Retro, modern, eclectic, colorful and unexpected, Thomas Welles — owner of TG Architecture — has blended old and new together in surprising ways in his 1930s garage turned office + guest suite.  We’ve never seen a space quite like this before — if you pull all the palettes apart, it “shouldn’t” work. But Thomas is a pro: His choices are so artful, that the space turned out off-the-beaten-track perfect. We love it!

We first discovered Thomas’ unique space when he emailed us about using a vintage fan grille from the stash of NOS Emerson Pryne vent fan grilles from House of Fans in his kitchen. However, when we saw a few glimpses his cottage, we wanted to see the whole thing.

Thomas initially wrote:

Pam,

Thanks for the compliment.  First I have to say that I love your blog!  I have read it for several years now, and it truly has morphed into a repository of knowledge of early/mid century craftsmanship.

This is a brand new efficiency sized kitchen that I designed for this space, which is a 1930’s garage that I converted to be a flex space (my office/ rec. room/ garden pavilion/ guest house).  We just call it “The Cottage”.

I had purchased the Emerson Pryne fan cover when your story first ran about them being available through House of Fans. Back then, I was dying to contribute a picture to the original post. but construction was just starting on converting an old garage to a guest house, and now it is just finishing up.

[Editor’s note: There still are some Emerson Pryne fan covers — in two sizes — left. See this story.]

I had also purchased a Nutone chromed knob but lost it during construction, so the standard Plastic Broan knob is on there temporarily. The larger Broan knob is starting to grow on me, and I am thinking of getting it chromed.

If you look closely, there are a number of other products that you have featured in your blog installed in this little kitchen.

Pam says she loves Loves LOVES the way the laminate goes up to the ceiling. GENIUS! The entire space is genius! She put the word ‘genius’ in the headline. She declares: This is what the future of contemporary mass-market interior design could/should look like!

We pounce with questions for Thomas:

… The cabinet maker said he had fun making these
because all he does now is the same
TV show inspired greige/white,
full overlay, granite topped cabinets.

Actually the cabinet maker said he had fun making these because all he does now is the same TV show inspired greige/white, full overlay, granite topped cabinets. The base cabinets were sanded smooth, have a couple coats of paint (spray applied) and a topcoat of high gloss clear. The wall cabinets and shelves are walnut with a satin clear coat. The star shaped vent design in the sink base was based on some vintage atomic starburst laminate I have on my kitchen wall in the main house.

That is a heated concrete floor, and the color comes from an acid stain with a sealer. Triple S Chemical Products – Weathered Copper.

Are you a designer?

I am currently starting my own business after working almost 20 years for larger firms. I will be focusing on single family and small multi-family homes, and small commercial in the San Francisco Bay Area. My office will be in this space, which is on the side of my house here in San Bruno.

A quick background: I started working on single family houses when I very young, having come from a family that has a small real estate business. After getting my education in Boston, I worked for architecture firms, initially focusing on historic rehab. That focus changed over the years to low-income multi-family housing, although I have also worked on everything from airports to high rises. After my daughter was born, all my priorities changed and l wanted to work for myself on smaller projects. Going back to my roots, as they say.

Analyzing this space

• He’s repeated shapes like the circles in the windows, spun acrylic light fixtures, and NOS Emerson Pryne fan grille cover.
• He’s repeated colors, such as the vivid bright yellow on the exterior door, kitchen cabinets, tile, patio furniture, and bathroom sink.
• He’s even been able to skillfully blend five different wall surfaces in this small space: plain painted wall, reclaimed wood wall (which was original to the space, not added), wallpapered wall, tiled wall and laminate wall — by using color. Though all of the wall treatments differ greatly, they all have grey and white in them, which helps mixing them together feel intentional. The grey of the weathered wall blends into the grey and white of the dandelion wallpaper, which blends into the white and grey laminate wall, which blends into the white painted walls and tile with grey grout.
• Even the patterns that Thomas uses relate to each other — both are dandelions. And did we mention how much we love that Thomas used laminate on a wall all the way up to the ceiling? Amazing!

Thomas’ cottage is also a study in textures and temperatures. Note:

• The rough texture of the reclaimed wood wall next to the smooth texture of the wood ceiling.
• The visual texture created by the wallpaper and laminate designs next to the texture of the clear spun acrylic lights.
• The warm wood window frames, cabinets and table near the industrial metal bathroom door and stainless steel refrigerator.
• The cool aqua floors against the warm yellow cabinets.

Everywhere you look, there are new ‘visual collaborations’ to see.

In one last email, Thomas added:

Thank you for making a story about the cottage, I had a lot of fun designing it; and while it is done to the point where we can use the space, there are still things to do (Isn’t that always the case?). I’m trying to find an appropriate exterior light fixture, and will be building some low, built-in bookcases under the two large windows. I am also torn on whether to paint the interior wood wall or leave it like it is… A wall like this is something you see all the time on those home improvement shows, and I normally hate it when I see designers add these indiscriminately. But in my case it was here originally. I figured I could leave it as-is for now, and make a decision later; but I have to admit that I kinda like it and would be just painting it just to buck the trend. I also have to tackle the landscaping. Please disregard the brown lawn; we are in the middle of a drought.

Thomas’ list of resources:

• New York Metal – aluminum countertop edging and cove molding
• Wilsonart – Kiwi – countertop laminate
• Abet Laminati – Serigrafia Longline – backsplash, wall and ceiling
• Practical Props – spun acrylic globe pendant fixtures
• Ceco Sinks – Little Corona – with hudee ring
• Emerson Pryne – exhaust fan cover
• Sanderson wallpaper – Dandelion Clocks
• Umbra – Stream – drawer pulls (now discontinued)
• Yellow bathroom sink — vintage enameled cast iron Kohler wall hung sink found at Building REsources in San Francisco. The sink was refinished to match yellow tile in the bathroom and the yellow cabinets.
• The bathroom faucet is Kallista – One series.
• Refrigerator from Summit – model FFBF181SSIM. Thomas says, “They manufacture commercial as well as residential refrigerators that are European styled. Small refrigerators (24” wide) that are decently styled are hard to find in the states, but are common in Europe. I was hunting for a narrow but tall, counter depth refrigerator. This one has 12.5 cubic feet of capacity and an ice maker.

Thomas, your space is a funky, creative retro modern eclectic work of art! Well done. What a great space to work and a fabulous getaway for guests. Thanks so much for sharing it with us!

Interested in working with Thomas? 

Thomas is in the process of building his company website — we will add it to the story when it is up and running — and until then, you can email him at his work address twelles@tgarc.com.

The post Thomas creates a genius retro modern eclectic office / guest house appeared first on Retro Renovation.

Patti writes:

Hi, Pam! Oh my, where do I begin? A few years ago you featured my pink bedroom with the silver starbursts wall and Heywood-Wakefield furniture. This was where my midcentury obsession began. Since I had moved out of my ‘big house’, a 1903 four-square and into my 1948 garage apartment out back, it was the perfect time for out with the old and in with the new modern. But that’s a whole other story. This one is all about Betty.

“Howdy hudee, bring it on,” we told Patti! “Let’s hear more. Let’s see more.” And she delivered.

Photo viewing tip for this and all stories on RR:
On a desktop computer, you can click on any photo,
and it should enlarge on screen, up to double in size.

And so our email back and forth commenced:

A little over a year ago, I moved from my apartment in the town I grew up in to North Carolina. I dreamed of buying an untouched ranch. And I found her, a 1957, no less. She’s as old as I am and equally as worn. The kitchen has the original cabinets, counters and sheet vinyl floor. Original appliances are long gone, and craigslist replacements were there for resale. I wanted a period stove and just couldn’t find what I wanted to fit the 36″ space. But I had to do something with those cabinets so I could unpack my dishes….my dishes! My 1957 set of Franciscan Starburst, my coveted dishes!

My original plan was to restore the cabinets to their former glory, sand them down and clear coat. But after 2 weeks of sanding I couldn’t get the wood tone even. And the inside of the cabinets were a worn out mess.

I had leftover paint from my vintage camper redo, Sherwin Williams 6758 Aqueduct, which just so happens to match my coveted dishes. So I decided to give the paint a try — and my cabinets turned out beautiful, inside and out.

And so my kitchen waited since last December, until I could find the perfect laminate for my counters.

In the meantime, the search was on for a late 50’s stove. We said we wanted gas, but when I found my pink wall oven and cooktop on craigslist, I had to have it.

It waited patiently covered up and off to one side in my kitchen for the perfect laminate. Many, many samples were delivered to my house but none were ‘the one’. Until you, dear girl, featured Betty and Endora. Finally!

• [ Readers, the best way to never miss hot news about new products like Betty is to click here to subscribe to our newsletter. ]

The original counters are tan linen. (It’s still in the main bath. The half bath is original gray boomerang.) The finish was completed worn off in several places, and the counter was still solid as a rock. We decided to relaminate over the old.

Editor’s note: Remember, readers, a special reason we love Betty and Endora is that they are stock laminates — not special order. Stock laminates are generally much, much cheaper than custom digital print laminates made-to-order. For example, this 4×8 sheet of Wilsonart Betty from Home Depot is just $59.

Patti wrote, “This is the Endora sample on my pink cooktop, so you can show folks how well it matches. I love the pink!”

When I saw Endora, I was so tempted to repaint my cabinets pink but, you know — those coveted dishes! So Betty won out.

I ordered two (5 x 12) sheets as soon as she was available from Home Depot. Shipping was free to my door, and I asked them for a 10% discount, and they said yes! We’ve contemplated how to do it for months, then, finally a few weeks ago we dove in.

I measured and calculated and made all the cuts…

Darin wired it all up…

(… Weensie Scarlett was ever so helpful every step of the way proving how valuable a lovely assistant can be.)

It was a lot of work, hard work. Laminate is not forgiving, once it sticks, it’s stuck! But I just had to work slow, be patient, and think it all through.

I’m so happy I ran the laminate up the wall as the backsplash. That was tricky, because nothing is level or square, but it got easier when I quit being so particular and decided caulk was my friend. The trim where the counter meets the wall is aluminum 90 degree L from Lowes. I used contact cement to adhere it.

“I bought the colander at a flea market years and years ago, paid a dollar for it,” Patti said. “There was a 24″ tube florescent fixture above the sink when I moved in and, of course, that would never do! When Darin came home and first saw it he looked at me like I was crazy (a look I know well!) but he says he likes it now. (He’s sweet that way.) I am not a fan of the twisty light bulbs but it made it look atomic to me.”

The Franciscan night light was an ebay purchase about four years ago, Patti said.

I painted the walls SW 6360 Folksy Gold.

I still can’t get over it!

My Burke tulip table and chairs (too big for the kitchen) are now kinda in my living room, which I suppose was once the dining area, though I don’t know how in the world they ever fed a family in that space.

(Side note: When I took the living room carpet up a few months ago, there was a patched place in the floor between the door  on the left and my table. Must have been some sort of divider to separate the dining space. I thought about putting it back, but had already moved the ceiling light and hung my flying saucer retractable light up, so I patched in flooring I stole from the entry to the attic. You never know what you’re going to find. I always say, “If it doesn’t say Sunkist, you don’t know what’s inside”!!))

Yowza, Patti and Darin, this is just Yabba Dabba DIY Awesome.

