When you are considering using a piece of furniture as a bathroom vanity, there are a few things to consider. Drawers were the major concern with the sideboard piece we selected for our vanity in the new construction bathroom in the vintage house about which I have been writing. Drawers also may be a consideration for you, but you may have more drawer space to spare than we did with the sideboard, which was limited to two drawers.
We did consider the drawers when we first looked at the piece and hoped we could have some use of at least one of the drawers. The engineer was able to allow for partial use of both drawers-- an added bonus.
Once the vessel sink, and the faucet set arrived, the engineer was able to collect the various plumbing pieces needed and worked on construction of the drawers. Using plywood, he was able to build a series of boxes that would accommodate the necessary plumbing and still allow for some interesting drawer space. As you can see from the pictures, both drawers were compromised for the plumbing, but there is still quite a bit of useable space for useful storage. With some modular vanity boxes for make up or jewelry, these drawers will function quite well.
The two cabinets on either side of the drawers will store a hair dryer and various curling irons and other necessities the lady of the house will need.
The sideboard was not the least expensive part of the project, but it was a close third. The vessel sink was quite affordable, and looks great. The knobs were re-purposed from the kitchen and original to the house, so they cost nothing. A few shiny new screws and a good clean up was all that was needed to make the knobs sparkle and add a touch of history to the piece. Without a doubt the faucet set was the big expense; but in the end, it is so elegant it was considered, well worth the price.
The vanity was installed last weekend and it looks stunning; all parties are pleased with the outcome. There are some practical things to consider with this piece, first of all, having a wood top is not the ideal surface for a vanity, a stone top would be more durable. This homeowner knows the problems associated with a wood top and it will be up to her to maintain the surface by making sure any water drops are quickly wiped up. While there are many, many coats of finish, it is still a good idea to keep the surface dry; I suggest a wipe up towel inside one of the cabinets for easy and quick access. The vanity is certainly the showpiece of this lovely new bathroom.
