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Old looking, tiny bathroom sink

jgv | Posted in General Discussion on November 10, 2004 04:57am

I’m about at my witts end. Have a 1910 Edwardian style house, still with old charm, trim, and appeal. We’ve closed off part of an abandoned back stairway (abandonded by previous owners in the 50’s) and are making it in to a 2pc washroom. I’ve got it all plumbed, it is going to work well, and so on. That isn’t the problem.

I’ve been looking for almost 2 years for an appropriate sink. I’ve got about 18″ of depth to work with (so very shallow). Width isn’t an issue. Sink will be in front of an original pocket door and so will be quite visible. Moving the sink is out of the question and wouldn’t help in this small space.

I’ve gone to auctions, antique shops, gone through catalogues. I’d be happy to put a very small free standing cabinet there and sink a bowl into the top but even that soultion has proved evasive.

Two years without a sink and it is getting to be a feature rather than a problem. Any suggestions on sources?

Cheers.

Reply

Replies

  1. robteed | Nov 10, 2004 05:06pm | #1

    Jakes plumbing in Lansing Michigan. They sell lots of salvage plumbing.

    I dont have a number right now, but they are listed. I havent been there

    in over a year. Hopefully Home Depot/Lowes hasnt put them out of business.

  2. User avater
    artacoma | Nov 10, 2004 05:26pm | #2

    This is what I made after using a bucket for a year . Maybe a little more contemporary than what you are lookin for but might give you some ideas. It's about 17" deep, cheers

    .........Rik......

    1. clem | Nov 13, 2004 02:53pm | #23

      Rik,

      Clever idea and looks great.  

      Clem

  3. rez | Nov 10, 2004 08:40pm | #3

    http://www.vermontsalvage.com/ is one large yard that is worth a look.

    A number of different salvage firms have listed websites.

    Shipping charges sound like they might get a little rich.

     

  4. Pierre1 | Nov 10, 2004 08:47pm | #4

    Drive to each of the municipal dumps/landfills in your area and ask the guy in charge to keep an eye open for you. Offer a $50 finder's fee or whatever. If you've got a bunch of late 1800s towns nearby, you're bound to find one of these old sinks. I saw one the other day at the dump, a cast-iron corner unit, laying in the mud and free for the asking.

  5. User avater
    JeffBuck | Nov 10, 2004 10:36pm | #5

    where are U?

    might have one in the basement.

    Jeff

  6. User avater
    CapnMac | Nov 11, 2004 12:00am | #6

    Greetings & Welcome to BT.

    How have you "set" the 18" depth?  Could you use a wall-hung unit that was, say 19" or 20" deep, instead?  Would a "non-traditional" lavatory (like Artacoma suggested)?  American Standard has some unique new glass lavatories in their line.  There's a square & round bowl that install right at 18" - 19" deep with a deck-mount faucet; they'd go a bit shallower with a wall mount, instead.

    And, as is always (or seemingly always) said, pictures, sketches, etc. always help.

    Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
  7. JerBear | Nov 11, 2004 01:11am | #7

    Go the The Old House Journal website.  Just do a search.   They have leads on all that stuff.

  8. Snort | Nov 11, 2004 02:15am | #8

    See, if you followed Officer Rez's advice and filled out your profile, we might know where to send you...like if you live near Richmond, Va, go here:

    http://www.recentruins.com/

    Don't worry, we can fix that later!

  9. calvin | Nov 11, 2004 04:04am | #9

    A client found just what you describe at a now defunct Builders Square.  A cheap (he was too) pedestal, elongated bowl.  Get the right faucet to make it look good and work well.  Look in the crap store, they still might be around.  This one couldn't have been a whole lot more than 14" Front to Back.

    Might look at Famous Supply http://www.plumbingsupply.com/sinks.html

    Look for pedestal lavs, found a couple 14/15 "

    Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

    Quittin' Time

  10. Piffin | Nov 11, 2004 04:36am | #10

    I can shoot photos of three I have kicking around here over the next couple days. can you describe style etc better?

