here are some pics..
http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/1285/braggkit2.jpg

http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/2602/braggkit1.jpg

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/3510/braggdining.jpg

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/1655/braggfamilyrmfromkit.jpg

Great house!

I think it would be nice to pull the dark carbon=y gray color out of the accent bricks in the 3rd picture, and do linoleum in that color.

Really? I hadn't even thought of that..was afraid of a dark color, and a cool one at that with all those warm tones...Interesting..and the dining room wall color? It is part of the living room separated by the brick fireplace..
Thank you for the compliment, we love the place..the bath is amazing as well, huge, with all the original tile in turquoise and pink fixtures..
will look at that carbony color in a different light..

I think if you look at Marmoleum, you will find many options that are period correct and quite nice. I don't think I'd want a wood floor with the knotty pine. I'd like to see some color of some sort for the floor since everything else is a neutral in your kitchen.
For the dining room, can you paint between the accent strips? That would be more work, but a cool effect.
What is your furniture like? I'd need to know what you are putting in there to get an idea for the color. What kind of window treatments are you planning? I think blinds and/or curtains are the way to go.

Thank you for the rec. on the flooring..opened up new ideas...furniture is eclectic and flexible.colors are muted reds, soft greens, a touch of golds, with accents of red and deep blue...we currently live in a Smokey Mountain cabin style of house with 'I love Lucy' country house style furniture...plaids, braided rugs, few primitive antiques, etc. that would work in the pine panelled den. different style furniture, the main pieces are on track for the more 'formal' dining/living..added a pic of the living room looking thru to dining. kitchen will be thru the door to the right at dining..
and a street view to see the ext.style

http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/6444/bragglivingtodining.jpg
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/753/braggsoutheastquarter.jpg

the house is definately a 'colonial' brick ranch, not mid cent modern at all..the windows have pristine blinds, plus mid 60's high quality drapes and sheers. all very neutral and quite nice. I didn't think a wood floor in the kitchen would work at all, but in the den, maybe a a light wood with little to no grain? like an unstriated bamboo or the like? I really am gravitating towards the linoleum checkerboard in brick and cream in the kitchen/laundry.but don't know how it would do carried into the den..seems like 'too much'..maybe not?.I'd like the dining and living to be a bit more 'modern' than the den/kitchen area since they are more 'formal' and separate areas......it's lighter, bigger windows east facing, fireplace is a bit modern, etc etc..but it's ALL WHITE right now..very white..I have alot of artwork also, eclectic again, and the long expanse of walls make me want to choose something that will allow me to highlight my art.

We are doing a 2 tone pattern in our kitchen in Marmoleum and extending one of the colors into the adjacent den. In the middle of the den, we will put a faux rug of Marm in another color bordered with their custom border. We are doing this pattern because it seems less busy than a true checkerboard. Ours will be in gray and black so the contrast will be lessened too;

Here is a good deal on Marmoleum good until Dec 31:
http://www.asthmaandallergyfriendly.com/images/stories/pdf/coupon.pdf

Can't wait to see this after you put your stamp on it!

dianalo, which color are you carrying thru? I assume the neutral? I love the checkerboard look. if we didn't have the knotty pine cabs, I would have loved the black and white. but with the brick and cream, if we take the cream in there is may seem rather industrial (like Walmart)??? or not really?
we also may have to rent the house for a year or so before we can get our farm sold...am going to wait until we can find someone who appreciates/loves this era of living.
am thinking of a soft butter gold for the living/dining, so as to move gently to the rooms with the natural knotty pine walls..there is no crown moulding to paint in contrast, but there is window trim and base mould..and if I leave that carpet........can anyone talk me out of it????

Its going to be cute as a button when you're done with it!

Not that linoleum wasn't still being sold in the 1950's, but vct was widely used and is about 10% of the cost.

If you're into the whole 50's vibe, the site below is for you. I noticed that sometimes they post reader kitchens for decorating advice. There are a few MCM fans running around here, but they would have tons.

The other thing I'd do is stick my eyes UNDER the counter inside of a cabinet and look at the counters. It would be a bit unusual for laminate to last 60 years in a kitchen environment. I'd be betting it was replaced when the floor was done or even later.

What a fun project!

Here is a link that might be useful: Retro Renovations 30 tile patterns

Love the house and the exposed brick! Wow, what a great find..

We have knotty pine that had been previously painted in our kitchen, and we painted it white like your new DR. I would recommend keeping the white but just adding lots of color accents. For example, our kitchen is blue, but you could go with anything. OTOH, our neighbor repainted hers a beautiful sage green, and that looks nice, too. Painting the paneling is a lot of work to get between the grooves. You use more paint, too.

There is a house for sale on the corner where they put berber in the family room with the knotty pine. It really looks nice and makes the space look warm and inviting.

