Photo by Luca Trovato This hand-chiseled pedestal and basin is made of cantera.

• Materials. Vanities are being fabricated in a range of materials. Anderson likes stone or metal and also notes that, of late, dark mahogany-stained wood has become popular. It complements a Traditional or Contemporary powder room and pairs well with almost any color sink, the designer explains. Van Lith says most woods are suitable for vanities if they are properly sealed and maintained. She adds that teak is “very forgiving” if exposed to water, while raw pine is one of the most difficult woods to maintain in a moist environment.

Vanity Fair
Linda Van Lith offers the following tips for converting an older piece of furniture into a vanity:
• Adjust the size. If an antique is too tall or short for your needs, consider a few minor alterations. Tall pieces can be lowered by removing the feet; height can be created by adding a built-to-suit base. Van Lith advises against modifying furnishings with more complicated adjustments.
• Utilize two pieces. To fashion a double vanity, top two small side-by-side tables with a common countertop material. If spacing allows for the tables to be set apart from each other, add shelving in between for storing towels.
• Frame the base. Frame the base of a footed piece to minimize the amount of dust that collects underneath. Add a decorative element by recessing the front of the frame and tiling it, creating an embellished toe kick.

SINKS & FAUCETRY

“Powder rooms are very intimate, highly decorative and powerful little spaces,” observes Himes. She says that they are places where homeowners can mix and explore styles and establish a more whimsical, traditional or formal approach than what is found in the rest of the house. Sinks and faucetry present a number of visually intriguing ways to lend pizzazz.

• Variety. “The options for sinks have blown wide open,” Himes comments. Hand-
painted porcelain, art glass, and hammered copper and metal sinks are a few of the choices at the forefront of the trend. Onyx is one of Himes’ favorite materials; she enjoys the look of an under-lit onyx pedestal sink. Sinks also come in numerous shapes, including oval, square or rectangular.

This a lighted pedestal sink by Stone Forest is crafted from a single block of onyx.

• Color. Anderson has noticed an increased interest in “flashy” colors, such as greens and oranges. Colorful vessel sinks offer a great way to spice up a subdued color palette, she says. “It gives clients the opportunity to express themselves.”

• Faucetry finishes and installation. Variety also is prevalent in faucetry, with finishes ranging from pewter and satin to brushed and oil-rubbed. Himes states that oil-rubbed finishes sometimes are not as durable as other choices; she recommends checking with the manufacturer to determine the quality of a finish. Himes also has noticed trends such as glam handles with crystal knobs, and spaces Contemporized with wall-mounted faucets.