Plumbing question - switching plain sink to vanity (PICS)

[fallingwater]

Love the vanities. Where did find them?

As far as the plumbing. I think you will be fine. Are you hiring a professional? Or DIY?

[karen_in_nh_2012]

Hi Fallingwater. Both vanities are from homedecorators.com (which is owned by Home Depot). They are constantly having sales so you might want to wait for when bath vanities are on sale (especially if they throw in free shipping -- I find most of their shipping charges completely outrageous ever since they went to per-item shipping). The first is called Spencer and the second Keys. The Keys one used to be available in blue or green and I liked the style but wasn't sure of the color. They JUST added it in the cream, which I really like.

They have Spencer available in a double vanity as well, but it doesn't meet code -- the whole thing is only 48" wide and the vanities are probably 18-20" apart center to center -- really, no room for 2 people unless they are young kids! I was looking into it for a master bath but realized 2 adults could not fit comfortably. (From what I've read code says 30" apart center to center so I don't know what the designer was thinking.)

And I really wish all online sellers would show photos of the INSIDES of things like vanities so you can tell right away if your pipes will fit or will have to be moved. I did the online chat RE: the Keys vanities and was told the drawers don't go all the way to the back (to accommodate pipes), but if I buy I will definitely ask them who the manufacturer is so I can get more detailed info.

I will definitely hire a plumber although I would likely watch him as I like to know how things work! (He doesn't mind my hovering!)

[South Jersey Styx]

I might be the outsider here but I actually like the older sink better than the suggested vanities. I like having the open space under sink--not only is it easier to clean the floor--it makes the bathroom more spacious.

Do you find the sink ugly because of the style or is it dented, chipped, has rust, etc.? If not, I would keep it for now and just change out the hardware and other stuff (i.e., wallpaper, floor, lights, etc.). Also, what is the rest of the style of the house? The two suggestions are quite different in style. Bathrooms, IMO, should be compatible with the rest of the decorum.

I own a historic house and it still has the sinks from the 1940s (I think). They are in outstanding condition and it would be hard to find them. Furthermore, I am wondering if the "old" porcelain is better than new porcelain.

[karen_in_nh_2012]

I wish the moderator had just deleted my post altogether (following #12) -- I was responding to someone who posted an ad.

South Jersey Styx, I appreciate your opinion. I liked the first "new" vanity because it also looks airy & open. I am not at the new house yet, but my recollection is that I had a negative impression of the old vanity -- I think it wasn't in good shape (AND I didn't like seeing the pipes). I am going back to "visit" next week before closing a week later and will look at it again!