I built this vanity and almost quit.
When I first said I wanted to build the bathroom vanity myself, I got a lot of raised eyebrows. My husband—an engineer—gently suggested I rethink it. Even our contractor chimed in with, “You sure about that?” And to be honest, I wasn’t sure. But I’ve learned that bravery isn’t about being confident—it’s about showing up anyway.
Hi, I’m Esterina. I make soft-spoken videos about woodworking, DIY, and slow living. And this is the story of how I built my very first bathroom vanity… twice.
The vanity I built.
The Learning Curve of Build 1.0
Like most of my projects, this one started with YouTube and big dreams. I spent hours researching cabinet construction, sketching designs, and testing out 3D modeling software before landing on the free “Make By Me” platform. I even dragged my neighbor to the lumber yard so we could split a U-Haul full of plywood.
But here’s what nobody tells you: even when you think you’re prepared, the first time you try something new is going to be messy. I made crooked cuts. I misunderstood my guides. I put pocket holes in the wrong places. And after hours of work, I stepped back and realized the pantry cabinets I built alongside the vanity looked like they came from two different people.
I felt crushed. I was tired. I was hot. I almost quit. But then I remembered what my daughter said when I told her others didn’t think I could do it: “I know you can do it. You have to at least try.”
So I kept going.
Build 2.0: Smarter, Not Harder
I went back to the drawing board. Literally.
I trimmed off factory edges, made repeatable cuts under 24" all at once, and invested in the Kreg Adaptive Cutting System so I could work more precisely. I made sure every forward-facing piece lay flat for assembly and learned that even a 1-inch mistake on drawer spacing can teach you more than any tutorial ever could.
I figured out how to fit everything together with micro-adjustable legs, figured out my own kerf-cutting system using setup blocks, and finally got those drawers into the carcass—after breaking three drill bits and having the power go out.
And you know what? I started to enjoy it. Even the hard parts. Especially the hard parts.
The Final Details—and That Heart-Stopping Moment
Once the vanity was assembled, I added white oak face frames and matching drawer fronts using veneered plywood left over from our kitchen remodel. I edge banded each one by hand (thanks to Natalie at Park Place Abode for the steaming tip!), rounded over the edges with a 1/16" bit for that buttery-smooth feel, and chose DuraSeal stain to match our white oak beams.
I made a lot of intentional decisions: a single large center door instead of two, filler pieces to allow scribing, and delicate overhangs that my husband didn’t like—but I did.
And then came installation day. I was anxious. The night before, I had intrusive thoughts and a 2am panic attack. But the cabinets slid in perfectly. The side panels hugged the walls just right. The only thing left was the countertop cutout—and when I saw the installer bring the grinder to the vanity I built by hand, I thought my heart might stop.
But it was perfect. The sink fit. Nothing split. And I exhaled.
More Than a Vanity
When it was finally installed, my five-year-old daughter proudly FaceTimed her grandmothers to give them a tour. “My mom MADE this,” she said. “She built this whole thing. And look how perfect it is for all my stuff.”
That moment? Worth every mistake. Every do-over. Every 2am panic spiral.
This wasn’t just a vanity. It was a lesson in bravery, perseverance, and what it means to keep going even when something feels impossibly hard. It was a love letter to my daughter. And it was proof that you don’t have to get everything right to build something beautiful.
Would I do it again? Honestly… maybe. But not until after a long nap.
Thanks for being here—and as always, do something brave.
Want to see the video build? Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT-dAFJth10
