What Price Beauty?
I received a quote for the custom-made soapstone sink.
Including the crate ($275) and freight shipping ($475) the total would be $3,315.
So…ouch.
The idea of spending so much money on a sink seems ludicrous. The sink in my current house is a circa-1950 double basin with drainboards to each side, all one piece, and porcelain over cast-iron. It truly is the best sink ever created. The cost to me? $0. It was sitting in a friend’s backyard, collecting dirt and leaves.
“Do you want this?”
He shrugged.
And it was mine. After cleaning, I was amazed to discover it was in mint condition. I have had the sink now for 20 years. LOVE IT.
Yet, I doubt I will find an 1890s sink in mint condition sitting in a backyard.
I have looked at scads of period stone sinks online. Most sell STAT. And for a lot of $$$$. And none fits my special conditions (corner, a certain length, etc).
Thus, after much ado, spending $3,315 on what will be a FABULOUS sink does not seem as terrifying as it might have, say, two years ago.
Yesterday, I unveiled my newly redesigned kitchen plan. The new plan will be significantly less expensive than the earlier version. I did this, in part, to afford the custom sink. So, overall, I will have saved many thousands of dollars.
Next, is building a plywood mockup of the sink and putting it in place, along with a drainboard mockup. The radiator, which was removed from the south window in 2014 and placed along the west wall, I was planning to put back under the south window. However, it may prove too tall. Hence, the mockup.
If the mockup goes well, I plan to order the $$$ sink. And delay buying a new car for several years.
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Ross, have you looked at victoriandepot.com? They have sinks etc.
I did, Dan. I couldn’t find any kitchen sinks.
Hey Dan – I used to live in Riverside and had no idea that place existed! 🙂
Ross – when you first mentioned the soapstone sink I pointed you a Canadian company that uses North American sourced soapstone. They quarry it themselves in Quebec. They made a soapstone sink for me as well as ~12′ feet of countertop, a small backsplash and a couple soapstone pizza stones – all for less than what you’re thinking of paying for a sink – and that was in Canadian dollars too! Why pay good money for stone from South America shipped all the way to the US, when you can get product that would be much like an 1890s soapstone sink.
Save the money for your cat fence 🙂
I have no affiliation with them, other that as a satisfied customer.
Hi, Mark! I just sent them an email requesting a quote. Thanks!
Personally, I think you should get anything that will work in place for now until you find a sink that you like for a good price. You have so much to do and it’s INSANE to spend a ton of money on a sink. My grandmother used to say, “When you don’t know what to do, wait.” I have found this to be the best advice for me when I was cringing about paying too much for things. 🙂
Debbie, your grandmother was wise!
However, while I have not known what to do about a sink for 7 years now, I now know. Yes, the price scares me, but I’ve no hesitation otherwise. I’m intensely excited about the sink.
Also, what helps, is putting the price in context. The house EATS money. I spent $30K on the radiator system! Considering what I will spend this year getting the house ready to move into, the sink cost will be a minor line item.
Scary! But true!
Debbie’ grandmother is a genius! Patience is key. Wait ….is the best policy.
Given how incredibly crafty you are, I’m surprised you have not explored making your own soapstone sink. Soapstone is a soft stone which can be worked with quality tools and sanded smooth.
I have seen several blog posts in recent years where folks order a slab of soapstone and fabricate their own countertops. The sink you are looking to have is made with flat pieces cut from a slab, yes?
This could shave a lot of $$$$ off the cost.
Ross,
Check this out.
You may want to contact this guy, perhaps he can help.
This is an article about a guy is MA who sells vintage and antique sinks and more. I’ve seen his craigslist ads many times over the years. His website isn’t great, but sure has some great pictures!
AMAZING OLD PLUMBING FIXTURE LINK, JULIE
Go for a marble counter on the island and ask the stone place if they can also build your stone sink to your specifications. One delivery fee for both items. It’s worth asking…
The beauty of soapstone is that it’s soft and pretty easily worked. Have you checked your local stone-yards to see if they can fabricate what you’re looking for? Even if they don’t normally carry soapstone, their wholesaler can get it. With your skills, you could probably build it yourself, but that stuff is HEAVY.
OK my head is spinning. I can’t imagine yours! Not to make things worse, but have you considered moving your existing sink that you love and using it? (or wouldn’t it fit?) Hope you can find a sink for less with the other’s suggestions. Good luck. 🙂
Ross I had your 1950’s sink in my first little starter home, and I just loved it too! When I sold the house I asked the buyers to contact me if they ever got rid of it as I would buy it from them. I like your new kitchen plan and agree to just go for it and get that sink. It is a splurge that you deserve, and you will love it every time you walk into your kitchen for many, many years. My best friend would always have me divide the purchase price of an expensive purchase by the numbers of years I would have it. And then say,” See that is only ‘this much’ every year”. So if you get to live at the Cross house for 25 years, it will cost $132.00 a year ( and some change) to own that beautiful sink!!!
I agree with you Linda. I think it’s best to buy fewer things, but things that you love. I like your friend’s advice.
I also like Debbie’s grandmother’s advice advice above.
I have a metric about seeing how my stomach feels when I am about to buy something. That always seems to tell me what is right.
But. I am bowled over that Ross can build a model of the sink to Ian to see how he will like it! Of course he can! I have a very good imagination, but there is nothing like seeing something actually in the space. Ross is a genius l
Why not make it yourself out of concrete? You can give it any shape you want and any finish/look you want. Make it look like soap stone if you so desire. Especially since you are already going to make a mockup, that is pretty much what you use as a mold to pour the concrete in.
Check out this gallery https://www.concretenetwork.com/photo-gallery/concrete-countertops_2/
I would eat nails for your porcelain on cast iron double sink with two drain boards. If it would fit in a flat rate box I would say mail it to me in California. The best part is you got it for free.
Why don’t you just move it to Cross House? Pair it with a restored O’Keefe and Merritt Town and Country range.