I knew it existed but had never seen one...

[foraloysius]

This is what was used in a lot of 50's housing overhere in the Netherlands. It's called a "Lavet" after the french word "laver". It's a washer/spin dryer but in a built in granite version. This is a deluxe model, the cheaper versions didn't have an integrated spinner and IIRC the cheaper versions didn't have an agitator either but you could put a blower in it that moved around the water in the tub.

I had seen a few of those cheaper ones but never this deluxe model. Besides for washing it was also used for bathing children. Grown ups used the shower, it's not in the picture, but the hose goes to the showerhead. There must be a floordrain as well.

I found this picture while browsing real estate, you come across interesting things now and then!

 

[maytagbear]

Very innnnnnnteresting!

Thanks for posting this, Louis!

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[laundromat]

kooooooooool!

 

[mielabor]

Back to the fifties!

My aunt had one, without the spinner, I didn't know that those deluxe models existed. I was washed in it when I stayed there as a small boy.

She never used the thing for washing laundry and only later did I found out what it was for. She didn't use any washing machine at all! She only had an electric spin dryer.

 

[foraloysius]

Back to the fifties indeed!

It's indeed a product of the fifties, I don't think they were installed in later years. This fine granite was not only used for lavets but also for kitchen counters.

A lavet was a multifunctional thing. As you can see there is a mirror over it, it was used as a bathroom sink too. So the functions were washing machine, bathroom sink, children's bath and sometimes when there was little space (no shower space in front of it) grown ups showered in it too. You sat down on the spinner side and put your feet in the washer part. Oy!!!

 

[mielabor]

Wasn't the lavet something that came with "Bruynzeel" kitchens? My aunt had a kitchen sideboard of the same material. I think it was called "Ocriet", a fluorine-treated terazzo which made it more resistant to acid substances. Ocriet nowadays is not made with cement as binder anymore, but with synthetic resin.

I have particular memories of the towel holder that was built into the lavet (round opening on the left side of the front). I never couldn't resist sticking my finger in!

 

[mielabor]

That should be: "I could never resist sticking my finger in!"

 

[foraloysius]

"I could never resist sticking my finger in!"

LOL! I remember these towel holders as well, there was a rubbery part in it to hold the towel. We had those in the kitchen and I too couldn't resist to stick my finger in. LOL! I wonder what dr Freud would say!

BTW, is this Ocriet? I don't know much about the material. Only that it's pretty hard material, look at this lavet, no chipping after so many years!

 

[toggleswitch2]

But where is the curtain?

WOW! Way cool Louis! I learn so much here.

If I may generalize from one country in Europe to another, (for my friends here in North America), I have seen in Europe that the WHOLE BATHROOM sometimes functions as the shower-stall. Shower head in room and a floor-drain. This helps explain the hose to the shower head!

 

[mielabor]

The lavet on your picture looks like it's made of Ocriet. As far as I can remember they were all made of the same material.

The link is in Dutch unfortunately. The lavet is such a Dutch only thing that I couldn't find English info.

http://books.google.com/books?id=75...&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=7&ct=result

 

[mielabor]

Found this picture, also with spin dryer.

 

[MrX]

There were some very strange designs in the 1950s

It's basically a twin tub crossed with a bathroom sink

 

[westyslantfront]

Hi Louis. It looks like a wonderful idea to have a spin dryer and washer as part of the shower. Sure wish I could see one in action.

Ross

 

[jetcone]

Isnt that wild

but it looks like a very sensible way to do laundry. You strip butt naked, throw in your clothes to wash them ,shower yourself then,towel dry, then throw in your towel for a rinse with your clothes then spin dry the whole thing while the wind dries you off!

Those Dutch don't waste a moment!

 

[toggleswitch2]

So how big is it?

The washer tub looks huge.
Dimensions anyone?

 

[mielabor]

Dimensions of rectangular part: 110 x 65 cm.
Diameter of basin: 60 cm.

 

[peterh770]

Het Lavet?

I wonder what the "Hom Lavet" looked like...

 

[foraloysius]

"Hom Lavet"

Well, that could be me if I would decide to buy that apartment. Not seriously considering though.

 

[mickeyd]

Pure genius! I love it

a granite vanity, a baby washer, and a big powerful TT with a really nice agitator right in the bathroom--how cool.

Hope you find one to add to your beautiful bathroom collection.