We hung the large black framed mirror over the sink last weekend which we think adds some character without fighting the overall traditional feel of the room. Once we got it in place, we started thinking that adding some more black by redoing the cabinetry in a black painted finish might look sharp and less standard.
The floor tile, as you can see in the photos, is a raw tumbled green stone, laid in squares. The walls are a creamy off-white, but we are considering wallpaper for some point down the road.
What do you think? Give the black a try or leave well enough alone?
(Images: Janel Laban)
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black cabinetry would look nice . . . but isn't that laminate? I had one like it and it was plastic coating over particle board. I just wonder what painting technique you're thinking of going with, esp since it's in a bathroom. I'd worry a bit about paint failure. Maybe use that spray paint meant for plastic outdoor furniture??
Normally I am an advocate for painting, but in this instance I would leave the vanity as-is and add color and pattern via the walls (wallpaper, artwork, etc.).
I wouldn't do black because you have a black mirror, and I'm afraid the combination would make the bathroom seem small. The tile (so awesome btw) is a really nice muted green with some darker elements. I'd give the cabinet a little pop of color with an unexpected complement - if you want to go bold, maybe a dark eggplant?
Yes, go with the black. My parents have a very small powder room and they painted their light oak vanity black, and it looks great. I think it would match the mirror frame better and make the whole room 'pop'
I like the idea of redoing it in black.. but what about the countertop, is it paintable? if not I would replace the countertop.
What about changing the hardware on the vanity to something black, instead of painting the whole unit.
And then maybe buying some black modern looking toiletries for the countertop.. a toothbrush holder, soap dish, etc.
I worry that the black cabinet with the white counter and sink may look odd and stark in an awkward way. If it were me I would consider painting the walls of the bathroom a strong color so the white of the cabinet would pop. Possibly a greeny gray to pick up the floor color.
We just painted our vanity a chocolate brown this weekend, using latex enamel paint. The unit/furniture needs to be primered first so the paint can adhere to the surface and at least 2 coats of paint need to be applied. I am very happy with the result in the bathroom, it was a light oak cabinet that I HATED...now I really really like it. This technique should work on laminate too, I painted a few cheap laminated bookshelves this way and was very pleased. Just be sure that the primer/paint is DRY before doing the next coat...best results wait a day between each coat, once finished it takes a few days to cure. Hope this helps :-)
Change out the knobs, towel holder, toilet paper roll holder, and the sink fixtures to a dark oiled bronze. Painting cabinetry in the bathroom can be tricky because water issues (also as one PP noted, it looks like laminate). If you want to add some darkness to the room, try a wall of wall paper that includes touches of black and green (to incorporate the floors).
If you decide to paint it, I'd go for a deep grey or a dark taupe, which would tone in a bit better with the top. Maybe change out the hardware, perhaps a classic white ceramic knob.
If you paint, make sure you invest in a high quality primer to resolve any bond issues that may come from painting over the laminate.
I think replacing the vanity top could be more effective. Home Depot sells black granite standard size vanity tops with pre-drilled holes for faucets. Just a thought.
go for it!
YES...totally paint it black. It will give the cabinet and mirror a cohesive look. The white counter top will look great with it. Leave the hardware just the way it is!
Here is a quick rendering of what it would look like.
http://gallery.me.com/pixelfactory#100099/BlackVanity
Nope Black would make it look less classy..on the contrary, you could add some black frame pictures on the wall, as the wall in the picture seems empty! Apart from that, you could also add the accessories on the vanity to compliment the whole look!
Doesn't look like painted wood - it appears to be melamine...
..so it's not going to take paint well.
Even so, I wouldn't paint it - just add other black accents such as framed artwork.
Also, I think the mirror needs to be the size of the vanity or even bigger than the vanity. This would add the illusion of the vanity being bigger than it is!
Leave the color and add some cute knobs from Anthro or a vintage hardware store.
I'd pick the wallpaper first, you may like the white okay with the wallpaper behind it or chose to do another color on the cabinet. If wallpaper isn't in the budget use a stencil (or make your own) and do it in paint. With the right wall design no one would even notice the cabinet.
BTW I do think the cabinet would look great in black.
"I think the mirror needs to be the size of the vanity or even bigger than the vanity. This would add the illusion of the vanity being bigger than it is!"
Bad advice -
A mirror or painting over a piece that's smaller than the mirror just ends up looking awkward.
leave the cabinet white; paint the wall black.
I would leave it alone, save changing out the hardware for some bold black knobs. Upload your photo to the Sherman Williams website and paint it virtually -- you can decide if you like the look.
The mockup by pxlfact looks like black would work well. Have you considered painting the vanity charcoal?
Painting the wall black will just make the bathroom look very small. The cabinet would look very nice in black. http://gallery.me.com/pixelfactory#100099/BlackVanity
I would also try to bring in a bit of the color from the tile floor in the artwork or towels.
