Do I have to have a mid-century house to use your products?

Heck no.  We’re just trying to make it easier for folks that are in mid-century homes to find products that better fit the style of their homes, but you sure can use any of our products on whatever type of home you have, as long as you want it to look swell!

Can I buy a complete door from you guys?

The short answer is “yes”, but that's not our real business model.  Also, unless you’re within driving distance of St. Louis, Missouri, you might not like the shipping cost because it would have to go freight.  But if you’re game, we’re game.  Drop us a line on our contact form and we’ll discuss it with you.

Can you help me install the door kit / install the door / make my countertops?

Sorry, we are not equipped to send out people to do on-site installations.  However, we’ve given you detailed instructions along with some tips and tricks and we know you can do it!  Are you still wary about working with our products yourself?  Find a local handyman.  Ask around for references, post an ad on sites such as Craigslist or find a handy friend or relative and ply them with some beer and pizza.  (A professional handyman you will have to ply with cash, just FYI.) Find more information about countertops in the laminate section.

What kind of payment types do you accept?

We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, and PayPal. Security is hunky-dory; we use the latest technology to ensure everything is secure. One caveat: if you are using a debit card and have difficulties, it might be due to a limit that your bank or credit union may set as a per-day maximum. Check with the issuing institution if you have problems using your card.

What about sales tax? 

If you live in and/or have your product delivered to Missouri, you must pay sales tax.  You will also pay local tax if you are in the City of St. Louis.  All other states are tax-free for now. Unfortunately, this could change at any time.

When does my payment go through?

Your payment is due in full at the time you place your order.  We understand that once you pay, you’d like your product immediately (Amazon has spoiled it for small businesses), but we need to be able to take our time to handcraft the quality products you expect.

I own an apartment complex/motel/multiple houses. Do you offer trade discounts or discounts for large orders?

We would certainly consider this for large orders. Let us know what you have in mind (e.g., how many of what products), and we’ll work with you to provide a quote.

How much do you charge for shipping?

Our shipping is free on most items* shipped to the lower 48 states using standard ground shipping (7-10 days after manufacturing is complete).  If that’s not fast enough, we can give you a quote for express shipping.  See below for more information on shipping times. (*Our ceramic wall tile is by quote only, and the quote will include shipping based on the variable price of LTL shipping.)

I’m so excited!  How long will it take to receive my order?

First, we’re totally cranked that you’re excited because we’re excited, too!  While we’d love to be the Amazon of mid-century goods, we’re just not set up that way.  We are a small, handcrafted shop that allows us to provide custom work as easily as the pre-designed products on the website.  Handcrafted work takes some time.  That said, here’s some more info:

Manufacturing:

Manufacturing can take anywhere from 2 weeks (for small items) up to 6 weeks or more for larger products such as an exterior door kit, where we might have to wait for a special-order shape of tempered glass to be fired for us.  Our laminate sheets also have a longer lead time - typically 4-6 weeks and up to 8- 10 weeks, but it can take longer depending on the backlog queue at the laminate pressing manufacturer. Please know that if we can cut time from our estimated times, we’ll do it!  We want you to have your new product as much as you do. If we are backlogged and think your product will take longer, we'll let you know and allow you to change or cancel your order.

Shipping:

Our products go out via several carriers, and we typically use standard shipping because of the exorbitant costs of shipping our odd box sizes.  If you would like us to ship your purchase more quickly, just ask, and we’ll give you a quote to cover the additional cost.  Our standard shipping time is 7-10 days, but again, if we can get a deal and get it shipped faster, you bet your boots we’ll do it.

Do you have any products in stock for immediate delivery?

On a rare occasion, we might have a sample or returned product that can be turned around quickly to get to you.  We don’t always advertise those on the web page, so please contact us if that’s something you need (but the answer might be “no” since we have a very small space for inventory at this time).

What is your return policy?  What if an item came damaged?

We want you to be happy with your purchase. A damaged item is a complete bummer because we try to pack each piece well. Please see our return policy here.

Again, I’m excited!  How will I know when my product has shipped?

We promise to send you tracking information as soon as the product has left our hands.  We’re obsessive about tracking our shipments, too, so we understand!

What about Alaska and Hawaii? We love mid-century stuff, too!

Alaska and Hawaii residents will need to pay a slight upcharge for shipping.  (We’re sorry!)  Residents of those states will also have to wait a little longer.  (We’re sorry again!)  Would it make you feel any better to know that we've been to both states and loved it there? If you are in Alaska or Hawaii (or outside the United States) and would like to place an order, please contact us to discuss shipping fees and the final cost. For those in Canada, we'll need you to have an import broker to import our products.

I really like this door but want another lite / I don’t want a lite at all / I wish it were a little bigger / a little smaller, etc.

