Edinburgh Undermount Open Washstand

We use oak because of its beautiful grain, its durability and its sense of heritage (we’ve written more on it here). The knots and variations in tone are all part of its character and are an aspect we love. And because the pieces we use are such a high grade, they’ll withstand the moisture in your bathroom.

The oak is brushed and stained to help bring out the appearance and feel of the grain. It’s then protected with IsoGuard®, an oil-based formula that doesn’t mask its texture and that also makes it less likely to mark if it gets splashed – it’s still advisable that you wipe it down, but you’ll have more time to do so.

Carrara marble is a naturally occurring metamorphic rock. It’s grey-white in colour, and has darker veining that makes each piece unique. It’s a beautiful material, it just requires more hands-on care than other stones. Don’t worry, this isn’t very time-consuming and we’ve included our guide to doing so.

The marble has a semi-matte, honed finish that’s an ideal complement to the slightly more rugged oak. We’ve sealed it to help protect against stains, and we recommend that this is reapplied using our stone care kit (available in-store) each year.

Edinburgh has a shallower basin than most so it doesn’t show beneath – you’ll only see the waste pipes. It’s cleverly designed to be deep enough at the back (where the taps are) for easy hand-washing. And it’s made from ceramic, which is both durable and classic.

We’ve pre-drilled the holes for the taps into the marble top – you needn’t worry about that. But we haven’t included the taps themselves so you can pick the style. The holes will fit most three-hole designs, including our Bamburgh.

If you’re using the shelves as storage space, it’s a good idea to add a basket or two so they don’t look cluttered. The bottom shelf will fit one of our medium Somerton bathroom baskets, you’ll just want to select smaller baskets or jars for the top shelf to fit around the waste pipe.

Edinburgh’s defining feature is its legs. They were inspired by classical columns, but are restrained, not fussy. They also highlight the tonal stripes and swirls in the oak’s grain. Another element that we love are the shelves, which look just like tongue and groove panelling.

The subtle nod towards nautical design in Edinburgh’s louvered doors feels completely at home in a bathroom space, and also serves to break up the weight of the oak. So you can’t see through, the slats are fixed in place at just the right angle. Inside, you’ll find our super-strong, oak zigzag shelf supports