Shabby Chic Bathroom

11 years ago

Will be starting an update on our bathroom. Tub and toilet are bone/cream and in good shape. Tile in the tub/shower has to be replaced. Floor is a lighter hardwood.

I found an old 4 drawer dresser & mirror redone in Shabby Chic style (Duck Egg Blue with cream highlights that would match the tub and toilet) that I would convert to a vanity.

I love the crisp clean look of white bathroom fixtures with white subway tile in the tub/shower and continuing around the bathroom as wainscotting. Would welcome your opinion on how you think a bone/cream subway tile bathroom would look.

If the hardwood is replaced, what color of flooring would look good with a mostly cream room?

Finally, is Shabby Chic still in?

Thanks.

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Comments (7)

patty_cakes
11 years ago
Here in Texas it sure is! It does very well in the antique mall I sell at.The dresser sounds way cool~don't hesitate . ;o)
Rareindigo
Original Author
11 years ago
Here's the dresser (taken at the antique store).

Trying to decide if I should go with a cream one piece vanity top or granite and a drop in sink - any comments?

Would oil rubbed bronze or chrome fixtures be better?

Thanks.
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juddgirl2
11 years ago
It's a lovely dresser and would work well as a vanity, so long as you don't mind going without cabinet storage. Someone on the board has a similar vanity in her bathroom - my3dogs, maybe?

Is it tall enough to have a drop in sink? It looks like it is. You'll lose the use of the top drawer but the two bottom drawers look large enough to store TP, towels, products, etc.

We converted a small dresser to a vanity for our powder room. It was only 30" tall so I used a vessel sink. DH was able to convert the top drawer to accommodate the plumbing and still allow some storage, and it also has a 2-door cabinet below.

I think it would be lovely with just the wood top but I'm not sure how durable. Our vanity has a stained wood top and I'm always cleaning up water after guests leave. A marble top with either a chrome or brushed nickel faucet would be very pretty.
bbstx
11 years ago
Have you thought of a vessel sink sitting on top of the chest? With some minimal modification of the top drawer or 2, you would still be able to use the drawers for storage.

Even if you go with a vessel sink, I'd change the top to some sort of stone or solid surface material. My aunt had a lovely wooden cabinet in her powder room. It was a maintenance nightmare. After her guests left, she had to rush in to make sure the countertop was dry.

Here is a link that might be useful: [houzz vanities[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/turn-a-favorite-piece-of-furniture-into-a-vanity-stsetivw-vs~252384)
Rareindigo
Original Author
11 years ago
The dresser is tall - 36" so a vessel won't work. Will go with a drop in sink.

I love the color and would hate to cover the top of the vanity with stone or a solid surface material. The rep at the antique store said it was finished with "antique wax" and it should hold up to water splashes but I have my doubts!

Not sure which way to go with tile. Either subway tile or 12" x 24" tile (the larger tiles would also be put on the floor). Tiles would be used in tub/shower and continue as wainscotting around the room. This is a tiny bathroom (5 x 7) - would the large tiles be too overwhelming in such a small place?

Again, thanks for any comments/suggestions.
juddgirl2
11 years ago
I use Briwax on many of my antique pine tables and it doesn't hold up well to water. Sweating glasses leave rings.

If you keep the wood top, you could strip the wax that's on the dresser and use spar varnish to protect the wood. The varnish won't adhere to the wax but you could probably put reapply a brown furniture wax (Briwax or Fiddes) over the varnish to get the antique finish.

I used spar varnish on my vanity to protect the wood top. I still get water spots but they do wipe up.
bronwynsmom
11 years ago
I used oil-based stain and three coats of spar varnish on a piece of raw cherry butcher block that we put in as the work and utility sink surfaces of our laundry and shop areas, and it performed pretty well.

I was obsessive about the seamlessness of the clear caulk around the sink edge as well. It's still a good idea not to let water or anything alcohol-based stand on it for long. And a rimmed sink will perform far better than an undermount - it's very difficult to seal end grain sufficiently.