Seeking advice on a pedestal sink "trim board" idea

[Sam Leon]

I would appreciate some input on an old 60s bathroom.  It is a rental apartment and I am reworking some plumbing behind the walls.

This is a picture of the bathroom.  As you can see ugly teal 4" ceramic wall tiles, white 16"X16" floor tiles,  white toilet, pedestal sink and cast iron tub.

I have pulled the sink off the wall in order to do some plumbing and electrical repairs.  In the process I had to cut a pretty big hole on the tiled wall to gain access to the wall cavity.  Also, you can see on the tiles above the big hole, there are many drilled holes from various pedestal sink installed and changed out over the years.

My original plan was to just patch the hole with moisture resistant sheetrock, then install a new sink cabinet in front of the hole, and no one will ever see the patch.  However, for a few other reasons that would take too long to explain, I MUST use a pedestal sink.

Replacing the tiles is impossible.  There is no matching tiles to be found.

So now I am toying with the idea of cutting and finishing a piece of 3/4" THICK wood, 23" WIDE by 33" HEIGHT covering that area from the floor to above the sink, completely covering that hole as well as all drilled holes.  Then the pedestal sink would be installed on top of it.  Basically, the sink would have a headboard.

Part of the reason I am doing this is this board would be acting like an access panel cover as well.

Any suggestion as to what would look the best?

Should I stain the piece of wood to some contrasting color?

Should I paint it white instead?

Is there a way I can paint it white and extremely smooth it looks like porcelain so it looks like part of the pedestal sink?

Should I consider other materials?

I welcome any thoughts and suggestions you might have.

[Sam Leon]

Just wanted to provide an update on what I end up doing on this old thread.

A recap of the issues, DOZENS of drilled holes from various sinks over the years, rotted out backing board and sole plate from termite damages, plumbing reconfiguration, electrical wiring etc...required me to cut a hole on the hole through this 2.5" thick tile/concrete lath layer.  So this was my starting point.

Initially I planned on getting a vanity to conceal this, then I changed my mind back to a pedestal sink.

Anyways, the backing board was completely destroyed by termites, and I was able the left over wood bits by hand.

New backing board had to be fitted between the existing studs and slowly tapped into place through the hole and up.  Then secured with long screws.

After all the plumbing reconfigurations, electrical wire fishing, and framing repair, this is what I end up with.

Next, I bought from a tile store two pieces of 11.5"WX33"H white porcelain tiles.  I measured and drilled the holes for the drain and supply lines, and secured the tiles to the wood framing behind with two screws.  These tiles are hard to cut, had to use diamond hole saw bits.

I happen to have ten left over glass tiles from another job, and they fit right between the top of the tiles and the bottom of soap dishes, the color kind of fit so I said, why not...

Then I installed the new sink, and this is what I end up with.

The edges are caulked, so if I ever need to get to that hole again it's very easy to move the tiles out of the way.  All the screw holes are covered up.  Turned out OK.