The black vanity is new. We ordered the legs and fitted the shelves and countertop. I did an antiqued painted finish and distressed it. We love it. The great part with any type of distressed piece is not fussing over trying to keep something looking new. Every knick and scratch just makes it looks even better!


The blue/gray/silver vanity was also new but I decided to paint and distress it too. It justs adds more character and warmth to a new bathroom that could have been "too new".


The brown vanity was a vintage piece that was turned into a vanity. The homeowner found this piece (the brown vanity photos) and asked us to turn it into a vanity. I can't recall just what the original function was (I think it may have been cheesemaking related. It turned out great!

Just a note, be aware that the piece you choose could cost a fair bit to be plumbed in by a plumber and might need some adjustments by a carpenter so be aware that it may still cost a fair amount by the end unless you are good at diy. Make sure you take that into account when choosing. Something with drawers where the plumbing needs to go will definitely need to be altered and you may lose the very thing you like about it to begin with. Check out pre-made vanities to get an idea of the space you need, but also bear in mind that depending on the building code in your area even some brand new vanities need to be altered to fit in traps and pipes.

Very pretty, but definitely not for splashers... like my dear husband, who swamps the bathroom just washing his hands!

oh definite yes. I'm just fond of the way things used to be made. they are timeless, from cars to furniture I just can't get enough of it all. I have my granny's chair who has passed on. love the wood n the design. truly timeless.

I would not want to have one, because my style is completely different. But I like them in homes where they 'belong'.

I like it because it has character and warmth this vanity is probably in a nice vintage home and not a overly modern décor home where I find so commercial looking.

I wanted to design a bathroom that was a modern take on a Chinese huton. Found this old chinese cupboard and added a special RAL coloured glass to counteract splashes and general gunk and then a lava stone sink. There is still cement plasterwork to go on behind the mirror.

I like the idea of putting some character in a bathroom. And with my lack of tonsabux, I also like the idea of getting some older piece in an auction and fixing it up to hold an inexpensive sink. My limit, though, is exposed plumbing--yuk! Closed all the way down is best at my place.

Cost can be prohibitive and cleanliness is a concern for me. What do you do when your child or grandchild mixes toothpaste and mouthwash and "just a little" gets on the wood. Or the two year old decides it's too plain and decorates it with lipstick.
Beware the quiet house.
I've spent many an hour sanding to bare wood then repainting, always glad I wouldn't ruin a good piece of furniture.

We used a beautiful carved wood buffet in the dining room in our 100-year-old city house for years, then it moved to the living room in our river view house. After a major remodeling project, it was transformed into a vanity in the master bath, with an antique copper pot as a vessel sink. You can view it at www.spirithill.info.

Using a vintage piece in a powder room, where it won't normally receive tons of use, is probably easier than in a master bath. We made this old Irish dresser into a vanity, with the added benefit of great storage. The house is a quirky mix of traditional but with a hefty dose of contemporary art. I think it's timeless.

Love the idea; in fact, I am installing one in my new bathroom this week with a wonderful vessel sink on it.

As with anything it depends. I have one in my powder room, it's excellent plenty of room for hiding cleaning essentials, toilet paper, and guest towels.

it really depends on the design concept, many time we used vintage inspired custom vanities.

Yes AND No. I appreciate the look when done well, but as I prefer modern design for myself, I wouldn't do it in my own home.

I love it. I really like the vintage look.

I have a beautiful antique vanity but my 2 daughters and 1 grandaughter want it. I couldn't put a sink in it, it would break there hearts. I do really like the look though, if you have a large bathroom that will fit it.

I'm in the process of refinishing an antique pedal sewing machine and will add a vessel sink which will go in our renovated 1938 bathroom. I originally wanted to re-purpose an old desk but it was too large for the small bath.

Lovely idea for a vintage style guest bedroom.

It is okay for splashers IF you use marine varnish on the top exposed wood.

Just built our dream home after 30 years of planning and collecting with this home in mind. Used a small library table with a vessel sink in the powder room. The hall bath has an antique dresser with a drop in basin. I used urethane to "waterproof " these two pieces. The basement bath has a library table too but I replaced the top with a quartz top. The double vanity in the master was made by a friend to look like another library table and we topped it with quartz. I love repurposing and am very pleased with how they all turned out

Very difficult to keep the wood finish nice with soap and water all around.

I love the look of using vintage dressers/buffets for bathroom sinks, but with my tiny bathrooms, it just is not possible, darn it!

