Good - and bad - and good again!

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I’m currently involved in a renovation project and now we are at the stage of looking for fixtures and fittings. First on the list was some sort of vanity unit for the bathroom. I couldn’t get a regular wash basin fixed to the wall because it will go under the window and the windowsill is below the level of a regular basin. I didn’t want anything too narrow because the waste from the bath will need to go along the wall behind it and I didn’t want it to be too noticeable - but I still want it to be accessible. Also of course I want places to put stuff! I spent so long looking for something that was just right, that it was holding up the rest of the project, so I decided to just get something suitable that would do - I could always change it later. I rummaged around local furniture sales, checked charity shops and Freegle and browsed Ebay and eventually found the unit shown - which is actually two separate but matching pieces. I was the only bidder so got it for a nice price, but of course then I had to go and fetch it. When I turned up to collect it, it was already outside in pieces. The owner admitted there was a shelf missing, but he found a piece of board he thought I would be able to cut down to use instead - then he gave me some money off as well to make up for it. I said it wasn’t necessary since the shelf in question was not shown in the ad or listed in the description in the first place, but he insisted and would have given me more if I had accepted it. Then we loaded it all into my car and I brought it home. I packed blankets around the basin and the waste pipe to protect them and protect the wood parts from being dented, but I didn’t worry about the limestone top, I thought that would be robust. So when I got back there was good news and bad news. The good news was that there was no missing shelf in the first place - the shelf was there, the owner just hadn’t realised that the rather small shelf was the one that actually fitted in the cupboard (it can’t be a bigger one, as the waste pipe has to go behind it). The bad news was that the top had fallen against a base unit on the trip and had gained two rather unsightly chips at the front edge - I was annoyed with myself! Anyway I put it in place and the two units go together nicely so they fill the space available and the washbasin is in the middle, which I liked. The chips were annoying though, but I figured I had nothing to lose so after a bit of research I found I could try to smooth them away with sandpaper. I gave it a go and hey presto, it actually worked really well! Who knew you could sandpaper limestone?? I was careful to rub all the way along the front so as not to leave a hollow, and I’m really pleased with the result. Now I just need a new tap(s) and a lick of paint and I think it’ll be great! All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2021.