AROUND HOME : Bathroom Sinks
PROSAIC BATHROOM SINKS in matching cabinets are being upstaged by opulent Victorian, chic Deco and sleek futuristic showpieces. Old is new, and new is newer than ever.
Kohler makes nostalgic china, marble and faux -granite “console tables” on tubular and dramatic bronze peacock legs; also teakwood sinks and streamlined pedestal models in 25 colors. Both Sherle Wagner International and Bates & Bates make hand-carved Grecian and shell-shaped marble and onyx pedestal sinks. They also sculpt Deco bowls in porcelain, all metals and silver or platinum plate.
Sunrise Specialties has an oval Victorian basin with fluted pedestal and china faucets to complement its claw-foot tub and pull-chain toilet. Walker & Zanger sells sinks to match its hand-painted tiles.
American China’s graceful drop-ins and pedestals come in 54 colors, in gold and platinum finish and trim, or hand-painted to any specification. Eljer Bath Products’ vast line of free-standing and counter styles includes almond and polygonal shapes in nickel, copper, teak and mahogany.
Imports are even more exciting. Porcher Bath Collection of France has ribbed basins with off-center drains, single-pedestal double sinks and delightful round white china wall-mounts with red or black fittings. Phylrich of France makes porcelain and marble faucets to match hand-flowered pedestal sinks and geometric drop-ins.
Giorgio Bath Collection of Italy makes ridged ovals and 25 pedestal styles--including chunky 1930s oblongs like American Standard’s--in many colors and metallics, gold trims and unique florals (a bold majolica, a gray-sprigged black). Laufen of Switzerland features racing stripes, sinks plated or flecked with 24-karat gold and lion’s head wall-mounts to match lion-shaped toilets and bidets.
Fanciful fittings: 1920s metals and vibrant ultramodern enamels by Dornbracht; Lucites and frosted acrylics by Bathroom Jewelry Collection; faceted crystals, flowered porcelains, opalescent shells and winged swan’s head spouts and taps by Harden Bath Collection.
High-style sinks are sold by GMA in West Los Angeles and Lawndale; Indiana Plumbing in Los Angeles, Carson and Carlsbad; Walker & Zanger in West Hollywood; Snyder-Diamond and Familian stores throughout Southern California, and Standards of Excellence in San Diego.
