Modern Retro Makeover Ideas

6 years ago

Does anyone have a minute to give me some ideas on a color scheme? I’m multi-tasking projects inside and out right now, but my kitchen has to get started, so I can call a plumber to have my sink put in and pipes flushed.

I’ll try to make this short...Appliances are “almond” and need to stay. Cabinets are staying as well, but I’ll paint them. I was looking at a product made by “Rustoleum” that is specially made for cabinets and countertops...My Papa made these cabinets and I believe they may have been green and then gone over at a later date with a grey/taupe stain. I can see streaks of an olive green under the stain, but it may be taking on that hue, because the stain is on top.

I took off all the hardware last year and still have to work on getting that “shined up.” The hardware is shiny chrome that looks like a fry with sharp pointy ends. And...of course they are 2.75 center to center, so they can’t be replaced unless I plug the existing holes and repaint (which I guess I’m doing anyway) I’d kind of like to keep the original hardware if it cleans up okay. I would have to find a few extra handles on eBay though, because they didn’t all match.

I bought a replica of the sink you’ll see in the pic and I’ll be getting a new stainless steel frame.

The mint green plastic tile will come off only, because whatever was used to secure them to the wall seeped through over the years and looks like hardened yellow wood glue. There’s not anything I can do to clean the seams, because of the plastic. I could take them all off, clean them and re-secure though. I did purchase a slightly darker shade of mint plastic tile off eBay and when I put it up to the lighter tile it looks kind of cool. Like a checker board and very vintage.

The brown carpeting is going, so I need ideas on that. I was going to keep with the time period and do vinyl, but a friend of mine thinks I should do ceramic tile. Another person said laminate wood.

The counter tops are “yellow ice” and I don’t mind that, but they are a bit worn. And I burned a spot with my heat gun:/

I’d like to keep the orange and off white 70’s canisters (Yeah, I know), so we’ve got orange, almond or bisque, bright white sink. I’d like to incorporate black and mint (even if it’s not the plastic tiles and doesn’t have to be a lot) so the yellow counter is just too much to then. If I kept the counter yellow, then I’d have to get rid of the canisters or the mint.

I think that’s it!

Thanks in advance for any help:)

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Comments (3)

Aglitter
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
How special to have cabinetry made by your Papa! Please don't use Rustoleum for the cabinets. It will peel off; just check the Houzz forum archives for photos of this. Ask to join this Facebook group, and you can order Milesi paint from a dealer there. It's the best paint for cabinets that you can get as a homeowner: https://www.facebook.com/groups/diycabinetrefinishing You will also find a lot of tips at that group for the process to get a durable cabinetry coating.

Saving that tile is a tough prospect. It looks good in your photos, but you are saying that there are some major problems with it. Seems to me it would be easier to just replace with something else, but if it is sentimental to you, then do what you can.

You might look into Marmoleum flooring which has a vintage vibe. Some people really like cork flooring in the kitchen. Don't use ceramic tile for your flooring in the kitchen, only porcelain if you go with tile. The other options like engineered wood or luxury vinyl plank are categories of their own and would deserve more research if you decided to go that route because they can be expensive and yet not always provide the greatest payback in value depending on the brand and quality and level of wear and so on. It also depends if you are in a cold or warm climate. There is a designer who frequents these forums who tells people to never put tile in the kitchen because it is cold on the feet and hard on the knees, but she lives in one of the coldest inhabited climates in the world. I live near the Mexico border where it is warm year-round and love tile in my kitchen for the coolness and durability and have never had problems with my knees, so it is all relative.

Sounds like your counters are due to be updated if you have the budget. Take a look at Wilsonart's new Soft Silk collection. They have a yellow marble-look laminate you might love. [OK wait I am editing this to say that I'm having a hard time finding this on their website right now. It was just put out less than 2 years ago, and all I'm seeing now is the solid colors. If you can find the textured colors in the Soft Silk collection, I think you'd like them.] Wilsonart and Formica also have 3D edging that would make the area look more like natural stone. One surface that would look vintage but that could be hard to source is Abet Laminati Stratificato. It is like a solid surface but is laminate and can incorporate metal layers to mimic the look you have now.

For mere functionality, consider a large single-basin sink if you replace the sink. If you're in the market for a faucet, Rubinet manufactures excellent quality faucets that seem to have vintage vibes in my opinion. It would be important to sit down before you begin and get quotes on everything you want done so you have an idea of budget and where to allocate your design choices. Best wishes on your remodel!
Andrea Carpenter
Original Author
6 years ago
@back2work Thank you so much for the info! I’m truly grateful for everyone who’s taken the time to respond. My situation is a little unique, because this makeover is in part, wanting to leave the house in the shape it was the day my grandparents moved in with a little modern touch, part surprise for my mom and family and part feeding my obsessive compulsive personality. I really need this help and I so appreciate everyone.
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jhmarie
6 years ago
There is a website for retro kitchens that might be fun:

https://retrorenovation.com/