I had my wiring for outlets, sconces, over head fan and ceiling fixtures all done before mirror, fixtures, vanity and cabinetry were added. I have a small oval tilting mirror that is only 24 wide over my vanity it was dirt cheap from lowes and they had rectangles too. Under 100 dollars. Your contractor should be able to drill with a new and properly sized drill bit to tile without issue and if it cracks the tile can be easily replaces. I know cause glass door guys broke a tile on their last hinge using a dull unchanged bit and my tiler fixed it is less than an hour. I can not attest to its quality but I love my cheap I mirrors function. This is similar to mine might be too short at 24 I think. https://www.atgstores.com/bathroom-mirrors/gatco-elevate-small-rectangle-mirror_12643290.html&ppc=2615&af=2615&cm_mmc=sce_google&s_kwcid=AL!4500!3!112410639507!!!g!189703215387!?gclid=CIyj4OfV0M4CFUMkhgodpYQGxw&ef_id=V2mUpwAABYlpJA92:20160820185548:s

When I have seen lighting mounted in front of a large wall mirror, it has always been side sconces. I think that they look really nice done this way. We are discussing this very thing over on a different thread. Here is a [Link to that discussion.[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/best-master-bath-lighting-dsvw-vd~5177252) A quote from that thread on exactly what you are asking: "bossyvossy Who knew. The American Lighting Assn offers some guidelines. They are not written in stone but are useful and will be a starting point for me. For ex., sconces s/b mounted at eye level and s/b 26-30” apart for optimal illumination. above mirror light s/b about 80” from the floor. Recessed lighting does cast a shadow and s/b combined w/additional lights for optimal illumination. dimmers!!!" So, hop on over there and enjoy the discussion. There is a search bar at the top of the Bathroom Forum that will allow you to find out pretty much any time we have discussed Sconces or Lighting in the past 15 years or so.

HI everyone!! Sorry I haven't responded. I don't get Houzz alerts on my phone and didn't see all of these messages. First of all, thank you all so much for taking your time to respond. Can I just say how amazing the Houzz community is?? In response to some of the questions: My father is 70. He very recently had a major brain surgery so my mother wants to update the bathroom to just make it a little nicer for him. Unfortunately, our budget only allows for a new vanity, mirror, and lights. So far he hasn't said anything about the toilet being too low. I think that's ok to stay for now. He likes lots of drawers so I like the idea of putting more shelving above the sink! We just can't figure out the "style" of the bathroom is so that we could get a matching sink. We just don't know what to google. Love the vanity pictures you guys have sent - I'm forwarding them to my mother right now

Yea to your remodel! And, yes, mirrors are never out of date. The key is installation particularly transitions from mirror to adjacent surfaces. As to what height to end the tile, a good 9-11" (44"-35") above the vanity is about right in my opinion. The biggest problem with mirrors is the splashing of water from working at your sink so the 10" "backsplash" is appropriate - don't want to have to constantly clean those mirrors.