I am feeling a get-back-to-the-basics binge coming on. Me wanna chronicle even more stuff from bygone days. Scan a bunch of catalogs. Find some more rarities. And here’s a good start: 15 years of watching, and I’ve never seen RCA Whirlpool steel kitchen cabinets before. Our 79th brand of metal kitchen cabinets made in the 20th Century!

These also come from Stephanie’s stash of New Old Stock found in — and now coming out of — her father-in-law’s hardware store warehouse. Yes, not only is this my first-ever look-see at RCA-Whirlpools, but we get to see them in pristine condition to boot!

And tee hee, I see that after I told Stephanie that I had never seen these before, she wrote in her ebay listing:

“A Brand Previously Unknown To Experts in this Field.”

Indeed. While I will vehemently deny expertise in about a gazillion areas, I will claim expertise in identifying vintage steel kitchen cabinets. On that, though, only alongside or more likely right behind 52PostnBeam; she probably can name them faster than I can. Pink bathrooms, though: I’m claiming #1 in understanding their history. *soproud*

When were RCA-Whirlpool metal cabinets these made? I’m having a hard time speculating just based on the design. But looking up Whirlpool history, I see that they cannot have come any earlier than 1955, which is when Whirlpool merged with Seeger, which already owned parts of RCA’s business. From the Whirlpool website:

“In 1955, we merged with the Seeger Refrigeration Company, which provided us with a quality refrigerator line. As part of the merger we also acquired RCA’s air conditioning and range businesses, allowing us to provide customers with exceptional products that met their needs.”

The company was based in St. Joseph, Michigan. Could be the cabinets were made there. And ya know what: I’ll guess these were made closer to 1955 than even 1960 — because they are so plain. White. And because of how the wall cabinet doors curve; that read “deco” to me.

The lines are quite lovely. I love how the cabinet door handles just tuck in there all nonchalant-like. The Whirlpool typography also is very dreamy.

Above: We dont’ see wall cabinets like this often — peninsula cabinets, I’d actually guess they were called — doors open on both sides.

Link love:

• As of press time, Stephanie still has these for sale — see all her NOS from an old hardware store on ebay here (affiliate link)
• Mac and Iphone and IPad users try this link instead (affiliate link) — when you get there, look for the Search box that says SEARCH WITHIN STORE, then type in New Old Stock to narrow search.
• Our spectacular category all about vintage steel kitchen cabinets. and remember to Be Safe/Renovate Safe when considering using/working with old materials and products.

The post RCA Whirlpool steel kitchen cabinets — very rare, methinks appeared first on Retro Renovation.

Doing some research about appliances, we bumped into this story in Whirlpool’s press room: Seems like the company is considering introducing a new color, “Sunset Bronze.”

I’m kinda into this Sunset Bronze, because it’s like the drawer fronts in American Brand Pioneer kitchens married the metal dome of my vintage Imperialite pendant light and gave birth to a rosy love child. I’m not in the market for new appliances myself, but if I were working on a retro kitchen project, I might play around with a mood board that considered these. The are different. And they are warm.

The Whirlpool’s PR rep was very helpful in supplying images, but seemed to be towing the line on whether the company is even bringing these to market. I think the story is, Whirlpool showed off this color at some trade show to gauge interest, and now they need to decide. Officially, Whirlpool told us, “We received tremendous positive response to the introduction of Sunset Bronze and are looking forward to bringing it to market in the future. Although we do not have a hard launch date yet, please continue to check Whirlpool.com for updates.” Whether this color makes the cut or not, it is nice to see a major mainstream manufacturer considering mass market options other than stainless, black and white.

What do you think of this new color, readers?
Would you? Could you?

The post Whirlpool Sunset Bronze kitchen appliances: Would you? appeared first on Retro Renovation.

I scored this vintage Geneva Kitchens advertising banner on ebay a bit ago. It is PERFECT for this spot in my kitchen, don’t you think? It makes me pretty happy. And for those of you wondering, that’s a vintage “Bin-Et” below. We bought it 25 year ago and it’s always found a perfect spot in any house we were in. We use it to hold fruits and vegetables, and in the bottom compartment (not completely visible in this photo) we stash newspapers for recycling.

The post Geneva Kitchens of Steel advertising banner — perfect for my kitchen! appeared first on Retro Renovation.

Do you need new appliances in your vintage-style kitchen? Thanks to a tip from reader Donna, we discovered the Whirlpool Ice line of appliances, which look like they would fit nicely into a retro-style kitchen. While they are not overtly vintage-looking appliances, their sleek, clean look could mesh well with a vintage vibe. 

Donna writes:

For nice white appliances – checkout the new line from Whirlpool called White Ice. I am restoring a 1940s cottage and really wanted one of those lovely vintage gas ranges but they were too costly for us. After doing a TON of research I chose The White Ice line. They have a very clean white finish, and will fit into the tiny kitchen we have. They harmonize beautifully with the vintage inspired cabinetry and features of the home.

Whirlpool also makes a standard white, the same color. Whirlpool said that White Ice is differentiated from the standard white color by its “silver accents, elegant lines and sleek handles.”

Above: For retro-aesthetics, Pam says she likes it when there is no ice machine in the door. This can be a hard feature (or: “absence of a feature”) to find!

Another nice-looking appliance line to check out if you are in the market for new appliances for your vintage or midcentury kitchen. Thanks, Donna, for this tip!

Link love:

• Whirlpool Ice appliances

The post Whirlpool “White Ice” Appliances — another nice choice for a vintage or midcentury style kitchen appeared first on Retro Renovation.

Reader Paige needs our help — she and her husband Dustin recently bought a 1960 ranch house, and they are struggling to decide what paint color would help liven up the brown, brown and more brown found throughout the kitchen and connected dining room. She isn’t a fan of the brown backsplash, flooring and countertops, but they will have to stay for now. Can we give Paige a few paint and decorating ideas to help add some color her kitchen? 

Looking from an adjacent space (the living room?) into the the dining room.

Paige writes:

I’ve been a follower of Retro Renovation for a long time and have seen you help fellow readers with paint! My husband and I just bought a 1960 ranch, and I am really struggling with what color to paint the kitchen/dining room.

Our kitchen is open to the dining room, and unfortunately the brown back splash and brown floor will have to stay for a while.