I agree, look at Retrorenovation for lots of decorating ideas for the counters and floors.

We had gotten samples of the VCT from Tarkett, and LOVE IT LOVE IT...even tho the salesman snarkily said 'oh, you mean the stuff we put in Walmart'...just LOVE guys like that!
I would probably only paint the outside wall, kind of an accent..the house was professionally painted, and I suspect from seeing old ads for this style that the living room paneling was BUILT as painted..It's really smooth, obviously a heavy heavy coat and beautifully done..
I love sage green and have it here in my mountain style house, but with the kitchen in the warmer reddish tones, and the brick being so prominent, I was staying away..I WILL use it in one of the bedrooms, likely my little office/guest room (2 of the bedrooms are tiny winy)...
as for the countertops, I was suspicious because they lack the metal edging, but don't know what to look for under the cabinets. what would tell me there are replacements? EVERYTHING in this house is pristine, so it's not out of the question that this old lady would have kept the counters perfect. I've attached a bathroom pic, and believe me, outside of the floor (sheet vinyl soon to be ceramic sheet tile), you could eat off the tub, countertops (original)...it's as if no one lived here...I LOVE IT..
I hate the thought of renting it and sure hope we can find another MCR nut...rent will be HIGH so as to weed out junk..wish I could just move in NOW..we even thought of 'temporary executive housing' with us completely furnishing it, for those transient execs that come to town occasionally......
does anyone like the idea of the muted butter gold at least on one wall in the living dining???
interesting on the berber...it would get us by until we lived there. however, what about the 'too many floors' syndrome look? checkerboard in the kitch, berber in the den, hardwood in the hall and bedrooms, plush in the living/dining...should I pull that living carpet out???? I KNOW the floors are pristine underneath..everything else is..
we got this little gem at an auction where no one showed up. and those who did walked thru it muttering about how 'dated' it was! I got the last laugh!

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/9964/braggbath1.jpg

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/5651/braggbath2.jpg

and one of the bedroom floors.
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/4940/braggfloordetailbed.jpg

I never thought I'd even consider leaving my mountain farm home, but this little house in town just grabbed me..it has totally taken over my head....

acientoaks - Here are the pics so people can easily see them:

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I love the house! It's really charming.

Note - to embed pictures simpley put this before the picture URL but with no space after the "and put this after the URL: "/>

I also considered the VCT, but then fell in love with the Marmoleum. I think VCT can be done very well and it definitely is much more reasonable.

I like the floor from RR that has the ribbon border effect. I am s sucker for a floor with a border though, lol.

Our kitchen floor will be black and gray with the gray continuing into the den area. We will have a purple faux rug in the middle of the den with a border that incorporates black, 2 grays & purple. The border gives a 3D effect and really packs a punch. It costs more this way, but we will save by not buying an area rug and needing to replace it down the road. It will be where we watch tv and people will be snacking. I like that Marm is warmer than tile, but not as delicate as a carpet, rug or even hardwood would be.

If you want to do a counter with a metal edge, try barsandbooths.com. We found a pattern by Nevamarr with Manhattan in its name that is nothing like it looks online but the sample was perfect for the retro look (requested several samples and had that one in on a whim and it turned out to be the best we saw anywhere for retro). We had planned on doing counters with the chrome edge until we scored some older tile for our bs, and we did not feel that the tile would work as well with the laminate look.

Clasicalone, THANK YOU! gosh the pics look so amazing! I fell in love with the house all over again! but I really don't understand your instructions as I am totally technically illiterate.....perhaps you could type out an example? sorry!
NEWS FLASH! we GOT OUR CHAMBERS!! eek! she's going to be taken to the renovator right off to check her out. But all seems to be really in super shape, and will fit right into the stove spot (I suspect a stove just like this was originally there, since the width is rather 'odd' and Chambers seems to fit this 'oddity')
I just got a catalog of Armstrong commercial grade VCT, Lino, and some other terrazo look sheet goods that are seamless (welded seams) and there are hundreds of looks. I love that it was pointed out here that the den is where you snak, eat pizza, spill drinks...carpet is out..totally. and perhaps bamboo, etc..I am meeting with the floor folks Mon so will ask about them, as well as the Marm...
now, what about the bathroom floor for colors? I think cream and turquoise? or add another accent???
and WHAT ABOUT THE LIVING/DINING? shall I pull that new carpet????
I LOVE MY HOUSE..thank you all for helping with ideas!

If you didn't buy a lottery ticket on that lucky day, you should have!
Do post to retro renovations!

I'd love to! I believe our little jewel qualifies for 'a time capsule'...
I should have purchased a lottery ticket, perhaps could have won enough to find all those vintage pieces I'm drooling over....

