Since Pam’s favorite 4″-centerset bathroom sink faucet (from Strom Plumbing ) appears to be no longer available, Pam assigned me to search the sea of other styles available today to identify other options. I found some more retro bathroom faucets — all sitting on on four-inch centers — that we think would be a good aesthetic fit for a mid-century bathroom sink.
Search tip: Several of these faucets are labeled for commercial use — so a reminder, as we’ve discovered before: checking a company’s commercial offerings can be a gold mine for retro home products such as faucets, flooring and lighting.
Retro bathroom sink faucets on 4″ centers:
Elements of Design:
The Metropolitan style faucet from Elements of Design is a top pick for looks (love those hexy edges). It looks very similar to one of Pam’s all-time favorite styles from Strom Plumbing/Sign of the Crab — Mississippi faucet — which is no longer available as a 4″ centerset design.
Union:
Above: Top of our “we like the looks list: We like the angular styling of this Union brass 70A 4″-center chrome lavatory faucet from Locke Plumbing. It’s Pam’s sense that faucets in the 1940s and 1950s had angular design touches like this; not 90-degree angles — but angles like you’d see on a hex nut.
Kohler:
Above: The Kohler Triton 4″ centerset faucet would look great with a pastel hudee-rimmed sink in a mid-century bathroom. I’m considering this style to replace the high arc bathroom faucet in my hall bathroom.
Chicago Faucets:
Above: Another company offering a few options of retro-styled 4″ centerset faucets is Chicago Faucets. Both faucets would work well in a mid-century pastel bathroom.
Pfister:
Above: We just recently learned of two retro-styled 4″ centerset faucets from the Pfister Pfirst line through a tip from reader Matthew, who used these affordable faucets in his mid-century bathrooms.
Matthew writes:
Hi! I wanted to turn you on to the “Pfirst” line from Pfister – I have chosen them for the “refresh” of my Mid Century Modest master bath. I think the lines are very appropriate, and you rarely see the double metal handle design.
Simple, good taste, and a classic design that has been around since the 50s. They’re very reasonably priced as well. Perfect to go on my vintage seafoam green sink.
Thanks for a very helpful site!
Matthew (Proud owner of two vintage baths – pink and seafoam green. Both currently being remodeled to highlight the vintage charm.)
American Standard
Pam previously identified this American Standard single handle 4″ spread Colony bathroom faucet as one that could be straight from the pages of a 1955 Homart bathroom catalog. Note: Reader Jason just wrote us to say he purchase this faucet. He said that while he likes the looks in his bathroom, he was disappointed that the material used on the bottom throat of the faucet spout (the non-shiny piece/plate you see in the photo above sweeping from the inside base of the faucet up to the where the water comes out) is a chrome-covered plastic, rather than metal, Jason said. Looking at the Pfister photos, it seems like their design might use this sort of material in their design as well. We do not the trade offs.
Wolverine
And heading into the postmodern era — If 1960s and 1970s crystal knobs are your thing, this Wolverine Brass Endurance Lavatory With Pop-Up Acrylic Handle from Locke Plumbing has a nice look.
Three specialty 4″-6″ spread bathroom faucets
Since Pam constantly gets emails from readers who are looking for replacement slant-back or shelf-back bathroom faucets, we also wanted to repeat our known resources. Our first go-to source woudl be DEAbath.com, which offers both slant-back and shelf-back faucets — above.
And, above: The Kohler Triton line also includes a shelf back option, which is what Dave and Fran used in their 1930s bathroom remodel. Thanks, Dave, for this tip!
Lilly says
The Union sink faucet with the triangular handles is the exact faucet we had in the bathroom of my parents 1950’s rambler when I was a kid. I have a weird photographic memory of things like that for some reason.
Their house was built somewhere between 1954-57.
Jay says
How timely. Yesterday before tackling yard winter clean up I decided to visit a furniture consignment warehouse. There was a beautiful mint green wall sink with chrome legs and towel bar across the front. It still had the faucet attached but the hot water handle was missing its “H’ cover. I seriously considered it for the $ 125 but for the future hall bath reno I think I am leaning towards the banjo sink top for a little more counter space.
Maureen Bajeyt says
I think it should also be noted that the American Standard and Chicago Faucets models shown are good for aging in place. Our home has interior doors but came with no knobs! But, after learning from many older neighbors about the difficulty of turning an egg-shaped door knob, I began to realize how important it would be for us to add knobs that won’t be difficult for arthritic fingers.
Douglas Camin @ House on Rynkus Hill says
This article is great – we were just beginning to look for a replacement faucet for our half bath. It has a 70s crystal on it now that we want to get back to something more appropriate. In addition to Union Brass, there is another vendor Central Brass as well.
Upstairs we have a pair of slant back faucets – we put the Central Brass model in a few years ago and it’s a great faucet. There are only 2-3 vendors of slant backs out there – the two I found are Central Brass and Union Brass. The Union Brass ones are a bit more angular than the Central ones. I may have chosen them at the time had I known about them.
I’d suggest perusing both the Union and Central Brass lines in their entirety – they basically make great faucets for both. Interesting note for the Union Brass model – you can get it with quarter-turn handles as well. Here are links to their lines (they include pictures):
Central Brass (you have to click the faucets PDF on the right): http://centralbrass.com/TPM.aspx?PAGE_ID=638
Union Brass: http://www.unionbrass.com/ublavatoryfaucets.htm
pam kueber says
Thanks, Douglas!!! Kate’s next assignment is clear – to complete our “slant back faucets” resource list!