Patti sent us some other photos — some decorating tweaks to her 1957 bathroom and to the basement, where the couple has created an office and crafting area. And — sneak peek that snack table and boomerang clock. Come back tomorrow for the details on how Patti made those. Meanwhile, I lavished praise on Patti for her decorating and design inventiveness. And, I asked for a personal photo to go with the story.

It sounds like they make every moment an adventure… She replies:

The truth is I just have way too much time on my hands! And, wow, it’s hard to take a good picture of yourself. We’ve been laughing our heads off. But here we are.

Golly, Pam and Kate, I can’t thank you enough for all the awesomeness you share and all the hours you spend finding the things that help us make a house our home. And eight years?! Good grief that sure went by fast. You have drawn together so many like-minded souls. These midcentury homes keep us grounded in a simpler time. We are all forever grateful!

Thanks a ton…
Patti

Thank YOU, Patti and Darin! xoxo

DIY laminate countertop:

• See Kate’s story on how she DIY-ed her laminate countertop by clicking here.

More Wilsonart Betty:

Sneak peak of Nancy’s kitchen. We like how this laminate looks with orangey-blond wood cabinets, too.

The post Patti and Darin’s yabba dabba DIY kitchen makeover — more thumbs up for Wilsonart Betty laminate appeared first on Retro Renovation.

We showcased Patti and Darin’s delightful retro kitchen makeover yesterday. Today: A closer look at two ingenious features — a cute little snack or breakfast bar and a midcentury modern style boomerang clock. They made both of these for under $100 (not including the stools) — using leftover materials and just a few additional purchases.

DIY kitchen snack bar:

Patti bought the stools on ebay for $80 — they are marked Snyder Philadelphia. She had to cut the legs down to fit under the breakfast bar. She also purchased the hairpin table leg on ebay.

Patti wrote:

I’m very bad at always wanting something unique, one of a kind. Necessity breeds invention, you know, and I can never find EXACTLY what I’m looking for, so I usually have to make it up. For the snack bar, I wanted something simple that looked like it was probably in my kitchen originally (this is a modest ranch), and I wanted a place… to snack!

The snack bar substrate is 3/4″ particle board. I bought a 4×8 sheet at Home Depot and had them cut it for me to my rough dimensions because it’s hard for me to handle a full sheet by myself.

Anywho, I’m a McGyver-er from way back, so I cabbaged around the garage for scraps. I didn’t have screws short enough to attach the table leg to the bar, so I found a piece of 1×4 to use as a spacer. I attached the table to the wall with leftover shelving corners cut to 24″ and secured into the wall studs.

The bar was going to be 36″ square but it overpowered the space so I cut it down to 30″. And, it’s counter-height, so I had to cut 2″ off the bar stool legs cause they were too high.

DIY boomerang clock — Belart style

Then the wall above was too blah, and I found this clock I loved on eBay but it sold for $810. Yikes! And I thought, hey, I’ll just make my own!

This listing gave me the idea on the shape of my clock. I had laminate left over from the kitchen and particle board left over from a piece of MDF from making my platform bed. I drew out the shape, and Darin cut it out for me because his hand is steadier than mine

The clock is a scrap piece of Masonite board, I drew, he cut. I painted it to match the cabinets, clock mechanism from Amazon for $10.

The 3-6-9-12 spots are biscuits (I have a biscuit joiner!) and I wrapped them with aluminum foil (ha!) and the 1-2-4-5-7-8-10-11 dots are the wooden tip of a paint brush dipped in silver paint and dotted on. Voila!

Voila indeed! Nicely done, Patti, thank you for sharing your design! And, I learned that “cabbage” can be used a verb — I am going to start doing that, too! Yay for all the MacGuyvers among us!

The post DIY Belart style clock and cozy kitchen snack bar — Patti and Darin’s MacGuyvered delights! appeared first on Retro Renovation.

Here’s a rare sight to be seen, five hard-to-find vintage Beauty Queen Lavanette “Vanette” steel bathroom vanities, all found in one building in northern California, and spotted for sale by several readers who sent us tips. Yowza — they look to be in great shape! 

From our original story on Lavanettes: The 36″ model above is the “Lavanette” — the 48″ models for sale are “Vanettes”. There also was a longer “Powder Bar.” Oh. My.

I asked the seller Laurie, how did they happen to come across not one — but five — of these rare vintage Lavanette Vanettes. Her reply:

We are just starting renovations on what was a local family practice.  The doctor was there from the 1960s until a couple years ago… he never changed his decor.  The Lavanettes were used in individual exam rooms. I think that is why they are in such great shape!

Laurie was also excited to hear from us — she is a regular reader! She said:

I am the assistant to the owner of the sinks and the one working on getting these FABULOUS units to their next home!  I absolutely LOVE your website, follow you on Facebook too, and would be more than happy for these sinks to be featured on it…. I soooo hope these amazing cabinets go to a loving new home (wish one could come home with me J ), vintage is the BEST!!!  Let me know if you have any questions.  Thanks so much!!!

Thank you, Laurie! We don’t see too many of these vintage Lavanettes in the wild. We think they were quite rare to begin with, but then, when you combine their rarity with the metal-rusting moisture found in bathrooms, we think many of them just didn’t survive. The fact that these examples were not used in bathrooms, but in patient rooms in a doctor’s office is probably why they are in such good condition after all these years.

These are Vanettes from the Lavanette Line

From the Craigslist posting:

Love vintage?? Well then, one of these vintage bathroom “vanity with sink” cabinet units would be the PERFECT addition to your retro bathroom makeover.

This is one of five cabinets we have for sale. All five are part of the Beauty Queen “Lavanette” line made by Toledo Desk & Fixture Corp., Maumee, Ohio in the 1950s. They are powder coated steel with laminate tops and porcelain sinks with chrome trim and measure 4′ x 2′.

We have three light blue with light pink laminate tops and two light green units with grey laminate tops for sale. All five of these units are in fabulous condition with minimal dents, scrapes or chips. (for pictures of the other units please see our other postings)

The sinks do not appear to have any chips but, along with the faucets and nobs, will need some careful elbow grease to remove the hard water stains. There is only one light blue unit that has a visible dent on the front right, bottom drawer. Other than that any smudges you see in the pictures are just dust/dirt from sitting in a vacant building for many years.

Four of the units have the original “optional” towel bar. All five have the pull out bin in bottom left cabinet, garbage bin in bottom right cabinet and the plastic odds and ends trays in the top drawers.

Each individual unit is listed at $500 and are located in Northern California, just south of Redding, so you will either need to be able to pick up or pay for it to be shipped.

You can see more photos of these five amazing Lavanettes on Craigslist. Currently, Laurie has them posted for sale on the Las Vegas, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Reno and San Francisco Bay Craigslist.

Beauty Queen Kitchen Cabinets

Yes, Lavanettes and Vanettes were part of the Beauty Queen line of steel kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Laurie took the info about the maker — Toledo Toledo Desk and Fixture Co., Maumee, Ohio — from our original story here. Hmmm. How many steel cabinet makers were there in Ohio, Pam wondered. She knows of (1) Youngstown Steel Kitchens, out of Warren… (2) Republic Steel Kitchens, of Columbus… and Beauty Craft, from Toledo. Perhaps one day soon we will go through our histories and make a complete list by location.

Above: See this story about a Beauty Queen sink base, which was restored, including with the addition of a new Elkay Lustertone drainboard sink.

Above: Pink Beauty Queen kitchen cabinets — with a long pink drainboard sink, be still our hearts — posted to our buy/sell forum in 2008.

Link Love (Various photos are sprinkled through five different listings):

• Blue Lavanette on Los Angeles Craigslist
• Blue Lavanette on Sacramento Craigslist
• Aqua/green Lavanette on Las Vegas Craigslist
• Blue Lavanette on San Francisco Bay Craigslist
• Aqua/green Lavanette on Reno Craigslist

See our extensive archive of stories
about vintage steel cabinetry — it’s fascinating!

The post Five vintage Lavanette “Vanette” bathroom vanities — oh my, fantastic! appeared first on Retro Renovation.

“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!

Alan writes:

Help! We have an original 1953 kitchen featuring Apple Green Vitralite glass tile. The tile is in almost perfect condition — but we’re at a loss as to what to do with it. Part of me says “gut” and start over, but many tell us to “save the Vitralite.”

(This shot above is from before they closed on the house.)

We’ve been in the house for five years and have been stumped for five years as to what to do with this kitchen! The green Vitralite is so overwhelming — even though we’re used to it. We have been told that the kitchen is a cross between “Betty Crocker” and a morgue.  haha.

Above: Adjacent laundry room, with more of the tile, and some black trim.

Nom nom, we adore that vintage Vitralite! Hmmm… We spy a very interesting-looking clock in the initial photos that Alan sends and ask him for some closeup. Oh my word, look at this stunner:

Alan replies:

And yes, the clock in the soffit… omg, it’s wild. At 12, 3, 6, and 9, it shows pictures of what families in the 1950s should be doing!  3 p.m. is playtime… 6 p.m. is dinner… 9 p.m. is dancing… and 12 p.m. is sleep!

I’d love you to help update this kitchen by giving us some ideas about countertops and floors! Currently, the counter tops are a Formica that is probably late 70’s — off white and a mess. The floors are a “plastic” laminate – trying to look like hardwood.

Our thought is to replace/upgrade the counters with stone (but we can’t figure out what that would go with the green vitralite), replace the cabinet hardware, remove the original light fixtures and install can lighting, replace the gold dishwasher for stainless, replace the white stove for stainless and call it a day! We just cant figure out what to do with countertops and the floor.

Vitrolite bathroom!

Ooooh, check out this creamy ivory-yellow and green trim Vitrolite bathroom. From our story about this Time Capsule House. Photo: WiSign Photo — Lynn Darnieder, owner

Readers, let’s hear your ideas for this Retro Design Dilemma:

• Okay, readers: Let’s hear your ideas for this dilemma! We will be back tomorrow morning with our design board and analysis.

The post Ideas to decorate Alan’s vintage green tile kitchen – Vitralite ooh la la! appeared first on Retro Renovation.

We took a detailed look at Alan’s Vitralite kitchen “Before” yesterday. Now it’s time for our “After.” Our goal with this Retro Design Dilemma was to unify two key, original elements — the vintage Vitralite green wall tiles and the wood cabinets — while also making the room feel warmer and less sterile. Remember: Alan told us yesterday that with all the green glass tile, the kitchen sometimes felt like a combination of Betty Crocker and morgue. Ouch! Fortunately, we think that our design concept shows that, with with the careful addition of warm color and soft surfaces, it is totally possible to bring out the Betty and bye bye the laboratory — transforming this space into a home sweet retro home sweetheart of a space.

Job One: Bring warm color and softer surfaces into this deco-meets-the-1950s kitchen

First of all: If you touch one inch of those green Vitralite tiles — we do not want to hear about it! They are a treasure. Ditto-ish: Your original wood cabinets are beautiful. Keep ’em — we love the warm wood with the tile. If the varnish needs work, okay, restore them, but very very carefully. ‘Might be nothing to really compare with the original finish if it’s still in good shape.

In yesterday’s comments, reader ineffablespace said this:

In a general sense, the green Vitrolite is not something that can be “compensated for” or apologized for, in the re-design. It is *the* salient design feature of the kitchen, and as a relative rarity, I would want to highlight it, not downplay it. I don’t think you need to create a 1953 museum, but on the other hand there are very few common/popular 21st century finishes that will do this kitchen any favors.

We very much agree with this assessment, so our mood board doesn’t touch the tile. We’re going with the deco-retro flow.

