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blackchamois

Vanity - White or Stained?

14 years ago
last modified: 14 years ago
I am almost done with my guest bath renovation and I am debating whether to have my new vanity painted white, or stained. And if stained, what color? (I am thinking a warm/darker brown, but probably not as dark as espresso.) Thoughts?

Here are the details of the guest bath:
White subway tile with border of penny rounds at the top as well as in the niche
Floor tiles are a cream/tanish color
Walls are painted BM Bleeker Beige at 50%
I would like to do a Cararra marble counter (regardless of vanity color)
Vanity will have shaker door style

I have a hard time photographing the bathroom because it is so small. It is very difficult to get an angle that captures it well. This is the best I could get (excuse the mess - it is presently serving as my prep area while my kitchen is being remodeled).

Additional info:
My kitchen cabs will be white shaker, as well as the laundry room cabinets and the linen closet (which is right outside the guest bathroom)

I would love to get some advice/suggestions. Thank you!

Comments (16)

  • 14 years ago
    I think I would go with staining it dark. It would make a nice contrast there in the bathroom. It doesn't have to be the white just because the other cabinets are white-it already will coordinate because its the same style cabinet. I would not stain it really dark-just the tone you mentioned would be good. I think it will look really nice with the other features you have mentioned/posted.
  • PRO
    14 years ago
    Keep it simple , otherwise it might look Busy !
  • PRO
    14 years ago
    I agree keep it simple and there is nothing wrong with a white bathroom. The accent tile is quite unique!

    Kids Bath · More Info
  • 14 years ago
    I like the idea of picking up a color from those tiles and painting the vanity that color. White is nice but predictable. I'm looking at that deep taupe spot on the bathroom mat and picturing the cupboards painted that with a white veined marble top. Just a tad more interesting I think.
  • 14 years ago
    I am already driving myself nuts picking paint colors. I think if I were to have to pick any more, it will send me over the edge :) LOL

    I like white too, but so many of my other cabinetry will be white, I thought it might be nice to mix it up.

    I was thinking something along the lines of this ...
  • 14 years ago
    I like the idea of a contrasting darker wood for the vanity, especially since you said the floor and walls are also light-colored. I think the wood will bring some interest to the bathroom... and you can always bring in a pop of another color on the walls with some art or the towels (maybe something that picks up your penny round tile colors?)
  • 14 years ago
    Like the photo above black chamois, that would be a perfect colour wood for your bathroom.
  • 14 years ago
    Exactly. Great example of how it can be striking, but in a good way.
  • 14 years ago
    Thank you all for the feedback and great suggestions. I'm certainly not afraid of too much white, but I am really loving the warmth in the inspiration picture. Hopefully I can get close to achieving that vision.
  • 14 years ago
    I think either way..what will the shower door be...curtain? If so vanity dark and curtain mixture...btw our bathroom is one shade darker with the exact type of penny rounds...pretty sure same manufacturer.
  • 14 years ago
    last modified: 14 years ago
    Blk chamois...that is exactly our bathroom only the shower is darker... I almost went lighter shower..anyway...WHAT COLOR is your bathroom painted in..like it alot!
  • PRO
    14 years ago
    I think a darker finish on your cabinet will provide even more warmth to the wood and like emma0217 about complimenting that color in other ways through art, paint colors, tile backsplash, etc. Good luck!
  • PRO
    14 years ago
    This is a metalic paint stain, best of both worlds !
  • 14 years ago
    bwenk - Since this photo was taken I have put up a potentially temporary shower curtian in a tan color slightly darker than the walls. I say "temporary" as I am considering doing a glass panel. I like the subway tile so much I kind of think its a shame to hide it behind a curtain. I'm in no rush so I can think about that for a while. What color did you use in your bathroom? I tried to pick out a color from the pennies ... I found BM Bleeker Beige to be a close match but was afraid it would be too dark, so I lighten it up a little (50%). Not sure if that was the right move, but paint is easy to change, right? :) I would love to see your bathroom if you wouldn't mind posting a pic!

    Thanks everyone!
  • 14 years ago
    Thank you! . I think the color is great! I am going to ck and see if it will match mine. My bathroom is not started yet. In process. We are waiting on shower to come in as I ordered a silestone one in a darker color and also I have a medicine cabinet I need to get. The penny tile i am using is very similar to yours and is on floor with a chocolate grout. The subway tile is a very light shade of cream almost white with veins of tan and that will be 1/2 way up the wall all the way around. I bought a dark vanity and had a counter too made pulling all the tones of the penny and subway tile.....After that it's Reno time! I will upload a pic when it is done.