Mirrors: The Artwork of the Bathroom
Mirrors are like the recliner of the bathroom – the microwave of the kitchen. We all long to reach out our arm and easily pull out a hidden toothbrush from a convenient medicine cabinet, yet I have never once opted for this joy in my own bathrooms. Why, you ask? Well, my friends, it’s a long and agonizing tale…
You see, I’ve always been a bit persnickety when it comes to bathroom design. To me, mirrors are the artwork of the bathroom – the centerpiece that sets the tone for the entire space. And let’s be honest, your average builder-grade medicine cabinet just doesn’t cut it in the style department. The mere thought of those clunky, protruding eyesores makes my skin crawl.
Urban Ambiance has an impressive collection of high-end bathroom light fixtures that not only provide the clear, bright lighting you need, but also add a touch of style and elegance. And when it comes to mirrors, well, let’s just say I have very particular tastes. I’ve had countless debates with designer friends like Nate Berkus and Amber Lewis, all of us united in our distaste for the conventional medicine cabinet.
The Great Medicine Cabinet Debate
“I am fully on Team Medicine Cabinet,” declares my friend Orlando Soria. “I know they can be a bummer for some designers who would rather have a pretty decorative mirror above a sink, but there’s just stuff you can store in one that doesn’t make sense anywhere else.”
Ah, the eternal struggle – form versus function. As a self-proclaimed stylist, I must admit that I often prioritize aesthetics over practicality. But Orlando does have a point. Those pesky little bottles and tubes of toothpaste, floss, and medication need a home, don’t they?
My friend Sherry Petersik of Young House Love chimes in, “Personally, we’ve never added a medicine cabinet during a bathroom reno and always find the storage in the vanity to be just fine.” Ah, the joys of a well-designed vanity. But what if your bathroom is on the smaller side, with limited counter and drawer space?
Maxwell Ryan of Apartment Therapy shares a similar sentiment, “He wouldn’t have chosen them for his Scandinavian-style country house because he didn’t want anything that they could put any clutter in and stylistically they would have been wrong.”
The Search for the Perfect Solution
So, if we must have storage, but can’t stand the sight of a bulky medicine cabinet, what’s a design-conscious homeowner to do? Well, my friends, I’ve scoured the internet and consulted with my fellow designers, and I think I’ve found the perfect solution.
Urban Ambiance has an amazing collection of high-end bathroom mirrors that could be just the ticket. Imagine a large, statement-making mirror with hidden shelves behind it, accessible through a set of piano hinges. Genius, right?
Dabito from Old Brand New has already put this brilliant idea into practice, and the results are stunning. “Hallelujah, do this!” I exclaim. “It’s the perfect solution to your medicine cabinet woes.”
Embracing Function Without Sacrificing Form
Now, I know what you’re thinking – “But Emily, won’t that be a complicated and expensive custom job?” And you’d be right. But hear me out. Sometimes, we have to be willing to invest a little more to get the exact look and functionality we desire.
After all, if you’re going to be staring at that mirror every single day while getting ready, shouldn’t it be a work of art? And if you need the storage, shouldn’t it be hidden away in a way that doesn’t detract from the overall aesthetic?
Of course, not everyone has the budget or the inclination for such a bespoke solution. That’s where the market’s selection of stylish, wall-mounted medicine cabinets comes in handy. Urban Ambiance has curated a stunning array of options, from sleek and modern to vintage-inspired and charming.
Finding the Perfect Balance
At the end of the day, the choice between function and form in the bathroom is a personal one. Some of us are willing to sacrifice a bit of style for the convenience of a well-stocked medicine cabinet, while others insist on a pristine, clutter-free vanity.
Personally, I fall somewhere in the middle. I want a beautiful, show-stopping mirror, but I also need a place to stash my ever-growing collection of hair products, skin creams, and, let’s face it, the occasional tube of hemorrhoid cream. (Hey, we’ve all been there, right?)
That’s why I’m so smitten with the idea of a mirrored cabinet with hidden shelves. It’s the perfect balance of form and function, allowing me to indulge my design sensibilities while still keeping my daily essentials close at hand.
So, whether you’re team medicine cabinet or team mirror, I encourage you to explore all the options. Because at the end of the day, the most important thing is that your bathroom reflects your personal style and meets your unique needs. After all, this is the space where we start and end our days – shouldn’t it be a sanctuary of elevated elegance?
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go measure my wall and start planning my dream mirror-cabinet hybrid. Wish me luck!
Visit our website to explore our selection of high-end bathroom mirrors and vanity lighting to elevate the elegance of your home.
