Consider a Salvaged Sink
Add character, save money and help the environment with one on-trend design move
It's wonderful to see so many salvaged sinks around Houzz lately. Whether it's a large cast iron sink in a mudroom, a vintage kitchen sink complete with dish drainer or an industrial basin used at home, a salvaged sink will add unique flair to your bathroom, kitchen, mudroom or laundry room. Here's a look at how architects, builders, designers and bloggers are incorporating these vintage fixtures into homes.
This image is from Joanne Palmisano's book, Salvage Secrets. The sink came from an old factory building and is adding character to this beautiful kitchen in its second life.
A fabulous potting bench in this Georgia townhome's yard includes a functioning salvaged sink, complete with dish drainer.
I have always admired this vintage sink and contacted interior designer Dona Rosene to find out more about it. Here is what she told me:
"It's a funny story because the sink was original to the house, which was built in 1926. The client is about to update the kitchen ... and deciding if it stays or goes. It was in excellent shape when the owner took possession of the house and we were able to just use it as it was for the time being.
The owner's love for it has overcome the sacrifices she has to make for it: a)No garbage disposal and multiple “experts” don’t think it can be fitted for one. She hasn't given up hope so we are still searching for options. b) She would love to have a sprayer but your options for faucets are very limited and expensive. c) The sink is not as deep as a typical one and requires custom cabinetry underneath and around it to look right. So, you have to sacrifice some cabinet space.
It is definitely a piece people have strong feelings about – they usually either love it or hate it. When the client tells people she's looking at a kitchen remodel the first thing they ask is, 'What about the sink?'"
"It's a funny story because the sink was original to the house, which was built in 1926. The client is about to update the kitchen ... and deciding if it stays or goes. It was in excellent shape when the owner took possession of the house and we were able to just use it as it was for the time being.
The owner's love for it has overcome the sacrifices she has to make for it: a)No garbage disposal and multiple “experts” don’t think it can be fitted for one. She hasn't given up hope so we are still searching for options. b) She would love to have a sprayer but your options for faucets are very limited and expensive. c) The sink is not as deep as a typical one and requires custom cabinetry underneath and around it to look right. So, you have to sacrifice some cabinet space.
It is definitely a piece people have strong feelings about – they usually either love it or hate it. When the client tells people she's looking at a kitchen remodel the first thing they ask is, 'What about the sink?'"
Rie, the blogger behind Home and Harmony, and her husband have become pros at using salvaged sinks. For their kitchen they found a 4-foot-long old surgeon's sink on Craigslist for $100, then spent $300 having it professionally reglazed. It's an incredibly practical farmhouse-style sink that cost much less than newer versions.
Rie's laundry room contains another used sink found on Craigslist. This time her husband painted it with exterior high-gloss metal paint, using a paint sprayer. They found the faucets on eBay.
Rie's advice for sink seeking and salvaging success? "I think the key to finding gems on Craigslist is trying out different search-engine terms. Different people describe their stuff in different ways, so the more possible searches you do, the more choices you’ll find. To find our antique sinks, I used various terms while searching: old sink, antique sink, farm sink, farmhouse sink. My other trick is searching often. I’ve been known to search a few times a day for weeks until we find something that works."
Rie's advice for sink seeking and salvaging success? "I think the key to finding gems on Craigslist is trying out different search-engine terms. Different people describe their stuff in different ways, so the more possible searches you do, the more choices you’ll find. To find our antique sinks, I used various terms while searching: old sink, antique sink, farm sink, farmhouse sink. My other trick is searching often. I’ve been known to search a few times a day for weeks until we find something that works."
This lucky homeowner already had this 100-year-old sink in the house; the contractors were able to save it and show off its beauty during a renovation.
The vintage-style faucet is by Kohler.
The vintage-style faucet is by Kohler.
This entire kitchen was designed around this oversized salvaged sink, which the homeowner had been saving in her barn for years. The counter and windows had to be worked around it, and it was well worth the effort.
The wall-mounted faucet is by Rohl.
The wall-mounted faucet is by Rohl.
The same homeowner had been saving this soapstone basin for her renovation, and it works wonderfully in her craft room. The architect, Pi Smith, designed a custom base to hold it.
See the rest of this home
See the rest of this home
This bathroom sink has a long history, both with the homeowners (experienced salvaged fixture users) and before they found it. Here's their story:
"We purchased the sink several years ago from The Salvage Barn in Iowa City, Iowa. We were told by a volunteer this may have been reclaimed from a remodeling of the University of Iowa's Biology Building, but have no way of verifying that. We did not yet own the Yum Yum Farm, so this sink lived in our back yard in Iowa City, growing different plants each year — herbs or annual flowers.
It was well into the design stage of the Yum Yum Farm house that we ran a picture of the sink by architect John DeForest to see if he thought it would be a good fit for our house. John agreed. We then had the sink and its original metal stand refinished. The sink was refinished by a porcelain repair man, the metal stand was refinished at an auto body shop.
We like how the sink has a 'counter' built in. We also like the depth of the basin- it contains splashes. We think the sturdy form of the sink adds to the farmhouse aesthetic."
"We purchased the sink several years ago from The Salvage Barn in Iowa City, Iowa. We were told by a volunteer this may have been reclaimed from a remodeling of the University of Iowa's Biology Building, but have no way of verifying that. We did not yet own the Yum Yum Farm, so this sink lived in our back yard in Iowa City, growing different plants each year — herbs or annual flowers.
It was well into the design stage of the Yum Yum Farm house that we ran a picture of the sink by architect John DeForest to see if he thought it would be a good fit for our house. John agreed. We then had the sink and its original metal stand refinished. The sink was refinished by a porcelain repair man, the metal stand was refinished at an auto body shop.
We like how the sink has a 'counter' built in. We also like the depth of the basin- it contains splashes. We think the sturdy form of the sink adds to the farmhouse aesthetic."
A salvaged cast-iron double sink is a great fit for this utilitarian laundry room.
Now, I feel compelled to share the flip side of using a salvaged sink: in addition to the drawbacks Dona Rosene outlined, there can be challenges for everyone involved in the installation process.
Be sure to be extra nice to your architect, contractor and plumber when pushing for one. When I wanted to know more about using these, I called my brother Clark (a general contractor) to see if he had experience with these (he did not).
After he finished telling me how many of his clients are using Houzz, he said "Oh no, I hope none of them read this salvage sink story and want me to do that for them. It sounds like a total nightmare."
More:
Console Sinks for a Vintage Style Bath
10 Vintage Touches for Your Bathroom
Your Kitchen: Farmhouse Sinks
Kitchen of the Week: A Warm and Eco-Friendly Update
Now, I feel compelled to share the flip side of using a salvaged sink: in addition to the drawbacks Dona Rosene outlined, there can be challenges for everyone involved in the installation process.
Be sure to be extra nice to your architect, contractor and plumber when pushing for one. When I wanted to know more about using these, I called my brother Clark (a general contractor) to see if he had experience with these (he did not).
After he finished telling me how many of his clients are using Houzz, he said "Oh no, I hope none of them read this salvage sink story and want me to do that for them. It sounds like a total nightmare."
More:
Console Sinks for a Vintage Style Bath
10 Vintage Touches for Your Bathroom
Your Kitchen: Farmhouse Sinks
Kitchen of the Week: A Warm and Eco-Friendly Update
