Walnut Vanity for Powder Room

7 years ago

I would like to duplicate this vanity for our powder room. It is described as having walnut slabs. Does that mean the shelves are solid walnut? Would the look be the same with walnut veneers? What should I expect to pay for a vanity like this that is about the same size, not including the sink, etc.? And does it need to be reinforced into the wall?

2018 Artisan Home Tour · More Info

Featured Answer

Nancy in Mich

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

I have a walnut vanity in my only full bathroom. It is walnut veneer over birch plywood on the body, with solid walnut door/drawer fronts and a walnut slab top. I had a local specialized wood lumberyard glue heartwood planks together for the top, then router the edges.

It is Waterlox-ed with four to six coats.

I found the lumberyard by going to my local woodworker's shop (Woodcraft is the chain) and talking to them, and they told me about the lumberyard a half hour away.

You can duplicate this look with solid walnut planks (be sure to specify heartwood if you do not want the blonder streaks) held in place with good, strong brace supports or cleats underneath. The deep front is achieved by putting another plank across the front. There is no reason for the top to be a block 6 or 8 inches thick. Your cabinetmaker can miter the edges so that they butt at the front edge and it appears to be a solid slab, but is made with solid planks. I would not use a veneer in a wet area.

So, start by looking for a cabinet maker or wood worker who does small jobs, show him/her the photo of what you want and ask if they are interested in the job.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

drsaj
Original Author
7 years ago
Nancy, thank you for all that info! Your vanity is beautiful! I'll talk to my cabinet maker about all of this. He said real wood "moves" so he didn't recommend solid slabs. That might be different with planks. Does the Water Lox make it shiny? I'd like to protect the top, but have a matte finish.
Related Professionals
Dover Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · St. Louis Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Enfield Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Nashua Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Yuba City Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Aberdeen Bathroom Remodelers · Oklahoma City Bathroom Remodelers · Kankakee Bathroom Remodelers · Magnolia Tile and Stone Contractors · Kalamazoo Tile and Stone Contractors · Mobile Home Remodeling · Toms River Kitchen Remodelers · Charleston Kitchen Remodelers · Plainfield Kitchen Remodelers · Saint Joseph Bathroom Remodelers
Nancy in Mich
7 years ago
I used the shiny Waterlox. I think there is a more satin finish, too. But ask around or use a scrap piece to try it before you do the vanity.

I know that plywood is more stable than wood planks, but I do worry about a veneer 20 years down the road. Plus, nicks in solid wood still look like walnut, not as visible as a light-colored wood underneath. We did have veneer used on our kitchen cabinets where they were worn, though, so I know that it can look great. (I bought a 25 year-old kitchen and refinished the fronts and visible sides. My guy put new veneer fronts and sides on a few of the cabinets.) If the vanity will be between two walls, it may not matter about a veneer. I just worry about veneer on that front edge if someone splashes and does not wipe it up.
drsaj thanked Nancy in Mich
drsaj
Original Author
7 years ago
"I know that plywood is more stable than wood planks, but I do worry about a veneer 20 years down the road."

Honestly, I'll probably be ready for a change by then anyway, if we're still living in the house.
enduring
7 years ago
Nancy your vanity, wall installation is lovely! I hope it is working well for you. I know you put a lot of thought into your bathroom.
drsaj
Original Author
7 years ago
Filipe Custom Woodwork, I would appreciate your professional input.
Nancy in Mich
7 years ago
Maybe there will be a place on his professional page that allows you to leave a message?
drsaj thanked Nancy in Mich
PRO
Housing First Minnesota
7 years ago
Hello, If you'd like more details on this particular space, we would recommend reaching out to the builder of this home, Kroiss Development. They can be found on Houzz here. You can also find alternative ways to contact them from their page if you have questions. Thank you!
drsaj thanked Housing First Minnesota
PRO
User
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
It’s a deceptively simple look that depends on custom workers with good carpentry and plumbing skills.

My cabinet maker could probably make that vanity portion for just under $1500. Walnut is a premium, and solid more so than veneer. You’ll need drywall work first to make the alcove flat and square before he measures, if you want that clean look. Otherwise you may end up needing scribe molding to hide the wonky wall gaps. If it’s not too bad out of plane, protecting it after it goes in and doing a bit of drywall mud work then van work. It all depends on how flat your walls are. That will affect the wallpaper application as well. If you’re going to reproduce that with that premium paper, all the walls will need skimming and flattening.

The other issue is the plumbing. It has to be sited perfectly. And it had to be the more expensive pretty metal drains. They gloss over it in the photo. The plumber has to know the entire design plan, with measured elevations, before he opens up your walls and changes things around. Something off centered, or a bit of plastic showing, and the whole look is ruined.
drsaj thanked User