Paint..either with black or a dark grey/green. Elephant at Ben Moore is a great color. Painting it dark will actual make the cabinet recess and make your room look larger. I know it goes against the rule that light makes rooms look bigger, but when going lower than eye level it actually enlarges the space. Ben moore also makes a good strong melamine that is hard to chip.
I say paint it black but only if you are going to change out the countertop, too. I think smallish bathrooms with bold wallpaper and dark cabinetry are rather chic!
I would leave it alone and maybe find some black hardware to provide a good contrast and pick up the black from the mirror.
I'd also consider replacing the countertop with something a bit more textured if you've got a little money to spare.
I painted my vanity that looks almost exactly like yours (it has one long false panel, not one long one short). I just painted the fronts and the face frame and left the side white. I really like the effect. Not quite as overpowering as painting it all black. Just make sure to prep the surface properly so the paint actually adheres.
Thanks for the expert rendering, pxlfact! I appreciate it - that is really helpful.
i think painting the sunken grooves in the molding on the cabinets themselves black would add a nice unexpected element without being too much visually - or work wise.
If you paint the vanity black, you will need to replace the mirror. Otherwise, it's too much black. I would retain the mirror and paint the vanity a creamier shade, or maybe even a linen/canvas color. (BM's Weston Flax perhaps.) The white vanity is too stark against the beautiful floor. Replacing the top with a gorgeous granite or marble would be lovely. A vanity top that size can often be found among remnants at stone suppliers. Biscuit colored undermount sink and bronze taps. Or stick with a very neutral top and choose a dramatic wallcovering.
do it.
oh, and send after photos!
I think black would look good personally. Just don't go into the fad colors of the year - then it's just super annoying.
I was skeptical, but pxlfact's mock-up looks terrific. I like the way the dark vanity and black mirror work together.
Sand. Prime. Sand. Paint. Sand. Paint. Sand. Seal. Whew!
If it were my vanity, I would totally do it up black, black, BLACK!
xoxo-jade
I'd paint it a chic grey. Black cabinet and mirror might be a bit too obvious.
Me too, pxlfact, I was also skeptical until I saw your rendering. It looks great!
Yes, I've got the same type of cabinet I'm painting. I think my white counter will look brighter and nicer with the contrast once I paint my vanity. I'm going to sand it a little so the paint sticks better and do and espresso type paint. Go with whatever color you want. But if you're thinking of paint... Just Do it!
I would:
- paint the squares on the door covers yellow and the knobs white (wall should be white)..it will go nice with the blue accessories. Add some small yellow flowers in a vase.
- choose a black and white wallpaper and paint the knobs black.
- or paint the whole cabinet dark gray and use a lighter shade of gray on the walls
- some black white (floral) wall paper/ black vinyl on the squares
I wouldn't paint it at all. I'd leave it as is. I like the balance between the white vanity and black mirror!
I'd use color on the walls with whatever wall paper you decide to go with, and maybe some artwork.
I think the white is clean and if you decide later on to go with a different mirror or different colors in there, it's much easier to integrate a white vanity into different styles than it is a black one.
I also like the blue and white porcelain jar on the vanity; I think it looks great against the black and white.
I agree with some of the comments above - I think it would look great just with some new hardware- maybe some knobs that play off the black (and green?) and some great toiletry items on top of the cabinet. Easy and cheap with big impact!
I bought a similar mirror for my powder room, and painted the pickled oak vanity black. We have brushed nickel hardware and lighting, and a cream countertop and walls. I used green accents in the towels, rug and art. The floor is oak. Personally, I love it! The black looks so much...classier. I've been thinking about wallpaper, but one step at a time.
And what about a bamboo plant or something in a cube vase with some stones or something to bring the green up and mirror the square tile but still keep the look clean?
My vanities are black (came that way) and I love them. We got pre-fab granite countertops at Home Depot in "Blue Pearl" for two and in "Moss green" (I think) for the other. (Sinks come built in -- under $200 each.)
I'm not a fan of wallpaper, espcially in bathrooms, but that's your call. In my house the cafe-au-lait color in one lav and the light denim blue in the others looks fine with the black.
go black. definitely. I loathe wallpaper.. regardless of the room.. more likely to pick some type of paint effect or perhaps painting a color and making a picture gallery or placing some type of artwork.
Black (to match the mirror) or a deep eggplant (to complement the floors) would look sexy as HELL in that bathroom!
Go for it, and don't be afraid to knock back the wall color to something deeper as well.
When my family redid the shared "kid's bathroom," my mom was afraid to paint it because she thought a deep denim blue would be too dark. Turns out that blue with the white countertops and shelving made the bathroom look and feel cleaner, and even a little bigger.
