Welcome to another installment of what I commonly call “Marketplace Marvels.” Or maybe “secondhand score”…[edits headline because I like that better]The title is a work in progress, but the gist is the same: What can you do with all those interesting, affordable, and sustainable vintage and antique items you find scrolling through Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or walking into your local flea market? Don’t get furniture FOMO; Let’s learn about them, find out how much they should cost you, and see how other people are using and styling them, shall we?
What exactly is an antique dry sink?
A dry sink is exactly what its name suggests: a “sink” without running water. Before homes had indoor plumbing, this piece of furniture was used to hold a large wash bowl and pitcher that people used to wash their hands, face, food, body, and so on. They had a small backsplash made of wood, stone, or tile to protect the wall behind them from getting wet. The cabinet-like piece came into popularity in the mid-1800s, the predecessor to the simple washstand, which was a compact wooden stand with enough space to hold a bowl and water, possibly even a towel.
Once plumbing came into use (that was the beginning of the 20th century in America), these fell out of use, and are now used for decorative purposes…more on this if you keep reading.
How do you find it and when you do how much does it cost?
As I learned from the comments section of my first article about barrister bookcases, prices for vintage items sold at local markets vary widely depending on where you are. Maybe it’s supply and demand. Or maybe it’s simply different lists in different parts of the country. But regardless, I wanted to go through some of the dry sinks I’ve found within my 50 mile radius here in Los Angeles.
Before dry sinks emerged, washstands and wash basins were the norm. As you can see from the top, it was large enough for a bowl or basin, with space below to store the pitcher when in use. It also has a mirror and side railing for towels. I can’t imagine it being of much use these days, but still, nostalgic.
And here’s a proper dry sink, which, as I mentioned, is an evolution of the wash stand we looked at earlier. It is very special because of its pink marble and delicate details. And at $100 (!!!), it’s a total steal. If you’re near Oak Park, California, please grab it.
Here’s one that’s a little more expensive, but still far less expensive than anything you can buy new on the market today. Solid wood, marble tops, brass hardware, cute little carvings, are you kidding me? Note that this is called a wash stand, so be sure to check both names when you’re looking for one.
A Tick is more expensive than the last, but 44 inches wide is a good size. It’s in a Shaker style, which you can see through the limited ornamentation and cabinet door design that we all know (and still use) today. It has a lip on the front to prevent any spillage from falling onto the floor.
It’s called a “wash table”, so get creative with those naming conventions when searching for ones! You’ll find a lot of leggier versions of these on casters, which made them easier to move around as needed at the time.
Tile work can be simple and solid colored like the previous dry sink, or more decorative like the one above.
Different types of dry sinks
As is standard with antiques, different eras and regions dictate what materials were used and what their style was. I’m sure there’s a lot more I’m not covering here, but I don’t have a degree in dry sink (yet). Here are some of the most common things I look for when shopping secondhand:
Marble-top: These became popular in the Victorian era (mid-1800s to early 1900s). Marble was a common material at that time and was used for its durability. Around this time, a sunken basin was removed in place of the flat surface. Dry sinks from this time period are also somewhat more ornate in their woodwork, as things were in the Victorian era.
Tile Backsplash: Tiles as backsplashes came into vogue in the early 1900s, when plumbing began to appear in homes. Some are Arts and Crafts or Mission style, others are Edwardian, such as the one above (though the seller said it could also be Victorian; it doesn’t look ornate enough for that IMHO).
Here’s another dry sink with a tiled backsplash. The cataloger notes that it is Edwardian; After taking a quick look at what characterizes Edwardian furniture, I can see how it checks the boxes: light-colored woods, less ornate woodwork, and floral motifs.
All-wood with bottom cabinet: Some dry sinks have more storage than others, like the one above. It’s a primitive design from the early 19th century, and you can tell because of the recessed basin (the edge around the surface).
Some thoughts about reproduction and style one
Now that we’ve got a few different types of dry sinks out of the way, let’s take a look at how some people are using them in their homes. Spoiler alert: I’ll need a dry sink soon.
I have to admit that I didn’t really know much about these until a few years ago, and the little dry sink in Caroline Winkler’s rental kitchen that I saw come to life on YouTube was one of the first that I truly paid attention to. Either way, a dry sink works great in a kitchen where you need to add a little more counter space to hold fruit bowls, a coffee bar, mixing bowls… whatever you need!
Here’s a primitive all-wood dry sink used as a console table (or maybe an entry table?). It’s hard to take your eyes off that amazing stained glass door, but the beautiful, rich color of the wood on the dry sink cabinet also draws attention.
This type of dry sink should be placed in the dining room as a service piece. The high back and built-in shelves are very unique and great for small flower keepsakes or prized trinkets.
Another primitive design, being used as a bar.
This cute little marble-topped dry sink looks great as a vanity table in the bathroom, holding some pretty apothecary jars, rolled towels, or your most cherished makeup and beauty supplies.
The dry sink became a wet sink! Don’t forget that you can take one of these beautiful pieces and retrofit it with real plumbing and a sink vessel. If this is the case, it is best to find one with a natural stone surface for durability, as wood cannot be in constant contact with water.
This little kitchen station is giving me Emily Bowser vibes for some reason. Maybe it’s a collection of little rolling pins, maybe?
Contrast a rustic, worn-out sink with its stunning crystal, glass decanter and brass ice bucket or pitcher. This technique takes something old and makes it feel fresh and interesting as opposed to looking like something sitting in an old storage unit.
Looking for a unique entry table? Get a dry sink with some interesting tile work. It adds color and pattern without much effort.
As long as the integrity of the wood is intact, yes, you can use one of these as a changing table! It has a built-in lip to prevent baby from rolling away. I would suggest adding a little cushion along with the built-in buckle for added security.
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Raise your hand if you’ve envisioned at least two spots in your home where an antique dry sink could add some interest and function. My current house doesn’t have a single open space for a wall, but believe me when I tell you that whenever we move to a bigger house (hopefully in the next few years), I’m going to find one of these.
What pieces do you regularly see on the marketplace or when shopping vintage? I’d love to dive deeper, learn, and share my findings!
Until next time, friends…
Opening Image Credit: By Design Arlene Hernandez photo by sarah ligoria-trump From: Arlene’s moody dining room reveals it’s all about the amazing power of paint , Via Vintage Dry Sink facebook marketplace
