June 28, 2013

Bathroom Sink, Etc.

Whatever do they call them these days, bathroom sink cabinets or bathroom vanities? Either way, ours is done! Here's the process in pictures, with a few words thrown in to boot.

The area we had to put a sink cabinet is not very deep, only 16 inches. What we wanted, was something that looked like a piece of furniture, such as a dry sink. Nothing ready-made would fit, so Dan had to make one.

We started with the original base cabinet (photo  here).
Dan stripped, stained, and added on to it for the sink. 

Ready made legs were easy to find, but a top proved to be a little harder. We could find 1" x 16" stainable tops, but in reality they were only 3/4 inches thick.  Dan didn't think this was sturdy enough so he bought the same 1.25 inch top we used for the kitchen dining nook table.

Fitting the top, which was reconstructed from a purchased table top.

It was 24 inches by 48 inches long, so he cut it to width and attached the remnants to both ends to make the vanity top longer.

Dowel joins and wood filler turned a 24 x 48
inch table top into a 16 x 55 inch vanity top.

Back and end splashes made with 1x3s complete the dry sink look.

Assembled, stained, and polyed, with back and end splashes.

He applied extra coats of polyurethane, because it will obviously get water drips and splashes.

The vessel sink came with an overflow. We added the umbrella drain. 

I liked the vessel sink look, and was surprised that they weren't any more expensive than a regular bathroom sink.

Vessel sink faucet. In the entire universe I only found one in antique brass.

We found good deals for both the vessel sink and faucet on eBay. That included free shipping.

A look at the finished cabinet base with doors. 

Dan had to make new doors for the base cabinet. That was the last step.

Finished sink cabinet with sink and plumbing complete.

Done! I almost feel like I'm at some resort hotel when I stand there brushing my teeth.

That was the last "big" project for the bathroom. What we have left are a number of little things: install the shower riser and rod, towel racks, mirror, and door. Depending on how many more rainy days we get for indoor project time, the hall bathroom may be done in no time.

Bathroom Sink, Etc. © June 2013 

24 comments:

Sandy Livesay said...

Leigh,

Dan did a beautiful job making this cabinet and then turning it into a bathroom sink. I love how the sick is like a piece of furniture.

Hannah said...

The stain and finish look lovely, very uniform and shiny. Very elegant.

The Squirrel Family said...

It's fabulous I love those bowl style sinks. The stain ties the whole thing together...great job Dan!

Anonymous said...

Absolutely gorgeous! And I am in love with the fact that you both can create something from various other things. That is what I try to do too.

Farmer Barb said...

Leigh, I'm coming over to wash my hands! I saw a beautiful treatment for the exposed plumbing when I was visiting Ireland a hundred years ago. The pipe was draped with a triangular shawl. Since you are a fiber lady, you are bound to have something around. I, myself, had the question when I had a small bathroom and an exposed pipe. I ended up embracing the pipe for the short period I lived there. Hey, I was grateful for the additional bathroom!

BTW, my first batch of gooseberry jam is on the stove!!

Jocelyn said...

Lovely! I like that sink. Bowl sinks always make me feel like washing my hands is a special occasion. It looks great!

Leigh said...

Sandy, thanks! I so agree Dan did a beautiful job. I've proud of both him and the sink!

Hannah, almost too elegant, LOL. For me, anyway.

Squirrel Family, it's funny how uniform color or finish can do that, tie it all together. It looks like it was always that way, doesn't it?

Stephanie, this is why not having money is a blessing in disguise. It forces us to explore options that would otherwise be too easy to buy for. :)

Barb, hurray for gooseberry jam!

We were concerned about the exposed plumbing at first, but after looking at 100s of sink and bathroom ideas, have discovered it's very common. It is the reason Dan went with chrome instead of PVC. :)

Jocelyn, the sink just fit our decor. After we ordered it I was worried it was too big! But I'm really pleased with how well it turned out.

Benita said...

I love it!! It love that bowl look, too and would love to have one in my bathroom - one day.

