“I am not a cabinet maker.” Is what Paul said to me months ago, when I showed him my ideas for a giant, recessed, extra-tall, medicine cabinet. He explained that he is not a woodworker, or a finish carpenter, or an elderly Amish man.
Restoration Hardware vintage glass knob
I will let you decide for yourself the degree to which that is true.
This is what he built:
Using the wall cavity between two studs for a custom medicine cabinet.
Paul didn’t just not want to build it… He said he couldn’t. And he suggested I get estimates for custom cabinetry… then he acted horrified at the prices.
Then I spent days trying to figure out how I could do my own IKEA hack with their Godmorgan bath cabinet. Even though I wanted something wider and deeper:
- It’s unusually tall for a medicine cabinet.
- It’s inexpensive.
- And has a mirrored door and interior.
However? The Godmorgan’s inside seems to be lined with tinfoil. Which is not the luxury look I had in mind.
We designated the bottom shelf for tall items. And had glass shelves made.
I wanted something oversized that would complement the large mirror over the sink. And look fancy. The fancy part was actually the most important part—influenced by Houzz and my Pinterest bath board and other sites that people refer to as “inspiration” but actually leave you exhausted and cranky.
Paul was no help at all. He said crazy things like—why don’t we order one from Home Depot. And I looked at him like, perhaps you do not understand what I am creating here?
A bath zeitgeist, if you will.
We put a marble base in the bottom of the cabinet. Paul did all the measurements, cut it absolutely perfectly, and installed it—while I congratulated myself on being a genius for thinking of it. Once it was in, he said—well, I can see we won’t be allowed to store anything there now.
Because when I love something? And it’s new and perfect? No one is allowed to touch it.
Not only do you reveal the most beautiful projects on your blog you always make me laugh in the process. First of all I hate to tell him, for fear that it will cause more work in the future, but Paul is definitely a woodworker, cabinet maker and finish carpenter. An elderly Amish man… eeeh, NO… Amish man skills…. “RAISE THE BARN”, he’s go ‘em!
Seriously this turned out incredible. You guys should be so proud. It boggles the mind! And I totally relate to the “don’t touch it”, “don’t set anything on it”, “it’s too pretty to use” mentality. My poor husband couldn’t breathe near the new kitchen counters for at least 2 weeks. So funny!
Next you need to stock it and let us see everything inside your medicine cabinet. HA HA HA! Nice touch with the thick glass shelves and the marble. Just perfect!
Thanks Stacey! I told Paul he might as well start growing a beard and trade the car for a horse and buggy…
It’s a serious issue to like your new house items so much that you don’t want to use them! You have white kitchen counters, right? Have you been happy with the quartz? I am drawn to marble, but know my personality should just pass that right by… I would need to be medicated to handle the stress.
Hey with gas prices these days… we all might need a horse and buggy! HA!
We do have white counters which I have total LOVE for! No regrets on the quartz. I will never have anything else, I don’t care how much it costs. When we get to our master bath I’ll have it in there too. I’m with you, Victoria… I love the look of marble, but I’m scared of it. There’s two things we ALWAYS have around… if it’s not coffee, then it’s red wine and both of those things get spilled several times a day on my counter. With the quartz I never worry about it. It just wipes right up… almost like it’s glass. I’m afraid marble would require me to sneak into your new medicine cabinet and find something to keep me calm. (lol)
That’s good to hear, we’re definitely going to look at quartz when we finally get around to the kitchen.
That is beyond beautiful! Great use of space, but more importantly – so pretty! I loved your quote at the beginning, because it was as if I were hearing my own husband.
Why do they tell us what cannot be done? I’ve already told Paul he has now lost all credibility and will be forced to build whatever whim I can come up with… I am thinking possibly a turret? A moat?
Go big or go home, I say – he must build you a castle out or toothpicks next!
Without using glue.
Victoria,
Wow, between the two of you you could be custom home builders…then you could make the big bucks with your great ideas and Paul’s attention to detail and carpentry skills. That might ruin it for both of you, never mind. It really is spectacular, great job.
Karen
Thanks Karen! I think it would be easier to build someone else’s house, rather than my own!! There is something about my own house that drives my attention to detail into a frenzy… (and drives my husband crazy!)
Wow, I tip my hat to Paul, nicely done and to you Victoria for the vision. Nice use of space and I love the use of glass and marble! Sorry to say Paul, “…if you build it they will come…(lol, had to get that in there)” I’m sure your list just got a whole lot longer!
WAY longer. He’s on vacation this week (which means lots of stuff getting done!) and he was making his list of things he wanted to accomplish. And I was starting to pipe up… and he said, let’s start over… #1 on the list—TAKE NO REQUESTS. I laughed so hard… I always want him to work on the pretty things and ignore the practical stuff.
Love it. Tell Paul stop being so modest. Hey maybe he can start a blog and be a guest poster on yours makeing comments. I bet that would really be funny!
Seriously, right? But he says the reality of building and doing the project is enough for him. He is not an “internet person,” which I do NOT understand… he says I love the internet enough for both of us. (which is true.)