That, paired with the blonde woodwork and a wheat Heywood Wakefield table and chairs are really giving me some issues! I’m not attached to the upholstery on the chairs so that can be changed if need be!  I definitely want to go with color in the kitchen but everything I pick seems to clash with the floor. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

So, what can we do to help liven up all of that brown? We think there are a few key changes that can make a huge difference and up the happy factor in Paige’s kitchen:

• Light: Adding additional sources of bright light — like new, brighter ceiling lights — will help the space feel more cheery right away.
• Color: Between the brown wood cabinets and trim, brown tile floor, brown tile backsplash, brown countertop and beige walls, there is sure a lot of brown in Paige’s kitchen. The quick, easy and inexpensive way to fix this problem is to choose a cheery paint color for the walls, or maybe even a wallpaper accent wall.
• Rug: To further up the happy in Paige’s kitchen, we suggest getting a large area rug to place under the table in the dining area. This will not only add color and pattern to the space, but also help break up the large expanse of brown flooring.

Now, let’s see four options we came up with to help brighten up Paige’s brown kitchen.

Kate’s option 1: A happy aqua

In this option, I found a light colored cheery flower print indoor/outdoor rug that will contrast with the medium brown floor tiles and inject some life into the room. Next, I pulled the aqua blue flower color found in the rug and used that shade to paint the walls. This instantly refreshes the space! Playing off Paige’s Jere inspired starburst wall hanging, I also added a coordinating sputnik light fixture that will not only add interest but also more light to the space. Finally, a medium toned vintage wood starburst clock helps repeat just a little bit of the wood up on the walls. Paige could recover her dining chairs with a solid coral, green or aqua fabric and also use that fabric to make coordinating valences for above the sink and dining room window.

• Aqua walls — like Sherwin-Williams ‘Spa’
• Paige’s Heywood Wakefield dinette set
• Paige’s Jere inspired wall art
• Sputnik light from Practical Props
• Rug from Overstock.com
• Vintage starburst clock from Ebay

Kate’s option 2: Cheerful coral

This option — similar to option 1 but a good choice if Paige likes warm colors more than cool colors — I used the same light colored cheery flower print indoor/outdoor rug that will contrast with the medium brown floor tiles and inject some life into the room. Next, I pulled the coral flower color found in the rug and used that shade to paint the walls. This instantly refreshes the space! Playing off Paige’s Jere inspired starburst wall hanging, I also added a coordinating sputnik light fixture that will not only add interest but also more light to the space. Finally, a medium toned vintage wood starburst clock helps repeat just a little bit of the wood up on the walls. Paige could recover her dining chairs with a solid coral, green or aqua fabric and also use that fabric to make coordinating valences for above the sink and dining room window.

• Coral walls — like Sherwin-Williams ‘Persimmon’
• Paige’s Heywood Wakefield dinette set
• Paige’s Jere inspired wall art
• Sputnik light from Practical Props
• Rug from Overstock.com
• Vintage starburst clock from Ebay

Kate’s option 3: Kitschy kitchen wallpaper

In this option, I started with some fabulous vintage 1970s wallpaper with a kitschy kitchen themed print. So as not to overwhelm the space and save on cost, I would wallpaper just one wall as an accent wall. The remainder of the walls would be painted a cheery aqua, pulled from the wallpaper pattern. Next, I’d add a yellow area rug — another color pulled from the wallpaper pattern — to help brighten up the floor and add even more color. A classic globe ceiling light over the table would not compete for attention with the wallpaper, and would provide a nice amount of light in the space. A grouping of vintage wall plaques in coordinating colors to the wallpaper helps repeat the color scheme and ads a bit more kitsch to this kitchen. Finally, a medium toned vintage wood starburst clock helps repeat just a little bit of the wood up on the walls. Paige could recover her dining chairs with a yellow, green or aqua fabric matched to the wallpaper pattern and also use that fabric to make coordinating valences for above the sink and dining room window.

• 1970s wallpaper from Hannah’s Treasures
• Bright aqua walls that coordinate with the aqua in the vintage wallpaper — like Sherwin-Williams ‘Tantalizing Teal’
• Paige’s Heywood Wakefield dinette set
• Globe pendant light from Practical Props
• Rug from Overstock.com
• Vintage starburst clock from Ebay
• Vintage tree of life wall hanging from Ebay
• Vintage yellow flower and butterfly wall hanging from Ebay

Pam’s option 4: Warm and woodsy like Grandma’s kitchen

Pam here. The first thing I thought of when I saw Paige’s kitchen was to start with a braided rug, because this whole space has old-fashioned feel, like a knotty pine kitchen. In addition, that DELICIOUS Heywood Wakefield Dogbone set can skew old-timey or mid mod. So I went for a kitchen like my Grandma Agnes had. I found a Capel rug that would look good with the brown — kinda foresty. I looked for a cheery barkcloth that would add more pattern via matching valances for the two windows — hey, you could also do a cafe curtain on the bottom half of the dining room window, which would add even more cheer. Kate chose a dusty blue paint color taken the rug and the barkcloth. In this concept, I skipped a light for over the table thinking you may want to keep the existing fan with light, for function. And I found forest green fabric for the chair pads.

• Aqua blue wall paint — like Sherwin-Williams ‘Raindrop’
• Paige’s Heywood Wakefield dinette set
• Braided oval American Legacy rug in Pine Forest from Capel Rugs
• Maharam Messenger ‘Turf’ fabric from Modern Fabrics to recover the chair seats
• Martha’s Vineyard vintage barkcloth fabric from Ebay seller floridabungalow for window treatments
• Vintage starburst clock from Ebay
• Paige’s Jere inspired wall art

Ok, readers — here’s your chance to chime in. Which of these options do you like best for Paige’s kitchen? And: Feel free to add your own ideas to the comments, too!

Photo courtesy of April Engstrom.

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Lead hazards have been in the news all year, and that will continue for some time. So, owners of older homes have been and will continue getting even more reminders that they should pay attention to the risks, particularly if they have younger children. Of course, we all knew about the dangers of lead paint – and now we all are attuned to the potential for lead in old pipes, as our hearts go out to the people of Flint and as concerns spread to other communities.

This article focuses on raising awareness around three other potential sources of lead dust exposure in your home – old porcelain enamel bathtubs and sinks and ceramic tile of any era — and steps you can take to assess and, if required, address them. Doing research recently, I ran into information about these products that I had not known about and which old-house owners will likely also want to understand, namely: the potential for lead glazing and binders that may have been used on some old porcelain bathtubs and sinks and on some ceramic tile of any era to become worn or degraded, which can result in surface lead dust that can be ingested by children. These products should also be assessed for lead when planning for installation, maintenance, repairs and renovation.

This issue is not a new one, with occasional media coverage going back at least 20 years. By now, I presume it is well-known among licensed lead assessors and lead inspectors, contractors in conformance with worker safety requirements, state health departments, and to be sure, the bathtub reglazing industry.