• Flooring: Sheet linoleum: The first order of the day: Bring in colors and softer surfaces and accessories that will help ensure the kitchen doesn’t feel like a laboratory. To start, we tried this cherry red Armstrong Marmorette sheet linoleum floor and loved how it looked. It instantly adds warmth to the space — and the red complements the green walls and looks like it will work well with the color of the cabinets too. And hey, it picks up the red in the clock hand! We chose linoleum rather than ceramic tile or wood, because it’s “resilient” — bouncy — countering the hardness of the wall tile. (Wood is a warm soft surface, too, but we wanted color and and even more softness, as possible.) We decided to use linoleum sheet rather than tiles in order to avoid repeating the grid design already in the wall tile.

Jadeite green, rich red and yellow together in a vintage Hotpoint kitchen in my archives.

• Countertops: Black soapstone-like laminate.
When Pam and I discussed this kitchen on the phone, we agreed that the existing white countertops not only contributed to the overall feeling of sterility but also created an overall harsh contrast. Alan mentioned that he was thinking about a solid surface countertop like soapstone, but we caution about adding more laboratory-like hard surfaces. So we went to see what we could find in laminates.  I fiddled with some other options in Photoshop — including a solid to match the wall tile and to create one clean line — but when I put in this Wilsonart Black Alicante, golly it just looked great. This makes sense because the kitchen has a fundamental deco feel to it — as you recall from the “before” story, there is black trim tile in the laundry room. That said, if Alan wants to try this laminate, he for sure should get a sample, we are not sure it is really dark enough. We do like the veining, which breaks up the mass; reminds us of Cusheen. Another option: Use black sheet lineoleum in a similar veined colorway. The addition of stainless steel metal edging, similar to what Pam used in her kitchen, helps mesh the countertops with the existing chrome cabinet pulls and add a bit of bling to the space. You also could go for ribbed aluminum edging in this kitchen — it would probably look really great given that this kitchen is Streamline feel.
.In comments yesterday, reader Diane in CO was thinking alike and recommended Wilsonart Oiled Soapstone. She said: The smashing laminate is Wilsonart “Oiled Soapstone.” It reads “black” in the room but is much softer and has “shadowing” – hard to describe. I liked the look so much I used it for the vanity top in a small black-and-white bathroom redo. It’s so good-looking!
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• Exhaust fan: We suggest that Alan keep his vintage stove, but get a new vent hood in white to match. For our mood board purposes, I’ve just recolored his harvest gold range hood in white to match — yes, you could also likely just spray paint your exhaust fan white, if it’s still serviceable.
  .
• Stove: Alan had mentioned thinking about swapping out his white stove for stainless steel. We would say: No. Again, stay away from anything that says “laboratory” — and that includes stainless steel. Either keep what you have — that stove looks fine — or how about getting a vintage stove — talk about Betty Crocker — you will surely have the neighbors drooling over that! For vintage kitchens from this era, we usually suggest a Kohler Delafield sink with hudee ring instead of that stainless steel sink. Ditto the new fridge, we probably would have went with white.
  .
• Window treatments:
  • Wood blinds: To continue to soften the space, we think that Alan could get some 2″ wood blinds like this style from Blinds.com in a shade that matches the original cabinetry and window trim. These will get more warm wood up onto the wall area and cover the glaring white vinyl replacement window frames. Covering the white window frames also reduces the number of grids that can be seen — at least when the shades are closed — further calming and softening the room’s hard edges. If and when you ever decide or need to replace those windows, well, you can guess what we have to say about the white vinyl.
    .
  • Patterned fabric valance: Adding the fabric valance over the wood blinds creates another layer of decor that helps to soften hard edges in this kitchen. Pam and I each searched for about an hour (we are power users of Google chat for sharing ideas in rapid fire succession) for a “just right” fabric with the right colors, right pattern and a retro-deco feel compatible with Alan’s kitchen wall tile and cabinetry until we found some coordinating vintage barkcloth fabric on Ebay (alas, sold a while ago) that could have been used to make fabric valances for the windows.  The fabric picks up the red from the floor, black from the countertops, white from the range and adds another level of green to coordinate with the wall as well as inserting a pop of yellow. We were careful to find a pattern that was not grid-like to continue our efforts downplaying the strong gridlines found on the wall tiles.
    .
    Reader Melinda agreed:With the abundance of tile I do feel like choosing a color opposite, such as red or pink will balance things out. Plenty of fabrics such as curtains, decorative towels and throw rugs will do a lot to soften this space.
    .
    
• Paint color for the ceiling: Next we turned our attention to the ceiling, which Pam thought she might paint a light beige to bring down the contrast.
  
• Ceiling fan: We presume you have a ceiling fan with a light for a reason, so we went and looked for one that could provide the functionality you need but that lookedTo continue adding warmth in the space, we found the Minka Aire F1000 ceiling fan — you can get it on Amazon (affiliate link) in three colors. We like the streamline look, and we liked it in bronze to coordinate with the wood tone of the cabinets. Note: There are a lot of reviews also on Amazon, which can be helpful to a degree. One commenter says you can also get this fan, $70 cheaper, at Home Depot, it’s the Petersford. But there’s only one brite metal finish, and the design is a bit different; nah.
• Ceiling and pendant lighting: Alan had mentioned wanting can lights, but Pam has become wary of this idea ever since reading Martin Holladay’s 10 Rules of Lighting. Holladay wrote, “The U.S. is cursed by a plague of senseless recessed can fixtures…. Recessed cans do a great job of illuminating the floor, but they keep your ceiling dark.” So, instead of cans, we went looking for a ceiling light fixture — ambient lighting — that would get the light out and about more successfully. Then we found a matched pair of Hudson Valley Lighting light fixtures from lightology — the Odessa flush mount style and coordinating Odessa pendant light — both in a warm, gold-tone which continues to add visual warmth (bringing the gold of the cabinets up to the ceiling) — and light — to the kitchen. We quite like these Odessa lights for a prewar or sweetheart 1950s kitchen or a kitchen with deco lines.
  .
  Reader Robbie Kendall added this helpful tidbit about being mindful with the lighting: First things first, I would start with the ceiling kitchen and work my way down: rather than the two hanging fixtures and fan that are there now, I would replace these three items with three identical up-light fixtures that bounce the light off of the flat (or eggshell) white ceiling using spectrum corrected bulbs. And if these fixtures were copper, so much the better. Also, I know that Pearl Paint, in New York, used to carry a white paint imported from the Netherlands that had a very slight blue tint to it so that as it aged, the yellowing counteracted the blue and the white became purer over time. My point here is that with these, beautifully, overpowering walls, it is best to let the look be highlighted by pure spectrum lighting and not degraded by standard yellowed tungsten or too ‘clinical’ compact fluorescent bulbs.
  .
• Vintage dinette: ‘Most nothing makes a kitchen homier than a vintage dinette. There looks like there’s room so how about obsessing to find something like this deep green table and chairs from our uploader.Alternately, reader Heidi Swank chimed in with this tip: Kitchen Table: The one end of the kitchen with the cool radiator/vent cover calls out for a high kitchen table with two stools. A high table wouldn’t obstruct the heat flow but would give that end of the room something to do.
  .
• Accessories: Finally, adding homey accessories that repeat the main colors in the space — red, green and even the yellow pulled from the valances — will help finish off the look and create a cohesive space. We found these delightful vintage fruit canisters on Ebay, classic FiestaWare in Scarlet Red and Sunflower Yellow and of course, everyone’s favorite — the red KitchenAid mixer.
  .
  And reader Dan had these two good points regarding the decor in Alan’s kitchen: It looks like that sash window opens onto another room. Let’s fill it in with display shelving….I’d love to see the figures on the clock used somehow. Perhaps similar figures could be silk screened on fabric for window treatments!
  

What do you think readers, have we made a good case for Alan to keep his vintage Vitralite?

The post Retro kitchen before and after: More Betty Crocker, less laboratory appeared first on Retro Renovation.

One of the great joys of social media is that it helps us discover all manner of midcentury products that we might otherwise never come across out in the wild. Case in point: Karlie’s amazing vintage Metters Cook n’ Clean oven and stovetop combination — it’s designed to sit totally on the countertop! Karlie — who lives in Australia — and I ‘met’ via the Retro Renovation Facebook page, where she shared this woddity wonder from Down Under — and then we emailed back and forth to get even more photos. 

Karlie writes:

Hi there! Not much more to see in my little stove, but I have always loved the knobs and dials!!! It’s a split oven, with the grill and stove beside the oven!

That stove is awesome — such a great design for a small kitchen! And hey, what about those tiles behind it, Karlie?

Karlie replied:

The other magical feature is our original glitter wall vinyl tiles!

Mmmm glitter vinyl! So amazing — we love it, Karlie. We do see vintage tiles like this, New Old Stock, on ebay now and then. And remember the Lam-O-Tile, I’d love to know if anyone did something spectacular with that.

Of course, Precautionary Pam is wont to remind: Old materials in our houses may contain vintage nastiness such as asbestos and lead, etc. — get yee with your own properly licensed professional to assess what you have so that you can make informed decisions.

Thanks for sharing, Karlie — it’s fabulous to see the different brands and designs available across the big pond!

The post Karlie’s vintage Metters Cook n’ Clean stove — a countertop range and oven combination appeared first on Retro Renovation.

After purchasing her 1960s split-level house, Jessica wanted to dial up the retro in the relatively plain kitchen. Owner of J. Paris Designs, a furniture refinishing and repurposing business, she used her refinishing skills and design know-how, the resources on Retro Renovation, and some help from her husband Dan and dog Harlow to enliven the space. 

Jessica writes:

I researched different flooring patterns for the VCT and ended up using the basketweave pattern with three different colors. The brand is Vinylasa, and the colors are Ebony (VT569), Steel Works (VT522), and Shooting Star (VT557). I purchased the flooring from a local independent flooring store because they had more color options than Home Depot or the like.  I was worried it would be too busy, but once it was done, I was in love!

The funky Sputnik style light was purchased at Menard’s for around $170 – which I thought was an awesome price!  The teardrop shaped pendant was the only cool part of the original kitchen, and I was happy to keep it.

I made the pendant over the sink using an inexpensive pendant kit and a collander from Home Goods.  The backsplash is just simple white subway tile with grey grout.

Jessica, your kitchen looks fantastic! It’s interesting to see someone use Annie Sloan Chalk Pain to finish cabinets. This paint can sand down to such a smooth finish, we can see why it could be great for cabinetry, assuming the adhesion holds. Can you give us your opinion on how you think it will hold up long term, given that you that you work with this paint professionally?

Thanks so much for sharing your project with us — way to go, DIY squad!

The post Can Annie Sloan Chalk Paint transform these kitchen cabinets? Jessica’s retro kitchen before and after appeared first on Retro Renovation.

Yesterday we took a look at two rockin’ 1970s-style bedrooms that Ben Sander designed for a client. Today: The apartment kitchen and bathroom, equally amazingly transformed — and glory be: using World of Tile tile scooped up before WOT closed. I repeat (and forewarn): “Statement interiors” are not for the faint of design heart, so prepare your eyeballs for some eye-popping style.

From 1980s blah to 1970s fabulous — the kitchen before and after

Photos courtesy of Ben Sander (before) and Everett Short Photography (after).

