I realized that I have collected waaaaay too much shaving paraphernalia when I now have at least two surplus boxes of 'stuff' in the closet and counter so crowded with even more bottles, razors, brush stands, etc, etc. that I am seriously encroaching upon my wife's side of our shared vanity. My understanding wife suggested something that I hadn't yet considered. She said that, for my upcoming birthday, she would purchase for me a new larger medicine cabinet to be used solely for my shaving gear. This would accomplish three things. 1) I can now reclaim my vanity countertop for only the stuff in use. 2) she doesn't worry about me taking over the vanity, and 3) domestic harmony is once again maintained. So after several trips to various DIY stores and plumbing outlets, we came across an adequately-sized cabinet; recessed, mirrored on the exterior and interior. Clean, modern, roomy, and most importantly, she likes the look of it. Since our master bathroom is on the smaller size, I have limited real estate in which to work. I do have a wall that can accommodate a 25"x25"(635x635mm) cabinet. I chose a model that can be flush-mounted into the wall (space-saver!). The mirrored interior is a nice touch and will really brighten up the rear wall (reflective light) upon which it will be mounted. The interior is quite roomy and should be able to hold a good quantity of soaps, lotions, blades, etc. So my unforeseen project for this weekend is to get this bad boy in place. I have some drywall and wood to cut. I'll post some pics of the progress andy hopefully, a successful outcome!
Looks good. The only drawback to having a mirror in the back is you think you have twice as much stuff as you really do.
"VERY" nice and a "BIG Thank You" to your wife for being so understanding with your new obsession,uhhh sickness, uhh I mean hobby, thats it hobby.....
A trip this morning to the local Home Depot for some paint, 2x4s, drywall patch, and a few other odds & ends. Started making some drywall dust yesterday (big hole in my wall), and realized I have some Romex™ to re-route. Makes the job a bit more complicated, but that's half the fun.
Okay some photos of today's recreational activity…. First, a cutout opening is made in the wall to the dimensions of the cabinet. Fortunately there is blocking between the vertical studs and since it is level, I can use it for the base framing. I'll need to remove the section of the stud within the cutout window. The romex I'll deal with soon enough... With the stud section removed, I can begin to frame it out. I've temporarily taped the romex down to avoid hitting hit with a saw. I decided to pull the wiring back through the top plate (in the attic), and re-route it down the other side of the stud (which makes up the right frame of the opening). A real pain in the neck—especially on a hot day—but they had to be moved for the space to accommodate the depth of the cabinet. Cabinet in place! My first impression is the mirrored surface really brightens up this corner of the bathroom. This is mid-afternoon sunshine beaming in the window and it just reflects beautifully in the room. The cabinet sits flush-mounted on the wall (out about an inch or so from the wall). Open for business! The cabinet holds quite a bit of stuff—and the mirrored interior really exaggerates that impression. This shot is taken with a flash. No flash—just the natural sunlight and the room incandescent lighting. So I'm still sorting through my collection of shaving stuff and debating whether to keep all my straights in the cabinet on stands; or let them remain in there drawer. Decisions, decisions… The next phase is to install a 8" extending mirror near the sink. Hopefully I can finish that before Tuesday (my back-to-work day). I plan on installing it just left of the central mirror in this photo taken from the doorway. The new cabinet I recently installed is on the wall immediately to the viewer's right. ALSO now the counter is as DECLUTTERED as it was when this photo was taken some time ago….my wife is happy….
...and this is why I like simplicity! One soap, one brush, one razor. But that's just me. Seriously though, nice job on the remodel Kevin. And enjoy your new-found space!
Finishing Touches: Thanks to the great idea of an extending mirror (Thx, Badger-Face & Lady Badger!), I finally installed one tonight. The biggest advantage for me is to NOT have to lean over the sink anymore (spare my aching back!) as the mirror extends out nearly 21". Good sized mirror (8-inch), with two sides; the second side has 7x magnification—Scary! Because all the appointments in our bathroom are bronze-finished, I was compelled to lightly sand, prime and 'bronze' the shiny nickel finish. It is also adjustable enough so my wife (5'7") can use it and I can still slide it up so it remains comfortable for my height (6'4"). Another win-win!
Wow very nice. Really like your vanity. Wish are bathroom was big enough for something like that. I hate our pedestal sink.
Thanks, although my wife is the decorator/designer—I'm just the installation guy… un boudoir pour le rasage, mon ami! You have no idea what a tight squeeze it was to get that HEAVY vanity into this petite little master bath! I gutted the entire room down to exposed plumbing and electrical, redid the sub flooring, moved the toilet line, built a false wall to accommodate new plumbing line—and ceramic tiled the shower & floor. A complete DIY remodel that took…over 5 years. Yes, my wife is a saint.