If you are the owner of a home that includes these products, I want to let you know about the issue so that you can consult with your own experts so that you can make informed decisions how to handle.

What tubs and sinks are affected?

Good Morning America first reported on the bathtub issue in 1995 after a study found that the finishes on old bathtubs that had used lead glazes and binders could wear down to the point that lead dust could be picked up on the surface. I found two studies online that aimed to survey the range of tubs that could be affected: this one, which seems to be from the original 1995 study, and this 2004 one from The Vermont Housing & Conservation Board (VHCB).

I contacted the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and they explained, “They [the surfaces of old tubs] degrade when cleaned with abrasive cleaners as well as when the surface ages. Many of these tubs are very old.” The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) agreed, “Old porcelain finished tubs may have lead containing glazes; lead may leach from the glaze or from the cast iron tub. Sometimes lead can come from old plumbing in the home.” The worn surfaces on lead-glazed porcelain sinks could present similar hazards, the Vermont Board pointed out.

The Good Morning America report said that by 1995, the manufacturers of porcelain bathtubs they contacted had all discontinued using lead in their glazes or were about to end the practice.

I do not know the timeline for lead glazes and binders on porcelain enamel bathroom and kitchen sinks. I also do not know whether porcelain-glazed tubs and sinks, if imported today or available from newer manufacturers, may contain lead in their glazes and binders. Readers, get with your own professionals / ask manufacturers on these issues.

Effects of this potential lead dust

In bathtubs with degraded surfaces that test positive for lead, the 1995 report said, children could ingest the dust when they touch the glaze and then put their fingers in their mouths, or if, when bathing, they drink the bath water or put wet objects or fingers in their mouths. The worn surfaces on lead-glazed porcelain sinks could present similar hazards, the Vermont Board pointed out.

According to the CDC, “We do not have data on lead poisoning attributed to use of the old tubs, but there are a few case reports. All sources of lead in children’s environments should be controlled or eliminated.”

When I asked about ‘work-arounds’ I had seen recommended in other stories online, such as putting your child in a basin set in the tub, the agency responded with the following 89-word “no”:

“No safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect IQ, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement. And effects of lead exposure cannot be corrected.

“The goal is to prevent lead exposure to children before they are harmed. There are many ways parents can reduce a child’s exposure to lead. The most important is stopping children from coming into contact with lead. Lead hazards in a child’s environment must be identified and controlled or removed safely.”

On its website, the CDC also warns that lead exposure can be dangerous to pregnant and lactating women.

I asked the CDC what else is important for parents and caregivers to know about this issue. They replied:

“Lead-contaminated house dust is the primary high dose source of lead in U.S. children’s environments. Children living in pre-1978 housing with peeling paint or undergoing renovation should be tested for lead.”

Testing your tubs and sinks

Discussing bathtubs, the CDC said, “Lead check swabs could be used to check for this issue. These swabs are colorimetric tests that turn pink if there is lead on the surface. Parents and others should check paint, house dust, and soil as well as bathtubs and discuss a remediation plan with local public health officials or a licensed lead risk assessor.”

If homeowners are working with a Lead Assessor or Lead Inspector, the agency said, “Parents and others should ask to be sure the tub is tested.” [Implicitly: sinks and tile, too.]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency contributed more information about the role of lead assessors and lead inspectors in the detection process. (Their statement includes a discussion of possible lead-containing ceramic tile, discussed further down in this story.) The agency said, “Surface abrading and demolition activities such as breaking or crushing lead-containing ceramic tile may release lead. For this reason, some inspectors and risk assessors include ceramic tile and bathtubs in pre-rehabilitation inspections/risk assessments. Typically, lead inspectors and risk assessors are not required to test bathtubs when conducting an inspection or risk assessment, but they are able to do so upon request. If a homeowner wants to know if the bathtub contains lead, he or she can hire a certified inspector or risk assessor and ask specifically for the bathtub to be tested.” [Implicitly: sinks and tile, too.]

It is my understanding that Lead Assessors and Lead Inspectors also have access to additional, more sophisticated and reliable tools to do testing.

One fix: Resurfacing

The fix if your tub or sink shows positive for lead? “It is possible to have these tubs resurfaced,” the CDC said. The CPSC said, “A consumer can re-glaze a porcelain tub with epoxy paint,” and said that it regulates such DIY painting and prep products under the FHSA; of course, be sure to follow the safety directions if you go this route.  And whether you use a professional firm or DIY, it seems you should prepare to gear up for more research – note, for example, this article about hazards related to bathtub refinishing on the CDC website.

Again: “Parents and others should … discuss a remediation plan with local public health officials or a licensed lead risk assessor,” the CDC advised.

Potential lead dust hazards in ceramic tile

The CDC also confirmed that old tile floors that may have used lead in their original glazing could pose the same sort of lead dust hazard. “Old tile floors where the surfaces have been abraded by use and cleaning products contribute to lead in house dust. If the surface is in poor condition, it should be resurfaced, covered, or replaced,” the agency said.

People with ceramic tile on their countertops also will want to be cognizant of this issue.

I do not have information on how best to test for possible lead dust on the surface of tile. Readers, get with your own professionals on this issue.

Lead glazes may still be found in newer tile, too:
My subsequent research online indicated that lead glazes may still be used on ceramic tile to this day. The American Healthy Homes Survey published in 2011 by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) includes information on lead-glazed ceramic tile found in homes built after 1977. I contacted the Tile Council of North America to see if they could provide a current status of regulation or standards, and while they were responsive, they said that, “due to the complexity of the subject, we do not have the staff available to appropriately address the topic in the time allotted.” Readers, I do not plan on pursuing any additional research on the subject, so please do your own research, get with your own experts, etc. Meanwhile, I did find this 2014 research from the Pharos Project illuminating … this company in 2013 shared its experience searching for tile free of all lead glaze … and I see that some manufacturers provide Lead-Free Certification Letters, for example.

Very important:
Remember to work Lead-Safe during installation, maintenance, repair and renovation of all these products

The CPSC also said that homeowners should be cautious before undertaking installation, maintenance, repair or renovation: “Dust from these products, if they are indeed found to contain lead, also could pose a lead dust hazard when removed, added or disturbed during home maintenance, remodeling or demolition.”

HUD’s 2012 Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Housing (Chapter 5, Section C.2), agreed: “Many risk assessors routinely test non-paint items for lead content when they conduct risk assessments. Ceramic tile, and ceramic bath fixtures are sometimes tested because they may be a source of lead exposure during demolition or renovation. Lead-containing ceramic tile or bath fixtures are not a common cause for childhood lead poisoning. However, demolition activities such as breaking or crushing them may release lead.”

