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!
http://www.coolstuffiscoolstuff.com/product_detail.aspx?ID=732
Just was googling and found here a picture of a sink with a square sprayer. I prefer it over the typical sprayer that comes with newer faucets and have it hooked up to the new faucet that I installed. It’s a total conversation piece, my friends have never seen anything like it and it makes cleaning the sink or washing just my unruly bangs a breeze! 🙂
I did keep my old faucet parts so I will give Kohler a call, but I’m afriad budget constraints will leave me stuck with my ugly replacement for awhile.
Gosh, you all are doin’ great with tall this research!
That swan faucet is crazy! I could totally see it with a gold metallic paper, though. Thanks so much for sharing it with me.
My bathroom guy in Ann Arbor who has been in the biz since the 70’s is recommending California Faucets, and so is his plumber. I’ll let you know if I use it. I think I will.