My Renovated 1950s Kitchen 1999-2012

The last major project in my 1958 ranch house was completely redoing the kitchen.  There had been a couple facelifts from 1985 on, but I needed so much repaired and replaced  that I couldn't see anyway around a complete renovation.   I didn't change the floor plan except for replacing the breakfast bar with a peninsula on the fireplace wall (which was closed up on the kitchen side and painted). 

It is still a work in progress.  I've modified the decor over the years, added a lot more color to include the tile back splash.  Right now it feels a little overly coordinated, but I've got some ideas floating around in my head.

I spend a lot of time in my kitchen everyday and I love it! I'm going to have to dig out old pictures and scan them so I can post ones from the 70s and 80s.

The kitchen after the complete renovation.

After about 5 years, I began adding color...tile backsplash and Flor rug tiles.  Painted the walls in pale green, white was too stark.

I went to a stainless sink, we lose fewer dishes that way.  

Still in love with my blue glitter booths and stools.  These came from the midwest, a company that has been making them for decades--can't remember the name.  Splurged and got these pendant lights that look like flying saucers.

I think I lucked out in having enough room in the corner for the booth set.  As you can see, it just fits.  Below you can see the doorway to the adjoining room of the addition that was apparently added within 10 years of the original construction.

I've been picking up Pyrex the last 6 months since I began thrifting again.  I've got more Pyrex than I practically need, so I'm always trying to find new ways to use/display them as there are so many wonderful colors and designs I can't resist!!

I received these depression glasses from my MIL last year.  They belonged  to her mother.  I refashioned a damaged $1.99 shelf and adhered the glasses with museum putty.  Below, a depression glass cream and sugar set, also from MIL. I love lightning bolt handles.

I moved some rug tiles under the table the other day...I'm waiting for the new ones to come...not sure how I will reconfigure them.  I originally had a table top made in the same Formica as the counters.  It was too dark and I replaced it with a solid maple top--much warmer now.  My husband influenced me to get lights that looked like flying saucers.

 I recycled pictures from a calender my friend was going throw away.

Gotta have a glitter lamp.  Wasn't a vintage item, but we've been wanting one for a long time.  Found the battery operated tin rocket on ebay years ago.  My husband's grandmother's depression glass tidbit dish.  MIL got this glass globe with fish from the thrift store.  The Tomy robot was picked up somewhere along the way.

Franciscan Starburst

It's true...I finally got my wedding dishes 28 years later!  I think this was destined to be.  I did buy a second hand set of china really cheap when we first got married, but it was one of those things I ran into and couldn't pass up.  (More on those later in another post).  After I started going to thrift stores again after stopping for many many years, running into a Tickled Pink Vernonware cereal bowl got the vintage dishware hunt rolling.  My husband who really doesn't care about things like that so much got really vocal about how much he liked Franciscan Starburst, so we decided to get the china we never got.  Bad timing though, everybody is buying and sellers are putting some pretty juicy prices on it.  I have most of the pieces here in my wall cabinet in my kitchen where I can see it everyday.  My teapot has a number of nicks and chips, but it's just for looks and display.

1950s Ceramic Seahorses and 1960s Towels

Must have some fishy wall plaques for the 1950s home.  Being vintage on a budget, the wonderful array of fish and mermaids on ebay and elsewhere are out of my budget.  The hubby and I kept an eye open at the thrifts and we ran across a pair of banged up but still very sweet Mr.&Mrs. seahorses. 

I hunted for a set of dishtowels on ebay and won this set of new 1960s towels at a reasonable price.  They are handmade from flour sack and were never used.  They got their first washing from me.  After ironing them I hung them from thread.  Both of these collections are on  the walls bordering my patio door.  Phew!  Just found a space for them!

Vintage Planters - Critters

There are endless vintage planters and I'm not immune to their cuteness.  I use the kitties planter to hold my kitchen sponge.  That was the first one I picked up, I wasn't looking for it, but there it was and I just had to have it.   After finding the kitties planter, I was on the look out and found the owl planter which I use to hold those little cocktail napkins (though there aren't any in there at the moment).  Each planter was $3 to $3.50 at Goodwill.  The little vintage egg cup was a 99 cent find, so cute.  My mother-in-law bought  me the depression glass vase.  It matches the color of her mothers depression wine glasses and cream and sugar set that  I also have on display in my kitchen.

Bavarian Star Burst 1950s China

Time to start a new blog!  I'm terrible at keeping my blog active, but since I've been bitten by the mid century bug...I've got some stuff that is fun for sharing.  I just ran and grabbed one of my latest finds.  This is a Winterling Bavarian china cup and saucer set from the 50s, I believe around 1954. I found it at Goodwill--the two pieces cost me 98 cents--sweet!  I just love a deal!

(Oh yes, and  I was so excited it was Winterling because the first set of dishware I bought when I got married was Winterling.)