The CPSC said, “It is best for consumers to reach out to the EPA to get information on renovation and how to best approach the issue depending on the age of the home and the different scenarios that might present themselves during the project.” The agency also pointed to the EPA’s Lead-Safe Certified Guide to Renovating Right.

Preserving the finish on your porcelain tubs, sinks and tile

Even if your tubs, sinks or tile do not test positive for lead dust, this story makes it pretty clear why you should follow manufacturers’ care and cleaning recommendations.

Get with an expert

On this story, I am not opening Comments. I am not an expert, so I can’t answer questions, and I don’t want folks offering advice that may not be expert. Please: Get with your own properly licensed professionals to answer any further questions you may have and to assess this situation – and about other lead hazards that continue to be in the news — as they relate to your own home. The government agencies I contacted all were responsive to my questions, and state and local public health agencies also are involved in lead poisoning prevention activities — these are additional places you can to turn to if you have additional questions or concerns.

More information – including other places in the home to test for lead:

• The EPA’s Lead homepage
• EPA: Before You Renovate
• EPA’s National Lead Information Center
• CDC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
• CPSC – Protect your family from lead in your home brochure
• (Plus you can reference the two HUD documents in the story)
• Lead Safe America Foundation
• The HOPE Partnership: Where Lead Lies (Sept. 2006)
• Our Be Safe / Renovate Safe page — where a number of potential lead hazards and more links are listed.

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If you are in the market for a new stainless steel drainboard kitchen sink for your retro kitchen remodel, we discovered a few new options during our trip to KBIS earlier this year. Australian sink manufacturer Oliveri offers two sink models — the Canberra and Brisbane — in three different styles of stainless steel drainboard sinks. Sinks are available with options for left or right drainboard on each model and their two Canberra sink models comes with included extras like a cutting board and a strainer basket. 

The Oliveri Story from the company’s website:

The company began life as a domestic metal fabricator in Adelaide in 1948. A move to sink manufacturing saw them pioneer the deep drawing process in Australia. Over the years as the business grew, Oliveri, now Australia’s only commercial sink manufacturer, introduced precision technology to their stainless steel sink manufacturing process with the installation of some of the World’s most sophisticated processing equipment.

Their two piece manufacturing process where the drainer & bowls are pressed separately then welded together ensures that the bowls are deep, straight sided and have maximum capacity.

The personal touch is retained with final inspection and packing conducted by experienced quality control staff.
The quality style and superior design of Oliveri sinks is now enjoyed by home owners around the World as the brand has become established in many overseas markets. Oliveri’s exposure to World markets ensures that product design and functionality is at the forefront so as to be able to compete on the World stage.

For more information and where to buy:

• Oliveri sinks

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If you weren’t able to come to my presentation in Las Vegas yesterday, well, here’s a short peek into my life (including Astro!) that ran last week on the popular Boston TV show, Chronicle. You also get to see me follow the crew’s directions to be a goofball. Which I’m always up for. Gotta promote the cause. Happy Monday!

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I had the best time at the Nevada Preservation Foundation’s Home & History tour on May 8. My speech went really well — and I had such fun doing it — no nerves whatsoever talking in front of 250 people about this topic I love, “Love The House You’re In.” And then, the really fun part: Touring 10 mid mod houses clustered in two mid mod Las Vegas neighborhoods. Over the next several weeks, I’m going to milk this trip for all it’s worth — there’s a lot to cover!!! — by giving you a peek into some of the fabulousness we all saw, with a dash of Las Vegas midcentury modern history thrown in. First up: A look inside the first house I visited, the home of Jack LeVine — a realtor and blogger who was one of the The Very First People that I “met” when I started the blog eight years ago. He has been one of the biggest boosters of midcentury homes in Las Vegas for many years!

Jack LeVine was one of the first midmod-lovers I “met” when I started the blog. It was SO FANTASTIC to meet him in person before my remarks launching the tour. We hugged three times! Jack remains super active in the mid mod community in Las Vegas — in addition to being a realtor, he is on the Board of Directors of the Nevada Preservation Foundation.

A 1954 Desert Modern home:

Here’s what the Nevada Preservation Foundation said about his 1954 house:

Built in 1954, this custom home is a prime example of Desert Modernism, a style that was popularized in Palm Springs during the mid-century. The stacked stone fireplace and window shadow boxes, high ceilings and exposed beams, and shadow block wall surrounding the property are prominent features of Desert Modern architecture. The Mondrian inspired kitchen was created by the current homeowner after the De Stilj movement in painting, a style that was popularized starting in the 1920s.

Above: A very happy spot in Jack’s house is the kitchen. The cabinets are original — and to my eye, the doors seem to be made of Weldtex.

Jack gives full credit to his partner, Mark Adams, as the designer, decorator and the creative force who actually gets things done around the house.  For example, he said, Mark did all the painting — including the Mondrian of the workshop and the kitchen cabinets. “(I’m only allowed to do demolition and clean up ),” Jack said!

Oh and the kitchen countertops: Yum yum, glitter laminate!

Any friend of Gumby is a friend of mine!

Above: This is a shot of the beamed ceiling in the living room. Weldtex is also used in between the beams. A nice touch — adds texture without taking over.

Above: Mark repeated the Mondrian theme in the workroom, painting a wall of cabinet doors in different primary colors and white.

In the living room, Jack’s pride and joy was this room divider. Very cleverly: He installed it in the “stackback” area of a valance that once would have hidden traverse rods spanning the patio doors to the back yard. So, the tip/takeaway here: If you have a vintage room divider like this, consider using it as wall art instead of a room divider, assuming you have the right spot to do so. And remember, it’s wise to get the wiring in any vintage lighting checked out by a pro.

Of course, inside the house there were other cozy nooks … vintage lighting .. vintage furniture and decor … to feast your eyes upon.

Lovely living room seating area. Behind the plants at the right: A mirrored wall — a brilliant touch to bring out that corner!

Photo courtesy Mark Adams

Oh, another tip/takeaway: These plants are lit from below. Great visual impact!

As you may be aware, Las Vegas and much of the west has been in a severe drought situation for several years. So there’s lots of ‘xeriscaping’ — landscaping sans lawns and thirsty plants. I literally gasped with delight when I saw that one half of Jack’s backyard was covered with astroturf — and featured its own mini put put golf course! I love it!

Heading to the other half of the back yard: A built in barbeque area, of course!

34 different designs of breeze blocks!