See my deal is why take a beuatiful (or not evan so beautiful) real wood piece and cut the back off, remove drawers and cut a big hole in th top for a sink? so little furniture is evan made of real wood anymore, I hate to see it destroyed. Also some of them are not appropriate for the fixtures and basins used. Some look like baby changing tables also with thier 3 inch. rails on 3 sides. I know without a doubt thier have been some beuatifully done ones in the right style and period home, but I wood rather they keep their intended use . You know like for tool. nails and screws in the Garage.Thank you for letting me play decorator.

Some pieces are really charming and some not so, so it would depend, like the piece of furniture above, it is beautiful! However, the other issue is if you are designing the main interior of a home all members have to agree as vintage is not to everyone's taste.

Love it for my 1900 house! Though perhaps whatever piece chosen should be consistent with the rest of the house (or not). For instance, in a modern house, I'd use a modern piece of furniture - perhaps industrial. Regretfully in my house, both bathrooms were modernized in the 50s, so I'm currently stuck with both a pink and a green fixture bathroom. It will be a while.

I have considered using an antique for a vanity, but realise it would have to have marble or granite on top. Saw a wooden pice that looked beautiful and had been painted with melamine, but over time thst started to peel and blister. So I don't think I would go for wood, and definitely not railway sleeper - saw this in a friend's house and it looked fabulous - but horrible to clean! the next time I saw they had put a heavy glass on top!

I am serious guys. Marine varnish made for classic boats and purchased from a marine and boat repair place.

I have been looking at Craigslist and 2nd hand stores for a sideboard or dresser to use as a double sink vanity in just over a 60 inch space. So far, no luck.

i have been thinking of doing this with a triple dresser and two matching long mirrors to use in my bathroom remodel where i want to replace a 60" cabinet and counter and top with marble and an undermount white sink (i'm too short for a vessel sink). my house is a 1927 tudor cottage. this is my main level and guest bath so i don't need 2 sinks but could really use the drawer space.

1citykitty - you might consider installing a rectangular vessel sink. I believe they are shallow, thus giving you more drawer space. Just a thought.

thanks for the idea djlingle. that would give me more use of the center drawers. i have no drawers or linen storage now but need some.

A while back I had said that I wanted a new look for my bathroom, now I may have found it...by changing the inset washbasin, which is cracked, for a vessel washbasin in copper. And as a salute to my late Gran, who once painted her bathroom shocking pink, and to my Mum, also late, I have decided to paint the ceiling a light coppery pink.... can't do the walls, they are tiled in ivory, no way I will change them. I think the present vanity, which is painted ply, could well be changed out for an antique vanity, so am now on the hunt for something in solid teak.

Its not my personal style but certainly that of some of my clients and totally appreciated the style none-the-less

Thanks

J Design Group, Top Contemporary Miami Interior Designers - Modern Interior Design Firm in Miami, Florida - Decorators - http://www.JDesignGroup.com

I love this idea. My daughter is looking for a new home and I suggested that she use her old student desk or her dressing table in a bathroom of her new home. I am glad I never put these pieces of furniture in a garage sale. We are both excited to see the final outcome.

That is such a lovely idea - provided the desk is solid wood and not ply or MDF. Give it two or three coats of marine varnish and it will look beautiful, I am sure.

A definite 'yes' for me. We're looking for a smaller mid-century modern credenza with legs to turn into a vanity for our own home

Eclectic Bathroom by Washington Architects & Designers Christopher Patrick Interiors

My powder room...

I love them wish I had one

Love it!! Old style meets function and form.

Love the look but wonder how damaging the water would be??

That was easy to answer....old is always better! Love Thos Baker's brown vanity...gorgeous!

Love to re-purpose vintage dressers and combo wardrobes with vessel sinks and fancy faucets. I make certain that the finish is very good. I use them like anything else.

I'm loving that idea! Our bath will be remodeled... some day & this is a great way to re purpose some old furniture.

Wish I could find two!!!

A definite yes! Refinishing and repurposing old furniture to reuse it, will never go out of style. To each, his own, though. I do adore the charm and character of older items.

Absolutely! Love it. My only question is shouldn't the top have a finish to prevent water damage?

I refinished the top of mine with a few coats of matte eurethane and water remains in droplets on the surface.

Totally cute! I have similar pieces in both bedrooms & dining room as well. Bathroom is pretty small, so I got a vintage sink with the chrome legs & towel bars.

I'm saying no on this one. I just think that not having any countertops would drive me nuts. Unless it's inside of some tiny quaint cottage, then by all means! :)