I love seeing beautiful things in people's houses and then finding out that they're actually a mix of high and low solutions that got better because of creativity and a little extra work. I was at Stacie Billis' house last week to include a few rooms in the new book (check out her Kale Chips, yum), and was blown away by the snazzy sink above in her guest bathroom...
Stacie lives in a townhouse in Brooklyn and she and her husband had the help of designers, in Situ Design, so I expected that this sink was something expensive and fancy, but when I asked her the source, she told me IKEA. In fact, throughout Stacie's house, there are expensive, beautiful solutions mixed with inexpensive, beautiful solutions. The results were really inspiring. Check this one out.
So this sink is a Hollviken sink from Ikea ($80). It's ceramic with really generous proportions. It feels like a farm sink. They dropped it into a base that their contractor made out of wood pieces and then stained. The hardware taps are from the Cifial techno series monoblock ($300). It's a really elegant hi/low solution and something that's worth thinking about if you like pedestal or open sinks. The little white cabinet? Also Ikea.
If you look around further you see two kinds of tile, one that Stacie fell in love with that was expensive, and one that her architect convinced her to pair with it as it was much cheaper. There was a budget, baby! I like the results. The dark tile becomes a strong accent and the lighter tile carries the theme:
• 3/4" Copper pennyround – Ann Sacks (pricey)
• 3/4" off-White with brown trim pennyround – International Tile #japm102 (much cheaper)
Finally, the floors were wood and in bad shape. To save money they simply painted them with a high gloss paint that would be both practical and match the stained floors of the rest of the home. I love the shine. Sometimes the best solutions are those that make the most of what you've got. Thanks to Stacie and enjoy!
>> Ikea HÖLLVIKEN Sink
>> Anne Sacks
>> International Tile
>> Cifial Harware
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Love the mix of tiles, the sink combination, the floor and the shower curtain. Great mix.
However, I find the trash can distracting from the clean lines everywhere else. I mean, obviously its there for practicality but a streamlined lidded one would really help. I also have always liked that cabinet from IKEA but the thought of having to use a key to open it was a turn off for me. I kinda like the bit of whimsy (for lack of a better word) it provides though.
view Enamorada's profile
Looks great! I am kind of obsessed with tile right now, and I really like this look.
view alisong's profile
That's the GUEST bathroom? EEE! Jealous!
view tam-tbag's profile
The sink and the swath of dark tile behind it look fantastic. Great bathroom.
view mrs yow's profile
so cute. i have been wanting to get rid of my pedestal sink and replace it with a handmade vanity. I love the simple lines of this one! this give me hope that i can too build my own! oh, and i'm a sucker for penny rounds.
~jacklyn
view xjacklynx's profile
Utterly beautiful. Love, love, the textures and shapes. I do find the black floors slightly inelegant and wonder if a different, more interesting, color would have perhaps tied in a little better. That's a pretty minor quibble, though. Well done.
view luckypeach's profile
Love it all except for the sink faucet. It's the T-rex of faucets with that big ol' neck and those stubby knobs.
view Seaside's profile
The toilet paper holder is in a poor position. If someone has a bad back, forget about wiping. Plus since it's lower than the toilet bowl itself, sure doesn't seem sanitary.
view leehou's profile
love the tile combo! if they'd done the whole thing in the expensive tiles, i think it would've been overkill. good decision, thanks for sharing.
view thirtyeight20's profile
Someone is picking on the TP holder's position? Sheesh!
I think everything looks amazing. I am glad they didn't go with the copper pennyround throughout. The off-white tiles make it feel bigger and give it more interest. Great job!
view leely16's profile
Excellent renovation! I love the combination of tiles. Right up my alley.
Hi/low is the only way to go, I say....
view Anna at D16's profile
This is why everyone should hire an architect. They save you money in the end.
view Tricky's profile
LOVE this....thinking outside the box...well flat box..is okay obv..gorgeous..
view keeks's profile