Mix It Up: The Vanity

Abby's tips on how to mix up different styles inspired us to start in our home--specifically, our dowdy master bathroom that has a very...country-ish built-in vanity. In fact, it's quite similar to the one pictured here (except without the crystal knobs and much, much less glamorous).

In order to "update" it, we're taking cues from this photo from Elle Decor:

1. Replacing the knobs with something more modern. Here, they used crystal knobs, but we're more inclined towards something streamlined.
2. Adding a glamorous lamp, with a dark lampshade and a pink lightbulb (because everyone looks better in a rose-tinted light). We're really liking the lucite lamp used here, and Target has a pretty decent collection of lamps...like this one.
3. Choosing a modern stool/chair. We've been scouring eBay, Craigslist, and 1st Dibs for a vintage Saarinen tulip foot stool!

Got any tips or suggestions of your own? Share it with us in the comments...

[ Photo from Elle Decor ]

Comments (4)

What really makes it work is the black-and-white palette. Always looks great.

posted by Lisa Hunter (Montreal) on August 14th 2008 at 4:24pm
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I have an old vanity that is art deco. The chair had structural damage and after several repairs, finally broke completely. But I still have all the original knobs, but many are in sad shape. The crystal knobs really look lovely, I may try that to jazz it up a bit. Initially I was looking on ebay to replace the vanity chair, but I think I may get something more modern to mix it up a bit.

posted by suzy8track on August 14th 2008 at 5:03pm
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While I would agree it is nice to mix the style and the chair and desk pieces are nice, they do not functionally fit together.

posted by guerilla on August 15th 2008 at 5:40am
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I would love to see a ghost chair paired with this vanity to complement the crystal pulls and lamp. Maybe the "Victoria" in smoke to emphasize the black-and-white palette? That being said, I do love the original combo.

posted by wendi_c on August 15th 2008 at 6:00am
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