Good news!  Since all of our products are custom-made for you, we can make adjustments like this.  There might be an upcharge for additional materials or labor.  Please go to the custom page and fill out the information, including the changes you would like to make, and we will get back to you with an updated sketch of the changes and a price for your approval.

I can’t find a solid core door anywhere.  Can you help me?

We sure can!  Because this is such a frequently asked question (you know, the reason this is on the FAQ page) we've made a whole page here with places where you can buy or order a door. You might also try your local lumber yard or a Habitat for Humanity ReStore or other location that sells reclaimed building materials.

Tempered glass.  What’s the deal?

All glazing in a door must be tempered for safety purposes per most U.S. building codes.  The only exception is when the glass opening is small enough that a three-inch ball will not pass through the opening.  We are strong proponents of the building code (must be the architect in us), and all of our glazing pieces (no matter the size) are tempered glass.  Tempered glass must be labeled as such, so all of our glass will have what is called a "bug" in the glass showing the tempering details. The bug from our manufacturer is about the size of a penny - tiny!

Should I choose single-pane or dual-pane glass?

Really, this is your choice, but we find that even on our largest glass openings, the difference in energy loss between single-pane and dual-pane is negligible. (We calculated it for one of our customers, and the difference was only 38 cents a month!) We could get all mathy on you, but your eyes would glaze over. Trust us - it's not an energy decision; it's a personal decision.

Can I use an exterior door design on an interior door?

You sure can – just one bit of info.  All of our exterior door kits are sized for an exterior door thickness (1 3/4”), and an interior door is typically 1 3/8” thick.  Let us know if you would like to use a kit for an interior door, and we’ll get back to you and verify the order. Note that if you are installing into a hollow-core door, the installation can also be a little tricky because you will need to support the opening with additional blocking.

What’s an in-swing door?  I’m not sure if I have one, and you asked me to tell you when ordering…

Stand on the side of the door where the door swings away from you.  Will your door kit be installed on the side of the door facing you?  (See our illustration here).  That’s the inswing side because it swings inward, against the door stop.  Because the door stop is usually between 3/8” and 1/2” deep (the part that hits your door when closed) we’ll make the design that you choose 3/4” smaller on the left, right and top where it would hit the door stop so that you can still close your door.  If you forget to tell us, and the design is a little too big, it’s a pretty easy fix with a saw.

How do I attach the design to my door?

We’ll give you directions in your kit, but here’s the upshot.  (There are a lot of different variables to take into consideration, so one size might not fit all with this answer.)  We will supply you with a molding and trim adhesive as part of your kit. We recommend taking the door off of its hinges (if it is a pre-installed door) and laying it flat on supports and allowing the adhesive to dry thoroughly before re-hanging.  (Check the adhesive label for drying times and conditions).  For existing doors, you may want to rough up the existing finish slightly where you will be mounting the kit.  You can paint or stain your kit before mounting if you would like, just don’t paint or stain the back to get the best adhesion possible. That's about all there is to it.

I’ve got this great idea for a mermaid design for my bathroom door / a poker design for my man-cave / another geometric design you don’t offer.  Can you make it?

We probably can.  Shoot us a photo or sketch (or both) of what you would like to do using our custom page along with your door dimensions and we’ll get back to you about any issues and a quote.  We love doing custom work!

Can I use an interior door design for an exterior door?

Because our interior door designs are produced either out of MDF or interior grade hardwood plywood, they aren’t designed to be exposed to the elements.  Paint and sealer can only go so far!  However, if you have some great idea for using one of our interior door designs for an exterior door, contact us and we’ll talk!

Do I have to apply the design to a door?  It would look peachy keen on a wall!

Heck, no!  You can install our interior door designs anywhere you would like – on an interior door or a wall or wherever you can imagine, as long as it is inside, and it will be equally as beautiful.

Can I use spray paint on my garage door kits?

You can, although we recommend an exterior-grade paint made to withstand the elements since garage doors are so exposed. Your garage door kit will come pre-primed and ready for its final coat. We love Sherwin-Williams’ Emerald® Exterior Acrylic Latex Paint for this final coat, which can be used on both the kits and the garage door.

I have a flat garage door.  Can you design something far out for me even without a sketch?

Sometimes, ideas are hard to come by, so yes, we will do design work for you.  We’ll need some things from you: inspiration photos, photos of your house and garage, and other mid-century things that you like (or don’t).  All these things will turn our wheels for a custom design just for you.  We’ll work up some designs, get your approval, and provide you with a quote.  Then you will have to play the waiting game until your unique and totally you garage door kit comes your way.  Start your adventure here.

I have an idea for a different design for my raised panel garage door. Would you be willing to create it?