Ben Sander describes the project:

My client didn’t want to spend as much on the kitchen. To keep costs down, we reused the melamine cabinets, which were in perfectly good shape. We removed them, pulled up the old tile floor and put down sale tile from World of Tile. I found an amazing deal on enough vintage wallpaper to do over the entire room on Craigslist, then got the idea to paper the ceiling as well in a gingham pattern vinyl found on eBay. We put it up on the diagonal. The stove and dishwasher are the GE Artistry line that I discovered right here on RR. When we reinstalled the cabinets, we painted the honey colored oak edge pulls in a green enamel to match the laminate counters, which are Decotone Surfaces Verde Acido.

A granitized 80s bathroom — gone disco

Photos courtesy of Ben Sander.

Ben tells all:

The master bath was the single most expensive room in the remodel. It’s totally tricked out in World of Tile, top to toe. Chippy helped us collect the wall tiles and all the associated trim pieces for windows, bull nose, soap dishes and toothbrush holders, as well as the beautiful floor tiles that look like the inside of a blast furnace. I had the vanity custom made and clad in glossy laminate, with a top in the suede texture. We kept the existing bath tub to save money, but put in all new fixtures from Vola. The original bath faucet was designed in 1968 by Arne Jacobsen, and the line has subsequently been expanded to include both bath and kitchen fixtures in a variety of colors. That original faucet has been copied endlessly and is now somewhat ubiquitous in chrome. What makes the fixtures we used special is the color. You’ll notice we also used the black and white Chevron wallpaper in here.

Ben Sander, photo by his dad

• See another bathroom with same vibe — the disco bathroom in American Hustle — also made with World of Tile tile!

We love the amazing creativity and design daring — thank you, Ben, for sharing!

Link Love:

• Ben Sander website
• Ben Sander Facebook
• Brini Maxwell website
• Brini Maxwell Facebook

The post Ben Sander transforms a blah 1980s kitchen and bathroom — back to the 1970s! appeared first on Retro Renovation.

Mary put a lot of love into the complete renovation of her kitchen 10 years ago — those vintage-looking cabinets are all built from scratch — but now love of another kind has her putting it on the market for sale: “That kitchen made me so happy,” she said, “but I gave it up for love. I guess a good man trumps a cool kitchen.” Congratulations, Mary! The kitchen got the glamour treatment for the listing photos, so let’s take a look — and Mary tells us about her planning process and the products she used. Thanks for permissions from realtor Paul Carper and realtor Bart Stockton, who took the photos, both of Carper Miller Real Estate Group.

Mary’s kitchen After:Mary writes:

I love your site and I thought you might like to see pictures of my 1950s house. I renovated the original small 1950 kitchen about 10 years ago. I wanted to keep the 50s look, but open it up and add more storage. I had a blast researching home magazines of that era. The final product was bright and fun and I love it. The original bathroom is also in tact. It’s not pink, but it’s still the style of many houses of that time. I found some great wallpaper to watch the style of the bathroom.

I recently put the house on the market and I’m realizing it’s rare to find others who appreciate the style and retro fun of the house. The realtor described it as make everyday throwback Thursday. Haha. So far the feedback I’m getting from potential buyers is not so great. Most people don’t like the original bathrooms of that era and the retro kitchen is not their style either. It makes me sad that I can’t find anyone that will dig the style, but if it doesn’t sell in a few months I may need to sell it to someone who will gut it to an ordinary trendy style that will go out of date in 10 years or less (e.g. Travertine tile. don’t get me started….)

Mary’s list of retro kitchen resources:

• Cabinets were custom made. It would’ve looked weird to try and retrofit the old cabinets with new ones so they gutted the entire kitchen with custom cabinets based on the elevations. Someone commented that my custom cabinets look like something prefab from the 50s.
• Hardware came from Home Depot. As I mentioned before, some of the old classic hardware is still available at big hardware/home stores for not a lot of money.
• Countertops — As I was researching the color palette for the kitchen I also thought about the counter color.  It was hard to find unusual colors at a typical showroom, so I found some great samples at my friend’s interior designer office. They have access to way more choices that your typical design showroom. Once I settled on an orange and yellow color palette I went with solid mango colored laminate. [ Editor’s note: See all our countertop research here, including our list of 10 companies that make laminate. ]
• Metal countertop edging — I cannot remember where I got the metal trim. I guess my contractor found that. [ Retro Renovation’s research on sources to get metal countertop trim. ]
• The double sink, typical for that era was special ordered from Home Depot.  You’re not going to find that stuff in the showroom, but if you know the look you’re going for it’s most likely still around. Faucet was also special ordered from a catalog at Home Depot. [ Editor’s note: Surely that’s a hudee-ringed Kohler Delafield. ]
• The stove belonged to my grandmother. I still have the receipt from when she purchased it in 1953! It has since been restored and re-chromed to look brand new. That was not cheap, but I consider it a family heirloom that deserves to be taken care of. I was lucky enough to find someone locally who does that sort of thing. If you live in the LA area, Antique Stove Heaven is a good resource.
• The Vent-a-hood is actually new. I didn’t want to try to find something retro for that so I just went with a simple white.
• The floor is blue and black Armstrong vinyl tile. [ Readers: Remember to always check the Commercial section of websites — that’s where we often find what we want. ] I got the inspiration for the color and pattern from the book Inspiring Interior 1950s from Armstrong (affiliate link). [ Pam’s original “bible”.]
• For the walls, I wanted something bright colorful, which isn’t necessarily a 50s thing so I went through lots of color and design books, like this: Color Idea Book. No need to buy the book. Check it out from the library for free! Also, paint stores have lots of color combinations for ideas.
• Under-cabinet lighting — One of my favorite parts of the kitchen is the under cabinet lighting. They’re the simple hockey puck lights from Home Depot, but when you dim the halogen lights, the orange glow of the walls and counters is wonderful! It’s like a sunset.
• Dinette — In the breakfast room, the dinette set came from a local antique store and the chairs are from Target. Several years ago, they were selling dinette chairs that I think were created by the same manufacturer as dinette sets in the 50s.
• Pendant light is the KNAPPA from Ikea.
• Art — I found a book  — All-American Ads of the 50s by Jim Heimann (affiliate link) — that features a bunch of 1950s advertisements and framed them in a grid.

I live in Dallas. It’s in a part of town with some older homes, some of which are have the retro flare. My realtor appreciates the style of the house and reassures me there are people who like this sort of thing. I just need to be patient. The market is slow right now though, so it will just take time. He agrees with me that he would rather sell it to someone who will appreciate it and not gut it completely.

It was a lot of fun researching and planning. The renovation was a PITA. It took 2+ months, but worth it. That kitchen made me so happy, but I gave it up for love. I guess a good man trumps a cool kitchen. The good thing is, we bought a great midcentury modern house that has a kitchen that needs some work. I already have ideas on how to renovate it to make it look great while keeping the style of the house. Can’t wait to do the same thing — update cabinets/storage and appliances while keeping the style of the architecture. This one has the groovy (but confining) pass throughs.

Only TWO MONTHS to renovation? That actually sounds fast to us  Wonderful job, Mary — and we can’t wait to see what you come up with at your new midcentury modern house! Thank you for sharing your home, and your story. We will keep our fingers crossed that a stylin’ buyer who appreciates period style walks through your door soon!

Link Love:

• See the listing for Mary’s colorful retro 1950s home in Dallas, Texas
• Thanks to realtor Paul Carper and to realtor Bart Stockton for the great photos, both of Carper Miller Real Estate Group

The post Mary’s retro kitchen renovation starts with simple white slab door cabinets — then she amps things up with color appeared first on Retro Renovation.

Mary and John built their house in 1983 and after 32 years of cooking in the same shades-of-brown kitchen — and inspired by a fabulous vintage Daystrom dinette from craigslist — they decided it was time for a light, bright retro transformation. And this story is another good example of how we all just love to do things The Hard Way: This project was six years in the making — time well spent in planning and $aving the money to fund the makeover — lots of it DIY, but some of it hired out to pros — step by step.

Mary writes:

Dear Pam.

I am happy to tell you the story of our groovy little kitchen, because it actually starts with Retro Renovation.

About six years ago, I found a tulip table and chairs (Daystrom) on Craigslist. It needed some help, and I was googling refurbishing tulip table/chairs and found your blog! I have been hooked ever since. (Actually, we ended up paying a furniture guy here in Austin to do the work, and he did a great job.) Like many of us on this blog, over the years we have done some of the work ourselves or saved up to do the big things we couldn’t do on our own.

We are the original owners of the house and built it in 1983. The more I read your blog, the more inspired I was to get rid of the 80s stuff and renew the kitchen with a nod to retro style. After the tulip table redo, we paid to have hardwood floors installed to replace the 30-year-old 80s linoleum. We replaced the appliances as well.

My husband John and I also refurbished a 1967 yellow princess phone — it rings and you can make calls, even dialing the rotary dial.

John installed the vintage lights I found on Etsy/Ebay. We are proudest of the NOS Moe tangerine honeycomb pendant light over the tulip table.

I found the atomic sunburst clock for $6.99 at a local Goodwill here in Austin. I could barely contain my glee when I plugged it in and it started right up. It keeps better time than any other clock we have! I read your blog daily to learn more about the retro decor. Your blog was an inspiration and a great research tool.

Time went on, and this year we were able to fund new countertops, paint the kitchen cabinets, and replace the hardware — all with a retro flair. I read everything on your blog about laminate countertops. I already had 32-year-old Wilsonart laminate — almond, of course. The 80s. Check out the u*** before picture [edited; Pam says: Mary, I don’t think your almond was u*** or a bad choice — it was what was popular in the 1980s — I think you just got sick of it before it wore out and because of the lack of any real color anywhere else in your kitchen — totally understandable!] New floors but u*** almond laminate.

I still liked laminate and wanted a fresher look. I ordered samples of retro patterns from Formica and Wilsonart. I read about the Brady Bunch orange countertops and even ordered a sample of Bittersweet from Pionite.  I knew where to look and what to look for because of Retro Renovation!

• See our list of 10 companies in the U.S. that make and sell laminate.

I decided I wanted to paint the cabinets white with Amerock chrome hardware (found that on Retro Renovation too). John and I finally decided on white countertops with an orange backsplash. In the RR blog I saw White Ellipse from the Formica 100th Anniversary Collection (2013) and Greek Orange Key from the Jonathan Adler Formica collection (2015). Together they are perfect in my kitchen. We paid to have the countertop installed and the cabinets painted. John installed the sink, faucet, and garbage disposal as well as installing the brushed nickel retro style fan. Now we have the retro kitchen of our dreams!

Thank you, Pam and Kate, for inspiring the rest of us to love the house we’re in!

Happy Retro Days everyone!
Mary

Wow, Mary and John — that is quite a transformation, congrats! We absolutely LOVE how you used laminate on the wall as the backsplash, and in such a groovy color, too! The white — with all that careful use of orange: Looking at your kitchen is as refreshing as a cup of freshly squeezed orange juice at breakfast. We’re glad we could help you find the materials you need to get the job done and “Love the house you’re in!”

The post Mary and John remodel their 1980s kitchen with a fresh white retro modern vibe appeared first on Retro Renovation.

2015 was a good year for kitchens! Kate and I looked back and found eight great retro renovators who chose to take the path less traveled and do their renovation “The Hard Way.” Now we need your help to choose the 2015 winner. Voting is open through Jan. 3, and we’ll announce the winner the next week. 