And my favorite favorite favorite part of the whole house: Jack has been collecting breeze blocks — aka decorative concrete blocks — for years. He says that so far, he has 34 distinct designs! And again — brilliantly — has created a display along the concrete block wall that defines his back yard. Some of the blocks come from old Las Vegas hotels that were torn down! I took photos of each of the blocks individually, and some time in the near future will do a story. But cropping them etc will be “some therapy” – ack!

Retro Renovation readers are kinda obsessed with breeze blocks; my stories on them are among the most popular in terms of search etc:

• 15+ companies that sell decorative concrete screen blocks – comprehensive list (be sure to check the comments, too)
• Tee hee: Kate’s DIY putz house #11 – Palm Springs ranch house with breeze block patio – free downloadable pattern

Of course, enjoying the outdoors is a major benefit of living in a desert climate like Las Vegas. Jack’s outdoor patio is divine. I love the slatted roof!

And out front, dig the carport.

The first time I wrote about Jack:

Above: This is not Jack’s house — this is a listing of his that I wrote about in 2008 — that’s how far back we go!

The house had “nine Moes in a row”. I will guess this is the first time that I ever saw this Moe honeycomb lighting.

• See more of this 2008 listing: A 1966 Rat Pack time capsule house in Vintage Las Vegas
• Moe honeycomb lighting: Moe honeycomb lighting: The full line, from a 1968 catalog, plus 4 hilarious room shots

Midcentury housing in Las Vegas — Interest has grown exponentially

I have known Jack for so long — we started blogging around the same time, and he has been a realtor even longer — so I asked him to describe current interest in all things midcentury in Las Vegas today versus 10years ago. He said:

The interest in all things “mid-century” has grown exponentially in the last 10 years. The millennials love it, and the boomers are coming back to our childhoods.  We have dozens of great neighborhoods – full of minimal traditional, ranch, rambler, cinderellas, cottages and more. The true “desert modern” homes are fewer and further between and are highly sought after.

I believe it! I LOVED all the mid mod neighborhoods I saw on the tour, and mind you, I was racing so I couldn’t even really soak it all in. Viva Vintage Las Vegas!

Link love:

• Jack LeVine’s website — Very Vintage Las Vegas
• 2016 Vintage Vegas Home & History tour brought to us by Nevada Preservation Foundation

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Day #2 of my coverage of the Nevada Preservation Foundation’s 2016 Vintage Vegas Home & History tour and oh happy day, let’s take a look inside this just-about-perfect Desert Modern midcentury modest house. Isn’t the kitchen adorable — and just wait until you see the blue bathroom, complete with vintage foil wallpaper that the new owners were oh-so-smart to keep!

About this house, Nevada Preservation said:

This home belonged to Las Vegas showgirl Billye Long, whose husband was reportedly a Mob connected pit boss at The Flamingo. The house remained in the Long family for over fifty years until the current homeowner took over. With original kitchens and bathrooms, period wallpaper and exposed beams, this 1955 Desert Modern ranch is mid-century at its finest!

Above: The kitchen cabinets are all original. And dig those wood beams tracking the roofline — in most of the post-1955 or so houses we saw, this was a regular feature. I think that historically, the roofs were not insulated. The solid surface countertops are newer, as are the floor tiles, I am sure.

NorthStar refrigerator.

The new owner, shown here in the foreground with my wonderful guide for the day, Michelle Larime of the Nevada Preservation Foundation, explained that the kitchen had originally been enclosed with a wall. You can see where the wall ended — at the edge of the tile. The owner took down the wall and braced the part avoe with wood and steel. The open-ness was quite nice, and I like how they added that splash of retro-industrial feel with the steel post. Oh, and the cookies and lemonade came in handy, too — it was a busy day!

A big picture window in the living room brought the outdoors right in….

And oh how I hyperventilated when I saw this bathroom!

There were two sinks, around the corner from each other.

Hollywood Regency sconces and wallpaper.

A recessed tub. Note: I wore a vintage Lanvin shirtdress, purchased at Retro Genie’s in Northampton, for my remarks and the tours. It was outrageously loud. I love it!

And the floor!!!! I did not ask if it was original. I tend to believe it was. But even if not — they did a great job! Penny round tiles with little blue flowers inset. ADORABLE!

Another look at the floor with my toesies, requisite shot.

Out back: Kinda heavenly.

Along with a place to do some serious bbqing, of course!

And I also liked the lamp out front!

Thanks to the owner of this fun Desert Modern house for sharing the love on the Vintage Vegas Home & History Tour!

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Okay, I’ll just spit it out: This was MY #1 FAVORITE spot on Nevada Preservation Foundation‘s 2016 Vintage Las Vegas Home & History Tour. The Rexford, a 22-unit cooperative apartment complex built in 1958. Built like a big oval — with a swimming pool in the middle — this is my retirement dream. As in, Beverly Hills 90210 meets The Golden Girls — that’s where I’m headed! On this tour, we got a peek into a one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit, with original features, currently for sale. It was an absolutely sweetheart of a space. 

Nevada Preservation Foundation explained the historical significance of The Rexford:

This condo-like apartment complex was the first, and one of only three co-op ownership buildings in the state of Nevada. Built in 1958, privately owned aprtments were a new concept in home ownership and advertised a “a truly luxurious home of your own without the cost or responsibility.” Liberace’s mother resided in the Rexford as did several other prominent Las Vegans. When originally built, two-bedroom, two-bath apartments started as low as $15,000.

Oh, how I love details like original (I presume) screen doors.

The unit we saw was a ground-floor unit, and the living room looked out on to the pool. In my decorating daydream, all the window treatments get switched out for Beauti-Vues woven wood and yarn shades. I’d keep these chairs and lamps, though, and go Polynesian Pop! Oh — and notice, lots of mirrored wall tile in lots of the houses we saw on the tour.

The kitchen was original, except for the refrigerator. That’s Pam — she was a tour guide for this space. She also has an apartment in the complex. Hi, Pam! It was So Great to meet you! You rock!

Lovely GE appliances! Now we’d just need a yellow vintage GE fridge – this one would do just nicely!

The cabinets could use some freshening. But get this: Pam has the same cabinets in her apartment — and they cleaned up beautifully (see photo below). Those knobs and escutcheons too!

This is a cabinet in Pam’s apartment. See how beautifully it cleaned up!

Vintage Nutone exhaust fan, but of course!

Pink bathrooms galore in Las Vegas, too!

Above: The pink tile that was in Pam’s bathroom. 

Ahhh, climbing bougainvillea — sweeeeeet memories of my Southern California childhood.