Try Silver Shadow in sheet Marmoleum for the bathroom floor. It is a pale gray but has a lot of blue to it. Since it is not a large space, the extra cost would not be very much. The 20% off coupon I posted above would help ;)

thank you! will look at that! I had thought of those small squares of ceramic tiles as well, but there would be some serious prep work first to get the old floor up.

I agree w/ Bmore in thinking the kitchen counter tops have been replaced. Reason I think that (besides what she said) is the built up edge that is self-edged w/ Formica. Much more common to houses of 50's construction was single thickness 3/4" Formica topped plywood counters w/ the chrome edging that you mentioned. If your counters have a particle board substrate then you can be certain that they're replacement.

Another clue might be the sink style. If the sink is self-rimming, as opposed to a separate rim piece (like the bathroom sink), that's an indication that the original sink has probably been replaced.

well, we took all this info and did a thorough check of the house today as well as checked with a neighbor (who's been there since 1956)...we were stunned.
the countertops ARE original and are plywood, and it's obvious by looking underneath the cabs as to their construction and the fact there has been no alteration (amazing). The sink, however, HAS been replaced, resulting is some minor alteration in the two drawers on either side, as well as the change underneath to the supporting counters. It is a standard relative modern (I suspect about 1980's or so) stainless..
the other 'stunner' was that we discovered the floors in the kitchen and bath were the originals. 53 yrs old and altho NOT my taste nor really 'lovely' with the rest of the house, they were installed at build. they are in like new condition, albeit a bit less in color. I WISH I like them, I'd just keep them as to change them in the half bath that is off the laundry room, we will have to remove the vintage 'plastic' tile cove mould that is installed lapping OVER the vinyl/linoleum.(the walls are a deep burgandy 'tile' of this plastic stuff, we are getting used to it as it was speck'ed on the plans!) .we even found full boxes of extras under the sink of these tiles for the walls, but sadly no extra cove mould. and we will have to nearly destroy the cove to get it off so we can re lay a floor...this house never fails to amaze me. We found a fabulous 3 screen flour sifter with a wonderful farm scene on it behind a stack of stuff..never saw one quite like it. everyday we find something else in this house.
I can't imagine why her family had no interest...even her Christmas things are still in the attic..all perfectly organized and labeled..I found a couple of casserole dishes in the cupboards that are identical to some I inherited from my mother. It was eerie.. I bought some colorful nesting bowls at a sale and brought them to the house and then found the identical ones hidden behind some stuff. This lady was 92 yrs old when she passed away...
The toilets are original and look and work perfectly (not like the ones we've had to replace three times in our two year old house we have now!), the faucets don't drip, the enamel and tiles are all pristine..I won the lottery....

That is amazing how you keep finding things.
I'd give it a little time and see what you want to keep and what you want to change. As much as I love old stuff, if you do not enjoy it, you are not forever stuck with anything.
I would not replace anything with the current trendy stuff you see all around, but would try for something that fits well with the rest of the house.
If you did need to remove the cove molding, could you find any that is contrasting or complementary? I would not try for an exact match, but a black, white, gray or beige can often blend in well as a neutral.
I haunt architectural salvage websites and you can find all sorts of amazing stuff....

ancientoaks,

The more I read this thread the more I excited I become as I sense your excitement. I hope you keep us updated every step of the way. I have to admit I would have been one of those people that would have kept on going at the auction but is so wonderful to see that you want to preserve this time capsule.

I was not shocked to learn the laminate was original. My mom's 1967 house still has the original laminate and cabintes in the kitchen and hers is pristine.

We bought a house built in 1991 which is actually a well built house but we were holding our laminate on with scotch tape because it was popping off.

My grandmother's 1950 kitchen was still pristine when we sold it in 1998. It was because of the way she treated everything.

Have fun with your new "old" house. I can't wait to see what you do with it.

I also believe that the workmanship and materials used years ago were meant to be permanent. Builders did not just use the cheapest stuff they could find as many do now.
I really appreciate custom built homes from years ago more than any tract home. Our house was part of a development and the lack of real care shows. Hopefully, what we do to it will correct that.

