Since you really need new countertop and there's no way to change its look, paint the cabinets black with modern pewter hardware. If these were laminate that was straight, it could be refinished with an epoxy in a solid white to make them more modern but alas I don't think you can use that for this stuff,

Paint the cabinet dark ( Charcoal or espresso brown?)and update the hardware. Add a frame around the mirror and a shelf/cabinet to the counter top to update the space. ,

Paint the cabinets out, change the hardware and add a moulding around the large mirror! For a paint color I'm thinking a rich gray and brushed nickel hardware. Keep bathroom linens white. Be patient! This too shall pass!!!

Check out your local ReStore or other reuse store, also Craig's list too. If you happen to see something with similar dimensions, it isn't very difficult to change the countertop out. You can cut the countertop if you find a longer one as long as the bowls are similarly distance apart.

Otherwise, consider just using a premade laminate counter and cutting holes in it for cheap top mount white sinks.

All in all, I think you could get a different vanity top for under $200, under $100 if you install it yourself. It's not going to be your dream counter, but it would look much better for the couple of years until you have the opportunity to totally redo the bathroom

No matter what you do, if you don't change the counter you will not be happy! Hope you can DIY. Find a Craigslist mid-century modern dresser cheap (because it need paint), jisgsaw sink openings, and drill holes for faucet and paint it. Do several coats of polyurthean on the top for water protection. Get inexpenisve sinks and save your faucets. Put clean lined moulding around the mirror for a framed looked.

Darzy, great idea!

Thank you everybody!!! GREAT ideas!

Spice and charcoal color theme and I think this room might just be amazing-even with that counter---:) Some pics for inspiration...[houzz=] [houzz=][houzz=]

Thanks Bobbi!

I agree with some of the other posters -- paint the cabinets black or dark and change out the hardware. Replace the fixtures and frame out the mirror with a Mirrormate frame in the same finish as you paint the cabinets. Update the lighting and paint the walls in a light color -- pale blue or green. The present countertop should work with this.

Oh, lordy. I've lived with those crazy marble counter tops in the past as well.

How about buying a piece of furniture grade wood at your local lumber place and jigsawing holes for the sinks and fixtures. Kind of like Darzy suggests above. Then sand it really good, especially around the sink openings. Think how they're doing wood counter tops now. This isn't a permanent solution and just needs to keep you from losing your mind. Paint it a color you like, and give it a few coats of poly, and install it on top. You could do the same with wood pieces to replace the marble-y backsplash strips too. You will probably need to purchase a few extender pieces for your fixtures, but that's not expensive. Then paint the front of the cabs.

One thing you have too remember is that the top will most likely damage the cabinets, So for that reason alone I would say paint out the walls , cabinets, replace hardware, & fixtures.

thank you, guys!!! I got lots of inspirational ideas!

thank you, guys!!! I got lots of inspirational ideas!

The fun with this is seeing what your fix for two years will be in before and after and then 2 years from now your renovation moving forward - take lots of photos!

If pretending the cultured marble is real marble is fine with you, then you can decorate in any way you like. Polish up the countertop with Gel Gloss or regular paste car wax. Buy replacement chrome drain stoppers from the faucet manufacturer so you can stop up each sink again, or replace the faucets altogether for less than $100 each (plus labor). Replace the cabinet pulls and knobs. Continue refurbishing the cabinets: Turn the drawers over and use candle wax on the runners. Line the drawers and cabinet shelves with a striking patterned gift wrap paper or good old shelf paper in a bright color. Oil the cabinet hinges.

I think that matching the bathroom style to the rest of the house would be a good thing. Cabinet paint could be off white to match the light color in the cultured marble countertop if you want a bright room, medium gray if you want current fashion or black if you want drama. Or find an accessory such as an unusual clock or soap dispensers or patterned towels and take your decorating cue from them. Perhaps you'd like to try wallpapering the room, too. See if the light fixtures need dusting, washing and replacing old bulbs with new bulbs such as Reveal for good color rendition, or if you want to replace them.

I would try a cool black and white theme. You could paint the cabinets a rich black and add black molding around the mirrror. Also, try changing out the cabinet hardware to something more sleek.

I agree with painting the cabinets black. I would also remove that center door and use basket storage with rolled up towels, etc.

The worst part for me with these older bathrooms is that even if you could live with the vanity there is usually 30-40 years worth of various caulks in the seams that ruin the entire piece.

I dont think you have to go with (tacky) granite (when will it end) or marble. There are so many choices in more afforable solid surfaces that to me look just as good if not better. But as others have said, you really wont be happy unless you change it.