Megan, could you hellp us out, please? Thanks!

Hi Megan, I voted for the backplate sconce. Between the two choices, it's a no-brainer for me. :)

As style, I would go with the second option since it would go better with what I see in the room. However, like others mentioned, it is too small and the placement seems too high. Maybe the photo makes it look that high..not sure. If the placements are that high, then you should look at some sconces that are long and come down enough to balance a bit.

I would find the mirror first and place sconce at sides, not above.

something long like this maybe?

Who knows? I can't tell without measurements, or a point of reference, like the mirror in position, on the wall.

I can't "vote" in support of either of these lighting fixtures. They are both nice but neither are large enough for this location. IMHO, neither will supply enough light to be useful.

We just installed the second fixture in a master bathroom, we used three fixtures for two mirrors. They supply plenty of light and are plenty big enough. The location needs to be verified so that they are at face height (about 5'3" to center of fixture seems to work best)...beyond that ...it is your call.

I have used the sconces that printesa suggested for clients a couple of times before.They are inexpensive and efficient. The junction box for sconces to left and right of the mirror is usually 5'6" high, no higher than 68", as Joanne suggested.

The location of the two junction boxes appears to be higher than the recommended height in the provided photo, which is the reason I asked the homeowner for measurements of the size of that wall and of the featured vanity. Without a reference point, or measurements, it is impossible to know how particular lighting fixtures will look, or function, in another setting.

Helga, the glass on these fixtures is frosted. Frosted glass is never as efficient as clear glass. If efficiency is really important, clear glass may be a better choice.

Silverscreenstar, you don't want clear glass, because then you have the bulbs (we call them lamps) shine directly into you eyes. There should also be a can light behind you in the ceiling, with a PAR lamp in it, I.e. behind the person who stands in front of the sink. (There is one, I just saw).

In both Canada and the US, most bulbs, or lamps, as you call them, are usually frosted. Don't know what a PAR lamp is. We don't use that term here, either. Where are you located?

silverscreenstar, PAR lamps are Parabolic Aluminized Reflector Lamps. See this link. I use these always when I am using can lights, because they give a much better and more beautiful light than ordinary floods. I use 75w for most can lights up to 10' ceilings, and 50w in line voltage tracks at 8' ceilings. If I am lighting art, of course, I use MR16 low voltage lamps.

Hello everyone!! I'm back with more pictures and measurements. Thank you for all of the input, I wish I would have asked sooner! The room is 8.5X8.5 with 9' ceiling, and originally roughed for a double vanity w/built in medicine cabinets...then I decided against the two sinks so we changed the vanity dimensions to 54" but not the lighting. I never noticed they were set too high, till I began looking for the right fixtures (hence the elongated/hanging lights). Now that we will be moving them down to 66"-68" my options are greater.

Now, my concern is what is the amount of light that each sconce should provide???? Watts?? I'm a frosted glass person, my husband says no "lamp shade" look. I also love this Deco sconce.

Thank you again for your help!!!!!

I would stick with the chrome and not introduce a black deco inspired fixture unless you were going all the way. Lights over the vanity are for room light not face light. I have found low voltage pendants at the vanity are nice for face lighting, but not a primary light source. Hopefully the room has another light source in the center? Lots of nice tile. The sconces could work if they flanked the mirror on two sides, especially with a smaller vanity, or cut through the mirror, go big on the mirror. Helps with the bling you like. I have found for some good lighting, the bulb needs to be close to 60" at 45 degree angle to face. Or if you really want to put on make up, add a plug in fluorescent vanity light that you can stow away after use.

I would NOT use black anywhere in this bathroom. The metal trim on the lights should match the color of the plumbing fixtures, (faucet, handles, etc.). Buy the plumbing fixtures first, then the lighting, not the other way around! Hope that is helpful.

Megan! Welcome back! Hard to give advice, without feedback!

Has anyone mentioned how high that backsplash is, and along with the chair rail trim, how are you even hanging a mirror there? Sorry just noticed. Makes it very difficult. Are you both really tall?

There will be a semi flush mount on the ceiling for more room light. The black deco fixture also comes in a white porcelain which I would prefer. We are "taller" people, but I think the mirror and other decor will work fine with the high tile and chair rail. The counter top is Cambria in "whitney" (has a lot of sparkle, but pictures do it no justice).

I guess I forgot to attach the link to the PAR lamp. There you have pictures. http://www.contractorlighting.com/par-halogen-lamps-c-148_153.html?osCsid=e1b0a1c896164a508b82b065b70879c3&gclid=CLKrr8ruzLYCFQE6QgodZWIAxQ

Thanks! I Now know what these bulbs are properly called. I have been buying them for several years, without knowing! Thanks for educating me!

I was also wondering about the chair rail trim but didn't want to raise the issue. Another potential bubble-buster for Megan. :-( I can't see a mirror lying flat on the wall because of it, but I don't like to be the one who is always bursting someone's bubble. Sorry, Megan.

On a more positive note, I like "Whitney" for this bathroom, a lot. I have four Cambria countertops in my home, all different, and I love the product. Their installers are fabulous, too. Great choice! I would however, think about changing the paint color from the icy aqua, to a mid, or darker, gray. Would bring out the bling in the quartz, and the gleem of the stainless steel plumbling fixtures (my preference, over chrome). A little more expensive, but last longer, than chrome.

