The floating walnut cabinetry was installed in the bathroom last Friday!
Unfortunately, two of the drawer fronts were damaged (and the one that wasn’t damaged seems a little kitty womper – like the drawer isn’t square). I just can’t catch a break! Not to worry: the cabinet installers noticed right away, so new drawer fronts are already on order.
I was going to wait until the cabinetry is perfect to share, but I just can’t wait. Things are still a little unfinished, but that’s a real life renovation for you! It can require a lot of patience and you learn to celebrate the small victories.
Remember my dilemma about mounting the cabinetry? As you know, I hate a toe kick and, in my experience, cleaning around legs in a bathroom is just a total pain. Plus, in the townhouse the melamine vanity legs started to peel after only four years of mopping around them. So I knew that I wanted wall-mounted cabinetry, but I didn’t love the look of the tower and and vanity floating at the same height. It was suggested that I just float the vanity and perhaps add legs to the tower…
But then it dawned on me: float them at different heights!
The linen tower and the vanity are actually two different depths because the kitchen/bath designer who helped us order the cabinetry suggested that the tower be deeper so the door doesn’t bump the corner of the stone counters. Otherwise, we would have been stuck with a rounded corner but we really wanted squared off corners. Her clever solution means that the counter can be as squared off as we want, and the tower door won’t be damaged every time I whip it open. This is why it pays to loop in the professionals! I never would have thought of that – or even known that was an option!
With the cabinetry different depths, I decided that different heights for floating the two sections would look great. We confirmed with the cabinet installers this was possible (it was!) and then Hubby and I installed the proper blocking behind the drywall to make it happen.
The blocking lines up with the top and the bottom of the cabinets, with additional points in the middle for strength. Long screws were also drilled through the cabinetry right into the studs. The installers affixed the cabinets to the back and side walls, and then to each other from both sides. It’s so sturdy, you can sit on the vanity!
Deciding on the heights was the hardest part. We wanted the vanity to be approximately 35″ from the floor (including the stone), which meant the bottom would be about 13″ off the floor. With that height determined, we worked from there to figure out that we could lift the tower off the floor about 8″ inches. Now that it’s installed, it looks even better than I imagined! I’m so happy I went with my gut and pushed for all floating walnut cabinetry. I’ve already washed the floors since the cabinetry was installed and it’s a breeze to reach under there to clean. I’m thrilled with the function, plus it looks really custom – with that mid-century modern feel I’m after.
I’ll let you in on a little secret: at one point during the renovation, I found myself wondering if I should have gone with white cabinetry because it’s not a huge, super bright room and I started to worry that the dark floors and darker wood cabinetry would make it seem small. Well, now that it’s installed, I have no more doubts because look at that grain:
I’m drooling! Every night I sit in the tub (no shower curtain yet) and just gaze at the new floating walnut cabinetry with a goofy smile on my face. Hopefully we’ll soon be looking at it with quartzite counters and my beloved aqua sinks.
Wood was a good choice. That grain is gorgeous! Very striking.
Thanks!! I'm so happy with it. A lot of people looking for lake home around here like the oak look I got rid of, so I'm hoping that keeping an updated, modern wood look will keep this house sell-able (not that we have any plans to move, but you never know).
Oops, forgot to say one more thing–your new mobile interface is great. Much better than before!
I'm so happy to hear it! Before I just had whatever default blogger provides, but I recently bought a template for the blog which updated the overall look. I specifically chose one with a mobile component because that's how I read blogs too! I'm still working on some thing and making updates to the function and look, but I'm so glad to hear you like it. I'm hoping it has made reading Dans le Lakehouse easier 🙂
Gorgeous choice! I can't wait to see the room when it's finished.
You and me both! This has been SO delayed that I'm really, really anxious to just have some mirrors and some lights. And a shower curtain! I'd love to have this room finished by the new year. That's my goal!
Very cool, Tanya. This is going to be quite the before & after reveal. Your new space is looking so sleek!
Thanks! I'm starting to forget what it looked like, haha.
Beautiful!!! Now this is the kind of wood I like, on the dark side. And once you get the mirrors and sconces added the worry of it being too dark will be a distant memory.
Thanks! You're right – it's hard to picture it with one measly overhead light. The sconces are going to add a LOT of light and the mirror and gleaming counter will bounce some light around too. I'm looking forward to finishing it, but it's still slow going. Waiting to hear back from the counter top people now with an install date.
Love the warm wood with the dark floors. It will all be worth the wait, I'm sure!
Thanks! I'm loving the finishes I chose, which is a relief! Just wish I could catch a break on the tradespeople…
Hi Tanya, A fellow frustrated Canadian regarding lack of modern design resources here… Wondering where you got your Cabinetry from? Looked all over your bathroom renovation posts and I could not find a source anywhere. I love the IKEA Godmorgon white stained oak vanity, but wishing they had a walnut version of that (the walnut version they have is a shaker style – have yet to see in person).Do you source most of your things in the US?Renovation looks beautiful so far! Definitely my style. A+Jess
Hi Jess,The cabinetry is by AyA Kitchens, but if I'm being honest I'm not thrilled with the quality, which is why I didn't list the source. They keep damaging my drawers during manufacturing so I have yet to get a nice set. The drawers and cabinet insides feel cheap for the price. The veneer is thin and the floor model had terribly chipped veneer – but ours was good, luckily. The local shop that carries it has worked tirelessly to make sure we're happy, so the customer service has been good on our end. I love how they look, so I overlooked some quality issues to get the style I wanted. I just hope they hold up well to wear. I originally wanted the same cabinetry for the kitchen, but now I'm thinking Ikea with Semi Handmade walnut doors.http://www.semihandmadedoors.com/My Mom is considering walnut bathroom cabinetry and she found some by Luxo Design – a local bath showroom carries it, I think it's Canadian.Hopefully you can find the perfect vanity! Try expanding your search to kitchen cabinetry – it will open some doors (pun intended).
What is the length of this low run of cabinets? Is it 90" or 60"?
It's 72" long (excluding the tower)
catching up on some old blog posts!!honestly.. we OFTEN (in my workplace designing cabinets) bump a tower out so the countertop has something to butt up against :)loving reading all these posts!jazmyn
It's SUCH good advice and something I never would have thought of – not knowing this company made cabinets in different depths. Happy to have worked with a good designer on this one. Too bad you're so far away 🙁