Oak Single Vintage Bathroom Vanity Unit

Originally crafted as bureau, this lovely piece has been carefully restored and reimagined as a traditional countertop bathroom vanity unit, preserving the character and proportions of the original furniture whilst giving it an entirely new purpose for the modern home.

Dating to circa. 1920–1935, the piece sits at an interesting point in British furniture design, when traditional craftsmanship was beginning to meet the cleaner, more architectural influences of the emerging Art Deco movement. Its design can best be described as Art Deco/Streamline Moderne with influences from British utility furniture and earlier revival styles, creating a piece that feels substantial and traditional without being overly ornate.

One of its most distinctive architectural details can be found at the base. The substantial square legs are finished with deeply reeded or fluted vertical detailing, a decorative feature strongly associated with the classical influences adopted by Art Deco designers. Referencing the fluted columns of Greek and Roman architecture in a simplified form, these strong vertical lines draw the eye downwards and give the relatively compact cabinet a wonderful sense of solidity and presence.

The simplicity of the three broad drawer fronts allows the oak itself to become an important part of the design. During restoration, we completely stripped the timber back to its natural state, taking particular care to preserve the marks, variation and patina acquired during its lifetime. Our aim with antique furniture is never to sand away its history and make it appear newly manufactured; instead, we retain the subtle imperfections and character that tell you this is a genuine piece of old furniture.

Once stripped, the oak was refinished in a dark oak stain, enriching the natural grain and giving the timber the deep, warm colouring visible throughout the finished piece. It was then spray-finished in a clear satin lacquer, providing a durable protective surface against the moisture, water dwell and vapour associated with everyday bathroom use whilst allowing the texture and figuring of the original oak to remain visible.

Unfortunately, the original handles had suffered too much damage to be retained. In their place, we selected a set of vintage-style circular ring pulls, chosen specifically to complement the age and understated architecture of the bureau. Their aged metal finish and decorative circular backplates sit naturally against the dark oak, adding detail without overwhelming the simplicity of the drawer fronts.

Behind those fronts, our in-house carpentry team has carefully re-engineered all three drawers around the basin waste and plumbing, retaining as much usable storage as possible. The result is a bathroom vanity that provides the storage expected from modern bathroom furniture whilst preserving the appearance and integrity of the original bureau.

The restored cabinet is crowned with our Amber stone worktop, a predominantly white surface with delicate warm gold veining running naturally through selected areas of the stone. Against the depth of the dark oak, the lighter worktop creates a particularly striking contrast, while its subtle gold tones provide a natural bridge between the timber and antique brass fittings. The stone has been finished with a half bullnose edge profile, introducing a softer, more traditional finish than a sharp contemporary edge.

Sitting above the stone is a large rectangular countertop basin, generously proportioned to make the vanity as practical as it is decorative. Its clean white ceramic and gently softened corners introduce a contemporary simplicity that works particularly well against the much older cabinet below.

Completing the conversion is a tall traditional-style mixer tap in antique brass, finished with a white ceramic lever accent and accompanied by a matching antique brass pop-up waste. The warmth of the brass works beautifully against both the dark oak and subtle gold veining within the stone, tying the different elements of the finished vanity together.

What makes this particular piece so appealing is its restraint. There is very little unnecessary decoration; instead, its character comes from the proportions of the original furniture, the wonderfully aged oak, the architectural fluting of its feet and more than a century of natural patina.

Paired with the crisp white stone and ceramic, it becomes a bathroom vanity that feels equally at home in a traditional period interior or as a character piece within a more contemporary bathroom.

It is a wonderful example of why we believe old furniture deserves more than restoration alone. A bureau that has already survived for around a century has been carefully preserved, sympathetically adapted and given an entirely new purpose, without losing the character that made it worth saving in the first place.

Timeless by design. Made to outlive trends.

Personalisation Options
Would you prefer alternative tapware? We offer a range of options to help tailor your vanity to your space and style, please contact us to discuss available choices. Talk to us about adding a matching stone up-stand?

Included Premium Features

This vanity includes the following premium upgrades:

Amber Stone Worktop

Half Bullnose Stone Edging Profile

Re-Engineered Drawer Internals

Uniwaste™ Space-Saving Waterless Waste Trap (Included – Value £14.99)

To ensure maximum usable drawer space, this vanity is manufactured with a Uniwaste™ waterless waste system as standard. Its compact, low-profile design allows plumbing to fit neatly within tight spaces, making it ideal for antique furniture conversions where preserving storage is essential. The system also features an integrated silicone membrane to help prevent foul odours, backflow and negative pressure within the drainage system

Dimensions (mm)
Width: 782mm
Depth: 443mm
Height to Worktop: 775mm
Upstand Height: N/A

Delivery
Mainland UK: £99.00
ROI & Northern Ireland: £249.99 (please enquire)
International Delivery: Please enquire for quotation