How to Build a Custom Vanity {Without the Custom Price Tag}

Custom Vanity

If you’ve been following along with the client build I’ve been doing (see more about it here) then you know I’m way overdue for an update.  Lots of things have gotten done and the house is pretty much complete.  So today I wanted to take a moment to show you one of the finished bathroom vanities and how we made it happen.

So we’ll start with this, my inspiration photo….

Restoration Hardware Vanity

(Photo credit-Restoration Hardward dot com)

Isn’t that beautiful.  Let’s just take a moment to admire it.

It’s from Restoration Hardware that starts at $2400 for just the wood base.

WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Ok moment’s over, right?  I don’t know about you but my clients didn’t want to spend $2400 plus on their bathroom vanities but they still wanted a custom look.

So the challenge began. Shopping for deals is one of my favorite things so I was all in on this one!

 I found this sofa table at Southeastern Salvage in Nashville.

Custom Vanity-18

It was the perfect size and had just the cottage look we were going for.  And the $348 price tag was perfect!

Custom Vanity-19

They also had vessel sinks for 69 bucks!  HELLO!  I’ll take 4 please!

Next it was time for Prince Charming and I to work some magic!  GAME ON!

We began our project by fitting the sinks first.  We measured for the faucets and sink placement and then….

Custom Vanity

used our drill to drill the proper holes.

Custom Vanity-4

Custom Vanity-3

Next it was time to add some height to the bottom to raise the vanity just a bit.

 


Fence Post

Average height for a vessel sink vanity is 32″-42″ and this cabinet was only about 28″ so we added these little babies (also known as deck post caps) to the bottom to raise it just a bit.

Custom Vanity-7

Next it was time to install the vanity and paint it.

I use many different paints when painting furniture and accessories.  One of my favorites is DIY Chalk and Clay Paint. (If you want to try the DIY Paint for yourself you can order it here.)

I then sealed the entire cabinet with a durable top-coat of General Finishes High Performance water based Satin.

Custom Vanity-11

Next it was time for the plumber to come in and attach the water lines and drains.  As you can see we cut out some of the shelf to fit all the pluming in.

Custom Vanity-15

Next it was time for my favorite part….the decorating! A few wooden boxes to hide the not so pretty stuff and some gray and white towels, and two pretty mirrors (not yet hung when these pictures were taken) and DONE!  This project came in at just under $600 in materials!!!!  An INCREDIBLE discount to the comparable Restoration Hardware inspiration piece!

Custom Vanity-16

My client is thrilled with the savings and look of this vanity!  Now on to the master bath…I’ve got something else up my sleeve for it.

Thanks so much for reading and following along on this journey with me.  

If you’re local to Franklin TN and have a project you need help with feel free to contact me to discuss how I can help you.  Or visit our brick and mortar shops at 1911 Columbia Ave Franklin TN and 1861 Fairview Blvd Fairview TN for lots of great shopping and DIY inspiration!

 

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15 Comments

  1. Elisabeth says:

    This is really fabulous! Well done! A really clever twist on the usual chest of drawers/dresser idea. Love it!
    Liz in Australia.

  2. Diena Cameron says:

    That is stunning! I’ll bet you and your husband are really proud of yourselves. I wish I had a Southern Salvage here in Northern California, in fact I would be in heaven if I had any salvage shop here. My lovely choices are Kmart and Walmart. Thanks for sharing and posting.

  3. This is beautiful but I have a question, is your waste water pipe in the wall or under the cabinet?

    1. Hi Cheryl, If you look closely you’ll see it. It’s the exposed metal pipe with the flexible white collar on it. All the pipes are exposed but it worked out in the end. 🙂

      Thanks,
      Beth

  4. It looks really great, I love vessel sinks, they look so cool! I’m planning to use an old dresser I have for a vanity in my 1/2 bath.

    Tania

    1. Hi Tania-That will be beautiful and one of a kind!

      🙂 Beth

  5. This is just beautiful! I absolutely love it….and you staged it beautifully!

    Deb
    @Seeking Lavender Lane

  6. Hi! Great job on the vanity. I was wondering where you got the faucets, or at least what is their height?
    Thanks!

    1. Me, too! I’d love to know more about the faucets! Beautiful work!

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