A Marble Adventure?
Mary contacted me. She came across a marble vanity, and wondered f I might be interested.
Oh!
It was advertised as a counter and backsplash, but the height of the backsplash seemed…unusual. I have never seen one that high. So, my excitement was mitigated a bit. I also worried that the marble “apron” was missing.
This is the usual height of an 1890s backsplash. And note the “apron” of marble under the counter.
What I have been seeking these past five years is a complete vanity set, and what Mary found did not seem complete. Drat!
However…
…I then found this image of an apron-less vanity!
Then I looked more closely at the supposed backsplash of the Mary find and it appeared to have three rounded sides, and one flat side. That sure did indicate that it was, in fact, a backsplash. Albeit a very high backlash.
So, I contacted Bo and he…
…sent this! A very high backsplash, indeed! Thanks, Bo.
So, the vanity does seem to be complete. In addition, it is the width I need (32-inches) and the marble I prefer. So, good news!
This though is the bad news. Ugh.
So, a twenty-hour car ride. That is at least two days away from my cats and I no longer have a cat care person. I used to have one across the street, so road trips used to be effortless.
The vanity is still available, and the seller seems OK with my arriving Friday or Saturday. I worry of course that it will sell in the meantime, or that I will get all the way there and it proves in much worse condition than it appears in the image and description.
Oh, and I didn’t mention the best part: the vanity is $150. So, yea!
At the moment I am inclined to make the trip and hope I find find cat care.
So….let’s see what unfolds!
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Fingers crossed (pun intended).
Do it!!!
There has to be someone nearby that can take care of the fur babies!! I certainly would.
Too risky to ship?? Too costly? That’s a long drive! Best of luck.
The marble sinks in my house have a very high back splash like the one you’re looking at so that sink looks normal to me. I have never seen a bowl in that shape though. It must be a Chicago thing. I have round and oval bowls, but nothing Ike whatever that shape is. I think it’s early 1900’s with that color marble and pattern-free bowl. There are some nice looking sink traps on eBay right now to match your sink. Some as high as $1200.00. Unbelievable! eBay is offering 10% off right now up to $50.00 max discount so I guess that’s something.
If you need a place to stay, I am about half an hour off of your route in Southwest WI. You’d have to put up with a 1918 farmhouse (real, not “farmhouse style”, 😉). I also have a cabin nearby that is quiet and comfy.
Maybe you could set up a “railroad” to get the sink to you. Folks volunteer to foster the item and people headed your way take it as far as they are going and hand off to someone else. It can take a while, but I know it works well for the spinning wheel groups on Ravelry.
I was just going to say essentially the same thing! I belong to vintage sewing machine groups, and several good finds have made it from one part of the country to a buyer in another part exactly that way. You have to trust someone else to make the decision for you, regarding condition and all that, but for $150… you’re not out much if it doesn’t work out.
For the cost of gas and a motel you could pay for shipping both directions.
For a sink of that vintage in seemingly great condition… Worth the trip! Go Ross Go!
We’re in Des Moines if you want a place to stay overnight on your way to Chicago. We have a 1920 house and a guest room
I would love a backsplash that high. When my husband shaves he leaves the sink looking like dolphins have been playing there! And I hear ya about the cat care thing. We can’t even get anyone to reliably pick up our mail and newspaper much less care for a living thing. It puts a damper on the joy of travel.
“When my husband shaves he leaves the sink looking like dolphins have been playing there! ” quote of the day! I love it!
I have been thinking of ways that I could get furniture to you if I found some that would suit you very cheaply at auction or elsewhere. My thought was that, among your followers we could create a chain of people who are already going in your direction that would carry it part way.
Here is an example that in no way applies that someone should do it. I am simply using names to make it easier to follow
Example:
Person #1. Mary, who contacted you and is offering the sink appears to live in Wales.
Person # 2. Another follower of Restoring Ross, who lives in or near Wales, (or near Milwaukee because Wales seem like it is sort of on the way) is already planning to drive to any of a number of cities along the way such as Des Moines. That person is willing to take it with them and drop it off at person #3’s house.
Person #3 is already planning to drive to Kansas City, or Topeka, in the near future. Person #3 drives it to Person #4 where they meet at a rest stop on the highway for the exchange.
Person #4 could be Ross or could be someone else who is driving to, or nearer to, Emporia and is dying for a tour of the Cross House.
*The only reason that the number of people in the chain matters is that there is more chance of damage to the marble and other parts at each passing of the baton, so to speak.
* potential problems that I foresee are, 1. There is a chance that someone along the chain is dishonest. The marble or some other part is damaged on the way from bad handling.
* The question for Ross is: Do you want to try this idea out? It would involve asking for volunteers in a post, interviewing them to see if you believe that they can and will do it, and if connections could be made the whole way. You would be likely to discover other possible problems that I haven’t anticipated during the process.
Am I crazy, or could this work? There are people who already think I am crazy, but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t work.
Edit: line 4, word 8, autocorrect changed implies to applies
Ross, I live in Olathe, Ks, a suburb of Kansas City. If you can arrange to get it this far, I would be excited to pick it up and deliver it to you at the Cross House. Lot’s of “ifs” to this arrangement, but I’m in if you can work it out. Besides, it would give me an excuse to visit and see in person the progress you have made since your “Day After Thanksgiving” dinner, which was a really fun day
Drats!!! My southern Illinois location won’t help you, Ross. But I love, love, love that sink! It is a must have for your home IMO!!! I have 3 cats and no care giver yet for an upcoming trip either. Why can’t we be neighbors??
I could get it to you, Ross.
I’m located approximately where the 9 h 54 min sign is pointing and I’ve traveled that route plenty of times to visit relatives.
I’d start with a phone call from the seller’s location with lots of photos to give you a better idea of its design and condition, then take it from there.
Or you could stop here along the way, depending on what you prefer.
Lovely offer Celeste, Rhonda, Carlyn, Randy. Good ideas everyone.
Dog Gone it Ross! I was in Wales WI in September…. You should call me sometime! LOL