Before & After - Dollar Store Skirted Sink

This old house, while quirky and full of charm, is not without its challenges. Case in point: the wall-mounted porcelain sink in our upstairs bathroom. Love the high-back splash guard; hate the exposed plumbing. 

Right away, I imagined a fabric sink skirt with a large box pleat, trimmed in grosgrain ribbon. You see them all the time in magazines. But when I checked with an upholsterer in town, for a self-adhesive skirted sink with trim, it was going to cost $750! And that's without the fabric! Enter: Designer DIY. A couple of months back, while shopping the Dollar Tree for a Dorothy Draper-inspired table setting, I came across a bunch of plain, white flour sack cloths. They're simple, beautiful and, best of all, washable! For the table, I trimmed them in green grosgrain ribbon, then used them as napkins. But as luck would have it, they would also be the perfect length for a skirted sink, made from Dollar Tree towels!

After a quick stop at Jo-Ann's for Stitch Witchery and Velcro, out came the sewing machine and glue gun. First, using Stitch Witchery, I adhered black grosgrain ribbon to the bottom edge of every towel—11 in all. Next, to make the skirt, I planned and pinned each towel to Velcro, layering them to achieve a box pleat effect. After a simple stitch to sew it all together, I adhered one side of the Velcro to the apron of the sink, then attached the skirt. Finally, I hot-glued grosgrain ribbon across the entire top edge, just to give it that finished, decorator look. The only difference is mine cost about 15 bucks!

I love the tailored box pleat effect. I think it's sophisticated and masculine. The extra storage space is great too!

And would you believe I finished this little project about three minutes before our friends Seleta and Peter arrived for the weekend? Guests are so good that way. They make us get up and do it!

Comments

[Carolyn]

Back to the velcro. Any suggestions re:making sure the velcro holds? We have made some beautiful skirts to cover plumbing at my daughter's reception site(ergo -no glue guns on sink). I am now concerned that they will be on the floor before the first course.

[toronto bathroom renovations]

Bathroom renovations tips is the major requirement for all of us to maintain our bathroom clean and dry.The quality of steel must be good if you are using for your own bathroom taps.Otherwise timely renovations is essential for our home bathrooms.

[gW30Hannah]

Every single day I do try to find the article like this, thus usualy I receive the downloadable ringtones and very oft the phones ringtones. Though at this moment I ultimately got what I dreamt about.

[Dayna]

This is an amazing idea. I've been looking for a sink skirt everywhere that doesn't look cheap and polyester! I did this project without sewing anything- all stitch-witchery and velcro. Looks perfect! Thank you so much!

[Jane]

How absolutely lovely! Looks very European and chic. Keep up the good work - I love seeing the things you design and create, and it certainly inspires me to look for projects for my Victorian house here in London.

Greetings to you from London,UK

Jane

[Tiffany]

I'm consistently surprised at what people come up with from the dollar store. This is no exception. Your work is beautiful!

[stacy di]

You are amazing as usual. I love the tailored-but-casual look.

[Redesign Diva]

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!Love it!

[Mabel + Lola]

Great idea Eddie!!!!!!!!! I live in West Virginia so I get to see Dorothy's great work all the time at the Greenbriar! If you ever want anything from there...let me know and I will send it to you!

[julie]

love it! looks fantastic

[Tammy518]

I love the addition of the skirt! I can't believe you got the material at Dollar Tree! I check them out occasionally and will have to go again to see what I can find. Also, I'm wondering what's hidden in those Hermes boxes!

[stacy]

I love all your projects. May I correct you on one thing? It's Czechslovakia, not Checkoslovakia. My sister-in-law is from Slovakia--and you should see her glass collections !

[Angela]

Very chic, Eddie. Those flour sack towels come in SO handy, don't they?

[pve]

I whipped up my dress, prom night! Nothing like a little pressure -like a date or a guest to make something so swell and in a jiffy!

[Live In Full Color]

Oh how I love the dollar store!!! Am helping a friend dress a wine reception tonight... the table cloths for the wine tables- canvas painter drop clothes from Home Depot $9!!!!

[zoe]

WOW, what a transformation! I just love the dollar store. You never know what you are going to find.

[all the best]

Eddie you AMAZE me! Seriously fabulous!!!
Ronda
xoxo

[Padgett]

Shut your fabulous designer mouth, can you come to my house and do some designer DIY...I promise it would be worth your while! love it.

