It Takes a Vision

I know you'll understand me here.  Sometimes, it takes a vision to see the possibilities in junky things. And when I told Colin that I wanted to find a beautiful old farm sink for our new house, I know he must have gulped and sighed on the inside before giving me his smile of approval.  The smile that says, "I think you're crazy, but as long as you're happy, I'm happy".

And so, I set out on my search.  And phew!  It was a lot more difficult than I imagined.  Salvage yards, tips from friends, a trip to Floyd and Margaret's, and emails from you.  And I have to admit, I started out really picky.  I wanted a perfect sink. No damage.  And that, I learned, was just too much to ask for because a sink that's been around since the 1930's isn't going to be perfect.  Not. Ever.

And when I was about to throw in my towel, a friend called to tell me she found me a sink and that she had already purchased it off of Craigslist.  Turns out, in Spokane, 122 other people (for reals!) wanted my sink too and she had to act fast.

The cost of my sink was $200 and it will cost an additional $250 to have it re-enameled.  It's about 4 feet long and includes a nice high back, one basin, and drainboard.  And I love it.

And the best part?  Colin loves it too.  Thank goodness.  I guess he has the vision too!

The next time you see our sink, it will be pretty as a picture and holding court as the centerpiece in our farmhouse kitchen.

Sink Considerations:

It was really important for me to find this sink before my kitchen plan was finalized.  Since it's such a unique size and includes the high back, it can't just be added into the plan easily.  It would definitely need to be designed around.

I knew that even if I found a sink with no blemishes, it would probably have dull spots, which I wouldn't like.  Because I knew that re-enameling would be almost certain, I made sure to find an expert in our area who could do the project for me before I considered anything that was blemished.  (I'll be working with Mr. Tub in Spokane).

I spoke with the expert (Mr. Tub) and found out a ballpark cost for the work and I budgeted for that. A big consideration for me is that beautiful sinks like this are extremely hard to find and reproductions can run anywhere from $2000-$4000.  So for me, the total cost of $450 was well worth it.

I love single basin sinks.  I chose a single basin for our current home as well and it works really great for handwashing large items.

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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Comments

[jeanne]

So glad you found your sink and I can't wait to see it all settled in your new home. Chaps is such a great restaurant and she has done an amazing job decorating the whole place.

[KarenSue]

Perfect! Can't wait to see it done. I have one in my backyard waiting to be moved to Montana. I just love it.
I'm hoping to come to the Farm Chick Show but my daughter grad. on the 4th here in Orlando. Maybe I'll get to leave Sat. for the Sunday show. I always go to Chaps when in Spokane. Celeste is a wonderful hostess

[Cheryl]

Hi Serena!
Congrats on finding your dream sink. I love those kind of sinks. We used to live in NC and our next door neighbor had a cape cod style house withe one of these old sinks in it. I love it with the drain board and the high back.
What a great friend you have.

[Brenda Towsley]

Oh man....I left one just like that, it's very twin, behind in our basement of our little house we sold a couple of years ago. We, my husband and I, have said at least a hundred time we wished to have it for clean up purposes which we used it for there. I like your idea better. I wonder if the new owners would sell it to us? Just a thought.

[kasey]

now that my friend is a perfect sink.
oh...and i love chaps...love.love.
xo

[Kathy]

That is JUST LIKE my grandma's sink from years ago. Enjoy!
Kathy

[Erin]

I love your sink, it's perfect!! I have never seen one like it before. Quite blown away that 122 other people in our Spokane wanted that sink, too! So glad you got it :) It was meant to be yours...

Can't wait to see it finished.

http://homeswheremyheartis.blogspot.com/

[Alice]

I'm so glad you found the sink you wanted--it's perfect! I went through this when I wanted a claw-foot tub for our guest bathroom. Since the bathroom is small we knew we would need to find a shorter tub. We finally found it (after much sighing and eye rolling from my husband) on the third floor of a salvage company. The tub was heavy, so we had to take it down by way of a freight elevator that looked like it had not been used for years. Once it was back from the enameler we had to find fittings. It took a lot of work but was worth all the effort. Not only is it beautiful and functional, but also a piece of history, and a great conversation starter!

