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Rescuing an old marble kitchen sink

 
Burra Maluca
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We found this for sale and couldn't resist it. Thought you'd like to see.



It's a very traditional Portuguese stone kitchen sink. It seemed to be in good condition and although we're not ready to install it yet, we decided it simply *had* to come home with us.



Those grooves tell me that at one time there was a matching stone draining board that fitted next to it. That must have got broken at some point though and wasn't available.  



The boys managed to get it into the back of the car. It's a pretty impressive hunk of stone!



It's been put outside for now, raised a little to protect the drain fittings.



And this is what it looks like after a bit of a clean-up.  Never thought I was the sort of person to fall in love with a kitchen sink... Can't wait to get it installed!

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That is a beautiful sink! Thanks for sharing.  

I never knew that sinks might be made out of marble.

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Burra Maluca
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Here's a slightly different one at my friend Saudade's house.



This one is a single sink with a drainer at each side, but still made out of one solid hunk of marble. They are amazing things and I've wanted one ever since I first saw one.

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Carla Burke
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Utterly GORGEOUS, Burra!! Great find! But, how did you get it home? Isn't it incredibly heavy?

"The only thing...more expensive than education is ignorance."~Ben Franklin
"We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light." ~ Plato

 
Burra Maluca
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Carla Burke wrote:But, how did you get it home? Isn't it incredibly heavy?



I let the boys manhandle it into the back of the car. The woman selling it send a rather anxious last-minute message to my partner telling him to make sure he brought a strong helper with him. To move it they raised one end and then 'walked' it corner-to-corner to the car, they laid it down so it was leaning on the end of the car, raised the other end and slid it in. They're both pretty experienced with moving heavy things.

I'm still not sure how on earth we're going to build exactly the right shaped support for it, and get it into place, and perfectly level. I'm sure they'll figure it out.

If not, I might have to help them...

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Burra Maluca
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I'd been wondering about a worktop and draining board to go with it and found this photo.



I think I need to find a stone yard that knows how to cut those sloping grooves and when we're ready to install it we can get a bit of stone cut to fit and the end bit of the worktop can double up as the draining board.

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Dan Boone
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Oh, what a glorious treasure.  

From my mother I inherited an appreciation for the material of things.  She's the one who would search a whole rack of thrift store clothes with her eyes closed, just running her hand along the hangars and stopping when she felt real wool or another natural fiber (this was the era when polyester ruled American fashion).  She taught me to value things made solidly, of good wood or thick metal or robust crockery.  About every fifth garage sale I go to, I end up buying something I have not yet imagined a use for, merely because it is a "real" thing in a sea of dollar store plastic crap.

I once bought a twenty-pound iron mortar (like you might find at apothecary in marble) because it was going for eight bucks. NO use for it whatsoever.  Luckily my brother-in-law treasured it so I gave it to him.  (I believe he keeps his keys in it.)  

This is America, I don't think I've ever seen or bought a substantial item made of stone.  But you know I would in a heartbeat if the price was right.

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It's an excellent find! I can imagine it near the washer so you can soak items in one and bleach items in another. Or it can be used to preserve items that need to be ah, "marinated" in some liquid for a period. I can see large, fitted wooden covers for it -- much like the drop lids (Otoshibuta) we use in Japan -- look them up on Amazon. If you have the room, it will be a beautiful and life-affirming asset to your kitchen. Your animals will be so, so happy to drink from its delicious depths. It's stunning and I am thrilled that you've saved it.

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Burra, are you using it in your kitchen? I can't think of a more perfect place to show off that big beauty!

"The only thing...more expensive than education is ignorance."~Ben Franklin
"We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light." ~ Plato

 
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Carla Burke wrote:Burra, are you using it in your kitchen?  



It is indeed destined for the kitchen!

We're a bit behind on the renovations because I went and blew every penny I could lay my hands on buying the place next door for my son, which also needs renovating. Downstairs is still very, very basic, but there are plans for a rather awesome space with a stone worktop, marble sink, granite topped table and a rocket mass heater.

This is the table we found (in the seller's house - mine is nothing like that yet!)...



And here's a close up of the granite top, in a very delicate shade of pink...



I suspect the draining board and worktop are going to have to be purchased new and made to measure though. I can't imagine finding a suitable second-hand slab in a suitable colour and exactly the right size. But hey, you never know!  

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Now you can say, "We got everything AND the kitchen sink!" Or something like that, if you know the saying.

I am amazed by the stonework... very "permanent" or at least extremely long-term.

Maybe SKIP should include some stone carving skills to encourage me to build my own. Though I'm guessing acquiring a hunk of marble that size would be half or more of the cost anyway... it's awesome you could find it used!

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Carla Burke
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I wonder if you could fit it with a removable wooden rack, over one side, hanging above, or even part of one side? Maybe bamboo, teak, or olivewood? Something like this, maybe - but with the rides/slats closer together? https://www.etsy.com/listing/989821283/wall-mounted-organizer-wooden-wall?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=wall+mounted+wood+drying+rack&ref=sc_gallery-1-2&plkey=4707eec1f9bf700b7ca42eacc3daee396e8398e6%3A989821283&frs=1&col=1
20210618_220245.jpg
Easy drying rack
Easy drying rack

"The only thing...more expensive than education is ignorance."~Ben Franklin
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Burra Maluca
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There are vague plans for an enlarged version of this fitted above the sink.



I love it because the plates drip straight into the sink - no need to dry them, or have a clear bit of draining board organised, or move even one step to put them away.

Final designs are a way off for the new place as there's still so much work to do.

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Burra Maluca wrote:I love it because the plates drip straight into the sink - no need to dry them, or have a clear bit of draining board organised, or move even one step to put them away.

Final designs are a way off for the new place as there's still so much work to do.



Exactly my thought, about the rack. I'm ALL about reducing work! If it can be done beautifully, all the better. Can't wait to see pics of how it all comes together, for you! :D

"The only thing...more expensive than education is ignorance."~Ben Franklin
"We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light." ~ Plato

 
Angel Bellamissio
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congrats on the find, renovations and property for your son. You are so lucky. Wish I had not listened to someone and bought the property next door when could and now regret it for many reasons hurting our families safety now. Love , love, love the sink. It is stunning and will make a great focal point for your kitchen. I love marble and want slabs to redo bathroom area for shower or tub surround. I  want some in kitchen and would love a sink like yours. can't wait to see how it looks for you when done, and hear how happy you are with it.
 
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