1. Sam’s kitchen: Polished powder coat

When Sam’s soon-to-be 1950 ranch house kitchen flooded three days before closing due to a burst pipe, she knew a gut remodel would be job #1. But instead of taking the easy route and starting over with all new cabinets, Sam chose to do it “The Hard Way” — keeping the original vintage steel Geneva cabinets. She did research and found a local company to powder coat the cabinets in white and aqua to make them look like new, and combined the vintage cabinets with modern elements to create a polished midcentury modern kitchen.

• Read the complete story and see all the photos of Sam’s powder coated vintage steel kitchen cabinets (Opens in new window)

2. Kara Vallow’s kitchens: Bicentennial Chic

Kara Vallow — producer, animator, artist and writer known for her work on “Family Guy,” “American Dad” and “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey,” — wanted to recreate her warm fuzzy childhood memories of growing up in the 1970s during America’s Bicentennial fever in Philadelphia. Kara says, “I am just not a cocktail chic girl, nor am I a spare and stark Dwell dweller at heart. I’m more hokey pokey than Swingers, and I find perverse comfort and nostalgia in the anachronistic, 1960s does 1780’s design style…” We give her kudos for going outside the norm and creating her beautiful Bicentennial Chic kitchen.

• Read the complete story and see all the photos of Kara Vallow’s Bicentennial Chic Kitchen (Opens in a new window)

3. Frances and Doug’s kitchen: Warm 1950s wood

Frances and Doug — caretakers of a 1950s time capsule house — loved the vintage style of their kitchen, but it was feeling tired and in need of a refresh. On a tiny budget, the couple looked to thrifty vintage finds and solutions — a vintage dinette set, Armstrong VCT flooring, and pom poms — to restore their kitchen affordably, making a huge difference. This kitchen is ready for another 60 years of happy service!

• Read the complete story and see all of the photos of Frances and Doug’s warm 1950s wood kitchen (Opens in a new window)

4. Carolyn and Dennis’ kitchen: 1940s style with yellow and maroon tile

Carolyn and Dennis loved their original 1947 kitchen, but it was worn beyond repair. Wanting desperately to recreate the original look of the space, the couple contacted us for help. We shared our ideas and a mood board, then Carolyn and Dennis took it from there. The pair created a gorgeous 1940s kitchen using yellow tile and maroon trim, vintage sizzle strips found on Ebay, and custom cabinets in a vintage style — all which work together to show off Carolyn’s fabulous vintage stove and Fiestaware collection.

• Read the complete story and see all of the photos of Carolyn’s 1940s style kitchen with yellow and maroon tile (Opens in a new window)

5. Margie Grace’s kitchen: Colorful 1940s space

Margie Grace — an internationally-renowned landscape designer and co-owner of a successful design and build firm — used her skills and appreciation for midcentury modest design to create an adorable 1940s colorful kitchen in her home. Over her 30-year career, Margie Grace has lived in and renovated many historic homes, each time respecting the original architectural style. For this kitchen, she lived in the home for 20 years before making changes which include new cabinet doors, laminate counters with metal edging, a Big Chill refrigerator and the showpiece of the room — that Armstrong VCT “rug” that Margie laid herself! What we love most of all is Margie Grace’s ability to edit the overall design of the room to let the one key design feature — in this case that VCT floor — shine. In her words “There can be only one bride — the rest are bridesmaids.”

• Read the complete story and see all of the photos of Margie Grace’s colorful 1940s space (Opens in a new window)

6. Thomas’ kitchen: Genius blend of old and new

Retro, modern, eclectic, colorful and unexpected, Thomas Welles — owner of TG Architecture — has masterfully blended old and new together in surprising ways in his 1930s garage turned office and guest house. Skillfully blending existing features, salvaged finds, wood, wallpaper, color and NOS retro goodies all together in one space, Thomas’ creation is a visual feast and an excellent example of what can be done when old and new are skillfully merged together.

• Read the complete story and see all the photos of Thomas’ retro modern eclectic office and guest house (Opens in a new window)

7. Patti and Darin’s kitchen: Yabba dabba DIY

Patti has always been a DIY girl, so when the kitchen in her newly purchased 1957 ranch house was feeling tired, she knew she could use her DIY skills and the good bones of the space to give it a cosmetic lift. Patti found a vintage pink cooktop and wall oven, which she was able to install with help from Darin. She painted all of the cabinets a lovely aqua and then installed the Wilsonart ‘Betty’ laminate countertops and backsplash herself! For extra creative points, Patti and Darin created a Belart style clock and cozy kitchen snack bar using leftover wood and laminate pieces and a whole lotta imagination. Bravo!

• Read the complete story and see all the photos of Patti and Darin’s yabba dabba DIY kitchen (Opens in a new window)

8. Jessica’s kitchen: Chalk paint transformation

Jessica knows her way around Annie Sloan Chalk Paint as owner of J. Paris Designs, a furniture refinishing and repurposing business. When it came time to spruce up the kitchen in her 1960s split level home, she put her know how to use. Using paint, laminate (which she installed herself), a Vinylasa VCT basket weave design floor and a mix of new and vintage finds, Jessica’s kitchen is now colorful, cheery and full of life.

• Read the complete story and see all the photos of Jessica’s chalk paint kitchen transformation (Opens in a new window)

Once you’ve reviewed the entries, use the polldaddy poll thingie to vote for your favorite:

The post The Hard Way — Kitchen nominees appeared first on Retro Renovation.

Welcoming 2016, here’s the story that now has become our Retro Renovation new year’s tradition… kind of summing up the bumpy journey so many of us share, or can expect to, when we decide to undertake a period-inspired renovation including preserving what we have and/or using hard-to-find and salvage material. Yup: Taking this less-traveled route means you are in for an adventure. You may find yourself walking the very fine line between genius and insanity. You will need tenacity, patience, a good spirit, and faith that you are on a righteous path. The Retro Decorating Gods will be with you, throwing flower petals — and burying barbed wire, just to test your mettle — they love to make mischief, too.

My The Hard Way essay, originally published in Dec. 2007, less than two months after I started the blog:

We know about taking the road less traveled. To me, doing things the hard way has the same allure. The hunt for the perfect estate sale light fixture, the set of vintage cabinets that are just right, the document wallpaper that pulls things all together.

Honestly, the reason this blog even exists is that after completing big projects, I had so much info in my mental hard drive about the hard-to-find resources available to renovate, remodel and decorate a mid century home — all obsessively and endlessly researched — that it seemed a shame to simply be done with it when my projects were completed.

But the dangers of the hard way came into focus this week, when I pulled Palm Springs Stephan into the vortex.

A week ago Friday night I spotted the brand new, mint-in-box, never installed set of circa 1958 bathroom fixtures in this exact photo, on a forum. They’d just been posted. Hot! I happened to be emailing a bit with Stephan, and knew he was working on a bathroom renovation.

Long story short, he was very excited about the prospect of pink fixtures and spent hours back-and-forth with the seller in Cheyenne, Wyoming, trying to certify the exact color, before he sent a certified check. Hours with a tile store to coordinate tile. Planned to switch the plumbing. Worked out shipping. At one point, he thought it was a done deal.

Ultimately, though, the color didn’t pan out for him, and it was back to plan A.

The moral of the story is — I guess — to know thyself. If you really truly want very special retro finds to complete your renovation vision, it’s gonna be a roller coaster. Requiring patience, tenacity, and a belief that once you put your vibes out there, the Retro Decorating Gods will send you what you need. If you think that sounds fun — so then, will be doing it The Hard Way.

P.S. Anyone within driving distance of Cheyenne, Wyoming, interested in a set of brand new, mint in box, never been installed Crane bathroom fixtures? Tub, toilet with really cool seat, sink with chrome legs/towel bar, lav faucet, tub faucet. $1000. Email Gary, who seems very nice and appreciative of them, at: [item sold]. He can give you the whole story, which begins in North Dakota.

Oh yeah. They’re not really pink. They’re beige. Or taupe. Or a sandy pinky beigey taupe. Something like that. Buckle up.

This post was originally published Dec. 9, 2007, then repeated on Jan. 4, 2008, and every year since 2010 as our first story of every year.

Have you found gratification in doing your renovating and remodeling projects The Hard Way???
But tell the truth, sometimes don’t you just want to throw in the towel, take the “what’s easy to install today” route, and move on???

The post Doing things “The Hard Way”: Do you have what it takes? 2016 appeared first on Retro Renovation.

Photo courtesy VOLA.

An impressive lineup of VOLA bathroom and kitchen sink faucets designed in the 1960s by Arne Jacobsen — still available today in a rainbow of colors, with lots of coordinating hardware — oh my!  We are late to this party, which we learned about thanks to Ben Sander’s 1970s apartment bathroom design. Pam had me contact VOLA for more info and for as many photos — “make it epic” — as we could get our greedy retro hands on. Arne Jacobsen-designed Danish modern bathroom and kitchen faucets and hardware in 19 colors! It’s all pretty darned amazing! Feast yer eyes — who’s got a bathroom and/or kitchen in need of these 1960s beauties?!

Arne Jacobsen. Photo courtesy VOLA.

The first Arne Jacobsen-design for VOLA: The KV1 bathroom sink faucet

Beginning around 1968, when VOLA’s owner, Verner Overgaard, took his idea for a new design of wall-mounted water mixer to famed architect Arne Jacobsen. Both VOLA and Jacobsen were based in Denmark. To this day, Jacobsen’s name is celebrated in the country. He was first and foremost an architect, but he also designed a large variety of other products: furniture, lighting — and yes, faucets!

Got that?: If you want the historic designs created specifically by Jacobsen, go for the 111 and the 121 kitchen faucets and the KV1 and the HV1 bathroom sink faucets. [Re the hotlinks to these products on the VOLA website: There may be other sizes available; if you are in the market/shopping, to to the higher level pages to shop all the sizes.]

National Bank of Denmark. Photo courtesy of VOLA.

The faucets were to be used in a building that Jacobsen was designing at the time — the National Bank of Denmark. Jacobsen wanted to have total control of every aspect of all of his projects, leaving nothing to chance, even the smallest details of his buildings. This need for complete control lead to Jacobsen designing items such as furniture — including his famous Egg and Swan chairs, textiles, lighting fixtures, door handles, cutlery, glassware, clocks, and yes — even the water taps.

From the Vola website:

VOLA A/S Verner Overgaard. Photo courtesy of VOLA.

The first VOLA mixers were designed for the National Bank of Denmark. The collaboration between Arne Jacobsen and VOLA A/S started when the owner of VOLA A/S, Verner Overgaard contacted Arne Jacobsen and introduced his proposal for a new type of wall-mounted mixer. He imagined a design where all the mechanical parts of the mixer are hidden leaving only the spout and handle seen by the user. At this time this was a completely new concept, but Jacobsen realized that this idea combined with his functionalistic approach to design could be developed. With that basic principle in mind, the simple and concise VOLA design we know today was conceived.

By 1974, VOLA had already been selected for the design collection of MOMA in New York and has since gone on to win many design awards world wide. VOLA can also be found in many prestigious buildings such as the new German Reichstag in Berlin, the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and various art museums and luxurious hotels throughout the world.

Individuality a core value
During the 1960s, Arne Jacobsen strived to ‘clean-up’ the aesthetic chaos found in most bathrooms of the day caused by the various functional fittings and devices. At the time the bath room was a functional room so in a way Arne Jacobsen introduced design to the bathroom area. He considered designing a modular system that would include all the parts necessary to cover all bathroom requirements. Over the years this system has been developed to enable the designer to create individual and unique combinations using handles, spouts, cover plates and accessories, greatly increasing the benefits in using VOLA. Further benefits include water saving aerators and flow restrictors which have become just as important today as looks and usability.