[suzanne]

this is off the charts- ingenious!! Come on Eddie you need a vacation ...you and Jaithan head to the beach and come see us--

[mary]

what a terrific transformation. And I'm DROOLING over that black wedgwood dish you placed on the backsplash. ;)

[Ginnie Renner]

I LOVE this! AND I love those sack cloths, I used those same ones to make a "French grain sack" tabel runner (you can see on my blog). I also used some pretty blue floral napkins from Dollar Tree for the ends of it. LOVE Dollar Tree.
Thanks for sharing your amazing, thrifty talents!

[seleta]

You are genius. Only a designer with FIERCE taste can make something so inexpensive look positively chic. You continue to amaze me. I peeked at that pretty skirted sink every time I passed by the bathroom while we were visiting.

xoxo
Seleta

[Kylie of Bandelle]

Seriously clever! The end result is amazing and it fits so perfectly with your flooring.

[Kim]

Wow! That looks amazing.

You can truly transform, that is certain.

[thomas]

LOVE LOVE LOVE

you are talented!

[Lanette]

Eddie, this is a fantastic transformation. It's looks so expensive. You would never know it cost you only $15. That's what I love about budget decorating. Simple, beautiful, affordable. The black ribbon is the Pièce de résistance! Bravo!

PS I know what you mean about waiting for company to come to get things done! Ha!

[Evelyn Weiss]

Eddie,

Sweet project and so cute hiding old Hermes boxes underneath -- vintage with a sense of humor for those who peek!

xoxo
Evy

[Brittness]

Eddie, you're so talented - why don't you just teach yourself to sew? Think of how many more amazing things you could do!

Great job...looking forward to what you do with the rest of the house

[Heather - DollarStoreCrafts.com]

Awesome!! Thanks for sharing! I'm going to link to this project from DollarStoreCrafts.com (next week).

Heather

[Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality]

What a great project Eddie! I love your ingenuity.

[hanako66]

Wow, what a fabulous job you did...it looks lovely! I love the b & w tile, so lucky that was already there. Thank you for sharing your jouney in your new home with us:)

[Sarah (Matters of Style)]

Looks great!!! I am doing something similar to make a vanity!

[Tricia - Avolli]

I had a sink JUST like that in my first house and added a fabric skirt to it and loved the look. The challenge was finding the right adhesive to keep the Velcro attached....only had adequate success with that part.

Tricia - Avolli

[jody]

Eddie
you have the golden touch. thank you for sharing your blessings of skill, taste and nerve to try anything!
xo jody

[Chloe]

Eddie, how did you adhere the velcro to the apron of the sink! Hope all dollar trees have these towels.... I'm a copy cat!

[AuntSpicy]

Wow! That is fabulous!

[carol]

love it!!!!! Stunning and inexpensive! I could sit and read through your archives all day...what joy!

[christy]

Excellent!! Very chic and manly!!
Christy

[Dawn]

I did this years ago with a gingham plaid at my mother in laws house. Their home was built in the 50's and had the original sink in there like yours. I re-decorated their bathroom and LOVED doing this to the sink!

[Kailee]

That is gorgeous. You are so incredibly creative and inventive! Only you could make something so chic out of Dollar Tree finds!

[mary Shields]

Eddie, I love the skirt and the fact that it's a new sew creation is the icing on the cake! I have a sink like that in my basement. I hope I find fabric like that.
I can't believe you found that mixer for 24$!!! What Sallys do you go to?
I love your cookies for Easter...I had alot of catching up to do. I love your blog! Mary

[Linderho]

I simply adore your blog and have been reading all the older posts -- I've never heard of Gorham polish! Perhaps it's not available in the midwest! I am adding you to my Friends list.

[PJ]

Genius!

[Amber]

LOVE it!! What a great idea! I'm gonna have to stop by the Dollar Tree to pick up some of those. They are great.

The first time I ever came to your blog, was for the trip you took to Dollar Tree to show all of the wonderful things you can get there, and what you can do with them. I've always loved Dollar Tree, and think of myself as one who thinks outside the box, but you have helped me to take it a few steps further. You're great!

[Linda Merrill from ::Surroundings::]

$750 IS outrageous! They must have priced it high because they didn't really want the job? Really at any price, it's a better DIY project. Great job, makes me wish I had a pedestal sink I could skirt up!

[Karena]

How perfectly classic and beautiful. Is it really as easy as you say!??

[M]

Eddie, is there a Nobel Prize for Crafty?

[Deb Mills]

what a fabulous looking solution! the ridiculously priced alternative couldn't possibly have looked any better. i love the look of the entire area...so warm and inviting.