The post A look inside The Rexford — a quintessential midcentury modern Las Vegas apartment complex appeared first on Retro Renovation.

While on the Vintage Vegas Home & History tour, I also took side trips to see a few other midcentury homes. Each had done some degree of kitchen remodeling — and coincidentally, each had used Formica’s Ellipse laminate on their kitchen countertops. Above: Pam — who was a tour guide at one of the homes on the tour — took me to her home to see her kitchen remodel, which is nearly complete. She used Formica Ellipse in “White Ellipse” — although I’d say it definitely reads very light gray. My photo doesn’t do the countertop justice — it looked great!

And the wallpaper? Pam told me it’s “Leisure Time” from Spoonflower. The scale of the little flamingos — wonderful! She also had a perfect pink paint color that I need to get. She said she tried about six cans to get the pink right — oh, don’t we understand!

Later on, Heidi Swank, Executive Director of Nevada Preservation Foundation, which sponsored the home tour, also let me take a sneak peek of her house, which still has renovations under way. In her kitchen — yup — Formica Ellipse, but in the darker shade “Grey Ellipse.” I’m just tantalizing you with this photo — the kitchen is complete — and it’s GORGEOUS. Story to come!

Above: You may also recall that reader Mary Elizabeth used Ellipse in her pink and gray bathroom freshen-up. Looks like the darker Ellipse Grey to me.

Part of the company’s 100th Anniversary set of designs, Formica’s Ellipse pattern comes in three colors. See our original story — including more photos of the collection — here. 

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Nevada Preservation Foundation‘s 2016 Vintage Vegas Home & History Tour was held on Mother’s Day, and as you might expect, a number of mothers chose to go on the afternoon tour as part of their celebrations. Above: I spotted this three-generations trio touring one of the homes on the tour, a sweet little Las Vegas “cottage.” I asked young one if she was into the vintage and she answered with a big “yes,” saying this cottage was her dream house. Yay: Yet another generation of preservationists up and coming! Thanks, Vintage Vegas fans, for being such great sports and letting me take your photos! Did you think it would land right at the top of the homepage?

Oh. The cottage. Let’s take a look at some of my favorite features….

The kitchen of the cottage was a real crowd pleaser. It had a bungalow feel, with yellow-and-jade lineoleum tile flooring, buttercream colored cabinets with green glass pulls, a tiled countertop and walls painted in jade. One of my favorite places to look for glass pulls like this is Crown City Hardware.

Nevada Preservation describes this house:

This early 1940s home is located in the West Huntridge neighborhood. It is one of the first residential neighborhoods build in Las Vegas to address the housing shrtage that arose in America just before WWII. Keynote speaker Pam Kueber would call this home “mid-century modest“, as it may appear small and unassuming by today’s standards. However, featuring an original floorplan with slight modifications to the kitchen layout, the mid-century appeal of this tiny home is, in our opinion, anything but modest.

Remember our story about fingerblock parquet? Well, in my original story I was focused on 9″ squares and 12″ squares. But lookie these tinier squares! Six inches maybe? I saw this small size in a number of the homes we toured — and I like it a lot. A lot. A lot.

So, I went back to the place I found fingerblock flooring that you can still buy today — Czar Floors. And sure enough: You can order it in a total of FIVE different sizes:

• 4-3/4″
• 6″
• 9″
• 12″
• 4-1/2″

I LOVE fingerblock parquet!

A pinky-beige and blue tile bathroom — and a little Cinderalla tub. Cute! I can’t imagine the floor tile is original, but it looks beautiful and the palette works — kinda Desert Modern meets adorable cottage, nice! 

That simple little sconce lights over the mirror: That was SO COMMON back in the day!

The homeowner’s comfy cozy spot, with a pole lamp that was a major score, he said!

The post A look inside an early 1940s Las Vegas cottage — one of the first residential neighborhoods in the city appeared first on Retro Renovation.

When reader Pat and her husband Bill initially moved into their 1951 ranch home, they weren’t fans of the original St. Charles steel kitchen cabinets, which were in rough shape after years of use. Pat priced out how much a complete gut remodel would cost and realized it wasn’t in her budget. After pondering her situation for a few years and discovering Retro Renovation’s stories about readers who had successfully refinished their steel kitchen cabinets, Pat knew that she could do it too. Now Pat says, “I’m so glad I lived with the “old” kitchen long enough to appreciate the quality of these vintage cabinets, they have as many pull-outs as the fancy new cabinets!”

Pat writes:

Hi Pam,

I wanted to share some pictures of our (finally!) completed kitchen remodel. We kept the basic floor plan, opened up a wall which allowed us to add in some additional St. Charles cabinets. It’s been a process, but I’m so glad I lived with the “old” kitchen long enough to appreciate the quality of these vintage cabinets, they have as many pull-outs as the fancy new cabinets!

Kitchen before.

We bought this 1951 ranch about 4 years ago, from the owner that had lived here since 1956. The house had “good bones,”and is in a great location close to downtown. It has been an ongoing project, we have pretty much restored/remodeled most of the house. The great part of waiting on the kitchen remodel, is it allowed me to see the possibilities of reusing the original St. Charles cabinets. Yes, that process definitely took 2+ years! To be honest, when we first bought the house, I had lived in new construction homes, and I couldn’t wait to rip out the old kitchen. The bid to gut it and put in new was out of our budget, so I lived with it long enough to appreciate the quality & uniqueness of a steel kitchen. I have also grown to love the paneled wall in the living room I originally wanted to paint over or rip out. I’m not slave-ish to restoring to 50’s materials, but like to respect the original aesthetic of the home and make it work for our needs.

These cabinets are full of slide-outs, dividers, etc, I even have a vegetable cabinet, it has wire mesh baskets and slits in the door so your produce gets air circulation. (It’s the one closest to the sink.) The cabinets were still white, but had been brush painted over the years, and had some rust. If not for your website showcasing metal cabinets, I would not have had the vision to redo the kitchen with them.

I had them powder-coated at Liquid & Powdercoat Finishes in KC, MO. (Thanks to a previous Retro Renovation post on a KC kitchen remodel, I found out about this great local resource.) I kept the same galley layout, but was able to incorporate an additional 4 cabinets by removing a corner wall & relocating the stove. It took awhile to find St. Charles cabinets, we ended up driving to St. Louis to buy some off Craig’s List. We did all the work ourselves, except for the drywall.

Luckily my hubby is super handy and willing to go along with my creative visions. I loved the little bits of history we uncovered – there was a 70’s & 80’s color palette hiding under all the layers.

