1890s Kitchen Sinks
Last month, I did a post about perhaps, maybe, rethinking my kitchen plan.
Perhaps.
Maybe.
What is driving this nagging pondering is this image:
The sink is, improbably, in front of the window. Just as it appears my sink was in 1894, for what are likely hot/cold plumbing holes can be seen drilled though the window sill.
My pondering involves these thoughts:
- How cool would it be to have an actual 1890s kitchen sink?
- How cool would it be to do something really unexpected in the kitchen?
- How cool would it be to reinstate a sink in the likely original location?
This was a typical sink in the 1890s, made of either slate or soapstone. I thought: I’m never gonna find something like that!
But (drum roll, please) right after the post from last month went live, John contacted me about this sink. It was on eBay! Wow! Such sinks DO exist!
They do! They do!
They do! They do! The previous sinks are much too wide though. This sink would work better.
And (another drum roll, please) there are companies making stone sinks! This size would be ideal, with the drainboard over a radiator. The sink is not yet oiled. I would also prefer a wood drainboard.
So, the percolating pondering is ongoing. What stops the process from accelerating is: If I don’t do the large island as planned, where will the dishwasher go? The refrigerator and freezer (I was planning for undercounter drawer units)?
While I can easily recreate an 1894 kitchen with such a sink, and a work table in the middle of the room, I would not enjoy the kitchen. And that matters to me.
So, I have been pondering a reduced island, like cut in half, length-wise. And this might work as a place for the undercounter modern appliances.
Anyway, I enjoy pondering and learning stuff and imagining various possibilities.
Thanks, John!
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I knew Vermont Soapstone makes sinks. I bought my countertop from them and I cannot praise them too highly for their awesome and extremely durable product. I believe there are fabricators in Pennsylvania and also W. Virginia. I know there is a quarry in Schuyler, W.V. The slate quarries I am familiar with also would make slate sinks, and be able to copy an older design.
The architect Ross will find a solution, always has.
So, in order yhst we may offer true advice…. (i think you did this woth your last kitchen sink post) you should post a pic of what the plan shows, and your schematic plan. Might u consider that. …..again? Cant say yay or nay til we can see those plans… 🙂
Original plan and new redo plan….
Can the pantry have the dishwasher refrigerator and freezer. retrofit old ice box into a walk in refrigerator. after 0000 steel wool cleaning. it will look new. you will have to put in a condensation drain for the defrost cycle.
Harlan, the main pantry is all original, and will be glorious restored in orange shellac.
To install modern appliances would mean tearing out the 1894 cabinets!
The 1894 built-in ice box cannot be used really, because its wood door, when it’s humid out, expands and seals tight!
OMG!!! I love, love, love soapstone anything! Oh, do it, Ross! And put it under the sink. Keep doodling plans. I do think an island will be necessary to put modern necessities in too. Cant wait to see new ideas you come up with!
What I find intriguing is the light fixture. It looks like a gas fixture with two separate “hoods” over each jet to presumably keep smoke damage down? Are the hoods actually electric upgrades?
In the lighting biz, we call them smoke bells. You pretty much nailed their purpose. Soot from gas light fixtures was very thick and dirty, and hard to clean off of plaster and wallpaper, so they served as alternative surfaces for the soot to gather onto, and not damage fine finishes. Definitely not “upgrades”. I have seen smoke bells employed on fixtures dating as far back as the 1840’s and 50’s.
Hi Ross! what about having an 1890!s slare or soapstone sink in the original spot? But also the island? The 1890’ssink would just be a sink. However the island could have work table, another sink with disposal, dishwasher, fridge & freezer? An 1890’s sink would not be functionable and as a gourmet cook a nightmare for nothing other than prep. It would be extremely helpful to have table adjacent to array the food items and also to set things on. It would serve as a workplace for several people if putting together a simple meal, cooking for the week, or just large banquets. Or maybe to do both would be strange? I think having refrigerator/ freezer underneath is genius & frees up space, I also think a table/ sink by the window also is nice to look out the window while working!:-) Isbt there a sink in the hallway? Copper sink? Would you use that for hand washing fine China & crystal?Or use a basin in big sink and set in table to dry/hand dry to then place in China cupboard? I saw a wash basin hanging under the sink in the picture you showed. I like the island being adjacent to stove to set things on prior to putting in oven. It would be helpful. I remember our Thanksgiviing Friday in 2017, when that was very convenient to have a wiork area adjacent to stove/oven. I think two work areas in middle adjacent to stove with a sink & another work area with sink for convenience & for additional prep. In working & cooking in your kitchen with Justin– I have found that very workable. Able to do many more things & have work areas for different purposes. Also combined 1890’s with modern!! A total 1890’s kitchen would be a nightmare for a cook in 2020! I don’t think I would enjoy it, but then it’s not my kitchen! Hahahaha
All the old sinks are way cool! I grew up in a George Barber House with lovely everything including sinks. I will love the one you decide to have in your kitchen………… wish and dream I had it too.
I like the idea of a 1890s sink under the window and a large island with a small prep sink in it, along with under the island top modern kitchen essentials. ( dishwasher, fridge, freezer, and storage.) Seating around the island for intimate cozy dinners would be nice or just seating to let others drink wine and watch you wash and chop veggies! I know you’ll see the plan soon in your wonderfully creative mind and I can’t wait to see that plan on paper!
Having a kitchen that looks original is cool, but the most important thing, in my humble opinion, is that it be comfortable and a pleasure to work in. I’m not a big coook myself, so a kitchen has to be really inviting in order for me to get fired up about using it. So don’t get totally lost in the look. You’ll be spending a lot time in it, unless you hire a cook, which I recommend (😉)so make it workable.
Hi Ross, do you know Paige from Farmhouse Vernacular? She’s been doing research regarding Victorian kitchens because she’d like her kitchen to be unfitted, like in the old times. https://farmhousevernacular.com/