You can read more about Arne Jacobsen and the history of Vola on their website.

19 Rainbow-tacular VOLA Colors / Finishes

Most of VOLA’s faucets and accessories can be purchased in any one of 19 colors including:

Light Grey

Light Blue

Orange

Light Green

Yellow

Dark Grey

Mocha

Bright Red

Dark Blue

Chrome

Gloss black

White

Natural Brass

Brushed Chrome

Carmine Red

Pink

Matte Black

Stainless Steel

and Copper.

VOLA in Ben Sanders’ bathroom design

Mega thanks to Ben Sander for pointing us to VOLA’s bold and beautiful faucets and accessories. They look look just ravishing in his red, black and white 1970s style bathroom, complementing the blast-furnace-red World of Tile ceramic floor tiles. We asked Ben if he could send a few more close up shots of these fantastic fixtures, and he was quick to respond. Thanks, Ben!

Other designs from VOLA:

The first Jacobsen design for VOLA: The KV1 bathroom faucet.

Today, VOLA has an array of similar designs for bathroom and kitchen faucets, shower fittings, hardware —  heated towel warmers! — color-coordinated sinks, and much more.

Dig into these links to see more:

• VOLA’s complete line of sleek and colorful bathroom and kitchen plumbing and hardware on their website
• Want more color in your bathroom? You can order Vola products through their U.S. distributor, Hastings Tile & Bath, which also a page listing their dealers across the U.S.

Who else is in love with the VOLAs and
now *neeeds* another house to use them in?

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Okay, so this has got me to chuckling to no end. Howdy hudee, the votes are in (thank you, readers) and the winner of our The Hard Way Award for Kitchens 2015 is Kara Vallow’s Bicentennial Chic deelite. The super creative Vallow — a producer, animator, artist and writer known for her work on “Family Guy,” “American Dad” and “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey,” — wanted to recreate her warm fuzzy childhood memories of growing up in the 1970s during America’s Bicentennial fever in Philadelphia. “I am just not a cocktail chic girl,” she told us, “nor am I a spare and stark Dwell dweller at heart. I’m more hokey pokey than Swingers, and I find perverse comfort and nostalgia in the anachronistic, 1960s does 1780’s design style…” We gave her kudos — and so did voters — for tapping into this iconic style and reinventing it for her kitchen in a fresh, beautiful and functional way.

• Boogie over to the original story about Kara’s kitchen remodel.
• And see all our stories about The Hard Way Award winners and finalists here.

The post Kara Vallow’s Bicentennial Chic kitchen remodel — winner of The Hard Way Award – Kitchens for 2015 appeared first on Retro Renovation.

2015 was a great year for new laminate patterns — both retro inspired and retro revivals — and we’ve been so excited to see these colorful, cheery prints popping up in readers’kitchens. First we saw Wilsonart’s new retro style ‘Betty’ laminate in Nancy’s kitchen and Patti and Darin’s Yabba Dabba DIY kitchen and now — we are green with yes, here it comes — Envy — seeing Wilsonart’s ‘Envy Daisy’ — a recreation by Wilsonart of one of their 1970s designs — in reader Kristen’s retro kitchen remodel in progress. 

Kristen writes:

My husband, Michael, and I moved into our house 6 1/2 years ago, and it was not kept up. We lived in the upstairs half story while we (with the help of family and professionals) did extensive work on the main level. Major job changes, unfortunate discoveries as we peeled back the layers of the house, exhaustion, and my passion for restoring and doing it right put us at tackling the kitchen four years into owning the house.

There were a few critters living in it when we bought it, and unfortunately the original kitchen cabinets were destroyed by them. Among many other later discoveries, we found the roof had severe leaks complicated by the way two small additions were put on the house and complex ice dam issues.

We salvaged the cabinets out of two other 1950/60s homes in the area and refinished them ourselves. We had their dimensions modified to fit in a couple cases. We also salvaged over 500 sq. ft. of 1 1/2″ oak flooring from another house in the area that was sadly going to be town down. I learned about these opportunities through Craigslist. The flooring throughout the main level now all matches, although I’d like to install linoleum or the small pebble looking sheet vinyl I’ve seen featured on RR in the immediate kitchen area.

The refrigerator and stove are placeholders right now, because our super nice neighbors gave them to us when they switched to stainless steel. Can’t beat that price! The oven hood also isn’t installed yet, as well as half of the electrical work.

I started my own business teaching kids and adults sewing, See Kitty Sew, this past fall, and the upstairs half story needed electrical work to be a sewing studio so that jumped ahead of the kitchen for resource allocation. See Kitty Sew is thriving, so now I feel ready to approach the kitchen after the holidays. I know it’s desperately in need of some cohesiveness with the mix I’ve got going on currently.

My plan has always been to do a 1960s green and blue kitchen, but then 1950s/early 60s cabinets became available and other than a solid, the only print I could find at the time was the Wilsonart “Daisy” laminate (1970s). Of course after installation I read about the Jonathan Adler laminate options but no looking back! I loooooooove the counters. In fact my cabinet maker that did the counters suspects I’m one of the first to get the pattern based on his interaction with the company. It took awhile for a sample to even be available when I first spotted them on their website. I picked the print in October and the cabinet maker didn’t receive the laminate until the first week of January.

I’m considering wallpaper (I looooooooove wallpaper) and adding shelves to the side of the tall cabinet that is next to the sink. Or??? I’m open to any ideas! Of course trim and electrical work are needed…and light fixtures that I’ve been hunting for.

It’s difficult to tell this story without feeling like I’m rambling. But then it feels like I’m jumping around a lot — well, because it has felt like a whirlwind in real life. I’m sure you and RR readers understand much more than when I try to tell my friends ha!

I can’t say enough how much I love RR. I am always spreading the word about how much fun it is to embrace your house, reuse materials, and do things the hard way!

Wowl Kristen, we absolutely love how your kitchen is shaping up — especially since you are using reclaimed materials and doing things “The Hard Way.” Those cabinets! The flooring! The countertops!!! Yours is a great story! Please keep us in the loop as everyhing comes together  — we are breathless to see what you do with the walls! Thanks so much for sharing your progress!

Read more about Wilsonart ‘Daisy’ laminate and see all the color ways in our story.

The post Sneak peek: Kristen’s kitchen renovation using Wilsonart ‘Daisy’ laminate in ‘Envy’ appeared first on Retro Renovation.

Do you love boomerang laminate but have been wishing for more colors? Well hang on to your hudee rings, because Kate and I have been working on a secret project — collaborating with Wilsonart to design seven new colorways to add to their boomerang laminate collection. Drum roll, please: It’s the new Retro Renovation® by Wilsonart® collection!

Next week, we will be in Las Vegas for the official unveiling Jan. 19. We’ll help introduce the laminates to news media and the design industry at the Wilsonart display at KBIS 2016 — the #1 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show event of the year. We’ll have more on the story — including photos — then. Meanwhile, here’s Wilsonart’s sneak-peek news release issued today, which gives a hint of what’s to come, e.g. are you ready for “First Lady Pink, ” “Rock ‘n’ Roll Ruby” — and more? We’re pretty excited! 

The Wilsonart news release:

#ExploreNewSurfaces with Wilsonart at 2016 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show
Product debuts include new Wilsonart® HD® Laminate with Antimicrobial Protection and additions to Quartz, Laminate and the Solid Surface Collections

 Las Vegas, NV (Jan. 12, 2016) — At the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) this year, Wilsonart, a leading provider of total engineered surfacing solutions, unveils five major product category introductions. The introductions include the brand new Wilsonart® HD® Laminate with Antimicrobial Protection and AEON™  Scratch & Scuff Resistance; four new additions to the Wilsonart® Residential Laminate Collection; four new additions to the premier Wilsonart® Quartz Collection; seven boomerang Retro Renovation® by Wilsonart, part of Wilsonart’s Virtual Design Library (VDL) “Retro” category; and 19 new additions to the Wilsonart® Solid Surface Collection.

Wilsonart® HD® Laminate with Antimicrobial Protection

Wilsonart is continually improving upon its laminate products to provide the most innovative surfacing solutions. Wilsonart® HD® Laminate now combines the most dramatic designs and textures with Antimicrobial Protection and Enhanced Scratch and Scuff-Resistant AEON™ Technology to produce the best laminate for countertops and work surfaces. All Wilsonart HD Laminate designs will include this enhancement. Wilsonart’s enhanced antimicrobial protection is built directly into the laminate to protect the surface against damaging microbes such as mold, mildew, and bacteria that cause odors. Visit www.wilsonart.com/laminate/wilsonart-hd for samples.

Wilsonart® Residential Laminate

Four new designs from the Wilsonart® Residential Laminate Collection closely resemble the natural look and sophistication of stone, without sacrificing the durability and sustainability of laminate. Visit www.wilsonart.com/laminate for samples this spring.

Wilsonart® HD® Laminate Collection

• Cipollino Bianco | Mirage Finish
  Antimicrobial Protection and AEON™ Scratch & Scuff Resistance, a dramatic large-scale marble look suggestive of quartz with unique veining and crystal structures in warm neutral tones and deep accents.
• Cipollino Grigio | Mirage Finish
  Antimicrobial Protection and AEON™ Scratch & Scuff Resistance, a marble reminiscent of a large-scale quartz with striking movement and unique crystal veining in a warm slate grey.

 Wilsonart® Premium Laminate Collection

• Leche Vesta |Textured Gloss Finish with AEON™, a medium scale abstract resembling packed stone with a white background plus grey and black medium size particulates.
• Mercury Vesta |Textured Gloss Finish with AEON™, a medium scale abstract resembling packed stone with a cool grey background plus grey, taupe and black medium size particulates.

Wilsonart® Quartz

The Quartz Collection celebrates discovery with designs inspired by locations and cultures around the world. The newest introductions range from large-scale veining and movement for a dramatic design, to fine, subtle patterns perfect for a sleek and modern update. Visit www.wilsonart.com/quartz for samples this spring.

• Anatolia (Q4021), a distinctive tea rose marble quartz countertop design with large mother of pearl features, pink veining and subtle white highlights.
• King’s Crown (Q4018), a striking quartz countertop design with a balanced blend of cream and mushroom, subtle smoky black veining and hints of garnet.
• Isselburg (Q4013), a natural style quartz countertop design in a flowing crystalline structure of light taupe and pale white.
• Grey Lake (Q1009), a dark grey solid quartz countertop design.

Retro Renovation® by Wilsonart Virtual Design Library Laminate

Seven nostalgia-driven boomerang patterns designed in collaboration with Retro Renovation’s Pam Kueber and Kate Battle make their debut, joining the Wilsonart® Virtual Design Library (VDL) “Retro” category. From “First Lady Pink” to “Rock ‘n’ Roll Ruby,” the colors are designed to appeal to the growing number of homeowners restoring and decorating their kitchens and bathroom in midcentury and vintage style. Visit www.wilsonart.com/vdl for samples February 1.

Wilsonart® Solid Surface

For a more neutral style, the 19 new Solid Surface designs range from small to large particulates and include varieties of veining and movement. The Collection combines an assortment of neutrals that have grown in popularity in today’s interiors, allowing for a bold mix of materials and pops of color. Grey continues to be a popular color choice, offering a wide range of hue and saturation, while natural shades of white and beige offer a lighter, brighter touch. Visit www.wilsonart.com/solid-surfaces for samples this spring.

