Vintage 40s and 50s kitchen drainboard sinks
In response to Friday’s post on the patriotic 40s kitchen, Josh writes:I’m in love with that sink. Do they still make any like that? Thanks for the question, Josh. Unfortunately, not that I know of. But, I have some recommendations:
These porcelain-enamel-on-cast-iron or steel drainboard sinks were UBIQUITOUS in the postwar period, so you can find one if you are patient. Watch your Habitat for Humanity/Restore or local Re-Sell type place, Craigslist, my Postwar Steel Forum, and ebay. The one at the left (no drainboards, though, and in reality a ‘farmhouse sink) was recently on ebay – mint in packaging, never used and it went for about $400. Honestly, if I were looking for one of these – I would hold out until I found one in near-perfect shape.
In addition, watch historichouseparts.com, one of my favorite places. The first sink (below) was for sale on their site for $725, and count on a hefty shipping charge, too. Others shown are sold for the most part, check in frequently and I’m sure they’ll be glad to help:
I also recently found a site, thisoldtubandsink.com that says it specializes in vintage porcelain-on-cast-iron pieces, including refinishing. Honestly, I cannot vouch for the refinishing work – and from what I know about this, it can be truly tricky. But this merchant certainly also seem to have a number of as-is pieces in good shape such as this 42×25 double sink at $635. There are other pieces with drainboards as well:
Finally — I recently saw a couple of vintage drainboard sinks in Rejuvenation’s salvage yard, for those of you in the Portland, Oregon area.
And, don’t forget – that another very viable alternative, are the Elkay Lustertone stainless steel sinks made in the 50s and still available today. While they may not be as “sweet” as the white porcelain, they are probably in reality – more functional, as stainless steel does not chip, is very sanitary, and is easy to keep clean. I’ve done a number of posts on these in the past, click here for the most recent.
If you are looking for a vintage drainboard sink, be sure that the length and width will fit your space – and that the height of the integral backsplash will work for you as well. You’ll also need to “mate” the sink to the adjacent countertops, I don’t have any advice on this…
Again – there were millions of these made. For example, in the immediate (and less affluent) postwar period from 1946-early 50s, the sink cabinet/drainboard sink combo was marketed heavily as a standalone piece to be integrated into farmhouse kitchens — the Mrs. would keep her wood cabinets, only buy the steel sink base and complementary sink/drainboard. There were big names all over this action, too — Kohler, American Standard, Youngstown. That’s why you see so many sink bases ONLY (as in the photos from historichouseparts.com, above) for sale.
Finally, in further researching Josh’s question, I found two reproduction sinks that are made currently – both are very pre-war and are really meant as farmhouse style sinks to stand on legs or freestanding. Note, most cabinets today and in the 50s on, were 25″ deep.
Here’s the Nottingham Brass Sandford sink, it’s 42″x21″ and $969 free shipping from signaturehardware.com:
And here’s a Strom sink sold as Clarion by plumbingsupply.com (and others) at $1599 plus $175 shipping:
This Retro Renovation post was originally published on March 24, 2008.
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Hi,
There are also a couple of vintage sources to at least give a try on the Mid-Atlantic coast:
“Caravatti’s” (sp) in Richmond, VA. (Huge architectural salvage business), and,
“Country Boy Antiques” in Norfolk, VA. (Smaller business, lower prices).
Good luck!
Ronn Ives/FUTURES Antiques
Josh, last summer we found a double sink version at a yard sale for $10. We once lived in a house with such a sink and we loved those built-in drainboards! But, we couldn’t locate the right sized cabinet for our yard sale find. We moved on with plan B, and put in a stainless steel sink. We are holding on to our cool sink with drainboards and hope to use it someday, when the right cabinet comes along.
yes I love that sink! I don’t think we can get them here in NZ though.
There’s a house for sale around the corner from me that is in amazing vintage shape–it doesn’t look like it’s been renovated since the 50s (if that) and a lot of it is original to the 1920s house. I love the house, but it’s too much work for my husband and I, it’s unlivable as it is, every room needs serious renovation. Anyway, the kitchen is exactly like that, it has one of those white porcelain double sinks over a white steel cabinet base, while the rest of the kitchen is original wood cabinets, likely from the 1920s.
Just saw this one for $275.00 on the Denver Craigslist as well! http://denver.craigslist.org/hsh/617903137.html Looks like it would need some serious refinishing, but pretty cool…
Our sink looks almost exactly like that advertisement! How very neat. We’re actually doing a kitchen remodel & I’m trying to research how much we could get for a sink like that? Thanks!!
hi so i found one of these sinks for 40$ and would really like to put it in my kitchen we have a double bowl sink there now, it seems to me like it might look kinda funny to simply set it in place on top of our wooden counter top but i dont know it could be sweet too anyone have any thoughts or pictures. thanks ruth
Hi riverdork,
Trish had a porcelain drainboard sink sitting right on top of her counter – it looked kind of sweet! Take a look within this post:
http://retrorenovation.com/2008/05/12/trish-and-her-two-family-50s-house-in-woonsocket-ri/
I really like the 2nd and the last picture of these sinks.this is similar to what I’m searching for . I have a newer model cast iron sink,but I’d like to have a double drainboard double bowl type cast iron sink from the past.
