Do you have a vintage American Standard sink? If it’s from around 1955, this story might help you identify the name of your design. It’s also fun to look at old brochures, like this one from my personal collection, for color and decorating ideas.
Above: The American-Standard sink lineup in 1955 included, from left:
- The new Roxbury
- The Ledgewood
- The Marledge
and…
Above, from the left:
- Trimledge
- Decledge
- Dentaledge — yes, a dental sink complete with flushing room and built-in backflow preventer! Read more about dental sinks here.
- And the new Buena.
and…
Above: An eighth sink — the Symphony — so beautiful! …
Above: #9 is The Comrade. …
Above, upper right-hand corner: The Viking, a corner sink. …
Above: Those are twin “Companion” lavatories.
The tile-in sink is a Dresslyn. …
And the metal hudee-rimmed sinks are Highlyns, dropped into Merrilyn vanities (made of wood, not steel).
So many sinks — in so many colors — to choose from in 1955!
CategoriesSinks & Vanities
I picked up a complete butter-colored Manchu Yellow bathroom suite last year on craigslist. Getting close to installing these as the bathroom is next on the reno list. I am SO looking forward to my happy and sunny yellow bathroom!
Buckingham bathtub, twin Highlynn sinks (I think) and the ne plus ultra of biffies, the wall-hung Glennwall toilet.
Still searching for the 4-bolt in-wall hanger for the Glennwall. A plumber I contacted quoted me $300 odd dollars for a new one!
I need Hudee rings too, I presume, but my sinks were tiled in without them in what appeared to be the original installation. Maybe just a quirky homeowner?
I have the one with the tile countertop built around it. The sink is all chipped up and the patch kits do not work. Cannot remove the sink without removing the vanity and the wall around it. Any suggestions? Getting it all glazed will not do as that is very toxic and the bathroom does not have good ventilation.
Hi Sue Anne, I am not an expert on this.
Whoever glazes it could provide ventilation with fans and exhaust I would think.
I got a pink Dresslyn off eBay that I had refinished by Miracle Method. They were highly recommended my brother who had a tub done for a rental house 15 years ago. They can refinish it in place. (Please excuse me Pam if no name brand recommendations are allowed.)
My house was built in 1954 and has a green tub–sink and potty are newer. The tub was refinished white at some point, but is now peeling in places, revealing the green. Is it possible to remove the white without ruining the green underneath?
We also have a wall of block glass with an oven door window on the tub wall which I think is original as all the houses like mine around here (Milwaukee) have them. Other than that and the kitchen cabinets and interior doors, it’s a very ordinary house. We bought it for location, hardwood floors, and the summer roon on the garage. Since finding this blog, though, I’ve started wanting to emphasize the mid-century aspects and would get a sink like these if I could restore the tub.
summer rooM
Hi Mimi, I’m so gladding you’re loving your house more! Re the peeling: This is not a DIY site in that respect. On these kinds of issues, find a professional who can help given the specifics of your situation. And be sure to Renovate Safe! https://retrorenovation.com/renovate-safe/
A couple of those ads were a little racy for 1955!
I’m not a fan of having the commode so close to the sink.
I was thinking they were trying to catch the attention of men. Perhaps this was a reflection of the times.
This is even more true of modern plumbing fixture brochures. I don’t think it’s all for men though – women seem to like pics of themselves in the showers and tubs. You’d think men hardly ever shower or bathe based on 90+% of people shown being women – usually younger white women.
The home I live in was built in 1953 and one of the bathrooms has pink fixtures. I would like to know what shade of pink they are. They were made by American Standard and I believe the color is what they called Corralin. It is not a deep pink but more of a pastel color. Was the color Venetian pink available at this time? I believe it may have been the new color in the 1960’s. I may have to replace the toilet and need to know what color I am looking for.
See this story! >> https://retrorenovation.com/2016/03/22/bathroom-color-pink/
Hi, I am looking for 3 American Standard Dresslyn model bathroom sinks to purchase. (You show it pictured above). Any color is fine but must be in very good condition. Can anyone direct me to where I can purchase these? Thanks! Joann Smith
Hi Joann, using the basic instructions in this story may help: https://retrorenovation.com/2017/11/09/find-vintage-bathroom-sink-legs-towel-bars-chrome/
Good luck.
Thank you so much, Pam! Your tips are very helpful! deabath.com has one that might be a Dresslyn except it’s not named so I’m not sure. The one they have is priced at $259 which is way above what I was hoping to spend, so I’m still looking. If anyone knows of one to three Dresslyns priced at approximately $150 each NOS (new old stock), I would be thrilled. Thanks again! Joann
I’m happy the tips were helpful, Joann. Note, I don’t allow buying/selling here in the comment threads or else it would become chaos. So keep up with your search using all the tips. P.S. Adding New Old Stock to the “want” list is likely going to make it a much more difficult hunt, although someone does stumble on a stash now and then such as >> https://retrorenovation.com/2010/07/25/a-truckload-of-vintage-crane-sinks-mint-in-box-feast-your-eyes/
Thank you, Pam, for explaining your policy about buying/selling in the comments! I didn’t know you had a “want” list. I will look for it. Thanks again.
Hi Joann, when I say “want” list — I mean YOUR “want” list related to the kind of sink(s) you are looking for.
Our lavatory cabinet in need of TLC brought me here. I love your blog!
Do you know a source for the quarter-circle shaped door pulls and half-circle shaped drawer pulls (together they make a circle) on those cabinets? Ours is an apron front with laminate top 🙂
Hi Victor, I don’t recall ever seeing new hardware like that. Idea: Find a 3-D printer and see if they can make you a set?