Welcome back to another exciting chapter in our home renovation journey! It feels like just yesterday we were sharing our adventure of stenciling the floor in our beloved sink nook. Life has been a whirlwind of projects lately – from Clara’s delightful room makeover to tackling outdoor tiling challenges, installing our stylish stair runner, embarking on landscaping escapades, and even diving headfirst into our kitchen renovation. But amidst all that activity, we hadn’t forgotten about our sink nook. There were a few crucial steps remaining to truly complete this charming space, transforming it from merely functional to beautifully organized and highly efficient.
Our final checklist for the sink nook included three key objectives:
- **Sealing the Stenciled Floors:** Ensuring long-lasting protection for our creative floor design.
- **Optimizing Closet Organization:** Moving beyond haphazard storage to create a truly functional and aesthetically pleasing closet space.
- **Updating the Vanity:** Giving our existing vanity a much-needed facelift and enhancing its utility with custom shelving.
Protecting Your DIY Masterpiece: Sealing the Stenciled Floors
The first item on our list was crucial for the longevity and durability of our recently stenciled floor. To protect our hard work and beautiful design, Sherry took on the task of sealing the floors. Using a small foam roller, she carefully applied two thin and even coats of SafeCoat Acrylaq, our trusted choice for an eco-friendly, non-toxic floor poly. We highly recommend this product for its reliable protection and commitment to a healthier home environment. Each coat was applied approximately 24 hours apart to allow for proper drying and curing. Although the product is largely odorless, Sherry prudently wore a respirator during application, just to be on the safe side and ensure maximum comfort. The process was surprisingly quick and straightforward: she began in the furthest corner of the closet and systematically worked her way out of the room. Once the sealing was complete, we diligently blocked off the area, preventing any curious puppy paw prints or accidental disturbances while the sealer fully dried. This protective layer ensures that our intricate stencil work is shielded from daily wear and tear, spills, and potential chips.
The Benefits of a Sealed Floor
This final protective step has brought immense peace of mind. We no longer worry about accidental chips or drips damaging the stenciled pattern. In fact, I recently had the chance to test its resilience firsthand: I was able to easily scrape off a dried splatter of staining material without causing any damage to the intricate stencil beneath. This experience truly validated our choice of sealer and highlighted the importance of this protective finish for any DIY floor project.
Mastering the Sink Nook Closet: Thoughtful Organization for Maximum Functionality
With the floor sealer fully cured after a careful 72-hour waiting period, it was finally time to tackle the closet – our second bullet point. This time, we approached the task of loading in the closet with a renewed focus on thoughtful organization. Gone are the days of mindlessly shoving items into bins and creating random piles, as we had done during the initial rush of moving in. Our goal was to create a space that was not only tidy but also maximized storage and functionality. We carefully considered what went where, aiming for an intuitive and efficient layout.
Incorporating key pieces like a compact dresser, a stylish mirror, and a dedicated laundry basket (repurposed as a hamper) significantly transformed the space. These additions made the closet infinitely more storage-friendly and organized, a vast improvement over the chaotic assortment of random bins and haphazard piles we had before. While this particular dresser will likely find its permanent home in the nursery eventually, making way for our new West Elm dresser after we build our custom wall of built-ins around our bed, it serves its purpose perfectly for now. The immediate impact of this intentional organization was remarkable.
His & Hers: A Glimpse into Our Organized Closet
Here’s a shot showcasing Sherry’s side of the freshly organized closet:
And here’s a look at my side. You might notice a slight, or not so slight, difference in shoe quantities – a common household dynamic, perhaps!
A Dramatic Before & After: The Power of Organization and Refresh
For a striking reminder, let’s cast our minds back to what this closet looked like when we first moved in and hastily dumped everything. It’s truly astonishing what a combination of fresh paint on the walls, trim, floor, and ceiling, coupled with some much-needed organization and cleverly repurposed furniture (the dresser being a family hand-me-down, and the mirror a fantastic $5 yard sale discovery), can achieve. This transformation underscores the profound impact of thoughtful design and decluttering.
The Vanity Revitalization: Building Custom Shelves for Enhanced Storage
With our first two objectives successfully completed – the floors sealed and the closet thoughtfully organized – it was time to tackle the vanity. Our goal was to update its appearance and, more importantly, boost its functionality by adding custom shelving. This was shelf o’ clock! The construction process for these shelves proved to be relatively straightforward, but careful planning was key. We kept two main considerations at the forefront as we sketched out our ideas:
- **Building Sturdy Supports:** Designing a robust structure that could reliably hold two shelves, ensuring maximum function.
- **Aesthetic Integration:** Strategically creating attachment points for front-facing boards to achieve a seamless and beautiful, built-in look, focusing on form.
