Luxury Waterworks sink, wall-mount with chrome legs and towel bars

Finishing up my recent series on bathroom sinks matched with chrome legs, I wanted to spotlight this Waterworks model. No doubt, it is GORGEOUS. But, the chrome legs with integrated towel bars do run $1,475... while the sink is $315. If you've got the cash and the desire, this certainly would be the centerpiece of your retro reno bathroom. But, if you just want the look and the basic functionality, see my other, recent bathroom posts on wall-mount sinks from Crane that can be matched with $30 chrome legs from Franklin Brass. Another thought: Think about it, the original fixtures used in our retro homes were NOT luxury. They were stylish...and functional...but, accessible to the growing population. In that spirit, I really prefer to seek out affordable products to complete a retro renovation.

So in that spirit: Try salvage shops...or even place an ad in your local paper. I advertised in the items wanted section a couple of years ago, and immediately turned up a wall-mount sink with fabulous chrome legs with towel bars, and nabbed the set for $65. It had be sitting in someone's basement for 20 years. It was in perfect shape, and looks awesome in my tiny but functional - and beautiful - master bathroom.

Waterworks website, certainly worth salivating over: http://www.waterworks.com/Waterworks/Products/Products.nsf/ProductsCat/02DC9A03EA1C2D6105256D9D00752A2B?OpenDocument

Wall-mount sinks are the perfect solution for small, mid-century bathrooms

Yesterday, I wrote about a new source for chrome legs to go with wall-mount, aka wall-hung sinks. Now that we have that problem solved (thank you, Franklin Brass), I offer several wall-mount sink models to go with the legs.

Another very good alternative is to buy a vintage sink at a salvage shop or tag sale, of course. But if you want to put together a retro bathroom using new fixtures, you can certainly do it, with great results. In addition, these sinks are very affordable.

Remember: You also are going to use Olympia Tile behind them. And see all my postings on retro-styled faucets. Note, some of these sinks are also available with 4"- and 8"-three hole setups.

The last sink photo posted -- the one with legs -- is actually from Waterworks. This is more than $1500!!!!! So easy to replicate this look using more down-to-earth priced materials featured.

I've featured my very favorite models from Crane in the photos. The first photo/sink featured is particularly terrific. There are additional models available online:

Crane Plumbing -- http://www.craneplumbing.com/search.aspx?cat=173&lang=EN

Finally - check your local Home Depot. Last time I was there, they also had wall-mount sinks reach to cash and carry.

Big find: Great chrome legs for your wall-mounted sink, from Franklin Brass

This is a big find for me -- I've been on the lookout forever for new chrome legs that can be used with vintage or new wall-mounted sinks.

The look is a 50s classic -- and great for small bathrooms, as having the space underneath the sink makes the room look much bigger. Just keep on top of all the dust bunnies.

This find would be even better if there were attached chrome towel bars. Even so -- Thank you Franklin Brass for this great product!

Note: You can click right on the spec sheet in this posting - and get a larger more readable image.

MSRP is $28.85. Here's the url to Franklin Brass' website including their store locator. http://www.libertyhardware.com/brands/franklin_brass/

Where to get porcelain kitchen sink+drainboard combination?

Does anyone know of a company that's reproducing the cast-iron, porcelain-enameled sinks with drainboards as featured on top of this metal sink base? They were very popular in the '50s and while you can get them today in metal, I cannot find a source in porcelain.

They can be picked up salvaged -- such as this one at
www.historichouseparts.com. But it seems like they could also be easily reproduced. Let me know if you have a source and I will feature it on the blog.

Kitchen sinks: Great 50s style choices

It's Mac to the rescue again with some nice choices of cast iron porcelain-enameled sinks for the kitchen. The first two sinks pictured are both from Mac the Antique Plumber, http://www.antiqueplumber.com/, and the site says the same same supplier has been making them for 70 years. I believe them. I salvaged four (yes, four) similar sinks circa 1963 recently, and will install one in my upcoming kitchen reno.

The stainless countertop sinks are both from Elkay. I recently saw the first one in an ad from the 50s - it appears to be virtually unchanged from then.

Blogger not letting me post my final pic, so I will have to do a separate post of the sink I REALLY want to see reproduced: A cast iron porcelain-enamal sink/counter combo like the stainless version from Elkay above. IS ANYONE MAKING THESE?

Bathroom faucets that are hands-down 50s style winners

God bless Mac the Antique Plumber.

These are my two favorite lavatory faucets for 1950s bathroom restorations/renovations. The shape of the faucet escutcheons (the bases of the handles, yes that's what they are called) are the most reminiscent of the wrecked faucets I pulled out of my original 1951 bathrooms. Both of these faucets are from Mac the Antique Plumber -- http://www.antiqueplumber.com/. They are not inexpensive, each around $250 on sale, but I found the quality to be excellent and Mac's had great customer service, too.

A note on the 8" "Mississippi" lav (the second featured). It is much larger in scale than a 50s lav faucet. If you are purchasing a sink to go with it, ensure you have adequate "deck" space on the sink. The Kohler cast iron self-rimming sinks recommended in my Jan. 29 blog look great with this sink.

Regarding the 4" "Deco" two-hole-mixer faucet shown, I have never seen anything to match this one. It was not available when I renovated my bathrooms, and instead, I had the original faucet rechromed for $115. It leaks to this day and is a real pain. I wish this had been available then, and may end up with it yet. Ugh to the brass, though. Go for chrome, for sure, or nickel if you must.

BTW Mac the Antique Plumber has some great kitchen sinks that I will showcase in a future post.