I am attaching my vision board, it was my little go-to guide, although it didn’t turn out exactly like the vision board.

Inspiration for the color pallet was the starburst clock. I must admit it isn’t a George Nelson – just an old brass one I spray-painted in like colors.

Another funny discovery – I did have to give up my swinging kitchen door, and when he removed it we noticed the original carpenter had noted it’s designation on the framing in pencil: “Baby-Slapper.”Removing the door from the basement stairs made a huge difference in visually opening up the space. Things I like best about the new kitchen: having 1 type of flooring throughout (did have 3 different floors) and the open stairs to the basement.

A few touches I kept are: the shelf by the stove with the salt & pepper is an original to the kitchen (with Green Linen Formica), and the original “confetti” tile on the windowsill over the sink. I really loved the color of the green linen, but the newer “linens” were just the wrong hue. And – I gotta be honest – I was tired of cleaning the stainless rim around the counter-top – I just wanted to be able to sweep everything into the sink, which is why I went with the quartz counter-top. It was fun to color match the “suede” color swatch from the 1950’s St. Charles color samples on your site.

I used a combination of tile (in the wet/cooking areas) and wood in the kitchen because the tile was so darn expensive, but ended up liking the warmth the wood brought to the kitchen.

I included a few shots of the rooms adjoining the kitchen (darn project creep!) since we ended up working on them also.

I added the little cut-outs in the dining room to add more natural light to the room.

The office/booth room got a major scrub – we replaced the dropped ceiling tiles with sheetrock, replaced the jalousie windows and the birch paneling that was stained from water/condensation dripping from the jalousie windows… you know how it goes… where do you stop! We were lucky the original owner was a woodworker, and the built-in office furniture works great for us. I stained the birch paneling in the kitchen blacksplash the same dark color I used when I refinished the office furniture to tie it together.

Resources:

• Flooring: Mannington Paradigm -Par209 (Commercial flooring)
• Stove: Samsung Electric
• Range Hood: KBC Collection (Amazon)
• Tile: Tile Shop: Glass Water Napier
• Cabinet over fridge: Ikea (did you spot that?), white wall shelf, and stainless cabinet toe kick
• Light Fixture over stairs: West Elm Mid Century Glass Pendant
• Sink: Blanco
• Countertops: MSI Quartz in Iced White
• Cabinet finish: KC Liquid & Powdercoat Finishes
• Faucet: Moen
• Booth & ceiling fixture: Habitat for Humanity ReStore
• Light fixture over sofa: eBay
• Light fixture over booth: Ikea

Way to “Love the Kitchen You’re In!” Pat! Thanks so much for sharing your story, all the resources — and of course, your gorgeous kitchen — with us.

The post Pat and Bill’s St. Charles kitchen remodel appeared first on Retro Renovation.

We’ve identified 80 different brands of metal kitchen cabinets made back in the day. Today, a new entry in my quest to have at least one feature on each and every brand. Up next: Murray cabinets and cabinet sinks. 

Viewing note: On a desktop, click each photo and it should enlarge on your screen, up to 1000 pixels wide or tall.

I don’t have a catalog for this one — just a one-page ad. But it tells us that The Murray Corporation of America was based in Scranton, Pennsylvania. ANd, the company also made stoves and ranges.

The advertising was fun — typical of the ere including printing limitations, it featured idealistic imagery and text with the typical sales pitch.

I’m also going to try and hone my skills at distinguishing all the brands. The Murrays:

• Top drawer overhangs bottom drawers or doors
• Cabinet pulls — chrome pulls with molded recessed area below them. Similar to GE’s.
• Wall cabinets — no handles, rounded bottom.
• Whatnot walls units — have metal edge.
• Kickplate — white.

Who else is going study along so’s we can play my “name that cabinet” game?

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Fresh (exhausted) back home from The Hukilau 2016 and catching up on my emails, I see that one of our current favorite ebay sellers has dug a bunch more sinks out of storage, including this New Old Stock Pink Kitchen Sink (affiliate link), turquoise and jadeite kitchen sinks, and more colorful gems.

Precautionary Pam reminds: Remember, when considering purchasing vintage products — including New Old Stock — to assess them for safety and environmental hazards in their surfaces, layers and materials; for example, re sinks, tubs and tile, see my recent story, Understanding potential lead hazards in old porcelain enamel bathtubs and sinks and ceramic tile of any age. Get with your own properly licensed professionals to assess the issues so that you can make informed decisions how to handle. For more info and links see our Be Safe/Renovate Safe page.

All the New Old Stock from nomoredrama4me:

• To see all the New Old Stock from nomoredrama4me, click here (affiliate link).

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Do you want a new kitchen sink — in a retro color? New resource discovered!  Houzer has three different styles of porcelain-enameled steel undermount kitchen sinks available in eight colors — including a lovely aqua that looks oh-so-close to the vintage color appliances and steel cabinets that we see and love. Hey: Add this sink to a full suite of Big Chill appliances in Big Chill’s newest standard color, turquoise, and you’re rockin’ the a complete set of matchy matchy — but new!

All eight kitchen sink colors offered could work well in a variety of retro modern settings — the white, off white, aqua and grey would work well in a retro modern 50s and early 60s inspired space, while the golden yellow, black and dark brown would be totally groovy in a kitchen inspired by the late 60s and 70s. 

From the Houzer website:

Make Houzers’ luxurious and light weight Porcela porcelain enameled sink the star of your traditional or contemporary design. Porcela sinks give you the look and feel of enameled cast iron, but they’re as easy to install as an undermount stainless steel sink. Porcela Series sinks are double baked at 1500 degrees F to create a glossy, durable, non-porous surface that is resistant to stains, chips and scratches that is also hygienic and easy to clean.

• Non-porous surface
• 9″ depth
• 3-1/2″ Drain Opening
• Chip, crack and scratch resistant
• 8 distinctive colors
• Double baked at 1500F
• Easy undermount installation
• Supplied with cutout template, fasteners and instructions
• 10 year Limited Warranty

There’s also a bar sink, shown above.

Link love:

• Houzer Porcela porcelain enamel steel sinks

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Subtitle this one: Fun with basic 4″ tiles! Josh Blanc, part of the team runs Clay Squared to Infinity in Minneapolis, contacted us to share the results of a recent kitchen project. Using colorful B&W Tiles, Josh collaborated with the homeowner Nancy to design the lively tile backsplash in this midcentury-style kitchen. The kitchen design also features vintage lighting, Formica charcoal boomerang countertops and loads of cheerful, coordinated color. Let’s take a look! 