[Linderho]

What a great skirt -- cannot believe the $750 quote and no fabric either! WOW! Your bathroom is so sophisticated yet retains the vintage charm.

[Laura]

This is why I really love your blog. Great ideas that are truly accessible to any skill set and any budget with beautiful results. Dollar Tree is awesome, too!

[julie at Belle vivir]

I decided a while ago that if there is something that cannot be absent in my home? are a hot glue gun, velcro and stitch witchery. It's amazing what you can do with them. I made a whole shower curtain using stitch witchery and a hot glue gun.

P.S. I love that floor and chair.

[Anne]

Fantastic, I am inspired.

[esgabel]

Love it! Classic, simple, elegant and creative. Just remember--hand wash, iron while damp on the reverse--a little spray sizing will keep it crisp.

[Kathi]

Dollar Tree has towels like that?! For a dollar?! I'm going to have to go check that out! I would like to know if grosgrain ribbon is colorfast when washed too. I want to use some on drapes I'm making...

[Jan]

Well done!!! Another brillant project of Cheap-But-Oh-So-Chic Styling from our darling ER! Lovely! I adore black-and-white -- fresh and classic!

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

[Karen]

I have to agree w/Kathy who said that she attached her skirt from underneath, therefore avoiding spills. If it was hung from underneath it would also show off more of the sink front - which is so elegant in it's simplicity.

As always, I am in awe of your creativity. This is a prime example: what one can do with flour sacks . . . Bravo Eddie!

[The Queen Vee]

I love the fact that you didn't want to or couldn't justify the $750.00 skirt so you came up with this elegant solution. Love all the black and white and the Jasper and transferware. The fresh flowers with the touch of green, perfection. Affordable perfection and isn't that what we all want!

This posting brightened up a dreary spring day you.

[Kathysue]

Eddie I am all about black and white bathrooms. This is a great fix for something that was not up to par for Eddie. It looks so crisp and clean, I love that. It is true having a party or overnight guest is a great impetus to get those last minute projects done,I can not believe someone would charge $750, did he know you were Eddie Ross and you know better, shame on him. Love your finished look, Hugs Kathysue

[Thea]

Hi Eddie,

This post inspires me to think outside of the box and to unleash the designer in me. You should write more posts like this!

[Kaye Richardson]

No wonder we love you so! Of course, I've seen those very same flour sack cloths at the Dollar Tree near my neighborhood, but did I do something brilliant with them??? Well, not YET anyway!!!

[Jill]

Ingenious! Love it!

[Linda]

***** Eddie, darlin'~ You missed your calling as a MILITARY SPOUSE!!! "We" DID things like that, especially when arriving in foreign countires!!! There was a time, "waaaay back when", I actually (temporarily, of course!) hung a tad of fabric over a window w/ tacks and... ta- da... DENTAL FLOSS!!! (And it WORKED, but I didn't have enough left to "do right by my teeth" that night ~ I thought it was a small price to pay, tho, for a bit o' privacy for the evening!!!)~~~~~ Hugs, Linda ***

[Karin]

I do love the Dollar Tree. You never know what will inspire you there. Your sink skirt looks all of the $750 price tag it would have cost you to have someone else do it. I think your economical, chic solution is just perfefct.

[Vicki B]

Wow...your sink skirt is fabulous & looks like a million bucks!!!

[Lindsey]

Love it!!!

{ Lindsey }
www.coveiter.com

[Deana]

Eddie, Looks awesome. The Dollar Tree rocks! Deana

[Jamie Goldberg, AKBD, CAPS]

I skirted my ugly builder laundry tub on legs with a Target shower curtain, (so it would be water-tolerant and easy to clean), with the same aesthetic and storage benefits. I used the leftover material in a matching window valance. Laundry is never fun, but at least it's more fab now!

BTW, my blog post this week is on bath updates for $150 or less.

[laura @ the shore house]

How fabulous that the towel length worked out! (And...$750?! Didn't you move OUT of the city to get away from prices like that?!? lol!)

[Lynett]

Yay for the dollar tree! That looks amazing!

[Denise]

Vintage chic! Do we get to see more of this bathroom soon? I hope so.

[.amanda.]

oh goodness, I wish I saw this before I ripped mine out last summer! What a great idea!

I am now trying to decide what to do with the sink, maybe an outdoor planter? Too tacky?

[Sanity Fair]

This is SO pretty. I've always been scared of skirt sinks (lace toilet paper holders and ducks are rarely far behind) but this is just a fantastic look, and so sophisticated. I have a sink with exposed plumbing and I've just been stumped on what to do about it. I think this is the answer! P.S. Love the use of the wedgewood plate too.

