If you’ve followed me for awhile, you know that I have a weakness for French antiques, and I’m always on the lookout for them. I get so excited when I find French pieces in estate sales, auctions, or directly from Europe. So, of course, I was thrilled when I found this French Lavabo wall sink.
This beauty originated in Europe and it is particularly fabulous! It’s perfectly crusty, chippy, and flaky in all the right places, and the bottom is painted in a drool worthy pale blue!
Dating to the early 1900’s, these cast iron wall sinks, known as a “lavabo” were usually mounted on the outside walls of the European homes. They were used for hand washing before entering the house.
Made of enameling over cast iron, many times the bottoms were painted in beautiful colors such as this one is. Those are highly sought after.
The lavabos could be very simple in design, as well as very detailed cast iron.
Today, they are sought after for many uses, including hanging on a garden or patio wall as a planter for flowers, herbs, etc. They have such Old World style and character!
They are really perfect as a planter because of the drainage in the bottom of the bowl.
Lavabos make a very interesting functional sink for a potting area or mud room.
Many of them are still in wonderful condition when found.
Some lavabos are fancier than others……..I wonder if that was a reflection of the family “status”?
So many uses and ideas come to mind for these old European wall sinks.
I think one mounted by the front door with flowers would be gorgeous! Maybe stamped with your address or a cute French quote on the back plate! I also love the idea of one mounted on the wall in the bathroom above a tub, filled with pretty towels, soaps, etc.
No matter what you re-purpose the lavabo for, it remains one of my very favorite things!
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On another note…..I wanted to share that we have a petite feature in the Summer addition of French Style Magazine!
We were thrilled when the editor of French Style Magazine asked us to contribute to their article on collecting ironstone.
French Style Magazine is a quarterly publication and this Summer edition will be on newsstands until June, so be sure pick up a copy! It’s filled with some stunning French interiors!
Cheers, Cindy
I love mine too had written long messages how I found My lavabo then a stupid add came up and I lost the whole thing )! So let me hurry I enjoyed ur article very much I love mine so much to it’s white enamel found in local cute vintage shop was astounded!! I have faux flowers in on my wall next to front door on my COVERED front porch nite add some real mint to it I love it!!
What do you consider a fair price for a plain and simple lavabo (all white) similar to the one in the picture below your blue one? It’s definitely old and has the chippy paint I love. I’ve found one for sale, but want to make sure I don’t overpay. Thanks!
Ashly, I’ve seen these old French lavabos go as high as $425.00 depending on the area and condition. I think anything $175.00 or below would be a really good price.
Congratulations on another magazine feature!
I love, love your lavabo! It’s so perfectly Cindy style!!!
Thank you, sweet friend! {{Hugs}}
~Cindy~
The color is pretty indeed !! I have brought something years ago from a shop that reminds me of yours, but mine is just a garden planter that is to look like the real one !
I would really like to go to Al. to the sale while we visit Texas , but I think it would be to far off the path !
Have a joyful week !
Paula
If you ever get the chance to attend this monthly estate sale, you must! But I will warn you, it’s addictive! Thanks for commenting, Paula!
Cindy, I am so envious of the lavabo, here in Australia they are rare and of all the times I wanted to order one from overseas, the postage is more expensive than the piece, sadly.
Yes, I’ve shipped many items to Australia, and the shipping costs can be insane! Keep looking, you may find the perfect lavabo one day! Thank you so much for commenting, Suzana!
You are so right about the lava’s — so many possibilities for using them inside and out! Can’t wait to read up on ironstone.
Thank you for commenting!
I love your new lavabo. We have one also that we purchased at Atelier de Campayne some time ago. I love how it looks on our outside wall in the garden. Hubby was reluctant to buy it as it was a little expensive, but he loves it now! He also enjoys going there now.
Oh, Linda, I’m jealous that you live close enough to go to the Atelier de Campagna sale! It’s on my bucket list!
Hi Cindy! Beautiful post on this gorgeous piece. The blue is perfect. By the way, I finally found the Cottage Journal-French. The store said it was a late delivery but I’m happy now that I’ve found it. Congrats on the petite feature! Hope I can find this one too! Hugs, Pat
That’s wonderful, Pat! I’m so glad that you found the Cottage Journal’s French edition. Enjoy, and thank you so much for commenting!
I love it, love it, love it. But I am a Francophile. I would love one for my Potting Shed. Where did you find you treasure? And it is a treasure. Thank you for sharing. Kathryn
Hi Kathryn! We actually found the lavabo at an estate sale in Mobile, AL. I have a friend that owns a local shop, and she actually has one for sale in her shop now. If you’re interested, let me know, and I will send you her information!
Oh I love those lavabos…I have seen them in country antique fairs but I must say that yours is the prettiest one I have seen! Congrats on the feature Cindy…cannot wait to find a copy! Have a great day!!!
Thank you so much, Shirley!
Loving the lavados. This may go on my list. Seeing these have some great ideas Bet you are right, the more ornate was about status
Have a great start to your week
Cindy
Thanks, Cindy! I love that you have “a list” also!!
That lavabo is absolutely gorgeous. I’m a fairly new follower and I love your blog. All I can say is…..back from the beginning, did you ever think in a million years you would be chosen to be a contributor to so many magazines? I would have to pinch myself. I know how hard it is to be successful and to keep it that way. Bravo!
Hi, Cindy! No, never in a million years did I foresee being featured in, and contributing to, so many publications! It still feels a little surreal, and I’m so grateful for the exposure. Thank you so much for commenting!
I, too, love lavados. I have one that hangs outside my garden room. I’ve planted sweet potato vine, impatiens , and ivy in it every spring for years. As it is in the shade , the plants always thrive. This year I think I will paint the bottom with a blue chalk paint for a change. Very much appreciate your sharing your home with us. Thank you.
Claire, that sounds so beautiful! I love that you’re going to paint the bottom of it with chalk paint for a bit of a different look! Thank you so much for commenting!
What a lovely piece! Love that blue color. Congrats on the feature.
Thank you, Penny!
Wow! What a beautiful find Cindy! If you are keeping please be sure and take a photo of where and how you used this gorgeous piece. Was this found at your favorite place,…. in Alabama??
Congratulations for asking to contribute to French Style Magazine, will definitely pick up a copy.
As always, I so look forward to your blog
Thank you, Nancy! Yes, we found it in Alabama!