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Remodel & decorate in Mid Century Style

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Home / What to Collect / ... salvage places

A gorgeous vintage toilet for your retro renovation bathroom

pam kueber - Updated: April 13, 2009

Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.

Vintage Crane Criterion toilet 1951

So where else can you come to swoon over beautiful toilets (without a hangover being involved)!

Truly, when I was renovating my three bathrooms, I searched and searched for a retro style toilet. Most everything out there was “Victorian on steroids.” I swear – I could name ANY and EVERY toilet made in America by make and model on sight. It was really rather impressive, I was quite proud, I wanted a gold star.  I ended up with a milquetoast Kohler Wellworth.

Oh what I would give for three Crane Criterions JUST LIKE THIS.

This one is available now in deabath.com’s stash. Not cheap – but Fabulous! Here’s what they have to say about this particular model:

1951 Crane Criterion Elongated Close-coupled Toilet

A rare find! Supplied with the original saddle seat, this toilet just screams modernism. This was Crane’s top-of-the-line for 1951, and was only found custom, high-end homes . 12” rough, 3” waste, will fit most newer applications.. There is a crack, it’s been repaired and it’s not visible. (bottom of tank) This one will not last!
OT08910 Crane Criterion toilet 1095.00

Oh, and when I come back to my next life — I want to be the person who names toilets. I will do a whole riff on that soon! 🙂

And how about pairing it with this late 50s Crane Diana sink:

1950s Crane Diana console sink
1950s Crane Diana console sink

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7 comments

Comments

  1. Vaughn Becker says

    January 20, 2015 at 7:13 pm

    I have a vintage CRANE CRITERION TOILET (blue) with a seat showing a number 3-103. My home was built in 1957 with subject toilet still service and in excellent condition.

    I am planning bathroom remodel and (was) considering replacing this
    unit. What is the value of same ?

    • pam kueber says

      January 20, 2015 at 7:21 pm

      Vaughn, we do not do valuations here.

  2. jay says

    September 23, 2011 at 3:49 pm

    I have a 1954 Richmond toilet and need a replacement tank. Any advice on where to find one? Thanks.

  3. Sharon says

    June 9, 2011 at 10:25 pm

    Hi Pam,
    I just noticed the article about the Crane toilet and photo of the Diana sink. I had to smile after looking at the price. I found a Diana (with the original label and date stamped on the bottom) at a local salvage, in excellent condition, for…… $50!!! It is now installed in my retro powder room. Whoo hoo!

  4. Pat says

    February 20, 2009 at 8:11 pm

    Talking about toilets – We have a very unusual one that could be original to the house (1928). The tank is solid oak, lined of course, and instead of being on the wall above the toilet, it’s in a closet which is on the other side of the bathroom wall! My step daughter about freaked out when she saw it, she has some weird thing about strange bathrooms. Anyway, I think it’s pretty cool.

  5. Bob Vokac says

    February 20, 2009 at 3:26 pm

    I have a 1958 Criterion.
    Do you have a seat for a Crane Criterion toilet?

    Bob Vokac
    bvokac1@roadrunner.com

    • Pam Kueber says

      February 20, 2009 at 3:27 pm

      Bob, here is our definitive toilet seat update: https://retrorenovation.com/2009/02/06/where-to-get-a-toilet-seat-to-match-my-vintage-toilet/

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