Nancy says
Before my husband and I were married 57 years ago we saw and fell in love with a beautiful round purple/amethyst Blenko table lamp. That was our first purchase together. It still has an important place in our living room; however, many years ago the round amethyst finial was broken. I did write to Blenko a few years ago about obtaining a replacement; however, I never received a reply. Possibly that was when the company was going through bankruptcy. I am wondering if partnering with Rejuvenation will allow me to order such a replacement.
pam kueber says
I suggest you try Blenko again, as well…. Good luck!
Patricia Lewis says
Does anyone have a 1960’s Frigidaire Flair Stove for sale? I had one in the late 70’s and loved cooking on it – unfortunately we were living in a rental at the time and when we moved the landlord wouldn’t sell it to us. I’ve been looking for one ever since.
pam kueber says
Hi Patricia, try this story: https://retrorenovation.com/2011/11/04/13-places-to-buy-restored-vintage-stoves/
Plus, in a word: Craigslist some applicable tips here https://retrorenovation.com/2012/05/31/vintage-furniture-on-craigslist-4-tips-to-help-your-searc/
good luck
Jeff says
We recently purchased 20 pieces of living and dining furniture from Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin collection made by Henredon with Heritage fabrics in 1955. Fabric on living room pieces is pristine but dining room chairs have been recovered and need to done again. I’ve not been able to find out what the original fabric looked like and have only found one good FLW licensed fabric through decodame.com but don’t care for the colors. Any leads on what the original might have been and any good options available? BTW, love your sight! Thanks.
pam kueber says
Hi Jeff, thanks for your nice comment. Alas, I do not know this one. You might contact — Taliesen?
Ruth says
My mothers’ house has the original pink 1963 bathrooms intact. We recently convinced her to leave them alone! But one sink seems to have corroded and sprung a leak. My hunt for a replacement has not gone well…….. Anyone have any ideas? I need a round pink sink with a huddee ring. Thanks.
pam kueber says
See our Bathroom Help / Sinks category.
Lacy says
Just purchased a lovely red chrome dinette set. The formica top is solid red but I wondered if any readers may have had success in painting/stenciling designs. I always wanted to have one with a pretty graphic, but the ones I liked have always been so pricey.
Would love advice, tips, etc., as far as what to do to prepare, what paint to use, etc.
Thank you!
Lacy
Terri says
I just bought a set of Heywood Wakefield Ashcroft at auction. Sectional (4 chairs), corner table, end table, two servers and a big round shadow box shelf. They need some TLC but are basically in good shape. Any suggestions on how to bring them back to life?
pam kueber says
we have a story on this – use the search box
Kassandra Bradberry says
I have an original wall sconce over built-in desk in my 1959 house. It has a cool tear drop shaped glass shade, which I found in the cabinet over the desk. Only I can’t figure out how it was originally in. When you use the plastic thing that tightens down where you screw the light bulb it dose not tighten enough to keep it from moving around and looking like it’s about to fall out. Any ideas what is missing? There are no outside screws in the metal base like in some fixtures.
pam kueber says
Hi Kassandra, Questions like this are difficult if not impossible to answer online. There were so many configurations of lighting back in the day. Also: Getting the glass on Safely is a concern. Maybe… the next time you have electrician in the house, have them look at it? They may know, plus they will be attuned to the safety issue. Good luck.
Thurmn Carson says
We would like your phone number. We have an old ranch house that is all vintage. The bathroom is yellow tile, yellow sink, yellow tub, and yellow toilet. We need a new yellow low flow toilet. Can we get yournmber to call you?
pam kueber says
We do not sell anything here. You need to use the Categories. Bathroom Help/Toilets will get you to our stories on where to find yellow toilets.
Sharp#2 says
I’d love to get the RR community’s help on identifying the steel cabinets that came with my home. I’ve looked through the brand collections and don’t see anything like them, so I’m hoping the experts out there can lend a hand. There are no labels to be found anywhere on the cabinetry. The cabinet faces are flat, but the upper cabinets have a very pronounced curve on the left and right edges. The lower cabinets do no have the curve. The handles are chrome, elongated half circled (half ovals?) that are mounted horizontally in the center of the door for the lower cabinets and vertically on the lower corner that opens for the upper cabinets. A double drainboard, single basin porcelain enamel on steel sink is installed on top of the lower cabinets?
Anyone have any guesses? I would love to know how old they are and find a faucet of similar age to match. Thanks so much!
pam kueber says
can you provide a link to photos? Also you can go thru our Kitchen Help/Steel Kitchens category to see if you can spot them.
Sharp#2 says
I looked through the steel kitchens pages and didn’t see anything that matched. Here’s a link to the pictures: http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/atq/4695466599.html
Thanks for your help!
pam kueber says
I don’t recognize this one immediately. I have sent the link to another reader who is quite expert and may be able to identify them. If so, I will post the answer.