Retro renovation

Here are all my secret places to find metal edge banding and counter top trim for a mid century, vintage or retro kitchen. Plus: Reader examples!

Hillary Stark and Johnny Musselman weren't looking to buy a house when they went antique hunting at an estate sale a year ago... but when they saw that this space hadn't been touched since the 1960s, they jumped at the chance to purchase this architectural gem.

Join us as we pull back the curtain on our latest project – a retro revival! Experience the thrill and chaos of a 1960s home renovation and flip! From demolition drama and vintage finds to jaw-dropping before and after transformations, it's a home makeover journey sure to inspire your inner property guru. #HomeRenoMagic

Modern and farmhouse bathrooms have been wildly popular as of late, but if you’re feeling a little burnt out by clean lines, rustic beams, and super sleek materials, a retro bathroom might be a worthy style contender for your home. So forget the shiplap and shiny chrome finishes and instead set your sights on throwback design ideas that’ll make your bathroom unique and vintage-inspired — yet still fitting for a more updated home.

We are not accustomed, I think, to seeing vinyl tile kitchen floors that *read* dark and streaky and complex. For example, there were a number of comments about the floor in the fantastic 1956 Tennessee time capsule kitchen (at right) — readers were kind of startled at the drama in that floor. I’ve been looking at…

We spotlight photos of ten terrific tiled bathrooms -- from the unusual to the amazing -- from reader homes. You've got to see these original bathrooms!

This midcentury modest time capsule house in Omaha, Nebraska, listed for sale by agent Rachel Tiller... well, it's pretty much 1949 perfection. Two bedrooms, two bathroooms, knotty pine basement -- all in 1,119 s.f. -- what a sweetheart.

This latest time capsule house — from friend-of-the-blog real estate agent Robert Searcy — is a mid century modest jewel box of a house at just under 1,400 sq. ft. Listed at a mere $110,000 — this Houston, Texas time capsule home is a sight for sore eyes. Impeccably kept by its original owner — this…

The original owners lived in this 1940 house for 70 years! It is in gorgeous, original shape -- including one of the best basements we've ever seen!

The Comer House in Gallatin, Tennessee features six -- yes, 6! -- colorful pastel bathrooms built in 1950. These are gorgeous! Which is your favorite?