Well folks, it’s been exactly one year since I’ve updated this site and for that I am truly sorry. 2009 has been the busiest year of my life. Thanks for all your e-mails and comments. I’m sorry if I did not get a chance to reply to each and every one of you.

After seeing a wonderful piece of mid-century architecture here in Richmond suffer the wrath of the wrecking ball (The Inns of Virginia, post and photos to follow), I’ve decided that one of my New Year’s resolutions is to revive this site so we can all enjoy other MC marvels while they’re still around. Time is so precious - whether you’re human or a gorgeous building.

So with that, I’m going to jump start with an e-mail I recently received from Kyle Kranzo, who is selling a whole set of almond-colored MC appliances. Jump on them before they’re gone!

I am selling a whole set of original almond-colored Mid-Century (Circa 1959) appliances. The set includes an amazing Frigidaire Refrigerator, a double General Electric wall oven, and a General Electric built-in range. They are all in GREAT working condition(we use them all currently). I recently moved into this mid-century home and it has a full St. Charles Mid-Century kitchen… including these great appliances.

The refrigerator has a great fold-down compartment inside, plenty of storage, a butter warmer, and tons of other unique items. The handle and accents on the refrigerator are also great! I have never seen anything like them. The freezer is also really neat. You have to press down on the foot pedal near the floor and it just pops it open. Very unique.

The Oven unit (both ovens) work great. It also has a neat meat thermometer that plugs into the inside of the oven and sticks into the meat you are cooking. It then shows you the temperature of the meat on the outside of the oven.

The range works great as well. It has many different settings. The very back left burner does not work…but I am imagining it is just a simple fix. I don’t cook enough for it to bother me.

All appliances include the original Owners Manuals (pictured below).

The Frigidaire refrigerator is from 1960
The General Electric double wall oven is from 1959
The General Electric Built-In Range is from 1959

Please make me an offer on either each item separately or as a complete set. I am aware of the great condition and going prices of these appliances, so please… only reasonable offers will be considered. I would love for these to go to a lover of mid-century design who will appreciate them as much as I do.

Please email me if you would like to see more photos, have any questions, etc. I would also be willing to ship these items if the buyer was willing to pay for shipping.

Thanks.

I want to take a moment to apologize to all my readers. I am SO sorry I haven’t updated in a week. I try very hard to update this site daily, but last week I moved into a new place (a VERY cute 1920s bungalow!) and my blogging was thrown off!

I appreciate everyones’ great suggestions for the site, please keep them coming! And now that I’m almost settled, I promise to do a better job to keep everyone informed of the great mid-century finds and places in Richmond.

I’m going to try to snap a few photos this weekend of some of the MCM buildings readers have been suggesting. If you know of a building you’d like to see added to the list, send it to me at olivia@retrorichmond.com and I will try to get it for you.

Again, thanks for reading and thanks to everyone for their kind words.

Now on to some cool appliances!

This gem popped up on Craigslist a week ago and has been re-listed.

The seller also has a brown 1970s butcher block dishwasher included in the listing. Here’s what he or she has to say:

Two fantastic retro appliances! The pictures really say it all. Purchased a mid-century home and remodeled away from the retro look.

Authentic, retro Kitchen Aid Portable Dishwasher with a butcher block style top! Should work as good as expected for a 30+ year old dishwasher! As a very interesting bonus, I have the original owners manual and other materials included with the initial purchase.

Fantastic, retro General Electric Oven! Should work as good as expected for a 50 year old oven!

Please let me know if you have any questions. More pictures available via email…

Why anyone would purchase a mid-century home and then try to move away from the retro look is beyond me. But one man’s trash is another man’s treasure! So if you’re looking for a cool oven, better grab it!

In the market for a retro fridge? Check out this one listed on Craigslist for only $75! What a steal!

Here’s what the seller had to say:

Extra clean, runs great, on wheels, Retro General Electric Refrigerator. Great addition to any retro kitchen! Black with White interior 24″ wide X 56″ tall. Call 804-565-0155 or email any ?’s

$75 OBO Will take reasonable best offer.

These two great pieces would be a marvelous addition to any mid-century enthusiast’s home!

A 1950s kitchen dinette is a must-have for every retro enthusiast! I have one in teal and love it! This fun brown-and-creme dinette popped up on Craigslist today.

Look at those fabulous atomic stars! What a great touch. I love the backs of the chairs as well. Very modern. Here’s what the seller had to say about this set:

Check out this great 50s Table and 4 chairs. The complete set is in Excellent original condition and would make a great addition to your retro decor. Table measures 60″ x 36″ x 29″ high. (With leaf installed) Leaf swivels into place. Really cool and in EXCELLENT condition. Came out of original owners home up in Quebec. Check out original label under all four chairs! Why buy a reproduction?

Serious Inquiries only please!

Someone snatch this up and send me some close-up photos! I’d love to see the chair detail a little more.

It’s “the happiest thing that ever happened to cooking … OR YOU!” The Frigidaire Flair is one of the most highly-coveted kitchen appliances by mid-century enthusiasts today. There are numerous Web sites and discussion groups dedicated to this amazing range.

What makes this oven so amazing, you ask? Could it be the eye-level double oven with etched glass? Or the speed-heat function for quick cooking? Or maybe it’s the roll-top cooking surface that slides completely out of sight? Whatever the reason, there are legions of Flair fans who swear by this blast from Grandma’s kitchen’s past.

One of these gems popped up on Craigslist recently for $50!! (A steal!!) Here’s what the owner, Penny, had to say:

We recently remodeled and cannot use this beautiful piece of memorabilia. A 1960s Frigidaire Flair Electric Range with Side by Side Ovens, and pull out cooktop. Would look great in a cabin. You must pick it up in White Stone. Ovens need to be recalibrated. Other than that it works great.

Doors have some age to them — which will never be “new” again as it is almost 50 years old. Pull out stovetop is fine and we used it — the coils need replacing every so often.

The base cabinet was built in pine (the old farmer who had our house built the kitchen cabinets and built around the stove. You would have to find a base (metal or stainless are probably recommended). That’s why it is less than you would find anywhere else. No rust, cracks. Just a little dent on the top where they de-installed it.

Here are some of the photos of the unit for sale:

If you’re interested in owning a piece of mid-century kitchen history, this is a fantastic deal! Whether your kitchen is retro or contemporary, this stove would be a fabulous addition and add a lot of character and charm.