Ruby's Restoration ('66)

[katierobinso]

We bought Ruby last Fall and spent the winter renovating the interior. Wanted to share some before and after pics! These show some of the original interior. We started by removing the twin benches and spray painting the walls and overhead cabinets. They were a dingy yellow and a fresh coat of Krylon really brightened everything up!

[katierobinso]

Then we sanded and painted all of the dark woodwork white as well and chose the color scheme we'd be using for the counters and upholstery.

[katierobinso]

We removed the cabinet doors, sanded, and painted most of them red. We also polished up all the existing hardware. We decoupaged the bathroom cabinet doors with album covers from 1966.

[katierobinso]

Then we removed the old vinyl tiles and replaced them with new ones. We wanted to try to keep to the original materials as much as possible.

[katierobinso]

We found some great retro laminate counters from Heffrons online!

[katierobinso]

We didn't tackle the upholstery and curtains ourselves. We used Sheri's on 5th Avenue in Columbus and they did a fantastic job!

[katierobinso]

We made a new table that sits on a collapsable post so when it's lowered we have a queen size bed instead of the original twins. It was tricky to measure for all the cushions. The back cushions fit in perfect in the middle when the table is lowered.

[katierobinso]

And that was pretty much it! Just some small final touches (oh, and a couple of window replacements, fixing some leaks, and electrical work - but that's not the fun stuff!). We took her on her first outing (at least with us) on Memorial Day Weekend to Delfest and everything went perfectly! We are looking forward to doing some external work over the next few months.

[Hittenstiehl]

What a beautiful job. The painted cabinets (yes many will cringe at painting over wood) are beautiful with the cheerful fabrics. Ruby's got her red dress on.

[katierobinso]

Thanks! If the wood were of higher quality or was in better shape I might not have done it. But a lot of the laminate was separating from the cabinets due to prior water damage I think.

[mayco]

I think its beautiful. Cheery and fun! Good on ya, great eye for color.

[glmpgrl]

She rocks! Nice job.

[calais66]

Love the boomerang counter tops! Where did you find that pattern?

[katierobinso]

Thanks! We bought them from 1950's Retro Furniture, Vintage Decor, Laminates, Neon, Retro Dining, Gas Pumps.

[kevin1975]

Great job looks awesome, I just purchased 1965 safari , did you replace hot water heater. My pilot stayed open when I turned it to the on position and burned up the nob. It's a old Honeywell . Looking for the nob?