Certainly!  It all starts with you and your ideas; send us sketches or photographs of ideas using our custom page and some measurements, and we’ll get back to you soon with a quote.

How do I measure for my garage door kit?

Here’s a graphic for measuring a door kit that will fit on a standard, raised-panel garage door. Here’s a graphic for measuring your door if you have a flat door and want to do a custom kit.

None of your standard sizes fit my windows. Is it a big upcharge for a custom size?

No - it is not. Our shutters are priced based on the amount of material and the number of cutouts on the shutter. We do not add any surcharge for custom sizes because we don't like it when someone does that to us! If you'd like a quote on custom shutters, please go to our custom page and provide us with the size, style, and material you are looking for, and we'll be happy to help.

I have an idea for a different cut-out that I'd like to see on my shutters. Can you help me?

We sure can. Fill out your information on our custom page, including a photo or drawing of the cutout you're trying to replicate, and we'll get back to you with a quote. Easy-peasy.

Can you do appliques on top of your shutters?

That's something we're working on with our manufacturer. It would all start with our Terry Lawrence shutter. If you're jonesing to have something like that, let us know what it is by filling out the form on our custom page and uploading a photo or image from the web and we'll get back with you on a quote. We love custom!

I'd like to use operable hardware for my shutters. Can I do that? Do you offer operable hardware?

Whoa! That's a lot of questions! Yes, you can use operable hardware with our shutters, and yes, we can offer operable hardware for shutters including hinges and shutter dogs. Contact us for more information.

Why don't you make smaller laminate sheets?

We now offer half-sheet (4'-0" x 6'-0") and quarter-sheet (4'-0" x 3'-0") sizes. For really small projects, we sell SparkleLam™ Minis!

I just can't imagine making a countertop by myself. Help!

If countertops are out of your DIY repertoire, try finding a handyman. We suggest Thumbtack.com, HomeAdvisor.com, AngiesList.com, or HandymanConnection.com. (We are not affiliated with these companies.) If you have a complicated layout or can't find a handyman you trust, find a local kitchen and bath company. Their expertise is - you guessed it - kitchens and baths, and they have a ton of experience building countertops. We can even ship the laminate directly to the kitchen and bath company, which means one less step for you. You can placate any questions they might have about our products by telling them that our laminate is manufactured by the same company that makes specialty laminate for other big companies.

Where do I get those cool, metal edges for my countertop to make it look super-authentic?

Try these vendors on for size: Eagle Aluminum, New York Metals, Heffrons, and Bars & Booths. Be warned that if you need a long length, you'll run into the maximum length that a carrier like UPS or FedEx will transport, and you will have to pay heftier freight transport fees. Bars & Booths has a great breakdown of this on its website. There are also other DIY options—check out the articles on metal edging on the RetroRenovation website.

Can I use your tile on my floor?

Even our matte-finish tile is just a wee bit too slippery for flooring. Right now, all of our tile is for walls only. (Or countertops. But we think our SparkleLam™ is a better option for that.) We can actually make tile that can be used for flooring; we just don't have it in our repertoire yet. Contact us if you're interested, and we can see what we can do for you.

I already have a wall full of tile, but I want to scatter some of your printed tiles on my wall. Help!

You need to check out our Pinterest page. We've collected all kinds of DIY tips, tricks, and how-to videos related to our products, including how to replace a single tile in an existing wall!

How do I install ceramic wall tile? 

Like the above question, you need to check out our Pinterest page. We have also outlined the process in our installation guide, which comes with every order. You can view it here.

Do you make custom tile/match custom color?

You betcha! If you have an idea for a different design or pattern, or if you are trying to match an existing tile (or anything else), we're here to help. Please contact us.

How do I install ceramic wall tile? 

Check out our Pinterest page. We've pinned a number of places that do a great job of explaining the installation of ceramic wall tile.

Can I use your tile on my floor?

Some of our tile can be used as flooring in residential locations. We also have access to other flooring options that we can share with you. If you're interested, contact us, and we'll get back to you.

Can you match a custom color?

For onesie-twosie tiles (for example, if you've damaged a few pieces in an existing bathroom), we are developing a UV printing process that will allow us to match your color closely. If you need a larger quantity of custom-colored tile, we can do that with a minimum of 500 s.f. Please contact us.

Where did you get those fabulous vintage photos taken that are on the website?

We are so glad you asked! Susan had the photos done at a wonderful studio in Kansas City, Missouri, called Vixen Pin-Up Photography, which is sadly now closed. They were such a pleasure to work with—it's a real bummer!

I love your logo.  Who did your business graphics?

Uh, that would be Susan.  She has a background in design (being an architect and all).

Your website is like wow.  Who made it? 

Liz Teresa! If you need any web design work done, Liz and her team are amazing to work with.  Check Liz out on her website LizTeresa.com!