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Home Decorating

Additional advice needed re: lighting above medicine cabinets

15 years ago

As you may remember from my last post (mirror vs medicine cabinets above sinks) I took the plunge and ordered the recessed cartwright medicine cabinets to go with the cartwright double sink vanity that I have. Now I'm trying to decide which lighting option would look best since I can't use side sconces due to a wall that butts up along one side of the vanity. Once the medicine cabinets are recessed there is about a 3 1/2" depth from the wall to the medicine cabinet surface. Our walls are 10 feet in height so there is plenty of vertical distance above the medicine cabinets. We also have wiring installed for a ceiling mount fixture in the center of the room and a recessed light in the shower stall so there is ample additional lighting.

I'm now also reconsidering having ordered the cartwright medicine cabinet and wondering if I should go with something more like the stainless steel framed inset medicine cabinet since it is only 21 1/4" in width and 1 1/4 depth after installation. This would give me more space from either above or on the sides (possibly, there are only about 5" from the wall to the edge of the facuet) to install lighting although I don't think it would look as nice as the Cartwright medicine cabinet ( our house is an 1890 brownstone with hardwood floors in the bathroom and a clawfoot tub).

I'm sorry for being so indecisive, but I'm just having a really difficult time trying to figure out what lighting and medicine cabinet option will look the best with the space that we have to work with.

Thank you for your time and patience!

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Comments (3)

natal
15 years ago
Were you considering the large or small Cartwright? If it's any help, the actual width of the main body (door/mirror) on the small is only 17". I have one in my second bath. It's the top and bottom frame that increase the width.

I don't care for lighting over a mirror and if it were me I'd be pushing for side mounted lights.
doingygirl
Original Author
15 years ago
Natal-It's the large Cartwright we are considering. Thanks for the additional info. re: the width. That may or may not help. In my last post I included a pic. that shows my main dilema which is a wall the butts right up against one side of the vanity. I will also try a mock up but I was just wanting to weigh my options since I don't have much faith in being able to use the side sconces.
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If the sink is that close to the toilet (presuming the main DWV stack is right behind the toilet) then you might not have any issues at all. If you did have to reroute a sink vent, yes, it's pretty easy. Depending on your circumstances, it's likely that any existing vent for just the sink will be a 1-1/4" or 1-1/2" pipe, so any required rerouting would require an appropriate sized hole. Not sure what code applies in your area, but if you're interested, drilling and notching requirements can be found in R602.1, nail plates may be needed too.
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Thanks Skilz— I hadn’t thought of any of that- The current medicine cabinets insets have a 15 1/2” box width. The mirror width on these new ones is 22 1/2”, so I think even that white inset is larger than what would fit between studs. It looks from photo like 18”. The wall is non load bearing, and on second story with non floored attic above. There is currently a sconce above the mirror but that will change to side sconces. I think that wiring will drop down from the attic like the closet light in the next room over but i don’t know. There is no plumbing in that part of the wall. So it sounds like I will need framing for the medicine cabinet that is an inset, so is it possible to Recess the brown cabinet that was meant to be wall mount? Thank you in advance!
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So many options! Love the white and grey. What kind of hardware on your cabinets are you thinking? That could determine the color finish of your lighting, but here's a few samples For a silver finish pendant: https://www.woodenchandeliersplus.com/Silver-Finish-Non-Wooden-Chandelier-Pendant-p/hearst-hes-001.htm or https://www.woodenchandeliersplus.com/Denmark-Collection-Polished-Nickel-Finish-Pendant-p/1717-1512d12pn.htm or https://www.woodenchandeliersplus.com/Polished-Nickel-Wooden-Chandelier-Pendant-Modern-p/b00orkmqvka.htm For Gold finish pendant https://www.woodenchandeliersplus.com/Antiqued-Golden-Finish-Non-Wooden-Chandelier-Penda-p/bach-hcb-002.htm or https://www.woodenchandeliersplus.com/Golden-Finish-Non-Wooden-Chandelier-Pendant-p/hilton-hit-001.htm Another silver chandelier for a dining room option: https://www.woodenchandeliersplus.com/Chandelier-In-Polished-Nickel-Traditional-Contemp-p/1624-10123-6.htm A mix of silver and gold pendant: https://www.woodenchandeliersplus.com/Non-Wooden-Chandelier-Modern-Pendant-Silver-Gold-p/blair-bai-001.htm https://www.woodenchandeliersplus.com/Driftwood-Nautical-Industrial-Wooden-Chandelier-p/b01h5kyzm6a.htm https://www.woodenchandeliersplus.com/Retro-Art-Deco-Rustic-Wooden-Chandelier-p/b077xc2s9b.htm I envy you, so many choices. Have fun and good luck with whatever you choose. Looks like you thinking more modern, transitional? Is that Quartz with a waterfall edge? Beautiful and practical. Love it!
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natal
15 years ago
If you opted for the small Cartwright instead how much more room would that give you on that particular side?

To help with the visual perception here's a shot of my bathroom. The sink is 27" wide and that's the small Cartwright medicine cabinet.

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