Vinyl vs. vinyl composite tiles … and meet Margaret Lowe, Matico color stylist
20th century materials expert Grace Jeffers recently wrote a story explaining the difference between vinyl and vinyl composite tiles — including their different grades today — of interest to homeowners with vintage floors or pondering new floors. Grace also reminds that asbestos was a common component of resilient flooring throughout most of the 20th century. [...]
DIY stainless steel countertop: Linn installs a $3,000 countertop for $400
Over at her blog The Home Project, reader Linn and her husband continue to chronicle the remodel of their adorable bungalow kitchen. Recently, they rolled up their sleeves and installed a stainless steel countertop right over the old, existing laminate countertops. The headline: When first considering the stainless steel countertop option, Linn contacted a big [...]
Only your contractor knows for sure: Formica Ideal Edge mimics expensive stone & solid surface countertops with laminate
“…Eliminates the final telltale sign of laminate – the brown line.” I am a big believer in the idea that the most significant design shifts tend to come from technological breakthroughs. The advance of laminate kitchen countertops — replacing linoleum and wood in most kitchens in the 1950s — came as a result of the [...]
Kate installs a new electric cooktop, plus news from Eartha Kitsch, Mr. Modtomic, and Mark and Cara at Our Art & Crafts House
What has our Retro Tribe been up to this week, and recently? I cruised around all the midcentury house blogs listed on my blogroll, and found some inspiring stories — readers completing projects, getting crafty and generally loving the house they’re in. Above: Kate gets supa props for doing regular postings on her blog Retro [...]
Gorgeous vintage Ventahood in stunning Seattle midcentury modern house
I bumped into this 1958 kitchen over on our Forum, which helps readers buy and sell vintage steel kitchen cabinets and other salvage items to remodel their homes in authentic period style. Reader Nicole recently bought this single-owner, Seattle house. Alas, there is water damage to the cabinets. She is replacing them with a like [...]
KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer in 24 retro colors
Talking recently about vintage Sunbeam mixers, reader Gary suggested using caution with well-used estate sale mixers, warning: Often use and age have diminished or worn away the laminents on the motor’s rotor assembly. Oil also often migrates to contact parts too. The result is a burning or oily smell when the item is powered up. [...]
Amazing transformation: Suzann’s bungalow kitchen remodel using Ikea kitchen cabinets
1940s bungalow kitchen before: 1940s bungalow kitchen after: Wow, Suzann’s 1940s bungalow style kitchen remodel is — fantastic. So bright and cheery, I know this transformation is going to excite a lot of readers. And, after five years of doing no stories at all about Ikea kitchen cabinets, here’s a second one in a row [...]
Ikea kitchens — cheap & cheerful midcentury modern design
You know I am the world’s biggest proponent of doing things “the hard way.” But sometimes, I see these Ikea kitchen makeovers, and I think: They look pretty darn good and would be so easy, especially compared to spending five years hunting down vintage steel cabinets. Case in point, above: Jerry has embarked on a [...]