I know you will enjoy your special piece, made even more special that it was found by a friend who shares your passion!

[Elaine/TinkerVerve]

worth the wait, indeed!
i'm so glad that you found just the right one!

[Jennifer]

Yay, you found it. It looks great, and will look even greater.

[Deb @Retreat]

Hurrah for Celeste! There may be 122 people in Spokane who want a sink like that, but there are thousands over here on our side of the state who do...I'm so glad you got your baby!

[Serena]

Deb,
Thanks so much for helping with the search. Even though we didn't get a sink together, it allowed us to chat more! :)
I appreciate your help so much!
xo,
Serena

[Florence Muma]

I love your sink, it is wonderful. I also loved the chance to eat at Chaps, now I must take my husband there on our way to Montana to see our daughter this spring. Florence

[Michelle]

Oh girl, I am sooooo jealous. I have been wanting a sink like that forever! I found one locally for around $200, but can't convince hubby to make the switch-a-roo. You are one lucky duck!

[Kristen]

That's so funny. I think the 122 other people out there are devoted Farm Chicks followers that were keeping an eye out on a sink for you! I follow your blog everyday and was on the lookout for you and when I saw that on Craigslist about a half hour after it had been posted, it immediately thought of you and emailed the seller! I'm so glad that Celeste got a hold of it for you. I hope that I can find on of these when we get to build our farmhouse someday too!

[Melissa K]

Love it. I have a picture of my dad bathing me in a sink exactly like that when I was just a few days old. I definitely haven't been around since the 30's, but the house & the sink had been. :)

Can't wait to see it in your new kitchen!

[Breeze Hill Farm - MaLinda]

Your new to you sink is identical to the sink that was in the Country Store that my family owned when I was a child. Can't tell you how warm and cozy this entry has made me. Thank you for sharing and I am so glad you found what you wanted. - MaLinda

[Sheri Howard]

I am OH SO happy for you! I LOVE your sink. I had used to tend children for a family who had a sink just like that in their old farm house. I always loved it! It will be perfect for your new house!!! I wanted one like it for my new house but my plans didn't have the sink against the wall, it is in the island. However I have a nice reproduction apron farmhouse sink...and you did get a GREAT deal on yours! Thanks for sharing, can't wait to see it installed!!!

[Kim G.]

I love the sink Serena! Celeste is an angel. I loved visiting Chaps last year, it is completely wonderful.

[Heather Bullard]

LOVE IT! So totally worth every single penny. Smiles, H

[Julie]

It is perfect!!!
Can't wait to see it.
Julie, Kindred Roses

[Krista]

Yay for Celeste! I can't wait for Cake to open, I'm sure it's going to be great! Looking forward to seeing the sink when it's all done up and fancy too!

[Vanessa {Bloom Right Here!}]

I'm so glad you found your sink. I can't wait to see it in your finished kitchen. Will you hate me if I tell you that a few months ago I bought a sink almost exactly like that.......for $3!!!??? It was at a thrift store and obviously I couldn't pass it up. No idea when I am going to have a chance to use it, but I love it!

