I'm hoping to do my own master bath renovation soon, and am also looking at sconces. I'm going to put a simple, contemporary, streamlined soffit above with good downlighting (something that just visually 'disappears'), and then put the sconces adjacent to the mirrors as you described. These will be switched separately from the overhead lighting. It adds some cost, but lets you have the soft glow of the sconces and maybe a beautiful fixture over the tub when you want mainly ambiance, but gives great lighting from above and for makeup when you need it. The deal with sconces is they aren't really meant to give high levels of light and just don't look good if they do, but the supplemental side lighting is great. Do a google image search for Candice Olson's bathroom designs - I think she does a great job of this (though she tends to use recessed cans at the ceiling)...you can purchase her sconces as well if you happen to like them. Have fun with this. I know I'm going to when we finally get started! Here is a link that might be useful: my design blog

Hi, I would suggest having the top of the sconces just above eye level. This will create a nice illumination on those high walls. Here is a link that might be useful: Lake Lighting

I generally put them at about 6 foot. It can depend, though, on the style of sconce and how the light will broadcast onto what you are lighting.

thank you cawaps, All of my mockups with the single sconce looked a little dinky. It didn't occur to me to do something linear at all. I like those lights you chose. what do you think of this type of adjustable light? i thought perhaps it might be functional in a vanity area. my daughter is still young , so it would be a while before she needs something for makeup though. but do you think it would it go?