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. I researched this question, and I have some recommendations:
- Porcelain-enamel-on-cast-iron or steel drainboard sinks were extremely common in vintage homes, and you can find one vintage if you are patient. Watch your Re-Store Habitat for Humanity or local salvage type place, Craigslist, ebay, facebook marketplace, etc. I were looking for a vintage drainboard sink, I would hold out until I found one in near-perfect shape, although you can get these re-porcelained.
- 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:Click this photo to see how Joe used the Elkay drainboard sink in his kitchen
- 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.
- 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 $175 shipping:
rene says
Is the sinks above number 2,3, 5 and 6 are they for sale and how much are they.
Pam Kueber says
Rene, these sinks are just examples. We don’t sell anything here….
rene says
I really like the 2nd and the last picture of these sinks.this is similar to what I’m searching for . I have a newer model cast iron sink,but I’d like to have a double drainboard double bowl type cast iron sink from the past.
You have a lot of very good looking pieces here.
Mid Mod Pam says
Hi riverdork,
Trish had a porcelain drainboard sink sitting right on top of her counter – it looked kind of sweet! Take a look within this post:
https://retrorenovation.com/2008/05/12/trish-and-her-two-family-50s-house-in-woonsocket-ri/
riverdork says
hi so i found one of these sinks for 40$ 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
Wendy says
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!!
Jessica Evett says
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…
Amy says
yes I love that sink! I don’t think we can get them here in NZ though.
Pencils says
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.
Ronn says
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
BOB says
i AM LOOKING FOR A UNIQUE SINK WHICH IS PORCELIN, RETRO LOOKING LAVATORY STYLE WITH 2 PILLAR TYPE COLUMN LEGS HOLING IT UP AND IT IS A ROUNDED BASIN TYPE , WITH THREE FAUCETS AND A CENTER DRAIN. IT IS A SWOOPING STYLE AND I CAN N OT FIND ONE ANYWHERE EXCEPT IN A PICTURE SHOWING IDEAS FOR BATHROOMS
Nancy says
Could it be the Kohler Brockway? It is an institutional sink that some use in the bathroom. It comes at 36″ wide with two faucets and up to 6 ft wide with three or four faucets. It is meant to be wall-hung, but you can see people have put them into cabinetry, too. They have a rounded, swooping “belly” that comes painted black, but I have seen them painted lime green, yellow, and other colors when people use them for children’s bathrooms. On the Kohler site, if you search on “brockway,” go down to where it shows a line of “service sinks.” Keep mousing the right arrow. The Brockway is seen as the last sink on the right.
Sumac Sue says
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.