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We bought a 1956 brink rambler/ranch last summer with plans to renovate and add 3 bedrooms/2 baths in a new second floor and nearly gut the main level and basement. The house was an estate sale - one owner - with all original paint and appliances! Fresh paint made the house livable for the past 7 months, and we've spend much of that time planning for the 6-month renovation. Now the plans are ready and the project should begin in mid-February. We initially planned to stage the renovation to allow us to live in our bedrooms or the basement, but the more we thought about it, the crazier it seemed. Our builder just told us that moving out would save us $8,000 and shorten the project by a month, so it became a no-brainer. So we are scrambling to find an affordable 4 month rental to house a family of 4 and 2 cats, without altering our daily routines too much. We never fully unpacked after the first move, so moving won't be too tough, but I dread it anyway.
I'm wondering if there are any mid-century buffs among our PP family? I have a housefull of appliances, bath fixtures, etc. that need a good home, and I know there is a lucrative market for some of it, but I have no idea how to appraise their value before posting on Craig's List or Ebay. I've perused the RetroRenovation website, but they are not allowed to talk prices there. I understand my house was high-end for the period, and I'm grateful for the quality contruction and no lead paint! Here's what I have:
1) 1955 GE refridgerator with freezer on top, aqua interior, copper lazy susan shelves and hands-free pedal to open it. It needs refurbishing but it works - we use it as our overflow/drink fridge.
2) Thermador stainless steel 48 inch electric cooktop with grill/griddle in the middle - most powerful electric stove I've ever used.
3) Thermador stainless wall oven - great condition except the clock doesn't work.
4) Thermador stainless warming drawer - great looking
5) 80 inch stainless steel counter top with integrated double sink
6) Rudd Monel Laundrymaster water heater - still works!! I've read that monel was the most anti-corrosive metal ever invented and the scrap metal is worth $300-400.
7) American Standard pink toilet and cast iron sink, 2 other 1955 beige American Standard toilets. Grey wall tiles. These will be donated to Re-Store if there is no interest out there.
8) White painted wood flat-front kitchen cabinets - I don't know if they'll stay in one piece once we dismantle them, but they are clearly high-end for the era.
9) Whole house fan - would anyone buy one second hand?
10) Light fixtures - will probably donate to Re-Store.
I also have a room with 1/2+ inch thick pine wall panels. It is not painted and I wonder if the panels can be glued together to build something like a rectangular dining room table. I have a friend who wants it to repanel a wall in her house with cheap faux-wood paneling.
I fought to keep some of the kitchen cabinets and appliances in the basement as a kitchenette but my husband won't go for it. He has no appreciation for 1950's era stuff.
Here are some pictures of the house and appliances:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1956_house/
Any suggestions on pricing or what can be done with these things? I appreciate any feedback!
Zizzle
My father's house is full of antiques and other stuff, and he told me that when he dies that I should get a major auction house to come in and evaluate and price stuff that my brother and I want to sell. Do you live in or near a big enough town to have a reputable antiques dealer who might even sell your items on consignment and deliver you of the hassle?