Sam R says
I really wish Kohler made that Triton shelf-back faucet so that it could be extended to an 8″ center pattern. I have a gorgeous grey American Standard sink with a worn-out faucet, but I don’t want to spend $350 or so to rebuild/rechrome it for use in a basement 3/4 bath.
pam kueber says
try deabath.com — give them a call, see if they can help, tell ’em we sent you…
Douglas Camin @ House on Rynkus Hill says
Pam – I left a comment on here a few hours ago, but it weirdly didn’t show up, but didn’t say there was a problem. I didn’t want to just resubmit it, but thought I’d ask if it came through at all? I had included another source I knew of for faucets.
pam kueber says
nope, did not show up…
Douglas Camin @ House on Rynkus Hill says
Comment goblins! 🙂
pam kueber says
Sam R – also see Douglas’ comments on another source including for 8″ spreads
Douglas Camin @ House on Rynkus Hill says
The Union and Central Brass models fit 4 to 8 inch spreads, FYI.
Douglas Camin @ House on Rynkus Hill says
Small update – the Union Brass models for slant and shelf back are adjustable from 4 to 8 inches. The Central Brass models are only adjustable from 4 to 6 inches. So, here is my score sheet:
Central Brass:
– Less angular design (but still MCM)
– 4 to 6 inch spread
– Metal valves (this makes the hot water taper off when running)
Union Brass:
– Much more angular designs
– 4 to 8 inch spreads
– Ceramic valves
– 1/4 turn option available.
Pretty sure the Union one is a better bet from a feature perspective – I’ll probably be ordering one soon to find out!
pam kueber says
Interesting also to see a 6″ spread. Those can be hard to find… Thanks!
Sam R says
I may be out to lunch here, but I thought that the Kohler Triton was also adjustable from 4″-6″. The 8″ spread is the hard one to find, and a complete functional/cosmetic rebuild on one through DEA Bath would run about $350. $160 is much more palatable, and will allow me to use that lovely vintage sink!
Sam R says
Thanks for the lead on these! The spout on the Central Brass slant-back faucet is a much better cosmetic match for my 60 year old original Briggs faucet, and I just found a brand new one on eBay for about 1/3 of the Home Depot price!
Rudy says
You had to rub it in! As I sit here waiting for my plumber to come fix my fancy Electric Eye auto shutoff mickle Dornbracht bath faucet that cost $2500.00, you have to go and remind me how smart the designers and buyers were “back then.” I actually have one of these in my laundry room. The delta needed a new cartridge after 12+ years I think. I think I got 4 cartridges for $10 or so. Next house, these are DEFINITELY on the list. The fact they look wonderful is certainly a plus!
db says
I really prefer single-handle faucets (“must be able to turn on with elbow” is my primary requirement) like the American Standard, but was similarly disappointed as other RR readers when I saw it in person.
We recently installed Delta Foundations 4 in. Centerset 1-Handle Low Arc Bathroom Faucet in Chrome (Model # B510LF-PPU) which is chrome all over, very affordable, and makes me happy, even if “the look” isn’t quite the same.
Marcia says
I recently installed the American Standard faucet in my bathroom. I have liked these single-handle faucets ever since my Dad installed one in our house about 1959. I, too was disappointed to find the underpart made of gray plastic. You don’t see it when the faucet is in place, but still, I can’t help but think it’s not going to last like an all-metal fixture would. The packaging said it was made in Mexico. For now I’m quite happy with it. It’s so chrome-y and easy to clean. We’ll see about its longevity.
Marilyn Dinard says
What I did was to go to habitat for humanity at the RESOURCE store in my area. They have vintage sink parts with THE METAL underpart you can possibly intertwine with your newer faucet.
I had found an old crane sink with this kind of faucet and stripped the part off the old one.
That way maybe you can have the best of both worlds of old and new if the piece should fit your newer to replace the junkie looking plastic one underneath!
virginia says
This is one of those things wherein one feels one’s life flashing on the screen. I feel like I’ve encountered all of these faucet features over the course of the last 60 years–because I have. We are now living with American Standard in our main bathroom — which sounds grand. One of two bathrooms — both very small — House built in 49.
Mary Elizabeth — I’m with you on looking for stuff made in the USA. Just because that would be good.
I’m interested these days in some odd things — linens from the period, including towel sets. And trivets and plates. And bark cloth which I became collecting in the 80s.
Faucets and plumbing are crucial of course and in this sense I’m all about functionality. HVAC and plumbing in these old houses — again, 1949, N. Arlington, VA — are a constant constant headache and their maintenance can mean not being able to do other things.
One of few reasons I envy more recent structures.
Allen says
I think the more recent structures will develop these problems you have mentioned sooner rather than later. This is why its so important to use the highest quality materials that can be afforded especially on things that you touch all the time (faucets, doorknobs, light switches etc).
Mary Elizabeth says
Good Morning, Kate and Pam!
Matthew, I envy you your seafoam green bath! Can’t wait to see when you are finished with your projects. All I want is a seafoam or mint drop-in sink, and have not found one yet. None of the companies that make retro sinks have picked up the color yet. The shower and toilet in my second bath are white, but I can paint the rest of the bathroom the right shade of green to go with the sink.
Just wanted to add that when we went shopping for a faucet for our newly restored pink bathroom, we were surprised that not all the faucets that fit our aesthetic were actually made in this country. Home restoration products made in the USA are a top priority of ours. When you buy a faucet online, it doesn’t always say “imported” or “made in USA.” So readers who share our priority should go to the plumbing supply store or call up the online source to inquire.