Wilsonart at KBIS

Come by booth N727 at KBIS to explore these new Wilsonart surfacing solutions. Also at the Wilsonart booth will be industry voices Danny Seo, green lifestyle expert and editor-in-chief of Naturally, Danny Seo Magazine; Pam Kueber, publisher of Retro Renovation; Grace Jeffers, design historian and materials expert; and Dr. Charles Gerba aka “Dr. Germ,” microbiologist, Professor at the University of Arizona and expert on antimicrobial surfaces. To make an appointment with a Wilsonart representative or any of these experts, email veronica.hunt@padillacrt.com.

For more information, visit www.wilsonart.com or call 800-433-3222.

###

About Wilsonart

Wilsonart is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and distributors of High Pressure Laminates, Quartz, Solid Surface and other engineered surfaces used in furniture, office and retail space, countertops, worktops and other applications. The company operates under the Wilsonart®, Resopal®, Polyrey®, Ralph Wilson®, Arborite® and Durcon® brands and has achieved success through a combination of outstanding service, high-quality products and a focus on continuously redefining decorative surfaces through improved performance and aesthetics. For more information, visit Wilsonart.com or connect with us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Wish us good luck in Las Vegas!
And we don’t mean at the tables!

The post Boomerang laminates in 7 new colorways — The Retro Renovation by Wilsonart collection. Yes — that’s us! appeared first on Retro Renovation.

In the sea of low-chroma, grieged-out options that has dominated the laminate landscape for the past several years, a new tide of colorful change may be washing in. Wilsonart — the same company that has been reissuing classic designs like “Daisy”, issuing new retro style laminates like “Betty” and “Endora”, and yes, collaborating with us (woot!) to create seven new boomerang laminate colorways — also has recently released the “Spectrum” collection. Spectrum — the newest addition to Wilsonart’s VDL (Virtual Design Library) is made up of a rainbow of 25 different tone-on-tone colors with a pleasing crossweave texture, evocative the vintage linen laminates we love so much. Color color color — in tone-on-tone! Give it to us! Give us more!

From the news release:

Wilsonart Introduces Spectrum to Virtual Design Library

Addition fulfills need for unlimited colors supported by unparalleled customer service.

Designers looking for dynamic, fashionable colors can now look to the Wilsonart design team and the entirely new and completely customizable category of color-carrying laminate designs, Spectrum. Spectrum launches as the latest addition to the Wilsonart® Laminate Virtual Design Library (VDL), a unique online resource for laminate design.

“Designers are always seeking out more color options with added dimension and visual interest,” said Andrea Flint, designer at Wilsonart. “Spectrum was designed specifically to meet this need, pairing subtle, layered design with an unlimited range of colors that also meet the standard color matching systems.”

Spectrum premiers with the Crossweave series – 25 curated colors in a cross-directional design with a woven feel. The dazzling array of colors in the Crossweave series was taken directly from emerging trends translated into fresh, current and fashionable hues. Think updated pinks and corals, beautiful blues and modern greens and yellows, as well as subdued neutrals. “We saw evidence of this at NeoCon 2015. VDL gave us a way to bring them to market quickly, allowing us to offer designers emerging and trending color pallets now.” said Flint.

Spectrum revolves around tone-on-tone patterns that can be specified in nearly any color, to match an existing color standard. Each series of Spectrum designs – like Crossweave – is offered in a “starter set” of curated color options designed to reflect emerging trends.

Want to customize a Spectrum color that’s all you? You can easily customize any Spectrum design to match most solid color standards: paint, fabric, and more. Designers seeking a specific color should contact their local Wilsonart Sales Rep or use our online form to quickly and easily create your personal Spectrum color.

Crossweave colors, along with the current 200 designs in the Virtual Design Library, can be turned around from factory to fabricator in as little as two weeks, speeding up the delivery process and allowing specifiers to bring their visions to life quickly and in a uniquely personal way.

25 ready-to-order colors

Buttercream

Wheat

Quince

Marmalade

Chili Powder

Aged Port

Quava

Hibiscus Tea

Raspberry Cream

Salmon

Peach Sorbet

Papaya

Dried Sage

Cucumber Juice

Lemon Lime

Butter Squash

Kale

Coffee Ice

Sugar Cookie

Bellini Blue

Blueberry Taffy

Sea Berry

Blue Curacao

Blueberry Tart

Ink Soup

We love having these new colorful options — many of which could work nicely in vintage and retro kitchens and bathrooms.

Want to get your hands on some samples?

• You can order samples of Wilsonart Spectrum through their website.

Buying these designs:

• Order via countertop fabricators, online specialty places like Heffron’s A Moment in Time Retro Design (disclosure: an advertiser on this blog), or even try big box stores. Wilsonart’s Virtual Design Library is comprised of print- and laminate-to-order laminates (as opposed to “stock” laminates that are mass produced using large rolls of pre-printed papers). Because these are low-volume, specialty laminates, they cost more. As a matter of comparison, at Heffron’s a 4′ x 8′ sheet of boomerang laminate sells for $221 plus shipping. A stock laminate ordered in the same size from a big box store looks like it will set you back about $59, free delivery.

The post Wilsonart Spectrum linen-like laminate — available in 25 colors — real color colors! appeared first on Retro Renovation.

Are you looking for a vintage dinette but are having trouble finding just what you want? How about: Order a new dinette — made by a company using its original designs produced from 1949 to 1959. Yes: Acme Chrome Furniture Ltd. was established in March 1946 — and will celebrate 70 continuous years of business in two months! — and they are still making these dinettes today!

1950’s vintage catalog page illustrating products that have been included in Acme/ACCRO’s Classic Chrome Retro Dinette series re-launched in 1995.

I spoke with Acme Chrome’s owner and president, Terry Clark, who was extremely generous with information and images about the history of the company — so we have a typically-epic Retro Renovation story to follow! Note, today the dinettes are officially made by ACCRO Furniture Industries, which is a subsidiary of Acme Chrome. I use the two names interchangeably in this story — but tend toward Acme, because it was the original name — and oh so retro!

1950’s vintage catalog page illustrating products that have been included in Accro’s Classic Chrome Retro Dinette series re-launched in 1995.

Clark told us that the production of these vintage dinettes actually paused in 1959, when consumer demand for these styles started to wane. But, the company made other varieties of metal furniture for other markets, so at no time did metal furniture production ever cease at the company.

But good news: Although the original tool-bending dies went unused for the next 35 years, they remained in Acme’s possession (thank goodness for ginormous warehouses!)

Then, in 1995, when the company was preparing for a move and had to pull the original tooling out of storage, enough years had passed that yes — what’s old was new again. Retro design was starting to get more attention — Clark pointed to the reintroduction of Volkswagen Beetles — so Acme decided to put their dinette designs back into production.

So hey, I don’t think we should call these “reproductions”! They are the same, real-deal designs from the heyday 1950s — still being cranked out today.

A pause to give kudos to reader Kevin for sending this tip. He emailed us:

Hi Pam,

I’ve read your blog for several years now – love it. We just ordered a brand new retro-style dinette set (aqua boomerang laminate table and dark blue sparkly vinyl chairs!) from a Canadian company that has been making them ever since 1946, and I wanted to pass on the info to you and any of your readers who might be interested. We ordered through Anmarcos Furniture in Courtenay, BC, but the manufacturer is ACCRO Chrome in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

(Continue reading — we give links and info on other retailers in the U.S., Canada and Europe at the end.)

A history of Acme Furniture of Winnipeg

1950’s vintage catalog page illustrating products that have been included Acme’s Classic Chrome Retro Dinette series re-launched in 1995.

When we do epic history stories like these, there’s generally a lot of email back and forth. Terry Clark followed up with at least two detailed emails to clarify some of our question. We edited and combined them to piece it all together:

Our company was founded in 1946, and the primary products manufactured in the early years included metal dinette sets for post-war residential demand.

Our furniture product evolution actually followed the consumer demographic, initially from their homes to their work places, commercial restaurants, and then to schools, and eventually into health care facilities. As the decades passed, furniture for classrooms and extended care homes eventually became replaced with products mainly for public occupancy such as the quick service restaurant, hospitality, and gaming industries.

After discontinuing their dinette production after 1959, Acme continued in business, though. The company’s mainstay business then — and now — is in the commercial arena, supplying restaurants, educational facilities, other commercial spaces — even casinos, where you may be sitting on an Acme stool when you are playing the slots!

Acme, Daystrom and Chromcraft — a brief timeline of their retro dinette revivals

Clark started as Sales Manager with Acme in 1968, so he lived through all the machinations of this market. He recalled that at that time, there were still quite a few dinette manufacturers in North America. For example, Daystrom and Chromcraft — big names, for sure — were still in the market. Regarding retro dinettes, he said:

Former U.S. manufacturer Daystrom also re-launched a version of retro dinettes in the 1990’s similar to what they had produced in the 1950’s.

Daystrom was purchased by Stoneville in the late 1990’s, but then Stoneville closed in 2002, and some of their former employees established Now & Then Furniture in Martinsville, Virginia.

Our company purchased most of the assets of Now & Then Furniture when it closed in 2007.

Chromcraft re-launched a retro dinette line at the end of the last century, which they produced until 2013 when they eliminated their U.S. manufacturing facilities.

“Designs replicated from our 1949 – 1959 product line,
but manufactured with current technology and materials”

Not conclusive, a selection:

More details about the Acme dinettes made today

While the designs for Acme dinettes today are the same, some of the technology to build them has been improved, Clark said:

In the mid-1990’s we re-introduced our Classic Chrome Retro Dinette product line for which we have developed niche markets in North America and the U.K.

The Classic Chrome Retro Dinette program features designs replicated from our 1949 – 1959 product line, but manufactured with current technology and materials.

Today, aluminum profiles we use have been bright-dip anodized and do not oxidize or leave residue on hands or clothing; proprietary extrusion dies are used to form the aluminum edge trim designs. [The popular aluminum edge trim applied on tables in the post-war era was not anodized, so it would leach aluminum oxide (grey metallic residue) on to clothing, aprons, etc. much as newsprint can do to your hands. The home maker’s solution was to wipe the aluminum regularly with vinegar to stay ahead of the oxidation process.]

High-pressure laminate of the ’50s (Arborite, Formica, etc.) was available mainly in a high gloss finish, which was susceptible to scratching from dishes, appliances, and normal everyday use. Today the laminates we obtain have suede finishes or protective surfaces which are much more durable and scratch resistant.

The vinyl upholstery of the 1950’s was of a lighter weight than current materials, and usually did not have reinforced jersey backing like our vinyl does today. The result was that chair seats could split in transit due to extreme cold weather. The chairs of that era used cotton padding, not nearly as comfortable as the polyurethane foam used today.

Products from the early contract or commercial furniture line, for the hospitality, office, and educational sectors.

Commercial furniture products manufactured by the Acme company in the 1950’s following the successful launch of the residential dinette program.

New factory the company moved in to in 1967.

And get this: Available laminate table tops today include discontinued Formica boomerangs in aqua, coral and blue! All the glossy finish stock is gone, you can only get matte, but hey! Seems like Accro grabbed up a bunch when it was discontinued and still can put it on their tables. They also have nice vinyl options for the chairs.

