OK, no wonder the photo looked weird. The kitchen supplier would be able to do the whole thing for you, so you don't have to try to match anything and the hole for the basin could be cut into the bench top anywhere you want it. The only problem is the plumbing, the cheapest way to relocate that is by extending any pipes and that takes internal space from your vanity. Glad you have lived with the semi-recessed sink, I've heard many others complain. Have you checked out basins though - there is a good range of sizes and shapes now. I bought an off the shelf-vanity-for my main bathroom, but it was still made up fresh for me so I had the option of the colour, bench top colour, size and style of the basin and where I wanted it for no extra charge - have you double checked on that? Check out Laminex's range online and phone them for samples - they are very happy to do this. I went back to Laminex to save money on my kitchen reno and used the Diamond Gloss Polar White. It always looks stunning and I really love it now. Have you also checked the existing vanity will come out ok without damage to the wall tiles? Also is the floor tiled under the vanity - that will present problems for you if it has not been done. Theoretically it should be, just depends on whether corners may have been cut. Good luck with it all - oh to not have to think about budgets!!

It’s very popular & quite ok as long as you seal the wood with something like a Feast Watson marine grade timber polyurethane, especially the raw edges of the cutout for your semi recessed basin (will need silicone around here as well).

We too live in a cold winter climate with our bathrooms all on the southern side and faced similar issues as you do. One smaller bathroom does not have a window so we put in a Velux skylight which provides amazing natural light through the day. This may not be to your liking, especially if you have a period home. We also use heated towel rails and under tile heating (just enough to take the chill off and stop mould) in winter. Although we have a light in the shower recess, a bonus is the large fixed shower head with inbuilt LED, which at night gives the feeling of showering under moonlight. We chose light colours and mirrored recessed cabinets to reflect as much natural light as possible.

It is looking lovely Nadia . I don’t believe that here is a right way as both are fine , but it is what suits you practically and visually . The smaller size basis give you two basins while leaving you plenty of bench space .