“We have been told that the kitchen is a cross between ‘Betty Crocker’ and a morgue,” reader Alan says, adding a “haha” in his email to us. But maybe… not so funny. So today, a Retro Design Dilemma: Let’s help Alan with ideas to make his 1953 kitchen more homey, less clinical. Ooo la la: Lookie all the Vitralite glass wall tile — this one will be fun!Heck yeah there is more →
Create a 1940s style kitchen — Pam’s design tips — Formula #1
Want a checklist of key elements to create or recreate a 1940s style kitchen? Reader Carolyn recently wrote to us asking for ideas to help repair and decorate her 1947 kitchen. Long story short: I think that Carolyn has the need for a significant remodel on her hands. If she goes this route, to help I put together a list of key items for her to consider to get an historically appropriate look. Heck yeah there is more →
A Lilly Pulitzer palette for Diane’s vintage pink tile bathroom
Wow, Diane is a decorating dynamo! We featured her Retro Design Dilemma just last week and already, she has transformed her vintage pink tile bathroom with paint, towels and Lilly Pulitzer design draperies. It works!Heck yeah there is more →
Retro Design Dilemma: Paint colors or wallpaper for Diane’s kitschy pink bathroom?
About a year ago, Diane bought a lovely 1960 ‘granny ranch’ in Florida. She’s been having fun decorating the original pink bathroom with vintage goodies from her mother’s collection, but now she is having problems deciding on a paint color for this kitschy space. She hopes Pam and me — and our wonderful readers — can help. Retro Design Dilemma time!Heck yeah there is more →
Retro Design Dilemma: Adding color to Terri’s 1960s bathroom
Reader Terri needs our help beautifying her 1960s bathroom, which received some 1980s updates that she will some day replace. Ultimately, Terri would like to replace the floor and vanity top. But for now, she’d like to work with what she has using paint, accessories and new light fixtures to help her love the house she’s in until she’s ready to commit to the more costly, longterm fixes. She’s given us an inspiration photo — and a letter — so read on, and get ready to offer your best design advice.
Paint colors for the large block fireplace in Kathy’s mid-century modern house
Reader Kathy has an impressive mid-century modern house with oodles of amazing original features including a biomorphic wall screen, mahogany wall panels and clerestory windows. However, There is one feature that has been bothering her since the day she first moved in. The paint color of the large concrete block fireplace — she calls it “the big blue monster — is not jiving with the rest of her home’s decor. Now Kathy has asked for our help with ideas to tame this turquoise tyrant.Heck yeah there is more →
Decorating ideas to add light to a dark kitchen — Renee’s Retro Design Dilemma
Reader Renee loves her 1956 home because of its many mid-century design details such as the walls of windows and exposed brick. What Renee is not loving: the lack of light and the closed off feeling in her mostly original kitchen. She has been pondering how to make the kitchen seem brighter and more open and has considered painting or possibly removing some of the cabinets. Now Renee has asked for our help to choose the right paint color and give her ideas to make her kitchen feel more light, bright and cheery.Heck yeah there is more →
Paint colors for Allison’s 1967 Seattle embankment ranch house
Reader Allison is excited to jazz up the front of the 1967 house she moved into last summer. She’s not afraid to give the house a bold new look, but isn’t sure exactly where to begin when choosing a new color scheme for her exterior. She need to take into consideration” (1) the coloring of the brick, (2) the prominence of the garage, which sits below grade, and (3) the fact that she plans to simplify the landscaping, which will open up the facade further. She has asked for our ideas to add new life to her blank-slate beige exterior.Heck yeah there is more →
Retro Design Dilemma — Paint colors for Laurie’s 1966 brick ranch house
Reader Laurie has been hard at work fixing up her 1966 ranch house. She’s been working to get the interior painted and clean up the yard and even found new mid-century style doors at Lowe’s and had them installed. Now Laurie is ready to pick paint colors for her front door and trim. She has a few ideas, but wants our input and help to decide on a color scheme so that when painting weather rolls around this spring she can get right to it. What colors do you recommend? Heck yeah there is more →
Retro Design Dilemma: Frank wants help decorating his brown and beige tile bathroom
Reader Frank is ecstatic to be living in his mostly original 1955 ranch home. It has been only a few short months since he moved in, but already Frank has been hard at work, decking out the home in his own retro, rustic, bohemian style. All of the rooms in the house are coming together quite nicely except for one — the beige and brown main bathroom, which has Frank stumped. He loves that the original tile, vanity and other features are intact, but has wants our help with how to treat the walls and decorate this wonderful original space. Think we can give him a few ideas? Heck yeah there is more →
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