Transform Your Bathroom with an Antique Dough Bowl Sink Project

During our recent home renovation, I decided it was crucial to allocate some funds for transforming our neglected powder bathroom. This space had remained unchanged since we built our house over ten years ago, which was surprising considering it's one of the first rooms guests see. Realizing it deserved some love, I set out to create a standout feature without overspending, focusing on a rustic sink crafted from an antique wooden dough bowl.

Finding the Perfect Antique Dough Bowl

A wooden sink was a design element I had admired online but had never spotted in person or for sale. Despite some hesitation from Adam about a wooden sink, I was determined to pursue this idea. After researching, I discovered that an antique dough bowl offered the ideal trough-like shape I needed. Although a quick search revealed many options online, it took time to find one that matched my vision.

Eventually, I stumbled upon the perfect bowl at Pottery Barn, where they offered antique wooden dough bowls in various sizes. These bowls weren't just replicas; each was a unique, vintage piece. The description read:

In the first half of the 20th century, Magyar bakers at farmhouses in Hungary and other Eastern European countries used these hand-carved wooden bowls to make bread each morning. Each is a found antique and therefore one of a kind.

I couldn't resist, so I purchased the large size for $249 through curbside pickup.

Steps to Create a Rustic Bathroom Sink

Here's how I transformed the dough bowl into a functional sink:

First, we sealed the wood with Watco Tung oil, followed by Varathane urethane oil-based sealant, and finally, Olympic waterproofing sealant to ensure it was watertight.
Our framer, James Downing, installed two steel brackets in the wall to securely hold the bowl.
Initially, we planned for a single drain in the center. However, after mounting the bowl, we noticed dips at each end, leading us to drill two drains instead, allowing proper drainage from both ends.
Next, the plumbers added the p-trap connecting the sink to our plumbing system with two connectors.
Finally, they installed a wall-mounted faucet, which proved tricky due to a load-bearing stud in the wall. After some adjustments, the faucet was successfully installed.
Once everything was in place, I had a painter come back to patch up the sheetrock and repaint the wall.

This Leaning Blanket Ladder became a chic way to display beautiful Turkish towels, adding a bohemian touch. I also love using affordable seagrass belly baskets around the house for various storage needs, and here, they serve as a cute toilet paper holder tucked under the sink.

Cost Breakdown for the Rustic Sink Project

Every DIY project offers lessons, and this one was no exception. While the materials were reasonably priced, the overall cost included plumbing, framing, and painting services. Here's the financial summary:

Dough bowl: $249
Hardware (faucet, p-trap, drains): $400
Labor (plumber, framer, painter): $1750

In total, I spent around $2,400 on this project. Was it worth it? Definitely! It's a striking feature that enhances the room, though it exceeded my initial budget expectations.

Art Prints from Minted: (left) Tracks No 3. (right) Movement.

Another insight I gained was the importance of having plumbing hardware evaluated before installation day. The p-trap I ordered was too small for the dual drains, requiring a last-minute purchase of a wider one. We painted it matte black, and luckily, it dried just in time for installation.

The mirror above is a favorite of mine, and I loved it so much that I ordered a second one for our guest bathroom. Its clean lines and arch create a unique architectural detail.

The light fixtures are the Tumwater Sconce from Cedar and Moss, crafted from hand-cast stoneware, seamlessly blending with the plaster walls.