You have a lot of very good looking pieces here.
Is the sinks above number 2,3, 5 and 6 are they for sale and how much are they.
Rene, these sinks are just examples. We don’t sell anything here….
Way hot!
I’ve had a lot of luck finding these sinks on bases/cabinets at little flea market/antique stores here in north central Indiana. They usually go for $50-$100. I love these – I was lucky enough to buy a house that has it’s original cast-iron farm sink intact, complete with drainboard. Anyway, check out the flea markets! You never know.
I love these sinks! Two years ago, I answered a Craigslist ad for someone selling one of these (with cabinet) for $75. He actually had two and I bought both of them. They still need some TLC (due to some cabinet rust) before I install them, but they’re awesome. He also had (unadvertised) furniture for sale. So, it pays to ask if someone selling antiques has other items for sale. There might be sinks and things that haven’t yet been listed for sale.
Boy, does that sink bring back memories! My grandma used to have a very similar one in her kitchen with metal cabinets!
hi, You may find a sink like that Josh on Ebay. Last year after searching for 8 years I found a pink double drainboard double sink in mint condition that was in an elderly womans home. It cost me $2500.00 for the sink and $500.00 for the shipping but I fell in love with it. I have been collecting pink 50’s appliances for the past 10 years. I have the wall refrigerator, 4 stoves including the frigidaire flair, the old wringer washer, dishwasher and the refrigerator with the freezer on the bottom.Also I have managed to get all of the small appliances in pink. I could go on and on. You can find anything on EBAY if you just be patient. It is all in storage waiting for me to build our dream home very soon. I cant wait. Once you are bitten by the bug thats it!!!!!!
I bought a colonial in 1985 where the cabinets were all Youngstown by Mullins with the double sink/double drainboards as you show above. The house is in Oyster Bay on Long Island NY. How do I find the right people to do the necessary to clean them up, remove sticky paper from them and paint them the white color they are now and whatever else they need to look really fine. Is it always the case that they must be taken elsewhere to be worked on, or will some people do in the house??? tks for any info and help on this question….MK
Hi Maureen, sorry, this site is not focused on DIY or fix-it…I think you will need to get on the phone and try to talk to professionals (in porcelain enameling) to find this out. Good luck.
Ms Kelly,
I have one of these Younstown units that is currently being refurbished. The top – sink(s) and drainboards are porcelain over steel and I am certain you can find a local company in NYC area that does porcelain repair. They can sandblast(multi-media blast) then recoat with porcelain. Cost is around $350. You will have to take it to them. Once the faucet has benn disconnected, grab the back of the top and pull up and toward you. It is held in place by 2 hooks on the front. Once you have it nearly vertical you can pull toward you and lift away from base. It is only about 20 pounds.
The base unit can be sand blasted and powdercoated. The color for both is Oyster White. The base work will cost about $500. Mine turned out beautifully. Good luck. M
Hi, I just scored a sink similar to the Nottingham (I think it is 42″ x 20″) – how hard is it to find a base cabinet that narrow? Thanks, Tammy
Hi Tammy. I am not sure about that, frankly. As you know, cabinets today are 24″ deep. My personal experience with vintage steel cabinets is the same… Perhaps the 20″ deep drainboard sat on a custom-made (farmhouse?) cabinet?
I would like to use the 5′ cast iron sink and drainboard with 13″ backsplash I found out by the shed, can have the cabinet made, but if the thing isn’t supposed to sit on the counter, then how is it supposed to sit? Any photos of these that aren’t free-standing? It is really heavy, hints on mounting? Thanks.
I have a 1940’s enamel farm sink which I had re enameled and apparently it was done wrong because it is peeling. I am in search of help to fix it. Any help greatly appreciated.
Mary – I have never heard of re-enameling of the inside of a sink or tub that went well. The contact with water is simply too abrasive over time and the finish peels. In a kitchen sink … which receives hard daily duty … even worse.
I have a drain board sink and I love it. It’s ready handy, because the water from your dishes goes into the sink rather than pooling on your countertop. I made a plaid curtain to go around it, so I could conceal the things I stored underneath, without a cabinet. I think it’s from the 40s. It came with the “time capsule” house I bought, as well as an extra identical sink that was in the yard. I haven’t decided whether to install the extra in another part of the house or sell it.