Retro Renovation» lav faucets

Three-handle tub shower faucet sets — three affordable designs

pam kueber — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:50:44 +0000

Lela writes:

Pam, can you help me find an affordable yet quality tub and shower faucet set in the 1950?s style? I need the hot, cold, and the middle knob for turning on the shower. I looked on Restoration Hardware and EACH ONE is $300-400! We have to get the work done soon, so I’m hoping to find something quick. When I did a Google search it lead me to you…. Thanks for any ideas you have.

I respond:

I don’t have any experience relative to their quality, but why don’t you look here –> Locke Plumbing tub-and-shower faucets. They seem to have several three-handle design available, at good prices. Update: Commenter pointed out that these may not be to code any longer — something to do with new anti-scalding designs; please consult with a licensed professional so that you can make an informed decision about this issue.

Locke Plumbing was a tip from Russell a few years ago. Remember Russell… of the “Seabee House.” Oh my, aren’t these three handle tub-and-shower faucets sets just beautiful to behold. Like sculptures. I like the look of the Sayco — the very first set — in particular. Actually, I love it. But I am like that about chrome and brass and plumbing in general. When I was a kid, roaming around the hardware store was my favorite. So of course, I spent a whole hour roaming around the Locke Plumbing site in general. Remember: Russell’s initial recommendation of Locke was as a place to find parts.

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Bathroom faucets with vintage style from California Faucets

pam kueber — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:54:07 +0000

Thanks to reader Joan, who emailed me with this tip about another source for classic retro / vintage style bathroom faucets: California Faucets.

There are lots of matching tub faucets, shower heads, etc. Matchy matchy is nice!

These faucets seem to have a lot in common with the Mississippi faucet series by Sign of the Crab/ Strom Plumbing and with similar Metropolitan series by Elemenfs of Design. I have the Mississippi in two of my bathrooms — and I love them.

These California faucets offer another alternative — and they do have different choices… with lots of different possible finishes and handles that you can mix and match. For example, if I had a glamorous 1960s bathroom, I might well go for the “Catalina,” above. So pretty — like a tall, graceful swan.

And am I going nuts? I even like the “Manhattan,” above, if I had a 1980s bathroom to update.

These faucets are pretty high-end, that is: pricey. But Joan says that she has heard they have a good reputation. California Faucets does not sell their products direct; you need to go through a retailer. Their website has a good dealer locator / where to buy feature. Honestly, with something this expensive, I think it is advisable to see and touch — and to ensure you have recourse if there are any problems. That said: Many online businesses also have great service, including return policies. Bottom line: Check first.

Links:

Take a look at these faucets at California Products here.
See all my stories about possible bathroom faucets for midcentury bathrooms here.

Thank you, Joan, for this great tip!

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World of Tile — vintage NOS sinks, mirrors, lighting, faucets — 30 photos

pam kueber — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 08:30:55 +0000

My mega series of World of Tile wonder continues today with this new set of photos featuring ceramic mirrors… Italian lighting… decorative sinks… and faucets. World of Tile has an entire, HUGE room dedicated to these fixtures — this could be a store all its own! Most all of these were imported from Italy, in the 1970s and 1980s, I’d say. If I had a home built in the 70s or 80s that needed bathroom updates, I’d be all over these new old stock bathroom fixtures. A matching brown paisley sink, toilet and mirror set? Heck to the yeah! Oh — the lighting is all Italian GLASS — those aren’t acrylic pieces, folks. Luv. Click on through for the gallery of 30 photos — and that’s only a fraction of the stuff in this room! My head just keeps on spinnin’ –>

To see slide show, click on thumbnail, it will enlarge, use arrows below each image to move forward or back. You may stop or start at any image.

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