Raymond Loewy, designer of American Kitchens brand steel kitchen cabinets
Raymond Loewy was one of the most important and prolific industrial designers of the 20th Century, so it’s no surprise that he became a contributor to the history of steel kitchen cabinets as early as...
View ArticleDieterich Steel Cabinet Corp. kitchen cabinets — since at least 1933
Continuing work on my Retro Renovation Encyclopedia of Steel Kitchen Cabinets: Dieterich steel kitchen cabinets seem to be among the earliest brands. I see them used as early as 1933 in the Stran-Steel...
View ArticleNevamar introduces 20 new retro countertop laminate designs — including Venus...
What a fun story today! Thanks to reader Kyrsten — who found a great sample chain of vintage Nevamar countertop laminates — which she then sent to me — and which Nevamar’s new designer, when doing...
View ArticleBerloy Steel Kitchen Cabinets — since at least 1939
Today’s addition to my Retro Renovation Encyclopedia of Vintage Steel Kitchen Cabinets is a pretty rare brand — Berloy Steel Kitchen Cabinets. My catalog is dated 1940, which makes these Berloy...
View ArticleMorton steel kitchen cabinets — since 1942
Morton Steel Kitchen Cabinets were another relatively early brand. And oh so cute: They called their cabinets “Kit Unette”s and had an illustrated model by the same name. My four-page brochure does not...
View ArticleWhy were there vents on kitchen sink cabinets?
Why were there vents on the cabinets under kitchen sinks back in the day? The question came up recently and with readers’ help, we have identified three key reasons for cabinet sink vents. In order of...
View ArticleSt. Regis Panelyte laminates from the 1950s and 1960s — pretty Panelyte!
Here’s another vintage countertop laminate brand to add to our research: Panelyte laminate, made the St. Regis Paper Co. Thanks to reader Scott, who is proud owner of hundreds of vintage laminate...
View ArticleHome renovation “The Hard Way”: Do you really have what it takes?
Welcoming 2020, here’s the story that is my Retro Renovation new year’s tradition: Sage (haha) advice … err, warning… kind of summing up the bumpy journey so many of us share, or can expect to, when we...
View ArticleScott started with one adorable vintage dinette — and built a picture perfect...
How to pull together a picture-perfect vintage-style kitchen? Reader Scott started with one favorite piece — a vintage kitchen dinette — and designed his whole new kitchen around it. With this...
View ArticleHudson Valley Lighting mid century style Kiki pendant light — two sizes —...
I’ve been poking around doing some basic product research — what’s new out there that might suit our old houses? Above: Oh my! The Kiki pendant light from Hudson Valley Lighting. This series comes in...
View ArticleRetro stoves in turquoise, mint green, white and black — with a 30″ range...
If you are dreaming of owning a stove and refrigerator in a delicious retro color, here’s another company — Unique Appliances — that recently introduced midcentury-styled ranges and refrigerators —...
View ArticleArmstrong Flooring reintroducing its famous #5352 pattern in 4 colorways —...
Armstrong Flooring pattern 5352 — the most popular resilient floor pattern of the 20th Century — is now coming back as a player in the 21st Century! Yes, in what’s sure to be the biggest product news...
View ArticleThe history of Armstrong Flooring’s Pattern #5352 — the best-selling...
“The Christmas pattern” … “the mysterious Mr. McClurg” … 42 million yards sold in the first 40 years … These are hints at just a few of the things I learned about Armstrong Flooring’s famous 5352...
View ArticleHazel Dell Brown of Armstrong Flooring — the most influential residential...
Was Hazel Dell Brown of Armstrong Flooring the most influential residential interior designer of the 20th Century — that you probably never heard of? I believe that, yes, she was! Last week, I wrote...
View ArticleFrom Hazel Dell Brown & Armstrong Cork Co. — 12 online catalogs from 1929-1951
Yesterday I published a history of Hazel Dell Brown, including why I believe she is the most influential interior decorator of the 20th Century. Today as follow-up, take a look for yourself at scores...
View ArticleA 64-year-old Geneva kitchen that looks like it was installed yesterday
Time capsule eyed candy today: Reader Carol bought a 1956 house that came with a second kitchen that was barely used. The original Geneva steel kitchen cabinets were installed in an a catchy beige and...
View ArticleRecreating a Brady Bunch kitchen — Duane and Wendy show us how!
“We eventually realized that we should do a kitchen that would make us happy, and that silly Brady kitchen always made us happy.” In what’s certain to become a classic here on the blog: Duane and Wendy...
View ArticleNew Old Stock Geneva kitchen cabinet badges
Lookie what just showed up on ebay >> New Old Stock Geneva kitchen cabinet badges <<! Thanks to the sellers lionsmountainantiques for giving me permission to archive these images here!...
View ArticleNationaline steel kitchen cabinets — our 96th brand of vintage metal kitchen...
Here’s our 96th brand of vintage metal kitchen cabinets, but not really (explanation to come): Nationaline brand steel kitchen cabinets. Thanks to reader Jim for.. The post Nationaline steel kitchen...
View ArticleRetro counter top edging — using inexpensive auto body molding trim
Props to reader Anna for sending this tip: She used adhesive auto body trim to create the look of chrome edging on her vintage counter... The post Retro counter top edging — using inexpensive auto body...
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