DIY Network

Recycled Vanity, Part 1 Turn a "washed up" vanity into a fabulous planter, dry sink or fountain. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-301

Bathrooms are one of the top areas for homeowners to upgrade—which leaves thousands of us with old, ugly or out-of-date vanities to dispose of once the work is done.

You can transform that unwanted vanity from dumpster fodder to downright fabulous with help from Michele Beschen. The B. Original host shows how to remake a vanity as:

A festive dry sink...

An eclectic fountain...

Or even a lush planter.

The first part of this project concentrates on the vanity cabinet; Part 2
shows how to dress up the vanity countertop and sink. Scroll down for Michele Beschen's how-to, and B. Original with your old vanity today!

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Recycled Vanity, Part 1

Materials:

old vanity with sink
utility knife or razor blade
pipe wrench
electric sander or sandpaper
tack cloth
wood-carving tools, rotary tool or chisels
deglosser and an old rag
plastic gloves
wood-burning tool
clear varnish or polyurethane
propane torch
scrap wood

	Figure A
	Figure B

• Remove the sink and faucets from the vanity and set aside, leaving the drain pipe connected to the sink drain. You'll tackle the sink in Part 2 of the project. Cut through the caulk around the edge of the sink with a utility knife or razor blade to free the sink, which should simply lift out. Save any spare hardware pieces for use in later projects.

• Use an electric sander or sandpaper to remove the finish from all wood surfaces and scuff up the cabinet (figure A).

• Wipe down the entire piece with tack cloth to remove any dust or debris.

• Wipe the wooden surfaces with a rag dipped in deglosser to dull any remaining shiny finish (figure B).

• Experiment with the carving tools, chisels and/or rotary tool on a piece of scrap wood to see what techniques give the desired effects.

• Once you're comfortable with the techniques, begin modifying the wooden cabinet: knock down or carve out some of the hard edges (figure C), carve specific designs (figure D) or just create random patterns across the surfaces (figure E).
  

  Figure C

  Figure D

  Figure E

  
  

• Lightly sand the completed carvings (figure F), wipe the surface with a tack cloth and clean with deglosser.
  

  Figure G

  
  

• Carefully use a propane torch to darken some areas of the carvings (figure G), or embellish with a wood-burning tool.

• Seal the wood surfaces with two to three coats of polyurethane.

Now that the vanity cabinet has a whole new look, it's time to go to Part 2 of the project and tackle the sink!