Woolly Bits said...

I agree, I like the bowl look, but I'd fear that with a teenager in the house the timber cabinet underneath would look iffy very soon:( for that reason we did not install anything underneath/around our sink, just the pedestal. I sometimes look envious at bathrooms, where everything is installed off the floor (incl. the loo), because it makes cleaning the floor so much easier. but I am not sure that our wall connections would be strong enough to hold a sink plus a teenager sitting on the edge for long:) you have to make compromises with "kids" in the house:) enjoy your newly made up bathroom - happy splashing:)

Cat Eye Cottage said...

That looks great!

DFW said...

I love it. Dan did a great job! Isn't it nice to have a 'handy' man in your life?

Renee Nefe said...

Dan did another awesome job with the cabinetry, it looks beautiful! I noticed that this set up allows you to keep the heating vent out in the open - so it should keep your bathroom nice and toasty. :D

Ed said...

I'm knee deep in a bathroom remodel myself and we just had the discussion to go with the type of sink that you have or an undercounter mounted one. We couldn't decide and because of a time limit, I am just reinstalling the old one piece vanity top with a new fixture. I suppose sometime in the future we can change our mind and redo it which ever way wins out.

This weekend I'm getting the kneepads on and doing some tiling. I'm down to the last two weeks before my mother--in-law arrives for an extended visit and this bathroom keeps a bit of sanity in the house!

It seems as if natural wood is going out of style these days but I really like that antique finish you have on your vanity cabinet.

Katy said...

Leigh - it is gorgeous. High five to Dan. I am thinking of building something similar for the beach shack - but I'm going to use a galvanized bucket for the sink. Pretty much the same concept though. Can't wait to see it all done with the mirror and everything!
-Katy

HeatherD76 said...

So beautiful. Love the look of natural wood.

badgerpendous said...

Simply wonderful! What a great solution and so well executed. I tell you, your stuff (DH included) really inspires me to break out the tools more often. So, thanks!

matty said...

It looks wonderful! Aren't you so happy to have one more thing ticked off the list??

Mama Pea said...

What a beautiful, unique piece you and Dan created! It has an old look to it . . . and I mean that in the most complimentary way!

DebbieB said...

Looks fantastic, Leigh!!

Michelle said...

It is absolutely gorgeous!!!!

CaliforniaGrammy said...

How truly clever you two are, the new bathroom vanity/sink/cabinet is gorgeous and looks vintage at the same time (with new plumbing). So pretty!

Leigh said...

Benita, I was surprised they were so affordable. And not too bad too install. :)

Bettina, yes, house occupants make a huge difference with choices made! I have to agree with your idea about floor cleaning, although both original bathroom sinks were wall mounted. Not well mounted, unfortunately, which meant they sagged quite a bit.

Candace and DFW, thanks! And yes, I love that Dan is so handy. But then, that's part of the reason we're so compatible. :)

Renee, good eyes. Leaving that vent open was one of the design factors!

Ed, it's funny, but when a project is in the middle of decision making, we always find ourselves going to elaborate extremes. "What if we...." Sometimes the basics are best!

I think natural wood in out of style because mostly what's offered is fiber board type products. Sad, but real wood furniture has become very expensive.

Kathy, thanks! I've seen the galvanized bucket sink idea before and loved it. It would be perfect for your beach shack.

Heather, thank you! I confess to preferring natural wood too, although there have been times (kitchen) when we've had to paint.

Badgerpendous, thanks! Dan is inspirational. Makes me wish I was handier with tools too.

Matty, it's a relief!

Mama Pea, rustic elegance is us!

Debbie and Michelle, thanks!

Janice, for awhile we weren't sure how it would turn out, particularly trying to stain over a previously painted but sanded cabinet. Fortunately, it worked!

Bill said...

Very nice! I'm envious of Dan's skills. Just driving a nail is a challenge for me.

The Stay @ Home-Gardener said...

Dan does very beautiful work.