And the cost of HGTV land seems 3x higher as it is here in East Texas. Have you considered having a custom vanity built? That's what we did. 36 inches wide and counter height, soft close drawers and cabinet, knotty alder, stain grade, no MDF,for $300. Another 300 to stain it. I know it would cost more in Chicago but it still might be less than what you think.

Im with Monica, look into custom cabinet. I did several custom and they were what I wanted and not that much different in price than what I found on line, and less then what I saw at RH IIRC. Custom, you are supporting a local tradesperson. You get what you want. BTW, mdf is not partical board. mdf is a stable product that is used in panels for all sorts of things. My kitchen cabinets with inset doors and out of cherry, have mdf veneered cherry panels in the shaker frame. There is less shrink/swell with this product. My beautifully made walnut 5 panel passage doors have a pine or fir wood interior with a thick walnut overlay at the stiles and periphery rails, solid walnut at the other rails, and walnut veneered mdf panels.

My cabinets in this same bathroom are frameless and made with the typical particle board that all frameless cabinets are made with. They are walnut veneered. They are local made. The room is well ventilated so there is never moisture in the room with showering. My mirror never fogs up. I was worried about the board but it has not been a problem in 2 years. In my other bathroom I have shaker paneled doors and the panels are mdf. They are painted. They are custom. I have never had any problem in the 3.5 years I have had them. Again, never any moisture in the room due to proper ventilation.

Talk to a few custom cabinet makers and see what they have to offer. I live in central Iowa, near Des Moines. Chicago is more expensive but not that much more than here. I just had to have a new engine installed in my 5 year old car in Chicago, because it died there when we visited our DD lives. The labor rates were more, but at the top end of what they would be here in DM, when I checked around.

another vote for custom, but ask around. We got quotes that were all over the place. We ended up with a small time carpenter who built us a beautiful vanity and storage cab for $800. I just got a quote back from the insurance company and the refinishers want $650 just to sand and repaint them!

On the other hand, my small custom vanity was quoted out at $4000 in maple or paint grade, $5000 in teak with maple interior.

I don't have it yet, but I'm going to get a dark gray vanity by Kraftmaid from a local kitchen and bath place. Semi -custom. I'm going with standard size cabinets and picked out the door style and color and configuration (two sink base cabinets and a 4 drawer stack in the middle). All plywood construction and costs less than the same size vanity from RH. Kraftmaid has different lines at different price points.

Second Kraftmaid as a good option at a reasonable price.

I had luck with Shiloh, purchased through Fox Home Center in Alsip.

Try StarMark Cabinetry. Has several gray stains and paints to choose from, all wood box, soft close, affordable, can be built in 1/16" increments. Gray bath cabinets pictured here. Good dealer in Chicagoland, called Shapes Supply.

Thank you all for very good advice. I did check out the various brands, and we found one that while not charcoal grey is not a light gray or a stain with varying colors. It is called Bertch cabinets. Very much like Kraftmaid (or a bit better) in a slightly darker gray, but not charcoal! They are significantly lest costly but meets all our quality standards. I know they are sold at Wanamakers in Downers Grove, IL. Custom was too costly here and uncertain as to timing and quality. Thanks again!

There is another brand made in Iowa called Woodharbor, as I believe Bertch are. They are manufactured in Mason City. They are nice and might meet your color and price needs.

Good idea with the Bertch cabinets! They are sold everywhere around the Chicago area, so definitely compare prices. I found them to be very inexpensive but seemingly well made. Didn't end up going with Bertch because there was no true furniture style vanity other than the Madison (I think that's the name) which I didn't care for. Happy hunting!

P.S. I love Wannemakers for garden supplies in the warmer months :)

I just looked at a Berth vanity and it does come in a dark gray stain. I believe they call it Shale. Looks nice. Saw it in a plumbing showroom in the Shale stain.

I just ordered a Shiloh vanity (thanks, nesting67!), and there was a nice gray one in the showroom. These seem to be good quality for the money (much better than big box stores), and meet most of your requirements. You can get a freestanding vanity or regular built-ins. The charcoal gray stain is much prettier than this photo shows. Good luck!

I went with Bertch for my MB vanity and am very happy with it. My vanity is an ivory color and the finish looks just like it did when installed 6 years ago.