This systematic approach led us to the design we ultimately executed. We always find it beneficial to map out our projects collaboratively on paper. Once the plan is solid, we typically divide and conquer. In this instance, Sherry expertly handled the poly application for the floors and most of the closet organization, while I happily took on the task of building and staining the shelves, especially since the stain involved VOCs. After my part was done, Sherry returned to install the hinges and reattach the vanity doors, as I simultaneously upgraded the drawer and door hardware. This teamwork ensures that each phase of the project benefits from our individual strengths.
Step-by-Step Shelf Construction
For the building phase, I started from the base of the vanity and meticulously worked my way upwards, ensuring precision at every step.
Step 1: Establishing the Base Support. My first action was to nail a small piece of scrap wood into the side of the vanity. I mirrored this by attaching another identical piece to the baseboard on the opposite side. Crucially, one edge of these supports rested directly on the floor, while the other was set back by 3/4 inch from the front edge of the vanity’s toe kick. This provided a foundational ledge for the upcoming components.
Step 2: Extending the Toe Kick. With the scrap wood supports in place, I had created a perfect anchor point. Next, I attached a strip of plywood to these supports. This strategic addition effectively extended the existing toe kick all the way across the newly created opening, ensuring a cohesive and finished look at the base of the vanity.
Step 3: Preparing for the Bottom Shelf. Immediately above this extended toe kick, I nailed in matching strips of 1 x 2 inch board. These were meticulously ripped in half on my table saw to achieve the precise dimensions needed. These strips would serve as the sturdy resting place for the bottom shelf. A key detail to note, which will become clear in Step #10, is why I purposefully did not align these supports with the very bottom of the existing vanity structure.
Step 4: Installing the First Shelf. For the first shelf itself, I utilized a piece of plywood that I fortunately had leftover from a previous project involving the sunroom ceiling. I cut this piece to a very precise, snug fit. The fit was so tight and secure that I found it unnecessary to nail it into place, saving a step and ensuring a clean installation.
Step 5: Adding Middle Shelf Supports. After carefully measuring to determine the exact middle of the open space, I used my nail gun to secure another set of small support strips. Unlike the previous shelf, these were added to all three sides of the opening – the two side walls and the back. I hadn’t needed a back strip for the bottom shelf because it coincidentally rested perfectly on the top of the existing baseboard. This photo also highlights the vanity’s existing dings and wear, which fueled our desire to refinish it, ensuring a consistent look with the new wood.
Step 6: Securing the Second Shelf. Following the installation of its supports, I then added my second shelf. This piece was also cut from the same remnant of plywood scrap, maintaining material consistency throughout the project.
Step 7: Preparing for the Top Face Board. We aimed to add a face board at the very top of the opening as well. This was crucial for mimicking the existing vanity’s design, specifically the spacing and look of the strip of wood between the drawer face and cabinet doors on the left side. To achieve this, I nailed small pieces of scrap wood here, just as I had for the toe kick, ensuring they were set slightly back from the front of the cabinet. These would provide the necessary backing for the decorative face board.
Step 8: Installing the Vertical Face Board. It was finally time to add the decorative face boards that would bring the new shelves visually in line with the existing vanity. I started with a vertical piece against the wall. This was originally a 1 x 3 inch board (which typically measures 1 x 2.5 inches in reality) that I meticulously ripped on the table saw to a precise 1 x 2 inch width. This adjustment ensured it perfectly matched the width of the vanity’s existing face boards. I then securely glued and nailed it into place, adhering it to both the newly installed supports and the edges of the shelves.
Step 9: Creating an Anchor for the Horizontal Board. With the vertical face board now firmly in place, it was nailed into the small piece of scrap I had strategically placed at the top. This meant I no longer had a direct attachment point for the upcoming horizontal face board. To resolve this, I screwed another small piece of scrap wood into the back of the newly installed vertical board, effectively creating a renewed anchor for the horizontal component.
Step 10: Attaching the Horizontal Face Boards. The final step in the construction was to install all the horizontal face boards. These were cut from the same 1 x 3 inch board that I had ripped down to 2 inches wide, ensuring visual consistency. I was able to securely glue and nail these boards directly into the shelf supports and the front edges of the shelves themselves. A critical detail here was ensuring the bottom edge of these face boards matched up perfectly with the existing vanity’s structure. This is precisely why, back in Step 3, I had to account for the 2-inch thickness of these face boards when positioning my shelf support strips, anticipating this exact alignment.
Here’s a wider shot showcasing the entire structure once all the components were assembled. The actual construction was surprisingly fast, taking perhaps an hour of focused work. The most time-consuming part, by far, was the meticulous process of triple-checking all my measurements and carefully cutting each piece. I was acutely aware of the potential for error – like forgetting to account for the thickness of a plywood shelf when placing a support strip – so I strictly adhered to the “measure twice (and think twice) before cutting once” philosophy. This careful planning prevented any costly mistakes and ensured a smooth build.