[the domestic fringe]

Wow, that sink is in GREAT condition. Very nice. I need to have mine re-enameled. Good price too. Glad you found it.
-FringeGirl

[tasha]

i LOVE your sink!!! what a dream...i mean if you have to do dishes, how wonderful to do them in a fabulous sink! glad you found something cute. :)

[Cindy]

I have the same sink!! I will be putting mine in our bathroom during the remodel. There are some great wall mount faucets that work perfectly with this as well....best wishes. Cindy

[cathy]

Oh my goodness Serena - I had no idea that was the kind of sink you were looking for. I have that exact same sink on the front porch of my lil' shop. My husband rescued it for me out of an old house about to be demolished to make room for our new courthouse. It was extremely heavy but it was free - I had no idea they were worth that much money. Doesn't matter - I've been hanging on to it jus' in case I too, get to build my dream farmhouse someday. I'll think of you if I ever do. Glad you found it - you are gonna love it! Cathy Cobblestone

[Debi Burton]

That is one great-looking find . . . Celeste has a great eye for sure! I've had claw-foot bathtubs redone. They look great initially, but you must be VERY careful in properly cleaning the surface--nothing harsh or scrubby or you risk that investment going down the drain (literally). Be sure to use a recommended product to clean the sink and protect the bottom with rubber pads!

Enjoy!!

Debi

[Laura]

Before you pay to get your sink refinished there is a product that you can buy at Lowes or Home Depot that you use to refinish porcelain. We have an old clawfoot tub and my husband used the product on it and it looks like new. I think it cost about $40.00. If you are interested let me know and I will find out the name of the product. I could also send you some pictures of the clawfoot tub. As talented as you are, I know you could do it.
[email protected]

[Laura&Michele]

We have just started our blog, and your blog really inspires us. We love your decorating style. We can't wait to see your sink when it is finished.

[Rory]

These sinks are everywhere today...I just read an article in Country Living about a woman who bought a distressed paint covered sink and scraped it clean. It really MAKES the kitchin IMHO.

[Megan]

Beautiful sink!

[sharron]

What a deal and what a wonderful friend! I am so looking forward to this journey of seeing your Home being built and that sink finding it's place in it!

[Pine Tree Home]

You'll absolutely love it. While my farm sink was new, it makes me smile every morning. It holds pots and pans in a deep basin that makes clean up a little bit of fun. Can't wait to see yours all sparkly and in its new home.

[Carole]

I'm glad you found what you were looking for.

We have one of those sinks sitting out by our barn (awaiting a possible sale to Rejuvenation). It was in the field when we moved in, but we only discovered it after we had bought and installed a new sink. I'd love to have it in my kitchen, but I couldn't get along with such a small bowl. I do love the drain board though!

Definitely worth the enameling job if it's something you really want!

[Maven Koesler]

We just salvaged this exact sink from a condemned house! I am planning to use it for an outdoor garden sink for my garden produce.

[nicole coffin]

i can't wait to see it cleaned up and decorated with pretty dishes, dishcloths, and soaps. do you have any cleaning tips for an item like this? my home has an old porcelain tub that has lots of icky soap scum. i've tried so many things, and my arms have ached so bad from scrubbing only to give up defeated. good luck!

[Weekend Cowgirl]

Awesome sink!!

[Serena]

Hi Nicole,
I've had the best luck fighting tough stains on porcelain with a pumice stone. It takes a lot of elbow grease, but has great results.
Happy scrubbing!
Serena :)

[Serena]

Maven,
I'm so excited for you!
xo,
Serena

[Melanie]

I love your sink too. I used to have one of these sinks in a house where we once lived. Hope you have a dishwasher back-up!:)
-Ruby's Roost

[jamie]

Oh no. I didn't know anyone would want a sink like this. We had a sink just like this one in a house we had demoitioned several years ago so we could build a home. I should have kept it!!!

[JoEllen]

I have a sink like this in my old kitchen only it has a snall drainboard on both sides. I love my sink! and would never part with it as long as I live here. Somehow it is a comfort to me to know that others have used it a long time ago and the memories it must hold of all kinds of activities done in it. I have washed my babies there, washed my hair, washed dishes and clothes, defrosted turkeys in ice water,washed clothes out by hand, and numberous other things. It is the best -- you will think so too!!!

[Nicki]

My mom has a double basin sink like that with a built in drainboard on each side.

[Peg Graham]

my very favorite sink!!!!!!!!!!!!