I'm fast approaching the half-century mark, wear readers, and absolutely can't do without my 10X (unlighted) mirror. I even have a travel version to carry with me on trips. I've stayed in several high end hotels lately due to work travels, and just gotta ask - what is it with the dark bathrooms in those places? I don't need "mood lighting" in the john, fer cryin' out loud! Inevitably I look like crap when I do travel for work, because even with my trusty travel mirror, the lighting in the room is entirely inadequate for a decent makeup application.

Well.....call me a genius for asking a bathroom question on the kitchen forum. I got more responses here then BF. Who knew? HA! Some people here on the KF probably read the subject line and think, "that pupwhipped must have a screw or two loose." I may, but bigger problem is the two big glasses of Chardonnay I had on July 4th eve last night. YUM! A few kind people did respond on the BF with pics. There were pics of cabinets deeper then 11 inches, so I guess it can work. I love the look of all the ones that have been posted including alku05's and momj47's above. My room is very small, though, with a door at each end, so I wonder if my cabinet might look like the "Cab that ate Cleveland." If I could recess it a little that would help. Iglooie, can you really recess a cabinet that is not specifically designed for that purpose? Duh, could be sounding like an idiot again. And, of course, my girlfriends, most mens can't change the TP holder. My hubby is so handy and hard working, and will do most any and all things. Not that! But, pssssst, since none of you know me and never will, I'll tell you a secret. My MIL had four boys and she was an absolute clean freak. She could not deal with the "messy misses" at the toilet. She taught all her sons to "sit" and never stand for any action going on at the toilet. Get my drift? I thank her for that. Never had any misses or splashes from my hubby. Now, if only he could change the TP holder he would be perfect. Thanks to all for your kind responses. pup

Side note - Natural bar soap works best - no chemicals, no dyes and you would have to not clean your shower for weeks before seeing any build up. As for materials - I say go for whatever is beautiful to you and maintain as that material requires. You can't blanket everything under the category of "natural stone" and get the same answers. Each stone has its own characteristics and maintenance needs. I had an apartment once that had the old glue up glossy plastic walls in the shower. The landlord let me gut the bathroom ( it really needed it ) with his material approval. I managed to get thicker glue up shower walls with a tile-look pattern and molded shelves. Fancy right?? Well those flat glossy glue up panels were so much easier to clean! Live and learn.. If you understand what your stone will need and look like over time and you are ok with what you have to do, then just get it and enjoy!

In my previous 1950s home that we remodeled everything was oil rubbed bronze. I was tired of that by the time we built 7 years later and I like to think of the new house as an eclectic mix of different finishes. I spent 18 months picking out our new ones so here is my detailed list :) The entry has a copper Chandler with a central light shining down and 6 arms that can be turned on different ways. It's from the 50-60s and i found it in an "antique" store in town. The dining is a shiny pewter crystal chandler that was in our previous home (my husband had picked it out and was the only thing that wasn't ORB). Kitchen has cans and then two large shiny copper pendants over my sink and prep area. They are solid copper and were a steal from an English seller on Etsy. We did have to Dremel the hole larger so our american pendant fixtures would fit. Our mud room, or "the Owners Entrance", has a muted brass lantern with wavy glass from the Amazon Warehouse. I had to replace one of the glass pains but was still only $30 all in. Laundry, pantry and 2 walk in closets have smaller school house light fixtures. I also detest boob lights. Front room has a fan with 4 lights. I really want to replace the lighting kit on it to something with covered lights. I do not like the harsh light coming down from it. But we mainly use 3 lamps that are on a switch. The Electrician was surprised when I asked him to wire for them since he hadn't done that in 15-20 years. No can lights in there. The power bath has a brushed nickle wall light with 3 bulbs from Hudson Valley. Also picked up cheap from Amazon Warehouse. The spare room is a large and thick crystal type ceiling shade that is very sparkly also from Amazon Warehouse. Was discounted for some chips along the edge that you only see if you are on the ceiling. My Bedroom has a large central vintage brass/crystal chandelier and a second small one in the seating area. Another matching small one is in the bathroom. I bought them second hand from a private seller. Then flanking the mirror are 2 Hudson Valley shiny pewter sconces with large frosted glass shades. I like the mix of different finishes. Has more of an evolved-over-time look to me. If you haven't noticed I love the Amazon Warehouse. Kind of a pain to search but I bought quite a few things from it for our build to save money since I had plenty of time. Edit to add: my home isn't an open floor plan but a ranch. Each light is in its own room.