by pam kueber on October 18, 2007
Finishing up my recent series on bathroom sinks matched with chrome legs, I wanted to spotlight this Waterworks model. No doubt, it is GORGEOUS. But, the chrome legs with integrated towel bars do run $1,475… while the sink is $315. If you’ve got the cash and the desire, this certainly would be the centerpiece of your retro reno bathroom.
But, if you just want the look and the basic functionality, see my other, recent bathroom posts on wall-mount sinks from Crane that can be matched with $30 chrome legs from Franklin Brass. Another thought: The original fixtures used in our retro homes were NOT luxury. They were stylish…and functional…but, accessibly priced for the growing population. So in that spirit, I really prefer to seek out affordable products to complete a retro renovation.
So in that spirit: Try salvage shops…or even place an ad in your local paper. I advertised in the items wanted section a couple of years ago, and immediately turned up a wall-mount sink with fabulous chrome legs with towel bars, and nabbed the set for $65. It had be sitting in someone’s basement for 20 years. It was in perfect shape, and looks awesome in my tiny but functional – and beautiful – master bathroom.
by pam kueber on October 13, 2007
Yesterday, I wrote about a new source for chrome legs to go with wall-mount, aka wall-hung sinks. Now that we have that problem solved (thank you, Franklin Brass), I offer several wall-mount sink models from Crane Plumbing to go with the legs. The first one at the top is particularly cool, don’t you think? It’s the Crane Yorkshire. The second simpler model is the Crane Norwich. NOTE THOUGH: Crane says that these are not designed for legs … I am going to do more research on this, as I have a hard time believing there are no holes for legs but meanwhile, take note.
Another very good alternative is to buy a vintage sink at a salvage shop, tag sale, or even put an ad in your local newspaper — over the course of 5 years of hunting, I’ve seen a dozen or more available through these means.
Also: Try the Re-Store. And there’s always: deabath.com
And see all my postings on retro-styled faucets. Note, some of these sinks are also available with 4″- and 8″-three hole setups.
Finally – check your local Home Depot. Last time I was there, they also had wall-mount sinks reach to cash and carry.
by pam kueber on October 12, 2007
This is one of two sets of chrome legs possible to match up with your wall hung sink.
The other is at deabath.com – see this post.
The look is a 50s classic — and great for small bathrooms, as having the space underneath the sink makes the room look much bigger. Just keep on top of all the dust bunnies.
This find would be even better if there were attached chrome towel bars. Even so — Thank you Franklin Brass for this great product!
Note: You can click right on the spec sheet in this posting – and get a larger more readable image.
You might also want to check out my towel bar post.
MSRP is $28.85.
The legs are no longer featured on the website. They are model number F-1321. Please note, Franklin Brass does not sell direct. Go to one of their recommended retailers or put the keywords for this item into a google search and find it online.
by Pam Kueber on February 26, 2006
Does anyone know of a company that’s reproducing the cast-iron, porcelain-enameled sinks with drainboards as featured on top of this metal sink base? They were very popular in the ’50s and while you can get them today in metal, I cannot find a source in porcelain.
They can be picked up salvaged. But it seems like they could also be easily reproduced. Let me know if you have a source and I will feature it on the blog.
by Pam Kueber on February 26, 2006
It’s Mac to the rescue again with some nice choices of cast iron porcelain-enameled sinks for the kitchen. The first two sinks pictured are both from Mac the Antique Plumber, which says that the same same supplier has been making them for 70 years. I believe them. I salvaged four (yes, four) similar sinks circa 1963 recently, and will install one in my upcoming kitchen reno.
The stainless countertop sinks are both from Elkay. I recently saw the first one in an ad from the 50s – it appears to be virtually unchanged from then.
by pam kueber on January 30, 2006
I completed gutted and renovated three bathrooms and in the process did tons of research. To replicate the 50s look, I think there are three ways to go:
- Vintage — I found a vintage sink with chrome legs and built-in towel bars by running a $12 ad in my local paper. I got a couple of calls, and followed up on one that was instant paydirt. I paid $60 for a sink that was in great shape. I’ve also seen quite a few of these kinds of sinks at tag sales, but obviously you’ve got to be very patient to go this route. A couple of notes, though, on vintage sinks — back then, height was only 30″ or maybe 32″. Today, a lot of pedestal sinks are 34″ high, reflecting the fact that we are taller. Waterworks makes a beautiful pedestal sink with chrome legs — but it cost more than $1,600. I’ve found that the 30″ height really is not a big deal, and I’m 5′8″. A second issue: Have your plumber measure the sink and where it connects to the wall carefully. He plumbed to the “standard” without checking mine, and we ran into problems. Again, it’s an issue of 1950s specs differing from today’s. Finally, note that 50s’ “white” porcelain is a different color than today’s. Today’s is brighter, bluer. Initially, I was really worried about the match — but ultimately it doesn’t bother me a bit. Your eye just mixes the whites all together.
- Kohler cast iron drop-in sinks — Two of my bathrooms have built-in vanities (more in this in a later post.) Originally, they had square drop-in sinks with metal rim pieces. You can still get these from Kohler, and they are relatively inexpensive. My husband is a neat freak, though, and didn’t want those metal pieces, insisting the dirt collects there. Instead, in one bathroom we used a “Tahoe” self-rimming model, same shape and same overall effect as the square sinks that we replaced but no metal. In the other, we used Thoreau, also a self-rimming model. This is a big oval sink, the size is really great if you have the counter space to handle it. A note on cast iron: I find these to have a gorgeous, quality sheen.
- Kohler porcelain drop-in — There are a number of self-rimming porcelain models that also have a 50s look.
Pictured, left to right: Thoreau, Tahoe…(exactly as used used in one of my bathrooms)…and Women’s Vanity. My girlfriend has a Men’s Lav, which is similar to the Women’s Vanity and still available from Kohler, in her house, probably installed in the early 60s. These are big, and wonderful and if you have the room — go for it.
I used white. I’ll discuss colors in another post.
And finally — when choosing a sink, you need to know what kind of faucet set you are using before you make a final decision. See my faucet selections.
Kohler has a pretty good site, you can search by installation type and material. You can also click colors and they show up on the sinks.