    Pedestal, Wall hung, porcelan, marble??????

     

     

    Welcome to the
    Taunton University of
    Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
     where ...
    Excellence is its own reward!

    1. jgv | Nov 11, 2004 06:38pm | #11

      Ok, profile updated. :-)

      Thanks for all responses. Here are some answers to the various questions.

      On the depth issue, 18" is what my wife and I agree is the room we've got to work with. I'll see about a picture tonight however, imagine sliding open a pocket door. To your immediate left is a window. The wall across from you (and the door) is about 3 ft away. It is in this space between the pocket door and the wall that the sink needs to go. To your right, a few feet away is a toilet facing the window. And yes, while you could look out the window while sitting on the toilet, the distance between the toilet and window is about 5 ft (and it is a second floor window). In case you wondered.

      I believe either a wall hung or pedestal sink would be fine. No strong preference. Pedestal might be better to hide the plumbing.

      Very small and vintage are the issues.

      Thanks again for the suggestions and leads.

      Cheers.

      JGV 

      1. jgv | Nov 11, 2004 06:40pm | #12

        Another thought - to a certain extent I have no problem with shipping or travelling if I can find the right thing. Road trip might be nice.....

      2. Piffin | Nov 12, 2004 06:08am | #13

        Still nothing showing in your profile. Assume you did not hit the save changes button after scrolling to bottom of that window.

        Anyway - diferent people have different things in mind when they say "vintage". I don't know if the Edwardians even had indoor plumbuing. But here isa shot of a marble slab with bowl to make you slobber. You can't have it! LOL

        But the photo of 'small sink' is one that will be removed from a house in the next couple of days. I am not sure of the exact measurements on it, but I have another out at the shop that looks like it and is 18" deep by 20" wide. They are both wall hung. 

         

        Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

        1. User avater
          JeffBuck | Nov 12, 2004 08:18am | #14

          if U ever need a matched set ... for the little one ...

          I think that's the same sink I have on a shelf in the basement ...

          Jeff

      3. splintergroupie | Nov 12, 2004 08:34am | #15

        Renovator's Supply can likely fill the bill.

        1. jgv | Nov 12, 2004 10:25pm | #16

          Ok, I really, really think I've save my profile this time. And in case it didn't work, I live in Paris, Ontario, Canada (South Western Ontario).

          The wall hung sink migh work, but (sigh) apparently we're looking for something 18" deep (and no more) and vintage, and something formal/fancy. White is good though it seems. :-)

          And I wonder why it has taken 2 years.....

          1. Piffin | Nov 13, 2004 02:15am | #17

            That one is 18" deep the previous picture. I'm sure it is more contemp[orary.

            This one out in my shop has better detailing and is also 18" deep x 20 wide. Imagine it clean. Dust makes it less so. 

             

            Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

          2. rez | Nov 13, 2004 02:20am | #18

            I like the victorian looking ones that sit in a corner with the embrossed vines on the side a lot better. 

          3. jgv | Nov 13, 2004 06:44am | #19

            Ok, I'm an idiot. Don't know where the 18" came from or how it stuck in my head. Duh.

            Showed my wife the pictures. 18" she said? 18"? Where did you get that from?

            So, the real depth is 12 to 14 inches deep. And apparently new is slightly better than old refurbished.

            Good thing I wasn't cutting marble.

            Again, thanks for all the suggestions so far. Can we try again?

            Cheers.

            JGV

          4. splintergroupie | Nov 13, 2004 08:16am | #20

            The cloakroom sink in the link i gave you is 14.75" deep.

          5. rich1 | Nov 13, 2004 08:17am | #21

            Check out a RV parts store. Lots of small  basins that could be set into a vanity.

          6. splintergroupie | Nov 13, 2004 08:59am | #22

            I'm imagining an Edwardian RV. <G>

          7. rich1 | Nov 13, 2004 06:46pm | #24

            Picture a real fancy stagecoach.  LOL

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