Retro Renovators Jon and Trixi Hunt, seen on July 13, 2012, restored their 1960s avocado green kitchen, filling it with midcentury decor such as a Chromcraft dining set and milk glass swag pendant light. The couple from Robbinsdale, Minnesota, are passionate about "loving the house you're in," said Jon.

MINNEAPOLIS — Jon Hunt was intrigued by the avocado-green squares peeking out from under the peeling vinyl floor in his 1960s kitchen.

“Go for it,” encouraged his wife, Trixi. So he pulled back the vinyl and revealed what Trixi called “a midcentury treasure.” Under the vanilla vinyl, installed in 2004, was the original green brick-patterned floor that looked straight out of an ad, circa 1963.

It took the Hunts about two months to peel up the vinyl, section by section, and scrape off the glue. This discovery turned into a mission to bring their kitchen back to its authentic midcentury glory — with avocado the guiding hue.

“We got so excited,” said Trixi. “The kitchen went from ‘greige’ to a world of color. It was beautiful.” The couple installed a retro food center in the countertop, which was uncovered beneath gray tile. The finishing touch is a 1968 avocado-green Frigidaire refrigerator they found on Craigslist.

The Hunts are passionate about “loving the house you’re in,” said Jon. “People rip out and replace everything. So much of this era has been underappreciated. But now the TV show ‘Mad Men’ is making it trendy.”

Trixi and Jon have posted details of their projects at Retro Renovation www.retrorenovation.com), a website offering vintage resources, tips and ideas to help retro enthusiasts preserve their home’s midcentury modern aesthetic.

The Hunts have continued the retro revival in their modest bungalow by also restoring its pink bathroom and furnishing their living room with vintage finds. They plan to remodel the basement rec room.

“People say our kitchen reminds them of their grandma’s house,,” said Trixi. “We consider that a compliment.”