Bathroom MakeoverUpcycled Bathroom Vanity

April 6, 2019by cheree8

We didn’t plan on turning a kitchen buffet into our bathroom vanity, it sort of evolved out of creative desperation. Our initial idea was to run our designs down to the local joiner so they could make up the shell. Then we would take care of the vanity top and taps. After receiving quotes between $2500 – $5500 we decided to have a go ourselves.

Here’s the image that started the inspiration and the pain😁 .

Near my gym, there is a well-stocked, second-hand shop. After each workout, I can be found pressing my nose up to the window, eyeballing any new arrivals. Just by chance, I spotted a kitchen buffet in the far corner that, with a bit of imagination and a handsaw, could become something special.

To my surprise, Paul was fully onboard with this vanity vision. Usually, it takes some pleading with me promising that I will do all the grunt work before he will take on any of my upcycling ideas. This time around, I think he could see if we didn’t do something soon we’d still be cleaning our teeth in the kitchen sink come winter.

However, if Paul had known what an absolute horror this project was going to be, I don’t think he would have signed up! 

It all started with my tap selection. If I had chosen this lever tap for the basin, we could have found a bowl to sit nicely on top – like in this picture.

Since I like to keep our relationship spicy, I chose a much more difficult option with these taps below. The problem is these taps cannot reach over a big bowl. Flowing on from that (bad pun I know) came the issue of finding a three-hole under-mount basin that would fit into our dimensions.

After hours of research, we couldn’t find a solution, so ended up compromising part of our top drawers to accommodate the basin. Paul also had to build out part of the vanity just so we could fit in this blooming sink! See how mad I am getting!!!!

The vanity was extended in order to fit the under-mount basin.
All painted up and no joins to be seen – hooray!

Once we accepted our tinsy top drawers we could see this piece was going to be a show stopper.


Three coats of Benjamin Moore, Hale Navy. The brushed chrome handles were imported from Australia.

The white engineered stone top was installed on Wednesday, and we are now just waiting for the vanity to be plumbed in. I almost have to pinch myself with the realisation I am actually going to have a working basin?! So drum roll please…..Here is our finished upcycled vanity:

These brushed chrome pulls re cute as buttons.

I honestly feel like we have run a marathon with this vanity on our back! Every time I look at her though I feel like a podium winner. For sure, she really tested our endurance, but this was definitely one piece worth running for….

cheree

8 comments

  • Annalisa

    April 7, 2019 at 9:23 am

    Wow it looks amazing. Well done both of you. I could feel the blood sweat and tears gone into this. Keep up the great writing Cheree xxx

    Reply

    • cheree

      April 8, 2019 at 9:23 am

      Yes I think I have lost weight over this piece – lol. Thanks Annalisa for being so supportive. Your encouraging words are priceless. Hugs to you xx

      Reply

  • Val Sullivan

    April 7, 2019 at 6:26 pm

    Wow you have both done a wonderful job with the vanity unit and bathroom. It is a credit to both of you. What room are you doing next? xx

    Reply

    • cheree

      April 8, 2019 at 9:21 am

      Thanks Val for your ongoing support! That means so much to us xx

      Reply

  • Colleen

    April 8, 2019 at 8:16 am

    Absolutely stunning!!! Oooh I think it’s amazing, something to grace the cover of house and garden, I really mean that. You clever pair.

    Reply

    • cheree

      April 8, 2019 at 9:20 am

      Oh wow, now that would be a dream come true! Thanks so much for that inspiring feedback :).

      Reply

  • Toni

    April 9, 2019 at 9:00 am

    So impressed with your style and vision. It is well worth the effort. So beautiful.

    Reply

    • cheree

      April 9, 2019 at 7:45 pm

      Awhh shucks, thanks so much for that lovely feedback Toni.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *