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chmorgan124

Should I Shaker?

7 years ago

We are updating our master bath and I would like opinions concerning my cabinets. We are putting in heart pine and the countertops will be a white calcatta quartz. Faucets are Delta Trinsic. Should I replace the cathedral doors with shaker style or just paint and add new hardware?




Comments (21)

  • 7 years ago

    I would replace if it is in the budget.

  • 7 years ago

    Yes, full height sink cabinet doors and new drawer fronts. Size them so there's no frame showing and buy adjustable hinges like Blum. Same for the linen cabinet, though I'd just replace it instead of trying to match the paint for the exposed side. You could then add drawers to the bottom. Cabinet door companies sell RTA linen cabinets. See Barker Cabinets' website.

  • 7 years ago

    counter and faucet are very pretty together.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    deleted since comment was not based on OP essentially gutting bathroom but keeping only vanity.

    chmorgan124 thanked Helen
  • 7 years ago

    Thank you, Helen! The floors were put in many years ago before we purchased the house. We will be replacing them and the carpeting in the bedroom with heart pine flooring. We also need to re-tile our shower, as it is original to the house and needs to be done. The project includes replacing the jetted tub with a regular drop in tub, new flooring, shower, lighting, and faucets. We are not moving any plumbing. The cabinet was last on my list and I will probably go with new doors as replacing would be too costly. Thanks again!

  • 7 years ago

    I agree with Green Designs. If you don't replace the vanity, it will stick out like a sore thumb, new doors or not. The thing you don't replace invariably looks terrible when everything else is new. I would definitely replace that vanity with a counter height one with drawers everywhere--you can do roll outs behind the doors under the sinks to accommodate the p-trap. Unless you only store linens, or Costco size rolls of toilet paper, in those cabinets, I can't imagine that finding things in that under sink cabinet is a lot of fun.

    chmorgan124 thanked nycbluedevil_gw
  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Given the enormous scope of work you are doing, I wouldn’t keep the vanities either since they would represent a small percentage of the work.

    I wouldn’t gut everything in my bathroom and keep old vanities. That’s penny wise and pound foolish. I was assuming you were not essentially gutting your bathroom. You wouldn’t be saving a significant amount by replacing the doors and would lose the opportunity to change the configuration.

    My new bathroom cabinetry is way more functional as well as aesthetic than the old vanity. Aside from beig higher, I configured the drawers witj plugs; added a drawer designed for hair tools; added a built in hamper where below the lower tall cabinet; had rollouts installed in my sink cabinet. I also got rid of one sink and added a makeup area which of course was based on my own wants. But I wouldn’t have kept my old vanity even though it was still structurally sound.

    chmorgan124 thanked Helen
  • 7 years ago

    Did you say you're putting pine flooring in the bathroom? That's the wettest room in the house. I'd go w/ tile. I agree with others, that if you're going to remodel, to upgrade the vanity as well. If it's too much $, I'd take the time to save it up and get a completely new bathroom. It will be worth it.

    chmorgan124 thanked girl_wonder
  • 7 years ago

    Thanks for all of the comments! The cabinet maker is coming Monday to discuss my options. This is by no means a $40,000 update. Right now, we are around $22,000 for labor and materials and I was hoping to update instead of replace the cabinets to keep costs down. I will see what he proposes. As far as the heart pine, we are going to use Waterlox to seal. We are empty nesters with no pets so they will be fine.


  • 7 years ago

    Good for you for exploring a new cabinet. What are you doing about your mirror and lighting? Having separate mirrors with nice overhead fixtures rather than wall to wall (and especially wall to wall with globe lights or something like that) is a much more updated look and doesn't need to be expensive. With all the other new elements, an outdated vanity area will likely jump out and detract from your enjoyment of the new space.

    chmorgan124 thanked nycbluedevil_gw
  • PRO
    7 years ago

    These are full overlay doors. You do not have those now.





    chmorgan124 thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
  • 7 years ago

    If you are in job mode now finish up with the shakers. You may second guess yourself if you don't do it now. If the budget allows of course.

    chmorgan124 thanked Daniel Guither
  • 7 years ago

    I would replace the cathedral doors. Are you able to just replace those door fronts and keep the drawers the same? I love heart pine. Hope you post the "after" pics. Congrats on redoing a bathroom without going overboard and using what you already have.

    chmorgan124 thanked Kendrah
  • 7 years ago

    @Bev, is the third photo a full overlay cab? It looks like inset. (do I have that right? I'm still learning).

  • 7 years ago

    Shaker doors will look terrible with the panels above the doors and the drawers. They are not even remotely similar. If you do a new door, the profile would have to relate to what is there already.

    chmorgan124 thanked nycbluedevil_gw
  • 7 years ago

    Replace the cabinet. If you can't afford custom, you can always do semi custom. Shaker doors will look terrible on those cabinets and as others have said, you want a full height cabinet.

    chmorgan124 thanked cpartist
  • 7 years ago

    Wow! I never expected so many comments! I plan to frame the mirror and use three sconces above. I will add pics of the sconce and pendant for over the tub. While I'm at it, I will show you the tile for the shower. Shower walls will be longer subway than shown - 3x12 with potter's edge. Shower floor will be framed by Calacatta gold with Charme Calacatta Gold inside. I really hope this all comes together! We have been in this house for 17 years, so I'm ready for a change.





  • 7 years ago

    Some really pretty choices. I did 3 x 12 subways in my showers too. Love the look. The sconce feels more like a side of the mirror sconce to me. Where are you placing them? Three along the whole length of the vanity or three above each? If the former, is that enough light and if the former, that's a lot of lights. Personally, I would choose a multi light sconce above the sinks or the one you have chosen if you put them on the sides of the mirror. You will get much better light that way.

  • 7 years ago

    @chmorgan - The scope of your remodel is pretty much what a $40,000 remodel would be for many people depending on the cost of living/labor and specific finishes. You can save money by selecting less expensive finishes - tile, faucets, fixtures etc. run the gamut. You don't want to skimp on quality but Delta is high quality (for example) but less expensive than other options.


    However, remodeling a bathroom is expensive because of the level of skill needed to do it properly and the pages of Houzz forum are filled with the woes of homemakers who used less skilled workmen - plumbing, electrical, tile can all end in disaster. A shower that isn't waterproofed properly can cause expensive structural damage.


    Also when you remodel, you aren't grandfathered in so everything has to be done according to current Code - and depending on jurisdictions, it all has to be inspected - sometimes multiple times at each stage. My plumbing was inspected multiple times as was my electrical work. All of that costs money and takes time - and time is money. My electrician and plumber had to wait around twiddling their thumbs waiting for the inspector to show up on the designated days and that waiting time is built into what they charge for their work.

    chmorgan124 thanked Helen
  • 7 years ago

    Just a note on the wood floors. We have heart pine in our bathroom (and throughout our condo) finished with oil based poly, and we have a large dog, and it's completely fine after 12 years. I don't know who these people are who leave puddles of water soaking on their bathroom floor. That wouldn't be great for a tile floor either if it's not in a wet room. It's lovely flooring and will look awesome with the finishes you're planning. (Definitely get a new, full height vanity!)

    chmorgan124 thanked emho23