You managed to make it look prefect with the details: dark mirror frame, china, and tassel.
i would go grey
i'd paint the recessed areas bright yellow
i'd go with funky handles/wallpaper combo, with big patterns and colors that complement the tiling... and leave the vanity alone, coz if it is particle board and laminate of any kind its just not worth the bother to try and paint it...
leave it as is, just change out the knobs.
What about painting black silhouettes on it, or adding black wall stickers?
Painting it black will draw much more attention to the top. Right now, it reads all as one simple shape, with very little contrast, but paint of any dark color will make it, visually, two pieces.
I like the all-of-one-piece look its has now.
NO
I think it would look great black. Sand first, then use a good primer like Kilz or Bin and you will be fine. If you do not want a stark black, I suggest Ben Moore's "Silhouette" in the Aura paint line for Bathrooms. The Bathroom Aura line does not show streaks when wet, and this is important in a bathroom, especially w/dark colors. I also think the walls would look great painted a light shade of gray. This will pull the whole room together. Paint the ceiling the same color as the walls or 1 shade lighter. Good luck with this little project!
As general info, I think inexpensive laminate cabinets are called "thermofoil". Its a thin plastic layer. I removed it on a set of white kitchen cabinets (got them for free) with a heat gun, to reveal the smooth particle board below. Then I primed and painted, with great results.
Even before the mockup, I thought it could work. After seeing the mockup, I feel like you might also want to paint the floor molding black, although it might come out a bit matchy....
For some reason I have a very visceral and negative reaction to suggestions of eggplant/purples in combination with greens, so am hoping you don't go that route. (Sorry!)
You have motivated me to paint mine black, but it is much uglier than yours right now. I think black would look nice.
Ok - I tried to read all the comments before mine to make sure I wasn't duplicating an idea here.
In my opinion, I would NOT paint just the grooves - I've seen this done before and it turns out looking unintentionally country.
What about painting the framework of each panel black? Not only would this mimmick the black frame of the mirror, and provide some unity between the vanity and the mirror. It would give you a base for other design elements in the room. For example, black rectangular wall shelves (http://tinyurl.com/blackwallshelf), a couple of (not too many) black framed prints, etc.
I would also consider some new hardward in a brushed nickel.
I'd leave it.
I would go bold and paint black and white stripes on your wall.
Do it. And change the knobs.
Knobs knobs knobs! There's an entire universe of fabulous knobs out there. http://etsy.com has so many completely gorgeous vintage and handmade ones, you're bound to find YOUR statement.
Go yellow!! And add some cute vintage knobs!
Black knobs and other black details would do the trick. Few people can pull a paint project like this one off with grace and there's nothing wrong with the current surface other than a "wrong" colour, but a fast cure is to focus on introducing the accent colour. My humble two cents.
Don't paint Thermofolil cabinets. They arn't meant to be painted, it's a disaster waiting to happen. I work as a furniture repair technician (Furniture Medic) and if you really want to change the color of the cabinets, just put in new Thermofoil cabinetry, it typically runs about $9-$15 per sq. foot
This is my same exact bathroom cabinet! Renting so I can't paint mine - did an all white bathroom which I love. Good luck!
I would consider refacing the thing with walnut plywood. It could actually look very nice with the black mirror and white top. What you would have to do is get 1/8" thick plywood for the sides and then have the fronts overlap the sides such that you couldn't see the white underneath (you could also band the edge of the carcass with some walnut veneer edging). It would take some carpentry, but would maybe look much much better than a simple paint job. Look at this for inspiration:
http://www.wrenfurniture.com/html/kc.html
Another possibility would be to reface it with drawer fronts from Ikea... depending on whether you can get something that fits the existing dimensions.
Actually, after visiting Ikea's website I would just recommend replacing the thing. They have this one:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20141184
which seems to fit with the aesthetic you have started with your mirror, but looks much much nicer than the existing cabinet. And it is only $180. Compare that with the amount of time you would spend sanding, painting, sanding, etc. just to have a cabinet that doesn't look all that good to start with... and may have issues with the paint chipping.
how about periwinkle?
Honestly, I'm really digging the white. It looks really lovely and I'm not sure the design of the cabinet lends itself too well to black. Here's something that looks a bit similar, in black:
http://www.tradewindsimports.com/thumbs_cache/eeae1acc9999cdf8894fade1cf5a513a.jpg
I don't think it looks all that great, and it really shows the underlying wood grain.
The white looks really nice; I'm afraid painting it black will just make the cabinet clash more with your bathroom. But definitely do some online research... jump onto Google and try to find some black vanity pictures like the one I posted and see for yourself. But my two cents is definitely cast in favor of keeping the vanity white... it looks quite nice the way it is :)
Hm, sorry, let me link that URL I posted above so that you can actually click on it:
Link