Josh writes:

Hi Pam,
I finally have some cool photos of a kitchen we worked on, which had to be completely redesigned from its 1980’s style back to its true mid-century roots.

I worked with Nancy designing and laying out the tile backsplash, helping her choose the colors and turning the tiles on point for her backsplash design. Nancy designed the rest of the kitchen with the help of her contractor Casey Miller.

This snazzy backsplash pattern was made using B&W Tile in Yellow, Dark Green and Jade in a diamond pattern. It’s the show stopper of the kitchen!

Resources:

• Tiles — B&W Tile, sold through Clay Squared
• Contractor — Wm Casey Miller from Cut Nail LLC.
• Hardware — Rejuvenation, Boomerang drawer pull in brushed chrome and Cabinet knob round dish, also in brushed chrome.
• Pendant over the kitchen sink — Vintage 1950s fixture from MidModMen
• Multi-faceted orb pendant — Vintage, ebay, also from the 50’s.
• Laminate countertops — Formica Charcoal Boomerang, matte finish. I believe it is widely available at many places. It was cut and installed by Ray from Andover Counter Tops, LLC.
• Cabinets –The maple fronts and trim were custom made by Tim Gramlund of Prairie Woodworking. The insides and hardware are Ikea.
• Custom range hood — Designed by Jack Becker and fabricated by Charlie Parent and Hans Early-Nelson. Hans’s business is called Primitive Precision. Charlie works for Hans.
• Range hood powder coating — Powder Coating Technologies in Plymouth, MN.

• Flooring — Marmoleum Fresco in Red Copper purchased from Natural Built Home. The floor also featured yellow diamonds that emulated the tile backsplash, Josh said.
• Kitchen design — by homeowner Nancy with assistance from Wm Casey Miller.

Mega thanks to Josh for sending us this story, including the list of resources!

Photos taken by of Sarah Whiting Photographic used with permission from Clay Squared to Infinity.

The post A colorful midcentury kitchen remodel featuring B&W Tile in a backsplash designed by Clay Squared appeared first on Retro Renovation.

Now that we have a source for a porcelain enamel kitchen sink in aqua — and since Big Chill this year began offering turquoise as a standard color — we realized we had all the elements to create a matchy matchy retro aqua kitchen — completely from scratch. We were also thinking: If we could design kitchens for the new Starlight Village — and assuming they would want all-new everything (not vintage or salvage) — what designs could we pull together? Here’s our first concept: A retro-modern aqua kitchen.

This design board focuses on all-aqua, but you could easily bring in a secondary color by changing the wallpaper and accessories like the KitchenAid Mixer. And note: The first time Pam has ever “allowed” showing a solid surface countertop in one of our design boards; had to do it, because the sink is undermount. Mark this day on the RR calendar. See our sources:

1. Wallpaper — Atomic Doodle in Turquoise from Bradbury & Bradbury
2. Light — 12″ Neckless Opal Glass globe with Chrome base from Practical Props
3. Backsplash tile — 1″x1″ Anthologia ceramic tile in Agerato from Nemo Tile
4. Faucet — Foundations Single-Handle Standard Kitchen Faucet in Chrome from Home Depot
5. Countertop — Formica Solid Surfacing in White Sparkle
6. Sink — Houzer Porcela Porcelain Enameled Steel Large Single Bowl Undermount Sink in Aqua
7. Refrigerator — Big Chill original size retro fridge in Turquoise
8. Mixer — KitchenAid Mixer in Aqua Sky via Amazon
9. Red Oak full-overlay slab-door kitchen cabinets
10. Cabinet knob — Dish Cabinet Knob with Round Backplate in Polished Chrome from Rejuvenation
11. Stove — Big Chill 30″ retro stove in Turquoise
12. Dishwasher — Big Chill retro dishwasher in Turquoise
13. Flooring — Azrock VCT in So Beige

Note: Big Chill and Practical Props are both advertisers on the blog, but they did NOT pay us to include them in this story.

The post We’re dreaming of a retro-modern aqua kitchen appeared first on Retro Renovation.

Resilient sheet flooring — either vinyl or linoleum — are both authentic options for midcentury-style homes. I also like this style of flooring because it’s typically easy to clean — same reason as Mrs. America! Mannington is a big name in this market, and recently, we received tips from two readers — Brittney, then Patricia — about some new options in their product line.

Above: Brittney spotted “Blockprint” from Mannington.

Brittney wrote:

Hi Pam and Kate!

I’ve been shopping for new flooring and recently came across a few designs I thought would look good for my retro redo. When I got home I thought I’d do a search to see if other styles/colors were available in the filigree line. I found that it really was a retro release in honor of their 100th anniversary! I just thought I’d share incase you hadn’t seen these yet. Here is a link that talks about it:
http://customhomeinteriors.com/2016/03/15/mannington-sheet-vinyl-trends-for-2016/

Thanks, Brittney.

Readers, this flooring is in Mannington’s Commercial line. It’s an important reminder: When we retrophiles are shopping for flooring like this, we may likely have our best luck in the Commercial section of manufacturer/retailers’ websites.

Meanwhile, Patricia spotted several new designs in Mannington’s Residential line that, while not exactly midcentury modern, have elements of retro style from eras before and after:

Mannington Filigree resilient sheet flooring: “A 6″ tile floor design with a vintage floral motif, Filigree is a rich and authentic look. Its weathered, hand painted pattern, and ornate metalwork visual exudes an eclectic mix of pastoral classy style.”

Above: This Mannington Filigree design reminds me of 1970s designs. I like the tone-on-tone designs — great for a floor — although, of course, I’d love to see more color colors. Imagine this in… shades of avocado! Wouldn’t that be dreamy!

Mannington Union Way resilient sheet flooring: “A brick design that captures the “Urban Renewal” trend of salvaged architectural materials, Union Way is an adaptable floor. From traditional to dramatic style, this vinyl floor is sure to fit your decor needs.”

Above: Mannington’s Union Way featured staggered bricks. Very low chroma, reflecting so much of contemporary design today. But potentially useful nonetheless. Mannington, can we have: Red bricks?

Mannington Penny Lane resilient sheet flooring: “An updated throwback design, Penny Lane features small-scale marble hexagon patterns with colorful insets. Give your home a modern touch of nostalgia with this charming floor.”

Above: Grayed-out hex tiles with dots, but in a resilient sheet flooring. For a retro hippy house, maybe?

More flooring options:

• Mannington – Residential Flooring
• Mannington – Commercial Flooring
• And, wee our Kitchen Help/Flooring category for all our stories, including this one on 25 companies that make flooring – cork, linoleum and vinyl – suitable for a midcentury house.

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