There’s a big payoff for blogging day in, day out, for more than five years: You see a lot of stuff. My archives are just brimming with all kinds of rare features found in midcentury American homes. I was thinking, “Golly, I’ve seen quite a few very interesting vintage kitchen sinks,” so I decided to go through my archives and see what I could find. And find, I did. Here are thirteen vintage kitchen sinks — some are super rare, as in one siting in five years… others are a bit more common (although still rare in the grand scheme of things)… all are delightful. First up:
- Youngstown Servi-Center — Very very rare, I think. We have only ever seen one.
BE SAFE / RENOVATE SAFE:
This story is about odd and wonderful. But remember: There can be hazards in the materials and products in our old houses and vintage products — so get with your own properly licensed professional to assess what you are dealing/working with. See our Be Safe/Renovate Safe page for more info.
Elkay Stainless Steel Console — Also just one spotting in the wild.
- And here’s another Elkay design — the Elkay Consolette — discovered by reader Karen in Oct. 2014.
- Tappan Ultraflo kitchen sink: Woot!!! zzzzzzzappppppp. NOT! I have never seen this sink still extant, in the wild.
- American Standard “Midway” sink — Porcelain drainboard sink — built like a kitchen island. Circa 1954 image. We have never seen one of these in the wild — only in this advertisement.
- Added Dec. 3: I just spotted this in an old story — a vintage Elkay (I’m guessing) similar to the American Standard Midway — but in stainless steel. Originally spotted in the Corbett House.
- Update Jan. 16, 2013 — Kate spotted this big stainless steel sink — similar to the Corbett House sink, but also featuring two drainboards — at her local ReStore. Wow. I’m guessing: used commercially
- Updated March 24, 2013 — Another variation on the vintage Elkay, this one spotted on craigslist. I’m calling this rare(ish) because you cannot get this kind of deep bowl/shallow bowl combo today. Listing said: Mid Century (1955) 84 inch stainless steel kitchen counter with 2 integrated sinks. Vintage Elkay Lustertone (top of the line back then, and today), excellent condition, no gauges or scratches, just normal fine wear in the stainless steel. Counters angle towards sinks on both sides. One sink is 14″W x16″L x 8″ D with opening for garbage disposal. Second sink is 22W x 16L x 4 D (the lady of the house had a stool under the sink). Entire piece is 84″ x 25″. Called Elkay — today, a new 80″ Lustertone counter with 2 sinks would retail for $2,800. Perfect for a modern or mid-century modern renovation. $450 or best offer.
- Kitchen drainboard sink with integrated top-loading dishwasher — These units from Youngstown (and maybe other makers) were not super-rare. But still coolio to the max.
- GE Wonder Kitchen — Super fabulous: GE made the Wonder Kitchen — these wereThese were marketed as one-piece, space-saving, space-age kitchen units. The cabinet modules were united by a long single piece of stainless steel counter top, which also had a sink and electric range engineered right into into it. Above: Read more: Chris buys a Wonder Kitchen on craigslist, restores it, and installs it in his Mies van der Rohe apartment kitchen. We also have seen “Hotpoint Wonderline” kitchens — same exact idea; at some point GE owned Hotpoint, so these may be the same kitchens, just rebranded.
- American Brand drainboard sink — Not so easy to see in this particular photo, but the faucet is designed to fit into a specifically designed niche. You can still get the replacement faucet for this sink today. I get the original reader question on this… I point them to the resource… and they are amazed. I am amazed.
- American Standard Fiesta Sink — Came in a variety of colors and bowl configurations.
- Another stunning American Standard kitchen sink with a unique shape, round bowls and a mysterious original faucet.
- Ebco kitchen sink with two bowl shapes — I have only ever seen one vintage kitchen sink like this, combining one square bowl and one round bowl. Sold for $150 at Historic House Parts.
Would you like to see a bunch more “typical” vintage kitchen sinks? How about these 15 vintage sinks from Kohler:
Mike H. says
I have the one that is on the first picture of this site, and I am looking to sale it. It is in a state of needing to be restored. In great shape. Does anyone know of anyone who wants to buy it. I am located in the Southern California – Inland Empire area. Check out the the list with the guys name. I didn’t want to be rude, and glorify some other site.
Mike H.
pam kueber says
Put it on craigslist, that’s likely your most efficient option to a sale.
Given the rarity of this design, you might also try ebay but then inspection and shipping gets more complicated.
Good luck.
Mike H. says
Thank you very much Pam Kueber. What should be my asking price? I just wanted to get your opinion on it. I will get other’s as well, but I don’t know anything about pricing this. I know it would look awesome refurbished.
Thanks.
Mike
pam kueber says
I don’t do valuations.
JP says
Flip down drainboard? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-antique-porcelain-Farm-cast-iron-kitchen-pantry-sink-Metal-Cabinet-Kohler-19-/161278979772?pt=Architectural_Garden&hash=item258cf9eebc
Anastasia says
The only time I have “seen” the Tappan push button was on the original “Ugliest Bathroom America” special where there was carpet in the bathroom & a push button sink that no one knew how to fix.
Most of those are pretty cool!
pam kueber says
bah humbug
Anastasia says
I know, I thought it was cool! This was in 2004, so before the blog started? I’m having a hard time finding photos from it. It really has an interesting design.
Melinda Green says
Not sure how “vintage” but saw this sink at ReStore for $75. I was very intrigued, but knew that we really want two equal bowls – the small round bowl wouldn’t cut it. Small round bowl for food prep? had garbage disposal in round bowl – 70s?
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/546131892284964655/
katy says
Grandma June has a WORKING servi-center in her house in La Habra, Ca and our neighbors up her in North Dakota just pitched a working one in the trash heap!
George Parsons says
hi Pam, in your 10 “rare” kitchen sinks, you don’t show the one in the center at the top of your page? it looks like the very rare one i have that was in a 1962 kitchen show in Calif. the plain one in the photo you show “kitchen oddities” was feautured on the old dick van dyke show. i have the deluxe model with sanitazer, hot/cold water push buttons, soap dispenser, and on each end of the unit there are motors. one is for a blender the other has attachements for mixing batters, bread and more. it came with full instructions and recipes too. i sure would like to know what it may be worth as well as if anyone else has one. thanks, George
pam kueber says
cuz those are FAUCETS — not sinks! I need to do a whole ‘nother story on rare kitchen faucets. NOTE: I have done several stories on the Electro Sink Center, and have one myself: https://retrorenovation.com/2011/05/31/electro-sink-center-the-most-wonderful-kitchen-faucet-ever/ AND https://retrorenovation.com/2011/06/24/electro-sink-center-on-the-dick-van-dyke-show/
Cher says
Pam,
You posted about a cleaning product that was great for old sinks. Can’t find the link to purchase it. I have been using barkeepers on my 1936 farm sink. I did not know better but would like to try the product you used. I read the posts between you and kohler I believe. Quite interesting.
Cher
Kimberly Ann says
PS If you scroll down on my link above, you’ll see a photo of a retro kitchen sink that I won at an auction for $3. Aqua! I’m planning on installing in my kitchen sometime in the near future.
Kate says
I just bought an ampco double sink & cabinet. Would like to send a photo. Email me and I will email it
pam kueber says
you can reach me via my contact form (at right and at bottom)
Cher says
I will take pictures.