I think either option could be lovely. However, look closely at the durability of the Ikea dresser - it's the Hemnes, right? Both my kids have Hemnes dressers in red and the wood is very soft and easily dented/scraped. (The drawers are also a nightmare, I've tried every possible trick to reinforce them but they continually collapse. I'm giving up and ordering new ones elsewhere.) Obviously kids are rougher on furniture than adults using a MBA but based on that experience, I wouldn't be confident that the Ikea dresser would age as nicely as the inherited one.

I wonder how the Ikea dresser will hold up in moist environment and splashiing water.

BTW, my daughter has an antique oak bachelor chest in her master bath , though not as a vanity. No problems so far with antique wood in bathroom.

I think that you should follow through on your idea to use your grandmother's dresser. It is lovely.

I wouldn't paint your grandmothers dresser either...it's beautiful and has memories. Either way you go it will be beautiful. If you went the ikea way...you could use gramma's dresser maybe in the entry it looks to be a good size for that type of area.

i love stained wood in the bathroom!! that would be my preference!! as long as you are okay modifying the dresser and as long as the drawers work smoothly, i think it would be awesome as a vanity!!

Thank you for you help! I think knowing ikea has issues makes my decision much easier! Function trumps fashion and I initially wanted dark wood and to use the dresser I already possess so dark is most likely the way I will go.

Your grandmother's, it's the best choice and a wonderful memory.

Yay for dark wood!! There can be a warmth and sophistication to it that you just don't get with white paint. (Note I am not dissing white, just the faddishness of using it everywhere for everything.)

I love your first choice with your grandmother's dresser. We converted an antique stained wood cabinet into a vanity for the powder room and I love it. I did use spar varnish on the wood to protect it from water.

It should be easily replaceable with a standard vanity if you want to take your grandmother's dresser with you if you ever move.

I prefer the choice with your grandmother's dresser. I prefer the dark wood and that dresser is gorgeous. i would also be nervous about the quality of the ikea dresser in a bathroom setting.

This is a tough one. Both of your mood boards are wonderful , but I lean towards the dark cabinets with the beautiful tiles. But what is the light like in the bathroom? Do you have nice natural light? Dim light would make me choose the white cabs.

The room is being built so not certain of exact light. It is above a sunroom which is filled with eight windows and tons of light. It has north, east and south walls and will have a double south window, and a single north window and a 36 round window hung at 11 ft to 8ft on the east wall so I believe it will be bright. The room is 13x8 and will have a two wall glass walls on the 4x6 shower. The door and possibly the furniture will be the only dark elements planned so far.

i tried a mock up of dyhgardens' idea. Ignore the floor I am on holiday and do not have access of all my pics.

My thought was also white armoire with the antique vanity so as to make it really stand out.

Hemnes transformed into pharmacy cabinet.... http://www.ikeahackers.net/2013/02/pharmacy-cabinet-from-hemnes-cabinet.html

Although there are no armoires in this photo, it shows an antique piece in stained wood against white in a bath with lots of light. I immediately focus on the dresser here instead of the white elements.

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Love that Hemnes hack.

Also agree that the white flanking the dark dresser looks great. I don't think I would have agreed without seeing the mock-up. They look nice together.

Ooh thank you for the inspiration picture and link! I love the hack!