Crane is one of our all-time favorite brands for their beautiful and very desirable bathroom sinks — the Crane Criterion comes immediately to mind, and we’ve seen NOS Crane Marcia’s, too. But back in the day, Crane also made steel kitchen cabinets and porcelain drainboard sinks. This catalog shows their designs from 1953 … Click on through for 26 photos, including closeups, from the complete catalog.
As you can see (above), cabinets were white, but the drainboard sinks came in seven lovely pastel colors, along with white.
One of the cool things about this catalog is that it gives us cute model names for each of the sink designs. Above: The Kitchen Queen.
There also are some illustrated kitchen design renderings to ogle. Remember, in 1953, America was transitioning from a “1940’s” look to a “1950s” look. These kitchens are more ’40s looking – typified by white cabinets, true linoleum floors, deeper (rather than pastel) colors, and deco and streamline touches — which you can clearly see in the kitchen above. The color on the wall, by the way, is a ringer, I’d say, for the Caribbean Coral in Sherwin-Williams’ Suburban Modern Palette.
Relive 1953 kitchens –> To use the slide show, click on the first thumbnail… it will enlarge… move forward or back via the arrows below the image… you can start or stop at any image…
Jessica says
I just purchased the all American sink. Where can I find a faucet that will work?
Pam Kueber says
We have a story on this – but I don’t know if they are available anymore. https://retrorenovation.com/2009/02/24/a-special-faucet-for-vintage-american-brand-kitchen-drainboard-sinks-still-available/
Terri says
I have a rescued Crane Kitchen Queen double sink with drain boards on either side; a total of 72″ long. It’s in near perfect condition. Does anyone know how much it weighs? Moving it from the van to storage could only be done by sliding it. Two of us can’t lift it. Going to need to know how strong to make the supports for installation. We don’t have the original cabinets.
Thanks for any info
James says
Good Afternoon Ladies, My name is James I am looking for replacement parts for the draw slides for Crane Line Cabinets. Hope you could give me some leads where I could find them. Thanks James Master Refinishers San Antonio, Tx
Sylvia F says
Hi Pam, I’m a grad student doing a bit of research on Crane sinks by Henry Dreyfuss and was wondering if you had any helpful information about their pre WWII style sinks and their post war ones.
Emma Noe says
Hi,
How to get a catalog? Plse reply. Thank you. EN
pam kueber says
Emma, this is one vintage catalog in my collection…. it is not for sale. However, watch ebay, and you may be able to nab one!
Trish says
Wow, I just bought the breadbox drawer accessory earlier this summer. I didn’t know what it was other than being shiny and cute!
Julinka says
I love my Crane Kitchen Queen sink. Until I saw this page I had never seen another one. It is in good condition and I am currently spray painting the cabinet part with epoxy white and will put new handles on it. It looks great in my bungalow. I have some Georges Briard pieces in my kitchen that compliment the sink and give it real retro look.
David Staskowski says
I have rescued Crane Kitchen cabinets. Some of the rollers on the drawer slide need replacing. Is there anyone out there who has experience with this?
I am looking for a solution BEFORE I am forced to admit it was a bad idea not to check if the drawers work before I bought these beauties
paula says
Hey Pam,
I am putting the finishing touches on my Crane Kitchen Queen Kitchen and have a wall that could use a picture. I looked online for retro posters and though I liked a few I have an idea and want to know if it is possible. I think you may know….Do you think I could make a poster of one of the pages of the Crane catalog? I am thinking of page 4 that has the sink specs and the coral red and green kitchen (I found evidence my kitchen was originally painted that color). Please let me know if you think it is possible. Thanks, Paula
Nickie says
Just curious what the asking price would be for a full kitchen of Crane cabinets (upper & lower). We have an entire kitchen filled with these metal cabinets that I would love to sell. We have 1 cabinet needing some replacement hinges, any idea where those could be purchased?