We didn't think to buy the mirror before setting the tile...but I was able to find some fun inspirations to ease the tile "oops" Thanks for the color tip silverscreenstar I will be repainting and thankfully paint is interchangeable :)

We all learn something every day!

Thanks, Helga!

Megan, the mirrors in the left photo are very ornate. IMHO, they don't really fit in with your vanity or flooring. In the right photo, I like the large oval one, in the centre. I would consider using two of these, with three wall lights, one between them, and one on either side. Make sure the frames are silver, rather than in gold tones, to match your lighting and plumbing fixtures. I hope that is helpful. Silver would be the better choice for your Whitney quartz, too!

Silverscreenstar, Forgive me for contradicting you, but there is no space for two mirrors. That cabinet looks no longer than 4'6". Even if its 5', it won't work. - The oval mirror looks good to me too.

I will post more pictures as the remodel progresses, the cabinet is not set and there is hardware and the middle door to attach once the sink and countertop arrive. I am an indecisive eclectic type so finding the right mirror may take awhile but I really appreciate all of the advice, and tips and designer secrets. I am ordering the sconces tonight (maybe) so check back to see the winner! ;)

Oops! You are absolutely correct, Helga. I stand corrected. My mistake.

LOL@Megan. I can hardly wait to see the winner :-)

why not do the sconces but also do a ceiling fixture. In theory the sconces will help for the whole shadows with makeup issue but the overhead will be good for the general lighting. And the sconces are about at head height if I understand the theory correctly. Interested in the thoughts on this as I'm doing the same in my bath!!

How long is your vanity?

mine? mine is 60" with a center sink. Designed for two little girls the mirror is a butterfly mirror from pottery barn kids with the wings to the left and right of the sink and an oval mirror over the sink itself. I'm hanging pendants (no room for wall sconces) but intended to hang at more of an adult head level (they won't care about makeup til then if I have something to say about it) and an over head light. the bath is long an narrow so I thought a celing fixture would be more for "going to the bath" and the pendants (hanging about where a sconce would be) would be more "task" lighting.

oh - @Megan... and on the mirror - I have seen a bunch of inspirational pics where the mirror is one of those with "knobs" in the center on the left and right to allow them to be in front of tile trim! Those would look great. If you don't know what I mean, let me know and I'll hunt down a pic for you. I had the same question for mine.
@ silferscreenstar: I'm assuming you were actually directing the question at the original poster Megan, and I think someone said way up above how large it was but I'm assuming from the pic that it is much less than 60". Megan?

36'X54" vanity, slightly wider when the countertop is set. Ive seen the pivoting/tilting mirrors, they are lovely! and definitely on the design board.

I think you mean a tilting mirror michee? I was going to suggest that. It's ability to tilt will overcome the difference of depth behind it. There are many and it can be without hinges showing or can have many choices of hinges to match the accessories of the bathroom.

michee, sconces on a bathroom mirror wall are usually put at 5'6" height (the junction box is).

Would you use the same rule for pendants?

Sorry, michee! I have to work at times. - pendants where, depends where you are hanging them.

I live the second one, gives a classic look.

60" cab with center sink. Butterfly wing then oval then butterfly wing mirror. Pendants (4) to left and right and between mirrors. Not in front of mirrors.

Michee627:
Think 60 inch vanity may be too short for 4 pendant lights. Would feel more comfortable about that choice if you had said the vanity was 7 feet long, or even longer.

michee, you cannot hang 3 mirrors over that cabinet. It's too short. It's also too short for two mirrors and three sconces. You have only two choices: get a LARGE ROUND mirror (to maximize mirror space) and two sconces, or a large rectangular mirror and two sconces. If you get a really large, rectangular one (nicely framed, mind you) then you could hang 2 pendants in front of the outer edges of the mirror. Yes, the pendants should also be hanging at 5'6".

so it isn't really three mirrors... in the way you are thinking. The 60" vanity in the bathroom is for my kids. The sink is in the center. I'm going to put a narrow oval mirror (~20"w) between the wings (which are a total of 32"W) in the pic and over the sink. the wings will be to the left and right so that as they get older (much) they can do their hair and makeup or whatever to the sides of the sink instead of running into each other... hence the pendant issue. I don't want the girls to have only half their faces lit and I thought it might be weird to hang one in front of the center mirror.... With the way I have the mirror, sconces aren't really an option.

Michee, that is really a lovely idea, however I think the wings should be saved for the bedroom over a dresser. The wings would be very difficult to use for applying makeup as they are distracting and will distort the face. The girls need the widest mirror you can do here as they will need it as they get older. To apply makeup or see the face evenly, light needs to come from each side equally. In this case perhaps a full width mirror with two sconces installed on the mirror itself will serve best. Find the prettiest sconces you can, frame the mirror out and save the wings for their room. It'll save you from teenage angst in the long run!

Yes, it is a lovely idea, but I do agree with Susan.

if I were to design it today for the 2&4 year old... who are not yet allowed to wear makeup ... I wonder what I would have to re-do later when I'm sick of the kid look anyway? Probably the lighting huh... I was really trying for a room that would be a cute kids room but that I could age up easily. You have given me lots to think about - thank you!

Michee, you can put a cute, fun curtain up, art they will enjoy, pretty towels, cute little bath rugs and a stool in their favourite colour. As the girls age you can make the changes necessary to suit their emerging style.