Make it

Ashaving cabinet is a standard feature of most bathrooms, but it’s usually designed more for practicality than style. A timber frame can make it a design hero, adding charm and functionality in the shape of an extra display shelf.

It’s made by cutting two timber panels into pieces that fit snugly around the cabinet, then sealing with a good moisture-resistant varnish. We’ve used a two-door, 600mm-wide cabinet, but you could adapt the measurements to suit the size of yours. }

Cabinet hack

Before

Wood works

Upgrade a standard bathroom shaving cabinet to a scene-stealing centrepiece, with a simple timber frame

TOOLS & MATERIALS Safety equipment (mask and eye and ear protection) Tape measure and pen Combination square Circular saw with straightedge Mitre saw Drill with 8G combination countersinking bit, driver bit and 2mm drill bit Mohair mini roller with tray Small flat screwdriver 1800mm x 405mm x 18mm timber panel•  1200mm x 405mm x 18mm timber panel•  Shaving cabinet (ours is 600mm wide, 620mm high and 160mm deep) 120- and 180-grit abrasive paper with sanding block Timber adhesive 40mm countersunk timber screws Timber filler with scraper Cloth Clear satin varnish Six 75mm mending plates 15mm stitching screws

Your DIY toolkit

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1 Zenith 75mm zinc plated mending plates, $3.29/pack of 4, I/N: 2765957. 2 Timbermate hardwood wood filler, $9.75/250g, I/N: 1563594. 3 Uni-Pro ‘The Little Ripper’ 100mm mohair 4mm nap semi-gloss and satin mini roller set, $5.48, I/N: 1661211. 4 Bondall ‘Monocel Gold’ marine satin clear timber varnish, $34.90/1L, I/N: 1521655. 5 Flexovit 280mm x 230mm 180- grit furniture sanding sheet, $0.75, I/N: 1210462. 6 Uni-Pro cork sanding block, $3.74, I/N: 1670153. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered. 1To cut the pieces the same depth as our cabinet, use a combination square to mark 160mm lengthways from both edges of the 1800mm panel and one edge of the 1200mm panel. Cut with a circular saw and straightedge. From the 1800mm pieces, cut two 820mm side pieces, plus a 605mm top and shelf. From the 1200mm piece, cut a 605mm shelf back. Tip: For a snug fit, a 5mm allowance is added to the top, shelf and shelf back, 4mm is added to the sides.

Top Side Side

Shelf back

Shelf

4Position offcuts under the timber to protect the work surface, then use an 8G combination countersinking bit to drill holes into the marks on the side pieces and shelf. Remove breakout by sanding over the holes with 120-grit abrasive paper.

7Smooth over the frame using 180-grit abrasive paper with a sanding block and wipe away dust with a damp cloth. Use a mini roller to apply two coats of varnish, leaving to dry between each. Tip: Use a good-quality varnish to protect the timber from steam and moisture in the bathroom. 2With the factory edges facing up and the best face outwards, dry-fit the top against the cabinet, the shelf back and the shelf. Butt the sides flush against them, then label and mark the inside of each piece.

3Working on the best faces, on the side pieces, use a combination square to mark holes 9mm from the ends and 35mm from the sides. Along the underside of the shelf, mark four evenly spaced holes, 9mm from the back edge. EXPERT TIP

For a neat finish make the cuts lengthways along the factory edges, the same width as the depth of your cabinet, so that the leftover offcuts are from the middle of the panels

5Apply adhesive along the base of the shelf back, then position it against the shelf, securing through the holes with 40mm screws. Apply adhesive to the ends of the shelf assembly, then position and secure the side pieces. Apply adhesive to the ends of the top, securing it between the sides.

8Position the cabinet face down. On the outside, use a flat screwdriver to remove any caps covering the screws. Position the frame and attach mending plates at the corners and over the shelf back, drilling pilot holes into the frame and cabinet with a 2mm bit, securing with 15mm stitching screws. ◆ 6Use a scraper to smooth timber filler over the screw heads, leaving to dry. Use 120-grit abrasive paper with a sanding block to round over the inside edges of the frame to ensure smooth opening of the cabinet doors.

SAFETY TIP

The extra timber makes the cabinet heavy, so weigh the completed project and choose fixings suitable for this weight and your wall type. Enlist a second pair of hands to mount it

Living Elements 750mm x 500mm x 26mm black framed oblong mirror, $99, I/N: 0225479

Face time

They’re a bathroom must-have, but Living Elements mirrors are also designed to make a style statement that’s fit for the wet!

The right mirror is just what you need to give your bathroom the perfect finishing touch – and whether you want something subtle and streamlined or an eye-catching element that lifts your entire design, Living Elements has the look you’re lusting for, in a mirror that can handle the wet.

SPLASH PROOF

While good looks are important, it’s essential to use a mirror that’s designed to withstand the steamy, splashy climate of a bathroom. Living Elements mirrors are created with a quality moisture-resistant timber backing – plus they will sit stylishly anywhere in the home and their robust construction means that when the styling muse strikes, they can sashay between wet and dry spaces without any drama.

QUIET REFLECTION

A mirror can be the design hero of a space or it can be more discreet – the supporting actor who carries

Living Elements 750mm x 450mm x 5mm flat edge the production. Often mirror, $29, I/N: 0225475 the latter is what’s needed in the bathroom: a large, functional flat edge mirror that could serve to reflect other, more impactful design features. Living Elements flat edge mirrors are the ideal choice here, their quiet good looks allowing other elements to shine. Beyond the bathroom, the 1200mm x 450mm mirror is the perfect size to hang on the back of the bedroom or wardrobe door, or wherever you need to check the full impact of an outfit from head to toe.

ROUND HOUSE

Flat edge mirrors might be the traditional choice and a highly practical one, but framed statement mirrors are having a major style moment. A Living Elements black-framed mirror with on-trend curves contrasts beautifully with the sharper angles of a vanity or tiles. Alternatively, opt for a rectangular mirror with rounded corners, for an eye-catching riff on the curved trend.

Living Elements 900mm x 600mm x 23mm black framed rounded corner mirror, $129, I/N: 0225481

1 Living Elements 1200mm x 450mm x 5mm flat edge mirror, $39, I/N: 0225476. 2 Living Elements 800mm x 450mm x 5mm polished edge oblong mirror, $39, I/N: 0225483.