Vessels and Vanities

Whether you’re creating a cozy powder room or gracious master bath, one of these beautiful vessels will make any bathroom stand out. Will such stylish countertop vessels be passé by tomorrow? Not likely, says Jeff Burton of The Bath + Beyond, an 18,000-square-foot showroom in San Francisco. Butler has been in the bathroom design business for over 35 years, and he believes they are here to stay. —M.T.

1. Moso Bamboo Vessel by Stone Forest, $700, available at The Bath + Beyond, 77 Connecticut St, 415.552.5001, bathandbeyond.com

2. Bronze Chalice vessel by Stone
Forest, $1,650, available at CTW Designs, 10 Hamilton Dr, Novato, 415.883.8861, ctwdesigns.com

3. Stainless-steel vessel by Decolav, $149, available at Expo Design Center, 1555 40th St, Oakland,
510.450.3300, expo.com

4. Green brown onyx vessel by
Decolav, $599, available at Expo Design Center, 1555 40th St, Oakland, 510.450.3300, expo.com

Jeff Burton Talks Vessels

Are vessel sinks a trend? People thought they would last five years and the trend would come and go; however, everyone is responding—including the manufacturers. For example, cabinet and vanity designers are making their products in two heights: one to accommodate a drop-in sink, and one for a vessel.

They look good, but are they OK for a bathroom that is used every day?
Absolutely. Their allure is aesthetic, but they are just as well suited for use as a drop-in sink. Even hotels such as the W are starting to put them into their rooms, to attract their frequent customers who are looking for a room that would remind them of home.

Which faucets work best? In the past, the faucet used with vessels came out of the wall, but more and more manufacturers are making faucets that are tall enough to reach into the bowl of a vessel. Now either wall or counter mounted faucets work equally well.

 

Dictionary.com’s, first definition for vanity is excessive pride in one’s appearance, qualities, abilities, and achievements… Farther down the page, definitions refer better to the topic at hand—a wide, counter-like shelf containing a washbasin, as in the bathroom of a hotel or residence, often equipped with shelves, drawers, etc. and a cabinet built below or around a bathroom sink, primarily to hide exposed pipes. Why can’t we mix them up to make our own definition? Vanity: excessive pride in a cabinet built around a bathroom sink, often equipped with shelves drawers, etc.? Check the following products befitting our new definition. —M.T.

1. Mistral 11 by Bristol and Bath, $4,800 for entire vanity shown with sink, available at Miconi Marble & Tile, 600 Irwin St, San Rafael, 415.454.6844, miconi.com

2. Zero Pedestal by Stone Forest, $3,600, available at CTW Designs, 10 Hamilton Dr, Novato, 415.883.8861, ctwdesigns.com

3. The Atic Pop Bath Console, $3,798, available at The Bath + Beyond, 77 Connecticut St, 415.552.5001, bathandbeyond.com

4. Julien’s Bathroom Suite designed by Troy Adams, $11,000, available at DJ Mehler, 165 Rhode Island, SF, 415.864.0850, djmehler.com


Mimi Towle

Mimi Towle has been the editor of Marin Magazine for over a decade. She lived with her family in Sycamore Park and Strawberry and thoroughly enjoyed raising two daughters in the mayhem of Marin’s youth sports; soccer, swim, volleyball, ballet, hip hop, gymnastics and many many hours spent at Miwok Stables. Her community involvements include volunteering at her daughter’s schools, coaching soccer and volleyball (glorified snack mom), being on the board of both Richardson Bay Audubon Center. Currently residing on a floating home in Sausalito, she enjoys all water activity, including learning how to steer a 6-person canoe for the Tamalpais Outrigger Canoe Club. Born and raised in Hawaii, her fondness for the islands has on occasion made its way into the pages of the magazine.