BUILDING A NEW HOUSE WITH OLD THINGS:The Haunted Sink Story

Feb 21

In a world where everything seems fleeting and disposable (and so new, might I add), there's a certain allure in embracing the timeless charm of old things.

From weathered wood to antique fixtures, these treasures of the past hold stories within their seams, waiting to be woven into the fabric of our everyday lives. Imagine walking through a front door that was salvaged from a historic building, cooking in a kitchen adorned with reclaimed materials, or washing paintbrushes in an art studio sink recovered from an abandoned schoolhouse.

Building a new house with old things is not just about construction; it's about crafting a home infused with nostalgia, sustainability, and a deep sense of connection to the past.

In this series, we'll explore the magic of integrating salvaged treasures into modern home design as I personally walk through the journey myself!

From sourcing vintage finds to the creative process of styling, we'll delve into the practicalities and the aesthetics of marrying the old with the new. But more than just a design choice, this endeavor is a testament to our commitment to sustainability and preservation of both materials themselves and the memories they carry.

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If you’ve followed along on my journey of #buildinganewhousewitholdthings thus far, you’ve likely heard me talk about the importance of preparation. Knowing exactly what needs to happen before you make decisions that involve bringing a salvaged item into the mix is crucial if you want to have a successful building process.

For example, if you want to incorporate old doors throughout your home, it’s vital that you decide on those before framing takes place. Most older doors are not the same size as each other, much less as the “standard” 2024 door frames are.

Now, I’m going to be honest. All the talk I’ve given you about the importance of preparation can all go straight out the door as you read this blog about the antique sink I’m installing in my new art studio.

Here’s what happened…

I chose plumbing fixtures before our new house was even framed. Some may say that feels early, but if your plumber keeps a specific line of plumbing in stock, you’ll have to use those faucets and alas, your choices will be limited. Don’t get me wrong – there are great fixtures in every brand, but if they install Delta in the walls, for example, you can’t choose a Newport Brass fixture as your kitchen faucet (this is just an example, of course. Delta has beautiful fixtures)!

Needless to say, I picked out my plumbing fixtures early so that my plumber would be able to order what he needed to put inside the walls before insulation and sheetrock went up! Crazy, right? *SO* much revolves around framing, by the way.

When it came to the sink for my studio, I chose a cheap, non-wall-mount option which would require a cabinet underneath it to hold it up in the corner of the space.

Do you ever make a decision and while you feel good about checking something off the list, the decision itself just doesn’t settle with you?

That’s exactly what happened here. I never felt great about my choice, and my builder’s right hand (his wife) knew it. Thank God! It pays to have people in your corner who know you and are willing to call it out when they see something you might not be willing to admit otherwise. This is especially valuable when your change in decision might present them with an inconvenience. That’s TRUE customer service and care.

Anyway, she mentioned it to me one day, and just like that, I requested she cancel the sink we had ordered. “I’ll find SOMETHING”, I assured her.

This new decision sent me down a rabbit trail of looking for “new sinks that looked like old sinks”. My vision was a pedestal-style sink, not fussy, and no need for a cabinet underneath which, by the way, my cabinet guy would need to be made aware of ASAP so he could remove it from his plans.

My search for a sink that met my vision came up dry, which led me to call a contact at Southern Accents (an architectural and antique shop based in Cullman, Alabama) who totally came to the rescue.

“I’ve got one for you!” he said.

JACKPOT! I couldn’t believe my good fortune.

Now, there’s something you should know about buying from architectural salvage companies: unless they already have an item in store, you can’t guarantee when you’ll get it.

The original sink I was planning on purchasing after my “jackpot” phone call was still inside the haunted schoolhouse that was being demo’d!

Another (maybe obvious) important piece of this puzzle is getting NEW measurements that can be communicated to your builder as soon as possible. This is one of those lovely intricacies of being hands-on in the building process.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t until my “sink sourcer” (i.e. the person who found me this glorious antique sink) finally made his way to the abandoned schoolhouse to get said measurements for me that he realized the part of the building where the sink was located had already been demolished.

My “jackpot moment” immediately turned into a surprising amount of heartbreak, which I think is fair to point out here as well. When we source old things for our new homes, there’s really no promise or guarantee that everything will work out. This may seem like a crazy story, but it’s very REAL and dare I say, common, in the process of building a new house with old things.

Just as I was beginning to panic (and definitely on the verge of tears because we are just days away from installation) he said he walked through the haunted schoolhouse and found another sink! Again, I couldn’t believe it. What are the odds!?

Hallelujah!

Plans were made for him to retrieve the sink that evening and deliver it to my house overnight. Buuuut, just so you know – I never put any real trust in these scenarios. In my mind (and heart, albeit), I don’t fully believe it until the item is literally in my possession.

My skepticism felt validated when I woke up to find NO sink in sight.

To my relief and excitement, however, I sent an urgent text and learned he was already en route to my house with the sink—phew.

Talk about a roller coaster ride, right?

The sink is *officially here*, as is its accompanying faucet which I quickly ordered upon its arrival.

This story, crazy as it may be, has a very happy ending. I LOVE this sink, and cannot wait to have it in my studio.

This unique fixture will invite art makers in my studio to wash brushes, fill water cups, and wash hands. The chip on the front adds character and the way the finish is missing on the front just adds texture that a new sink would have lost in the room.

This is truly a conversation piece…and the best part? We will never worry about messing it up with paint (or anything else), because it’s already messy going in. This antique sink will be mounted on the wall so you can see the pop of the turquoise pipe on the bottom (stay tuned to see if this can actually be used).

Excitingly, I stumbled upon a faucet with crossbar handles, exuding that charming vintage aesthetic that perfectly aligns with the sink. When you visit for a workshop, you'll have the chance to see it in person!

Do you love the look of this sink and want to add one like it into YOUR space!?

I’ll be honest – sourcing them isn’t super easy, which you might have gathered from this blog. However, they CAN be found, and the earlier you can start your search, the better! Preferably well before framing. While I didn’t locate my sink as early as I might have liked, I’ll add an extra piece of wood to the framing to offer stronger support for this very HEAVY item.

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Embarking on the journey of building a new house with old things isn't always a walk in the park—it comes with its own set of challenges and hurdles. From sourcing the perfect pieces to integrating them seamlessly into modern design, there will certainly be moments of frustration and doubt along the way. Yet, amidst the trials, the rewards are immeasurable!

Getting to wake up and spend your days in a space that is both uniquely yours AND tells the stories of those who walked before us makes the process undeniably worth it.

In the end, it's about embracing the imperfections, the unexpected twists and turns, and finding beauty in the process itself.

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SOURCE YOUR SINK: Below are a handful of recommendations for where you can begin your search for an antique sink of your own! Be mindful that this process can take time. I encourage you to avoid letting the search process add stress and rather invite it to be an avenue of adventure and inspiration throughout your design process.