When space is an issue – particularly in a powder room — a console sink is a smart and stylish choice.
There very good reason that the console sink is seen so often in bathrooms. That has to do with scale, or proportional size. Consoles rest on legs rather than a cabinet, which reduces visual bulk. Even when they are as large as a hunky, 30-inch Kohler Memoirs basin [top], most consoles look light because the legs are slender. The metal base beneath the Memoirs has handy features like side bars for hanging hand towels. Also of note around this sink is is the map-of-the-world décor – ingenious wallpaper for $150, created from an 8-panel, coated write-on map from Skymall. For bathrooms that don’t take themselves too seriously, it’s a great economical solution to wall color and surface.
Professional designers often favor posh solutions like the elegant layered ode-to-silver powder room Michael Richman delivered. That’s complete with the oh-so-French Waterworks Julia faucet set diagonally on a marble-top console sink. Fluted legs are a nice touch and a similar look is available at Pottery Barn (pricey silver- finish undermount basin not included).
I have a special fondness for 1940s-style console sinks because I grew up with one. They tend to be small and have a very unique look that blends surprisingly well with DIY chalk-board paint and a real chalk-wall hand crafted treatment. Period-look sconces and a white hex-tile floor complete the bath, a creation of Percy Bright of Jersey Ice Cream Co, which does custom walls and has a vintage shop. An earlier version of the bathroom wall featured circles and a drawn-on mirror. But let’s not have the tail wag the dog here. The console is restored freegun salvage.
(Source: Lonnymag, Michael Richman Interiors)
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any idea where the charcoal wallpaper with plus signs is from?
Hi Beth, I looked around before I posted it to see if I could find it but didn’t. It’s looking like a bottle of Mrs. Meyers on the sink and US electrical outlets so chances are I will run across it. Will post if/when for sure. I love that paper.
I’m glad you two discussed that wall paper, because I hadn’t noticed it! Random, yet formal, and a great color…and like the kids did it, but in a nice way. I sure did notice the map wall paper and love that. We used to have a world map shower curtain…Much tackier than that lovely room, but the kids loved it and learned a lot as they had the opportunity to gaze as they… sat.
I really like the 1st and 3rd console examples. But I hear my mom’s voice telling me they’re not practical with the lack of storage, especially in a small room. 🙂
Update: Turns out it’s not wallpaper in the third bathroom– it’s chalkboard paint with drawings done by a very talented artist, Percy Bright, whose site is linked. Thanks to Allison who found the original post.