James Martin Chianti Collection

Chianti Collection

Chianti exists for the room everybody forgets to plan: the powder room under the stairs, the half bath off the hallway, the corner of a guest room. At 20 and 24 inches it fits where a standard vanity cannot, and because the cabinet sits on an open metal base rather than on the floor, the room does not feel filled by it.

It can be wall mounted for a fully modern look or stood freestanding on its base, which makes it useful in older houses where the waste comes up through the floor and cannot be moved. The metal comes in brushed nickel, champagne brass and matte black, with the cabinet in Glossy White or Walnut Whisper.

Small bathroom, real counter

The composite stone top has the basin moulded into it, so the small surface is not further reduced by a sink rim. That matters at this size: on a 20 inch top, a dropped in bowl leaves nowhere to put a soap dish, while an integrated one leaves a usable ledge.

The pieces

Complete vanities, cabinets without tops, and metal bases sold on their own. If the room needs storage as well, hang a storage cabinet rather than moving up to a wider vanity that will crowd the door swing.

Other compact options are Boston, Milan and Linden.