Retro bathroom faucets for your 40s 50s or 60s bathroom - Update
Mid Mod Pam on Jan 30 2006 at 10:34 pm | Filed under: bathroom
Available from deabath.com
These are my two favorite lavatory faucets for 1950s bathroom restorations or renovations. The shape of the faucet escutcheons (the bases of the handles, yes that’s what they are called) are the most reminiscent of the wrecked faucets I pulled out of my original 1951 bathrooms. They are not inexpensive, each around $250 on sale, but I found the quality to be excellent.
available from antiqueplumber.com - and other online sites
A note on the 8″ “Mississippi” lav (the second featured). It larger in scale than many 50s lav faucets — although I am pleased to add (Oct. 15, 2008 update) that it has a clear antecedent in the lavatory in the 1956 photos below:
Do note, though, that if you are purchasing a sink to go with the Mississippi - ensure you have adequate “deck” space on the sink. The Kohler cast iron self-rimming sinks recommended look great with this sink - again, just check the deck space.
Regarding the 4″ “Deco” two-hole-mixer faucet shown, I have never seen anything anywhere else to match this one. It was not available when I renovated my bathrooms, and instead, I had the original faucet rechromed for $115. It leaks to this day and is a real pain. I wish this had been available then, and may end up with it yet. Ugh to the brass, though. Go for chrome, for sure, or nickel if you must.
I am a fan of Kohler bathroom sinks - they have styles that will fit right into your retro bathroom, seamlessly.
BTW Mac the Antique Plumber also has some great kitchen sinks.
[...] Scrutinizing this material also enabled me to make my third (whoopee!) recommendation for a bathroom sink faucet. The American Standard Colony single control is not too far off from the vintage design of the two sinks on the right. (The faucets on two sinks to the left look identical to one of my earlier recommendations.) [...]
[...] Retro bathroom faucets that are hands-down 50s style winners - from Mac the Antique Plumber [...]