Bathrooms

Reply to: First use the formula for how many lumens the size of your bathroom needs. Length times width of room times 70 (or 80 if there is no window). For example a 6' by 5' bathroom needs 6x5x70= 2100 lumens. Then look at the product information on the lights you prefer to see the lumens output. That will tell you how many lights you need. For make-up and shaving, sconces flanking the mirror at about 5' high light up the face better than an over-mirror light, and halogen bulbs give off the right kind of light for make-up. Think about putting the vanity light(s) on a dimmer switch to help you apply make-up for restaurant lighting and date nights.

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Reply to: When used in conjunction with the existing central overhead light, I would give the side sconces a slight advantage. Just try to get something brighter than one 60 watt bulb (800 lumens) on each side.

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Reply to: 34"-36" is a very common vanity height for any adult. 30"-32" for kids. Adjustments should be made for height of the user. The kitchen cabinets in my vacation house are 40", the previous owners were both monster tall. My arms get tired chopping onions. But it worked for them, it's up to me to change it.

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Reply to: At my last house we did some updating including new granite counter tops and undermount sinks in all 4 bathrooms. We put a piece of 1 x 3 oak on top of the oak vanity frame and simply placed the granite on top of that. I had stained and or painted the vanities also and with the additional piece of wood painted the same color it was not noticeable. This increased the height by 3 inches and with the 1 1/2 inch granite a total of 4 1/2" higher. It really did look great and not at all noticeable unless I guess you are a paying close attention to under the counter space.

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Reply to: I take the doors and drawer fronts to car paint shop and have them done with automotive painti n whatever car color you like ( I use Acura colors often) Then you just paint the boxes it takes a few days to cure but looks awesome. I have beed doing this for years clients love it.

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Reply to: My honed 4" Carrara countertop has as straight an edge as my fabricator would do, so it's a pencil edge very gently eased. All of my corners (inside and outside) are as close to 90 degrees as they could make them. My woodworker matched the edge of my black walnut island to the marble. I like straight and simple lines. Bullnose and the drips would drive my batty. My counters are so easy to wipe off with this edge. I love them so much! No hip bumps, and no problem working for hours with my laptop at the island. I do have a couple small chips in my marble (a function of the marble) above the DW from a heavy pan on its way in. They're not noticeable and don't bother me.

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Reply to: In my neck of the woods "eased" edge is just a softening of the sharp top and bottom edges. A "pencil" edge is a 1/4" radius or the thickness of a typical pencil. However, I ask for a minimum of 3/8" radius on the vertical edges of outside corners for safety concerns...small children hitting their heads, adults hitting their hips, etc. They will still feel the hit but it shouldn't cut them.

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Reply to: I do not know if 3/4 or 2/3 of mirror is formula for deciding if 3 or 4-light fixture is the correct size. I have a 44 inch mirror. Stumped as to whether 23.5 or 31.5 fixture is the best choice. Suggestions needed.

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Reply to: If the mirror is 32, that is 3/4 the width of the vanity, which most people say is the appropriate size and then your lights are 24 inches which is 3/4 the width of the vanity, which is what I was told when I was doing my similar size guest bath.

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Reply to: I don't know the "right" answer to your question, but I can tell you that you need at least 180W of light above each mirror for enough illumination to apply makeup - and even that is a little low. My pet peeve is not enough light in a bathroom, hotels are notorious for this. I don't think one light on either side of a mirror is adequate, unless each bulb is 100W and you have 4 of them over a vanity (two mirrors, 4 lights).

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Reply to: In progress pictures! I painted the walls Chelsea Gray by Benjamin Moore and picked out the Alteo faucet by Kohler and found the new vanity light on Wayfair (both in brushed silver). I’m going to get the same style Kohler tp holder and towel rack. Now I just need to find a great oval or some funky shaped mirror....any ideas?! (I was thinking something 30-35” tall and 20-23” wide).

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