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Would you replace the faucet? And other ramblings.

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

I want to get started on my bathroom mini facelift but I've been mauling over my light, faucet, and vanity options.

The flooring in here is vinyl and will stay. I honestly don't mind the appearance. However, it doesn't make sense to change just the countertop to something fancy. The top is a cream culture marble with 'fawn' swirling. I considered replacing it with a solid white or cream cultured top or maybe white fireclay. I don't know if that makes sense to do so. ? I've been looking into replacing the vanity but the tops are too busy, too expensive, or too similar I'm not sure if there's a point. I'd like to have a custom dresser turned into vanity, but I need something 30" wide and it's just not looking good.

Would it look odd to replace just the faucet? I'm thinking something not too fancy would be fine but I don't want it to look too lipstick on a pig.

Should I replace the top to a solid culture marble or fireclay?

Featured Answer

Yayagal

7 years ago

Yes change the faucet and buy the first one you showed, it will enhance the look so much.

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Comments (15)

User
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Vanity

[deleted]

Faucet options. I'd pick chrome.

1. I think I like this one best. Believe I could install it either way.

2.

3. I think this may be getting too fancy. Thoughts?

The vanity light will change too, but I can't decide if I want chrome, antique gold, or orb. I know I should be paying attention to how all these details play together so it doesn't look disjointed.

Recap - I've decided to go with a slightly larger check fabric for window sill length curtains. Keeping the same base shower curtain. Creamy white beadboard (wallpaper) will go on lower wall and I like SW Aria White for the uppers. The SW Irish Cream is too close to the shower curtain color and I think it will look like I tried to match and failed. Think I'm going to stay with my duck and dog art, possible landscape or Spode Woodland plates for this room. Also think I may just keep the black mirror and vanity black. Thoughts or feedback to any of this is welcome. Thanks!

I'll be using the check on the right. The shower curtain valance is folded back.

[deleted]

Feel free to suggest a vanity light. Nothing is thrilling me. I actually have two new ones and never went through with an install. Sadly, the second one wasn't quite what I expected so I'm going to buy a third! No room for sconces. Nothing is really thrilled me except for Hudson Valley lights but I'm not sure if that makes sense to splurge either. Help.
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User
7 years ago
Shee, this may or may not matter to you, but I'm going to throw it out there as something to consider. We've installed double handle faucets in all 3 of our bathrooms. Two of them are similar versions of the first and last faucet you posted. Even though asthetically, I prefer the look of a faucet with two handles, if I had it to do over again, I'd opt for a single lever faucet. To me from a functional perspective, they are much easier to use, especially when you are aiming for warm water that requires some hot and some cold and with little ones they are much easier to utilize as well. Oh, and when it comes to cleaning, that little space in between the handle and the spout, is a bear to get clean. Just my two cents but asthetically I love the styles you're considering and think any of them would work beautifully.
blubird
7 years ago
I was also going to suggest a single handle faucet. You have little ones; the single handle is so much easier and safer for them to handle.
User
Original Author
7 years ago
Hmm.. If I change the faucet, does anyone think I should also replace the top with solid culture marble or fireclay? I considered a solid granite, but again the floor is vinyl.
czarinalex
7 years ago
If your goal is to modernize the bathroom, then yes replace the top. You can get granite tops with attached undermount sinks at Home Depot for a very reasonable price. This one costs $150. It would change the look and feel of your bathroom.
graywings123
7 years ago
I know it is a subtle difference from what you have, but I would change the counter top to a solid white cultured top or solid surface. A random piece of granite in a bathroom seems out of place to me.

If your countertop comes with pre-drilled holes for the faucet, make sure they are widespread if you want the look of #2. Otherwise the hot and cold handles are too close to the center and the look is ruined. Found that out the hard way.
just_terrilynn
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Exactly what Lukk said. I can't tell you how much I agree. Cleaning around all those little tight crevasses is a pain. There are some beautiful traditional or other single lever faucets out there.
Fori
7 years ago
Do change the faucet. Easy.

If kids are using the room especially, I'd keep the current top. It looks to be in good shape and has features that aren't easy to find today: the recessed faucet deck and (I think) a rim around the outer edge.