Refinishing the Vanity: Blending Old with New for a Cohesive Look
With the new shelves seamlessly integrated, the next significant challenge was to achieve a uniform color between the old vanity and the freshly constructed shelves. Our objective was to retain some of the natural wood grain texture while leaning towards a richer, slightly darker tone. This inspiration came from some existing darker-toned wood items in our bedroom, such as a large leaning wall mirror near the doorway to this very sink nook. We also recalled a valuable lesson from painting the vanity in our half bathroom: a deeper, less-orange shade can effectively temper the yellow undertones often present in sink tops. Given our positive experience using PolyShades on our stair railing, and conveniently having half a can leftover, we decided to apply this successful method to our vanity.
The other can pictured above contains stain leftover from Clara’s dresser makeover. I initially brushed this onto the new shelves to bring them closer to the existing color of the vanity’s left side before applying the unifying PolyShades. Unfortunately, in my haste, I forgot to capture a photograph of this crucial transitional step. While the initial stain wasn’t a perfect match, it brought the new wood within a tone or two of the old, avoiding a stark “bleach blonde” contrast. This subtle similarity proved to be sufficient, as a single coat of Espresso PolyShades, meticulously applied with a brush, perfectly bridged the color gap and created a cohesive finish. Before I applied the PolyShades, Sherry lightly sanded the existing vanity side, ensuring it was just as ready to accept the stain as the fresh wood of the new shelves.
The Finishing Touches: Hardware Upgrade
Before Sherry reattached the doors and replaced the drawer – all of which I had removed to facilitate easier staining – we decided to update the hardware. We replaced the old knobs with some stylish yet incredibly affordable options we discovered at Target, costing less than $2 each! We loved the octagonal shape, which offered a subtle step up from a completely basic design, and its dark color would blend seamlessly with our new dark stain. This ensures the knobs complement, rather than compete with, our patterned floor. In addition to replacing the existing four knobs, I also drilled holes to add two more to the dummy drawer face located beneath the sink, creating a more balanced and refined aesthetic.
The Grand Reveal: A Complete Vanity Transformation
And with those final touches, dear readers, we officially have a completed vanity! But before we admire the finished product, let’s take a moment to reminisce about its humble beginnings:
And now, for the dramatic reveal – where we ended up:
I understand that the rich, dark stain color can make some of the finer details a bit challenging to discern in photographs. In person, it exhibits more of its intended wood-grain character without appearing quite as intensely dark or “goth.” However, I’m thrilled to report that the newly integrated shelves look as though they have always been an integral part of the vanity. We deliberately applied only one coat of the PolyShades, as we wished to avoid making the wood any darker. This decision resulted in a slight, natural variation in wood tone across the vanity. While a second coat might have achieved a perfectly even coverage, we both agreed that we prefer how this subtle variation preserves the inherent beauty of the wood grain. For those seeking a consistently uniform overall coverage, however, we would likely recommend applying two coats.
Perhaps the most satisfying aspect of this entire project is its incredibly low cost. Thanks to having plywood and both types of stain already on hand from previous DIY endeavors, our total expenditures were minimal. We only needed to purchase a 1 x 2 inch board and a 1 x 3 inch board, which came to a total of $12. Add to that the stylish new knobs, also costing $12, and two pairs of new ORB (Oil Rubbed Bronze) hinges for the cabinet doors at $6, and this entire vanity update amounted to a grand total of just $30! For those who might not have these materials readily available, budgeting an additional $30 for plywood and stain would still make this a remarkably affordable transformation.
Evolving Design and Future Aspirations
Between this sink nook project, our half bathroom makeover, and the stair transformation, we’ve started noticing a distinct pattern in our design choices for the smaller, more intimate spaces of our home. We seem to be gravitating towards high-contrast, almost monochromatic color schemes. This isn’t an indication that we’re abandoning color entirely – far from it! Our adjoining bedroom boasts vibrant blue walls, a lush green rug, cheerful bright yellow pillows, and a striking patterned headboard. And, of course, we can’t forget Clara’s recent vibrant wall and door makeover. Rather, I think we’re increasingly appreciating the dramatic impact that well-placed dark accents can bring to a space, adding depth and sophistication.
And just for fun, here’s a ‘before’ shot from that very same angle, dating back to before we even moved in. The transformation is truly remarkable.
Considering all the progress, I’d confidently say we are exceptionally close to declaring Phase 1 of our sink nook complete. This timing is particularly fortunate, as we’re currently halfway through stripping wallpaper in the dining room and gearing up to tackle some significant kitchen updates before the impending holiday chaos, not to mention our showhouse project kicking into high gear. What about you, our wonderful readers? What home improvement adventures did you embark on this past weekend? Did you tackle any building projects, seal some surfaces, apply fresh stain, update hardware, or perhaps dive into some much-needed closet organization? As mundane as the idea of closet organization might sound, it’s incredibly satisfying to finally have a proper, designated spot for all our belongings, especially after feeling like we’ve been living out of bins and sifting through random piles since June. We’d love to hear about your latest DIY wins!