Dream bathroom: Sink or swim

Q: My husband and I have decided to stay in our present home after considering a move. We're doing this under the condition that we remodel our master bathroom. Because of the savings of staying where we are, my husband said I could go "crazy" and pick out any fixtures I want for the remodel job. I already have my toilet and tub picked out, but I need help thinking outside the box for my bathroom sinks. I don't want the standard "china"- or "cast-iron"-type sinks. Can you suggest some exotic or nonstandard materials available for bathroom sinks that I can choose from? — Judy, Oregon

A: I can tell that even though your husband said you can go "crazy" picking out the new bathroom fixtures, you're being very cautious in making your decisions so that you'll end up with your dream bathroom.

Thinking about "nonstandard materials" is just how a good contractor thinks. Decide on a quality material first that will fit the bill, then find the style you like in the material of your final choice.

Here are my three choices for nonstandard materials for a bathroom sink that you may want to consider. Please note that all three mentioned below are available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, so when it comes time for you to pick a style, you won't be disappointed.

Glass: Yes, high-density glass sinks are in great demand for many high-end bathrooms. Glass lavatories are translucent in appearance and feature handcrafted quality, making them surprisingly stronger than expected. It's a good material choice for bathroom sinks because of its versatility. Glass sinks can be made in just about any shape, size and color that you may wish for.

Marble: For a natural look, it's tough to beat a stone sink. Marble sinks are cut and polished from actual marble slabs, and their look and feel are the real deal. As far as styling, the stone designs are usually best suited for vessel-type sinks that sit above the counter, which allows viewing of both sides of the sink. Marble colors are available with creamy natural tones that give this very hard sink a nice, soft look.

Stainless steel: Yes, good old stainless steel, which is usually found in kitchens, is also available for the bathroom. While it may not be as exotic a material as glass or stone, stainless steel can be very versatile in the bathroom. Styles include self-rimming top mounts, under-mounts and even vessel-type sinks. While color choices may not exist, beautiful finishes like "satin" or "mirror" really make this type of sink stand out and shine in the bathroom.

Don't be shy about mixing the above materials. Marble countertops with under-mount stainless bowls look great, and so does a glass vessel sink on a marble top. The sky is your limit, and hopefully so is your budget.

Master Contractor/Plumber Ed Del Grande is known internationally as the author of the book "Ed Del Grande's House Call" and for hosting TV shows on Scripps Networks and HGTVPro.com. For information, visit eddelgrande.com or write eddelgrande@hgtvpro.com. Always consult local contractors and codes.

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