Warning....before you fall in love with the glass vessels, read some of the posts about cleaning them and water spots. I think you have to wipe them out after each use.
Donna

a slab of stone seems to be quite common, and it looks nice.

Concrete, in some places.

Glass is used--sometimes backpainted, sometimes tinted.

Some photos show wood--though there are risks w/ that, of course.

You could use a very modern tile, I suppose--I'm thinking 1x1-inch, in porcelain or glass. Either clinical white, or perhaps beautiful aquas and metallics. Or a bigger tile, just one that's very sleek.

Any of the solid countertops: stones (granite, marble), Silestone, quartz, soapstone, solid-surfacing (Corian, etc.).

Stainless is used sometimes, but I see it w/ white sink, not clear glass.

Some vessel sinks just sort of float out there on brackets, but that could be hard in a guest bathroom, if your guests will need to set their toothbrushes down on something. (for a powder room, it would be OK)

For a modern spa, you want both luxury and clinical cleanliness. Maybe marble?

How much storage do you want? For a spa look, you don't want anything very bulky. But if you go with a vanity of some sort, and can stash cleaning supplies and extra toilet paper in it.

Maybe a skinny vanity, w/ modern lines? that will also hide the plumbing. And you can put the TP on the inside of the doors. And you can put a slab on top that's much wider than the pedestal, for more contrast? (and to emphasize the skinniness of the vanity?)

You don't want your counter surface to distract from the sink.

(I did a search on images.google.com for "vessel sink")

Here is a link that might be useful: some helpful thoughts about dimensions, faucets, etc.

Thanks Talley Sue Nyc - great possibilities and a very interesting article!

Hello,

I've had a glass vessel sink in a powder room for over 8 years and one in an office bath for 2 years. We clean them with regular glass cleaner and don't have any problems with spotting. ...no, you don't have to clean the sink after every use...

Here is the guest sink:

The sink in the office is on a wood countertop. Two completely different looks. Here's the one on the wood countertop:

I have also included a link to a glass vessel sink article. There are many different types (and quality) glass sinks on the market - everything from the $200 "cheapies" from Asia (basically molded glass - some of which is painted) to the one-of-a-kind hand blown glass vessels (what we have).

Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Glass Vessel Sink Article

What gorgeous sinks and counters! I especially love the wood - did you treat it in any way to protect from water?

Here is a post that might help.

Here is a link that might be useful: vessel sinks

flyinghigh, your glass vessels are gorgeous! Also the wood counter.
We just did all the baths and put vessels all around. But glass only in the poweder room and the guest bath. I've been using the guest bath for a months now and so far so good. No need to clean after every use. BTW, ours is the cheapies Asian molded ones. No problem here.

espatintoro: ....we simply used a standard wood sealer. The wood is reclaimed old growth cedar so its naturally wood repellent anyway...

sharkm: no offense regarding the "cheapies". They have their place. What I was referring to is a huge aesthetic difference between true hand blown glass and the "molded ones". I have put these types of sinks side-by-side and there is no comparison. It's very analogous to the difference between an original painting and a print. ....not to say prints aren't appropriate - and yes, I have ceramic "cheapies" in a few other baths (mainly for the kids) since I wouldn't put an original Mondrian in their room either. :-)

Speaking of "cheapies"...has anyone purchased a glass vessel sink from Express Decor? They look beautiful and the prices are amazing but I am concerned about quality. Please let me know if you're happy or not with a product from http://www.expressdecor.com

Hi, I've tried purchasing a vessel sink from Express Decor. It was ok but I found better pricing for better quality at www.superiorbath.com.

FYI - radiobern is a spammer that continually promotes their site at superior bath. Looking at that site, it is basically asian import stuff. ...and I wouldn't trust any company that has to spam and/or mislead forums like this to promote their business....

Good luck on your project and I hope you find what you are looking for.