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Beauty Queen Lavanette and Vanette

pam kueber - Updated: August 21, 2020

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

“Vanity … Powder Bar … Lavatory — All in One!”

lavanette This morning we took a look at the 1959 Formica Vanitory. Continuing with our bathroom scholarship, let’s examine another rare bathroom vanity, from mid century America: The Beauty Queen Lavanette line.

Here at Retro Renovation, we already know Beauty Queen as a not-uncommon brand of vintage steel kitchen cabinets. The Beauty Queen brand seems to have been the market name for some of the products produced by Toledo Desk & Fixture Corp., Maumee, Ohio. I have been to Maumee, Ohio. Ford had a stamping plant there, now closed. Meanwhile, here’s a story from the Toledo Blade with some history on Toledo Desk & Fixture — looks like its corporate offices were on the same street as the Ford plant. The newspaper article says the company like they had some automotive business, too.

Like their Beauty Queen kitchen cabinet counterparts, the Lavanettes and Vanettes were made of steel cabinet bases and drawers. The ads say: Formica tops.

I saw one of these vintage Lavanettes — New Old Stock! — a few years back, for sale for $250 in Rochester, New York. Or maybe it was Syracuse. I thought for a heartbeat about going and getting it. However, I recall that I was already on thin ice with DH over too many “projects” in storage in the garage… which put the brakes on the idea. Do I have regrets? Heck to the yeah!. But surely: Some other super appreciative buyer snapped it up. Because who else would?

How did they hold up to all the humidity in bathrooms, I wonder.

Here are some terrific archival illustrations of several Lavanette and Vanette designs, all from my personal collecting of mid century marketing material:

beauty-queen-cabinets-1-2

Above: From this advertisement, we can see that a Lavanettes is 36″ wide…. The Deluxe Vanette (in green) is 48″ wide…. It’s unclear which moniker the double sink unit gets. I’m guessing it’s 60″ wide. From the text, it seems to be a Lavanette. But this is not crystal clear. Nor is it clear how and why Beauty Queen made the distinction between what was called a Lavanette vs. a Vanette. And, I need to go find the year for this ad, too. My bathroom scholarship is lacking, alas.

beauty queen lavanetteAbove: A photo in an ad — which indicates a later year…. And, no mention of Vanettes here. Yes, I need to continue to keep my eyes peeled for more information tracing the history of  these nifty bathroom vanities.

I also want to point out the fact that this historical nomenclature — like that of the Formica “Vanitory” — continues to underscore the likely pervasive use of the word “Lavatory” in mid century America. Lavatory = wash. Vanity = Sit and primp. Restroom, Washroom, Bathroom — not mentioned in these marketing names.

Do any readers have a Lavanette or Vanette in their bathroom?
I would LOVE to get photos and archive them here! 

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35 comments

Comments

    • pam kueber says

      Michelle, no buying/selling here on the blog or it becomes chaos. Watch craigslist like a hawk. If you live near Western Massachetts, email me via the Contact forms at the bottom of the page. I have one in my garage I will sell you!

  2. Laurie says

    We actually have 5 of these units (2 blue and 3 green ones) we are going to be putting up for sale in Northern California. They are in near-perfect condition with just a few small dents. Not sure if this site allows “for sale” postings but if you are interested, google search ReMax Top Properties in Red Bluff, CA for our phone number and I can get you more info.

  4. Randy Mitchell says

    I have a Deluxe Lavanette for sale. It came with our 1914 house and was plumbed into our master bedroom. Wife says “time to go”. When I unhooked it from the plumbing I found a new boxed faucet tucked underneath and another metal pocket box that hangs inside one of the lower doors! I live in Central Washington and plan to post it on Craigslist Seattle. Thanks for the helpful information!

  5. misty says

    Anyone know what the original faucet looked like? What brand. Mine has an old delta on it now but not sure if it’s original.
    Also, to the rust question…. like a previous post, cabinet is fine, but sink rusted through. 🙁

    • pam kueber says

      See our several stories about where to find hudee-rimmed bathrooms sinks in Bathroom Help/Sinks category.

  7. Daniel Lay says

    I have a Beauty Queen double drainboard/double sink cabinet (with white porcelain sick) that I am having powder painted (less expensive,but less durable than powder coating) pale green, as well as two matching side cabinets ,also pale green,to flank my white 50’s O’Keefe & Merritt range.
    My vintage Vent-a-hood will be pale grey to match the base’s of 3 medium back vinyl stools from an SS Kresge fountain that will surround a slightly modified boomerang linoleum tabletop mounted to a side wall . I hope to dye the vinyl a darker green from the red they are now. It’s a small kitchen, so I won’t have room for my SS Western-Holly double ovens,with portholes, but some things just had to give. I’ll send some photos,if you’s like, as I begin. Hope to be done by late spring 2014.

  8. Scott says

    Here’s a little piece of the Lavanette timeline… a half page ad nearly identical the first one above appeared on page 180 of the September 1952 issue of Better Homes and Gardens.

    The difference between this ad and yours is the second model shown with the red top is a less deluxe version with only the sink, countertop, and three drawers… same shape, details, colors, and styling but about a third as wide.

  9. Mike says

    That’s my toilet in the background! I scored it for free on Craigslist and had to drive 16 hours round trip to get it.

  10. Blair Kooistra says

    Wow. That top illustration is sooo erotic–in a Ward Cleaver/Rob Petrie sort of way. Alluring, just enough skin in strategic places. And the vanity ain’t bad, either!