There was a time when bath vanities were mostly built-in kitchen cabinets dressed up (or down) for the bathroom. But no more. Vanities have come into their own, spawning a wealth of designs, functionalities, materials and finishes that address the specific demands of the bathroom environment. Although the descriptor "spa-like" is still very much in demand when it comes to bathroom design, hard economic times and technological developments are transforming the look of these personal retreats and, of course, their vanities.

So if not built-ins, what then? Well, by all accounts, furniture pieces in pared-down looks are the new darlings of the bathroom. Even in traditional-style settings, raised-panel doors may still be in, said designer Lori Carroll, of the eponymous firm, but excessive ornamentation is definitely not. Offering a cleaner, less weighty alternative to built-in units that can sometimes resemble a wall of cabinets, today's vanity furniture also provides much needed storage, which "everyone wants," said Hal Weinstein, president of Xylem, but pedestal sinks lack. In smaller bathrooms or those with a contemporary bent, wall-mounted versions are increasingly popular, as they help promote a feeling of openness.


COLORS AND GREEN

As to materials and finishes, European companies have introduced vanities in various synthetics and glass, but wood is still the material of choice on these shores. The palette, however, is more subdued, trending toward paler or medium-toned finishes, like natural cherry, oak, maple and walnut, or white, black and gray. With dark wenge on the wane, some companies are venturing into other exotics, noted Brian Brigham, director of marketing for Decolav. These include zebrawood, ebony, koa and even teak, said Jeff Burton, owner of The Bath & Beyond. Much ado has been made of the bright, splashy hues emigrating from Europe, but both Burton and Weinstein are doubtful they will take hold here.

By contrast, just as the push toward earth-friendly materials seems to be having a lasting effect on kitchen cabinetry, vanities are also going greener, said Weinstein. In California, where the California Air Resources Board has implemented the first phase of its Air Toxic Control Measure (ATCM), low-VOC and low-formaldehyde are de rigueur for any company wishing to sell vanity cabinets in the state, while externally, designs that feature renewable or eco-sensitive materials, such as bamboo and FSC-certified wood, are becoming more readily available. As Brigham noted, "The earth is really in now."


OTHER FEATURES

So are convenience and durability, thanks to advances in finishes and hardware. Soft- and self-close functionality is nearly ubiquitous in today's vanities, as are central drawers that actually pull out and storage accessories for organizing everything from hair dryers to q-tips to bottles of shampoo, noted Burton. And as bathrooms can be "hostile environments" with much heat and moisture, companies are turning to marine-grade finishes and even antimicrobial agents "to make sure that the furniture holds up and looks as great as the pieces in the bedroom," said Gray Uhl, director of design for American Standard Brands.

And who wouldn't want that? As the "vanities" of others continue to breed uncertainty in our world, it's comforting to know that our own vanities—those in our bathrooms—will always be there to serve us.






























[1] Transitional pieces such as those in Xylem's Kent bath furniture collection are finding favor in both contemporary- and traditional-style bathrooms. Available in whitewash or brown ebony, the vanity comes in a 24- and 30-in. version, and for storage flexibility, a matching linen tower offers three stacking components: a two-drawer cabinet, a cabinet with a solid door and an interior shelf, and a cabinet with a mirrored door and an interior shelf. [2] Elegant in an oak veneer finished in Rockport Grey, the Equility wall-mounted console from Porcher boasts mid-century Asian styling with a modern edge. At 24 in. x 21 in. x 16 in., the vanity is perfectly sized for a condo bath, while a soft-close drawer, concealed behind a pull-down front panel, provides storage. [3] With the world going green, it's no surprise that bath vanities, like Vanity Flair's new Avalon (Model 2010-0448), are also turning up in earth-friendly materials. In addition to 24 domestic and exotic finishes, the 48-in. x 20-in. x 20-in. unit is offered in Plyboo, an architectural plywood made from rapidly renewable bamboo, and comes with four drawers that can be outfitted with a variety of organizational accessories. [4] Lacava has introduced a double version of its curvy Flou vanity. Available in several finishes, including ebony macassar (shown), the unit consists of five drawers and measures 76 in. x 221/2 in. x 311/2 in. [5] Although natural stone countertops still dominate in the bathroom, some vanities are sporting attractive glass tops. For example, from Decolav's Anchara Collection, Model FSW5129-506 is a freestanding double vanity supported by brushed stainless-steel legs and accented by a painted black and white tempered glass top. The unit is made of solid wood and includes a bottom drawer with an internal nesting drawer for ample storage.