[Paloma {LaDolceVita}]

This is incredible! You never fail to impress, Eddie.

[alice]

Love it!
The black grosgrain looks so sharp.

Part of the fun of having guests are the projects that get done before they arrive:)

[Sylvie]

You are so smart. Don't you love Stitch Witchery. You might appreciate my pillows-out-of-placemats project:
http://sosylvie.typepad.com/so_sylvie/2009/04/simple-pillow-project.html

Cheers! Sylvie

[The Undomesticated Wife]

Very cute! I did something very similar when I was in college and lived in the dorm. We had horrible sinks though, and I made a skirt for it. I think I used either velcro or a pressure rod. I can't remember which. Anyway, it looks great!

[Arlynn from Fleur De Licious]

This is too stinkin' perfect : ) Seriously. I LOVE this idea & am already thinking of how I might be able to use it within my own home...

At the moment I'm trying to recover from an estimate from an upholster & am really thinking hard about trying it myself. If can do curtains & duvets, why not a sofa?

Thanks again for the great inspiration!

[Angela]

love it love it! love your creativity and resourcefulness. now, if I could only learn how to use a sewing machine!! :) thanks for sharing.

[decorpad]

SHUT UP!!!!! :) Fan-freaking-tastic!

[cj]

$750!! I think prices like that inspire you to think outside the box. You got it just right. I recently made curtains for my granddaughter's room with $1 a yard material from Ikea and also trimmed her dollhouse windows using velcro. Its very 70's blonde wood chic.

[Kathy :)]

LOve it and LOVE Dollar Tree....

Kathy :)

[suzq]

One teensy, weensy quibble, if I may...

I did the same thing to an exposed wall mount in the upstairs bathroom in my house. But I affixed the fabric to the underside of the sink, not the front. That way, the fabric hung down, but drips did not catch on the top.

I don't know how washable grosgrain ribbon is. And my bathroom is used by my two young boys, who are experts at dripping.

Putting the velcro underneath allows you to remove it whenever you'd like and not have velcro exposed on the topside, too.

[Julia]

This looks fabulous. I've used fabric and velcro before to make a sink skirt, but you're SO clever to use sack cloths!

[julie - eab designs]

So charming and practical!! Love it. Thanks for the inspiration.

[Pink Wallpaper]

look at you! such a cleaver idea!

[Libba]

Isn't Stitch Witchery the best? It has joined the ranks of duct tape in my book!

[Becky]

You are hilarious. I keep my Hermes boxes under the bathroom sink too! But seriously, I love the look, and you are the Wiz of Stitch Witchery!

[Susan]

You have such incredible and sensible solutions up your sleeve! I am always amazed and inspired each time I visit! Can't WAIT to see more pictures of the farmhouse!

[Renovation Therapy]

Love it!!

I tend to favor buying yards of "curtain lining" from the remnant rack at Calico Corners for things like that, but your solution is super easy & obtainable by everyone, there are thousands (literally) of those Dollar stores across the country. Rock on!

[Margaret]

Everything you do is so chic. Amazing! Your new house is going to be stunning when you're all done with it!

[LIMOM]

I die. Amazing. Love it.

Good God man start a summer camp so I can send my kids, better yet I could work there as a counselor!!! You strike my as one of the funnest, funniest people. And the handicrafts would be amazing.

[stacilyn]

it's so cute! i do love a bargain up-grade these days - who doesn't?

[Clara]

Eddie,When is that book coming out of all your ideas and more. Can't wait to see the next project.Everyday is like a birthday when I log on and see another project you have come up with .So So Great.
Thank you.

[layersofmeaning]

Eddie!
Everything you create is wonderful!

[Miranda]

Hello, Eddie. You are a genius! This looks beautiful and I admire your creativity. I really enjoy your blog.

[tartanscot]

o.m.g. I'm totally going to do this in my bathroom. yay, a project for this weekend.

[sophia garcia]

wow! i love seeing your before and afters! great job! i love this idea because there isn't a lot of sewing involved!

[Artie]

This is a fantastic idea, Eddie! Very chic, and perfectly appointed for the style, shape, and age of the sink and your house! I love it!

[Sarah's Fab Day]

I adore skirted sinks and this one with the grograin trim is so pretty. I may have to try this with my not to cute pedestal sink.

[Phillips Phamily Mama]

I agree with you that having guests is a sure-fire way to get those lingering projects DONE! Love the sink skirt. $750 is OUTRAGEOUS!