There are a bundle of option, including small, medium and large dinettes in various designs. There are chairs in several designs — you can choose your vinyl, even get two-tone design. There are tooths and bar-height tables and stools. This is so epic, I got a little OCD and tried to make a list, and gave up. Tip: Look at the AnMarcos gallery, it’s pretty amazing (first, scroll down for some photos from AnMarcos as story continues.)

These dinette sets are are not inexpensive, but Clark said they are built to last, just like the 1950s models were. He told us:

Our tubular steel is specified only in cold-rolled version for best nickel/chrome bright plating results. Less expensive hot rolled steel is used for powder coated (painted) finishes.

The chair and stool frames are all welded to provide maximum stability and durability, versus the mechanically fastened import products which are usually shipped KD [unassembled, “Knock-Down”] for consumer assembly.

He also said that the company’s steel features 67% recycled content — from old railroad boxcars. Note: We are not Consumer Reports experts – so do your own research.

To be sure, you may be able to find a vintage dinette set that’s less expensive. But: It’s our experience that it’s becoming more and more difficult to find them, and even when you do, those chairs in particular took a beating and likely need to be upholstered, which is gonna cost you a pretty penny. So in this sense: We think the prices for Acme dinettes are very fair — providing a product built to your specifications.

Dinettes on display at AnMarcos Furniture in B.C.

Yowza, looke the Acme Dinettes available for sale at AnMarcos Furniture in Courteney, B.C. — they really tell the story best:

Pam talked to MarcTardif, co-owner of AnMarcos Furniture, and he said that he first bought one of these dinettes in 1997, when he and his wife were newlyweds. Ten years later, they sold it when they moved to a new home with a different color scheme. Now they have another dinette. “The quality is FAN-TASTIC,” he told Pam. “These dinettes are a best-kept secret!”

Marc also noted that one of the seat cushions, which had taken a beating, was easily replaceable, too — he just ordered a new one from Acme and swapped it out.

Marc said that over the past four years, the store has sold about 250 dinettes, mostly locally, because people like to touch and feel. But, he can also arrange for shipping anywhere in Canada — he’s sold a few more that way. He said they’re selling more and more every month — retro style continues to grow in popularity.

Thanks to Marc for letting us grab some photos to show in our story. You can see more wonderful photos of dinettes on their showroom floor here, and also watch AnMarcos Furniture’s Facebook page, where they post new configurations when they come into the showroom.

Where to find Accro Furniture Acme Dinettes:

Acme Dinettes are sold via retailers (not by Acme/Accro Furniture directly, they the manufacturer and wholesaler.) Here are some places identified where you can buy them:

In the U.S.:

• Totally Kids, based in Minneapolis and online
• Sozio Furniture — four showrooms in Boston, Mass., area

In Canada:

• AnMarcos Furniture in Courtenay, B.C. — can ship Canada-wide
• Smart Furniture Toronto

In Europe:

• Cola-Red.com

Thank you, Kevin, for this fantastic product tip. And many thanks Terry Clark, for all the terrific info and photos — we LOVE your company!

What do you think of this awesome find, readers?
Which design is thrilling you?

The post Still in production after nearly 70 years: Acme Chrome Dinettes made from 1949 to 1959! appeared first on Retro Renovation.

Drum roll, please: Today we unveil the seven new boomerang laminate color palettes that we have developed in collaboration with Wilsonart — the new Retro Renovation® by Wilsonart® collection! Kate and I are in Las Vegas at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) 2016 — we’ll be meeting with design media and kitchen and bath professionals all day today and tomorrow to show them the new designs. Meanwhile, here are all the official press materials, including photos of the seven colorways. We hope you like them — in terms of getting additional retro designs into the pipeline, it’s a start!

The official news release:

Wilsonart Teams With RetroRenovation.com for Project Boomerang

Seven New Colorways Created for Homeowners Decorating Kitchens and Bathrooms in Midcentury and Vintage Styles

LAS VEGAS, NV (January 19, 2016) – Put on your poodle skirts! Make some milkshakes! Stack up those 45s!  Wilsonart, a leading manufacturer of decorative engineered surfaces for 60 years, has teamed up with home design bloggers Pam Kueber and Kate Battle of RetroRenovation.com to introduce Retro Renovation® by Wilsonart, seven new colorways of boomerang laminate designs.  Developed to coordinate with both vintage materials and new products available in classic retro colors, the seven new colorways were designed to appeal to the growing number of homeowners who want to bring popular colors from the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s into their kitchens and bathrooms.

Finding small-scale, tone-on-tone, abstract pattern laminates in a variety of retro colors has been a particularly vexing problem for Retro Renovators, until now.  The new boomerang designs, part of Wilsonart’s Virtual Design Library (VDL) “Retro” category, combine with other abstract shapes in the following colorways:

• Retro Renovation® First Lady Pink – A warm pink color popularized by Mamie Eisenhower in the 1950s, super popular in pink bathrooms and great for a sweetheart kitchen, too.
• Retro Renovation® Delightful Jade – Inspired by vintage jadeite milk glass, a beloved color and collectible among retro enthusiasts. Kate used this color in her 1962 bathroom. We love it for vintage-style kitchens, too.
• Retro Renovation® Créme Caramel – A delicious pale golden yellow background with butterscotch boomerangs. This colorway looks great with wood cabinetry.
• Retro Renovation® Rock ‘n’ Roll Ruby – The only design that is not tone-on-tone, this one is a bold retro design inspired by diners with waitresses on roller skates.
• Retro Renovation® Aqua Ripple – A soft, retro aqua that also plays well with blue.
• Retro Renovation® Nostalgic Gray – A warm, relatively light gray that would work well as a neutral or with color-coordinated tiles or décor.
• Retro Renovation® Friendly Beige – A warm, light rosy-beige also intended as a neutral.

Tapping Wilsonart’s Design Heritage

“With an ever expanding collection of curated laminate designs, our Virtual Design Library (VDL) allows for beautiful, individual, customization. VDL gives the designer the opportunity to make every space unique,” said Natalia Smith, product design manager at Wilsonart. “From High Pressure Laminate designs that include footballs to folk art, and checkerboards to cherry groves, the digital design library contains something for every space or inspiration. Adding Retro Renovation by Wilsonart to our collection will expand our selection of popular retro patterns.”

“My blog is all about helping owners of midcentury and vintage homes find the products they need to get their projects done,” said Pam Kueber, publisher of RetroRenovation.com, a popular home renovation design and decorating website with more than 325,000 unique visitors each month.  “Because this market is still a niche, there’s been a real shortage of mass-market laminates available to use in retro kitchens and baths. When I learned about the flexibility of the Virtual Design Library, I knew it was a great place to offer these beautiful retro-classic colorways.”

Retro Renovation® by Wilsonart will be available online February 1. For more information about Wilsonart products, including the new Retro Renovation by Wilsonart, visit www.wilsonart.com or call 1-800-433-3222.

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About Retro Renovation

Founded by mid mod mad journalist Pam Kueber in 2007, RetroRenovation.com today attracts more than 325,000 unique visitors each month – enthusiastic fans of midcentury and vintage design who are looking for products and ideas to help remodel, renovate and decorate their homes in a way that is sympathetic to the original architecture. The site’s top goal is to help readers find the often hard-to-find products they need to get their projects done. It contains more than 3,000 stories, including categorized research on scores of products suitable to renovate and decorate a midcentury home; detailed stories about readers’ remodels; photos of more than 100 time capsule houses to scrutinize for ideas; an archive of rare architectural features from the era; a history of vintage steel kitchen cabinets and list of more than 70 brands, and more. The New York Times called RetroRenovation.com “the go-to destination for enthusiasts who want to restore houses built during the post-World War II boom.”

About Wilsonart

Wilsonart is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and distributors of High Pressure Laminates and other engineered surfaces used in furniture, office and retail space, countertops, worktops and other applications. The company operates under the Wilsonart®, Resopal®, Polyrey®, Arborite®, Ralph Wilson® and Durcon® brands and has achieved success through a combination of outstanding service, high-quality products and a focus on continuously redefining decorative surfaces through improved performance and aesthetics. For more information, visit www.Wilsonart.com or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Let’s take a closer look at the seven colorways:

Retro Renovation® First Lady Pink – A warm pink color popularized by Mamie Eisenhower in the 1950s, super popular in pink bathrooms and great for a sweetheart kitchen, too.

Retro Renovation® Delightful Jade – Inspired by vintage jadeite milk glass, a beloved color and collectible among retro enthusiasts. Kate used this color in her 1962 bathroom. We love it for vintage-style kitchens, too.

Retro Renovation® Créme Caramel – A delicious pale golden yellow background with butterscotch boomerangs. This colorway looks great with wood cabinetry.

Retro Renovation® Rock ‘n’ Roll Ruby – The only design that is not tone-on-tone, this one is a bold retro design inspired by diners with waitresses on roller skates.

Retro Renovation® Aqua Ripple – A soft, retro aqua that also plays well with blue.

Retro Renovation® Nostalgic Gray – A warm, relatively light gray that would work well as a neutral or with color-coordinated tiles or décor.

Retro Renovation® Friendly Beige – A warm, light rosy-beige also intended as a neutral.

And finally, more background that we wrote up in a fact sheet:

An Evolution

• Wilsonart already had an established “Retro” Virtual Design Library Category in several midcentury styled patterns and colorways. This retro pattern includes three abstract characters – line-drawn boomerangs intermingled with a loose figure eight and a rounded rectangle.
• To refresh the palette and open the design to more potential uses, Pam and Kate envisioned lower-contrast, tone-on-tone colorways that would meld with the most popular midcentury bathroom and kitchen colorways, especially those calling for warm pastels.
• In the new colorways, Pam and Kate wanted to see the boomerang more clearly “floating” on top of these other elements to ensure dynamism, but with carefully controlled contrast.

Setting the Mood

• Pam and Kate compiled design boards that were the influence for each of the colors. The boards included both new products available today in appropriate retro colors, such as tile and flooring, as well as vintage materials, like wallpaper, chalkware fish, hardware modules and even several cabinet doors.
  • These products – both vintage and new – reflect what actual renovators might be using or decorating around in their kitchen and bathroom projects today.
• Pam and Kate created collages that would give even more life to the boards and to evoke the happy feeling and vibrant color that retro décor inspires.

Developing the Colorways

• Wilsonart’s design team selected colors for each character of the design to get the right combination.
• A sample was generated and compared against the design boards for coordination. Through each phase of this process, the slightest alteration needed evaluation to ensure a perfect balance of color and contrast.
• Laminate samples were sent to Pam and Kate for review. Changes to one layer of any design potentially impacted the whole look of the pattern, affecting intensity or color. Some of the retro shades were more difficult than others to get just right, so the review process continued until the seven new colorways were achieved.

Epic, huh? Yup. This has all been pretty epic.

We are at the show today, so may not have a lot of time to respond to comments until much later. Wish us luck and lots of publicity for The Retro!!!

When can I get samples and/or buy these?

• The designs will be online at Wilsonart on Feb. 1, located within their Virtual Design Library Retro collection. That’s when samples will be available. Of course, it’s important to get samples to see this in place in your space; as you can even see from our photography and graphic representations, colors render differently on screen vs. in place.
• If/when you want to buy, go to a specialty retailer like Heffrons A Moment in Time Retro Design [disclosure: A longtime Retro Renovation advertiser), and I am also told you should be able to get sheets by special order from big box stores.

The post Announcing 7 new boomerang laminates — “Retro Renovation by Wilsonart” — woot! appeared first on Retro Renovation.