OMG, I am SO glad I stumbled on this site..the idea of the contrasting cove in that half bath is PERFECT ! (Guess I'm braindead, I should have thought of that!)now I feel less guilty about changing that mugly floor..
and I am so grateful to have found likeminded crackpots like myself. This house has some sort of a spell over us, and the 'average' person looks askance at us..We are seriously thinking of just selling our big 'new' house and small farm and just moving to town. Most of our friends are horrified..imagine, leaving our lovely new home recently completed to move to that sadly in need of 'updating' ranch in the 'old neighborhood'...
This little home is just that..a home..all the years of love and care create an 'aura' and soul that no new house can ever give, at least for decades to come.
I am a house addict anyway, so 'feel' is paramount to me. I AM excited. and really just want to wait on most everything to let IT tell me what needs done. other than that kitchen floor that is!..I actually like the countertops (can't believe I'm saying that after all the granites, natural stones, etc etc everyone craves!)..they are S O L I D...and feel it. ditto on the cabs..real heartpine knotty and put together like a cabinet maker should. I found a few really nice trivets in the cabs so it's obvious how they survived so well all these years. I am so anxious to set it all up, and grateful there is little to do..
Can't wait to see the new floor installed (hopefully by end of next week) will post oodles of pics!
I do agree that appliances, houses, cars, and the like are nothing today like they were 50 years ago. We were just saying that very same thing as my fancy dancy 2 year old front load energy efficient, 'green' operating dryer conks out. that's AFTER the 18 mo Samsung hoopdy doopdy French door fridge got hauled off, and the discovery that my dual fuel range top does NOT raise up for cleaning....and all the problems with our beautiful 'new house' from framing to electrical..I know 'every' generation gripes about the quality of the new, but I truly feel this time it's different...since abut 1970 when plastic tubs took over.....
hurry and up and finish, regardless of quality...
no wonder we kooks love the old stuff...it just FEELS right.

am pretty decided on a VCT in kitchen/laundry/half bath, creamy white ground with brick checkerboard, fading to mostly creamy into the adjoining den.am going to use MORE of the bricky color in the kitchen, less in the laundy so the fade to the den will be subtle. .am going to take more pics today....those rooms don't need any wall paint or treatment..and if WE live there right away I am keeping the light fixtures that are original to the house..thank you all for sharing this with me! and I love reading about others' adventures as well...
we can't seem to stay away from the place..

p.s. you can't believe what my husband found in the shop...all intact, a myriad of tools, weeny jars of parts and stuff, all perfectly arranged...and we have an attached 'hobby room'and separate store room, along with a lovely screened and stormed sun porch.....and then there's the garden shed, all equipped............and those heavenly towering oak trees...........

[IMG]http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/1962/braggrearyardtohouse.jpg[/IMG]
By [URL=http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ancientoaks]ancientoaks[/URL] at 2010-11-28

[IMG]http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/878/braggeaststreet.jpg[/IMG]
By [URL=http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ancientoaks]ancientoaks[/URL] at 2010-11-28

did I do this right????? grr!

I can't see your newest pix. They sound great though. I'd be pumped to have such a keeper as yours ;)

sorry! I tried something new...obviously didn't work....

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/1962/braggrearyardtohouse.jpg

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/878/braggeaststreet.jpg

I just found another fascinating thing..on the back of the floor plans in a hidden corner is the name of the builder, the owners, and the price that was apparently agreed upon for this house! I am amazed... $49,750 in 1957....according to the internet, that would roughly translate to over $300,000 today..
Ordering flooring tomorrow...can't wait to get it in..

has anyone put down VCT themselves? I heard it was really a pain..worth having it done?

We put the commercial Armstrong vct tiles down in our basement "rec room" ourselves. Used an Armstrong glue for resilient tiles. It wasn't hard. And it sure was inexpensive.

Getting the old glue up from whatever was down there before was horrid but I have since heard that floor guys have a machine to do it. In any case, we didn't get the cement floor completely bare, but it was flat and clean and that was good enough.

The deal with the glue is you put it down and use a particular sized notched trowel and then let it dry to the touch.....like 45 minutes....then lay the tile. You have 6 hours to get the tile down. So we had to not get ahead of ourselves. Took us several days.

Any little pebbles or whatever from your shoes that get on the glue will show a pimple right thru the tiles, so be careful on that. A friend of mine had hers professionally installed and there were lots of little pimples that were visible. They must have kept workboots on. We did ours bare-footed.

I'm a little late to the party, but I had to chime in and congratulate you on your sweet little house!

I haven't looked at all the photos yet, but the ones I've looked at are adorable, and I applaud and support your commitment to keep everything as original as possible.

All too often, when someone mentions knotty pine, it's in the context of how fast they can paint over it or rip it out, and I'm trying to convince them it's actually pretty cool. So welcome, welcome, welcome!

I also think your bathroom is neat. But then I have an all-original 1950's pink bathroom. When I first bought my house, I didn't like it, but it has grown on me.

I will also say what I have said here many times: The old stuff in my house never gives me problems. It's the cheap modern stuff, the bad 1980s repairs, the impermeable modern materials-meets-natural substances irreconcilability that make the worst, most expensive headaches. Don't let anyone work on your house who does not feel the same way. They ARE out there.

I'm so glad you and your house found each other.

It is also a very wise general piece of advice from this forum to take your time with renovations and repair. Get used to everything in the house before you make too many decisions. I know I would have made very different choices with my house if I had renovated it before I knew it.

Good luck!

thank you! oh thank you! all you've said is wise advice and will be thoughtfully processed. am anxious to just put 'our touch' on the old girl....