Of course if you change the vanity, go for a new top...
House Vixen
7 years ago
Hi Sheeisback --

I love the idea of a fireclay top with integrated sink for you -- perfect for your vintage/cottage vibe.

Not sure how big your vanity is but American Standard has this one (31" for a 30" vanity). HD shows it on sale for $126, am sure you can find something similar if the size is off.

Faucet up to you, great points re functionality of single-lever. I admit that for form + function I prefer an 8" widespread with levers like you show in #2 (though I'll never stop loving the looks of those cross handles models!).

Chrome is a great choice for your vibe and budget.
tinam61
7 years ago
Love your ideas. I also prefer the look of two handles and have absolutely no problems with using and cleaning them. BUT, we do not have children. But, this is your master bath, so I'm thinking the kids won't be in there often, so do what you and your hubby want/like. I'm thinking I would probably change out the top too. Hmmm, regarding the vanity/mirror, since everything else is going to be so neutral, I'm wondering about painting those two a color (or probably just painting the vanity a color and I would do wood/metal for the mirror). Maybe a soft color? Maybe brown? I dunno - just throwing that out there.
mabeldingeldine
7 years ago
I would suggest taking a peek at Craigslist for new vanities and/or vanity tops. We've had excellent luck with CL for new or in good shape used vanities and vanity tops for our several bath renovations. I myself prefer a slightly larger countertop to contain splatters and drips, and leave space for a tumbler, or what have you. We just purchased and installed a new white quartz countertop from CL for $70.

Also, I agree with what the others posted regarding single handled faucets, I'd stay clear of center-set 2 handled faucets for all the reasons above.
Bunny
7 years ago
What Lukki said.
User
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Czarin - I did look at a bunch of granite tops at Lowes and Home Depot but they were heavily speckled (would prefer something solid) and/or very gray since it's popular right now. I haven't been able to look around much in stores yet.

Graywings - Ah, good call about the holes. Thanks for mentioning it.

Justerri - They're better than the one I have now, hands down, but unfortunately I just don't care for that style.

Fori - Thanks for the feedback!

House Vixen - My vanity top is 31"x22" so that fireclay one would work well. ETA Just saw a reviewer mention the top is for a specific vanity and it won't fit just any old one. I'll keep searching. Is a 1" splash a problem since I'm not using tile behind it? Was going to use the graham and brown bb wallpaper I already have but I might just install real beadboard. As the price keeps going up. :)

I'm slightly concerned about picking 'white' for a new top. The base color of the current one is very cream. Of course, my toilet, shower, trim, and 2" blinds are all white. Flooring has no white and base is cream. If go with a white top I'm hoping all the whites and creams will be balanced enough to look deliberate. If I type 'cream' culture marble (didn't search fireclay as cream) I get images of dark beige.

Tina - This is actually the main bathroom. (Master bathroom is red. I'm not sure if I'm doing the check in the master bedroom. Probably won't if I go through with using it in here. Never say never though. You can see in the master room walking to this bathroom though.)

I like the idea of changing the vanity color and the mirror. Originally I was using the black to help pull out the dark gray of the flooring. I'm so visual I have a hard time making decisions without seeing things!

Cleaning around the faucet parts isn't going to bother me. I'm honestly not worried about the kids being able to use the water. I realize that may sound like I'm being irresponsible but I know my older DS and believe it will be fine. I believe the baby will be fine when the time comes to use the faucet too.

Mabel - Oh I've been. I saw a neat custom vanity recently that was the right side but the top was marble (wouldn't look right) and it had two small brass faucets. That made it look weird. The rest of it was so cool though I would have tried to make it work even though that would have meant changing the flooring and probably fabric too! Saw a lot of other nice tops but so far they've all been too large or wouldn't work. Boo.

Linelle - Thanks for the feedback!

I was looking at some square ones sink bowl tops, but I need to make sure I have enough room for hand soap. I currently have a small brass container (removed for photo) that holds soap and napkins (for guests). DS uses a towel. Also a square one will add to all the squares - vanity, mirror, art. Could change the mirror to oval. toomanydecisions.
User
7 years ago
Main bath has a single-hole faucet with 2 handles. It's a pain to clean! Hope to eventually replace with single hole, single lever.

Second bath has a centerset (2 handles and spout). Much easier to clean!

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