Btw, the Shale is on the left and the black on the right, if that wasn't clear. DH is a fan of the black, I'm leaning slightly toward Shale. I also worry that a painted finish might not wear well in the bathroom.

if it's a factory painted finish, or a custom sprayed type of lacquer, it will be fine in a bathroom.

I like the contrast w/the darker wood and think either work. I'd pick the Shale if it were mine.

Btw, here is you tile against a lighter stained white oak vanity

and with a vanity painted in a soft blue-gray color (I really like this option)

some other pics w/similar tiles and wood vanities so you can judge

Beth, thank you so much for the inspiration photos. I was actually leaning toward a lighter color (similar to your top photo) when we first started looking at finishes, but the only Bertch color that fit the bill was Driftwood, and once I saw it in person I didn't care for it as much - it has a slightly pinkish undertone that makes it look a bit plasticky to my eye. Bertch's other paint finishes didn't work for me either. I do love that grey-blue you posted - I might consider painting the wainscoting that color with white above.

BTW, we ended up with Bertch because they are one of only a few I could find that make a dresser style vanity in an 18" depth (which is required for our space). If you know of others I'd be happy to take a look!

Houzz carries some in the 18" depth range (I can also offer your a 5% discount code)

https://www.houzz.com/products/bath/16-to-18-inch-deep-bathroom-vanities-prbr1-br~t_469~a_76-575

Jack London kitchen and bath has this style, but they aren't cheap

this one is on AllModern (they have others in the 18" range)

https://www.allmodern.com/home-improvement/pdp/haycraft-47-single-bathroom-vanity-set-ornl4872.html?piid=26164701

could you squeeze in a 19" depth somehow? Signature hardware has them. something like this you could custom paint (won't let me post a pic, but it's the unfinished oak vanity)

https://www.signaturehardware.com/bathroom/bathroom-vanities/narrow-vanities/shopby/vanity_depth-8_18.html

Have you thought about having them custom made? shouldn't be that difficult for a cabinet maker to do something custom for you.

I did look into custom but NYC doesn't seem to be the right market for finding the high-quality local shops that everyone else talks about. The few I found only take large orders (full kitchens, etc.).

How did the Bertch Alden work out? And what color did you decide? I’m about to order one myself.