When we were doing research for a new medicine cabinet to replace our old, old one, a number of roads led to Robern (you can view the finished house tour here). It was very hard to find a good, plain cabinet without bells, whistles or funky decoration...
Robern's M series comes in a variety of shapes and sizes and it's a really, really simple in terms of styling - just a flat, mirrored door that hides all trace of cabinet. Here it is before installation.
The bonus comes when you open the door. Inside, you find a mirrored back to the cabinet AND a mirrored back to the door, adjustable shelves and a super high class hinge that allows you to remove the door and reconfigure it to open left or right. We felt like we went from a Yugo to a Cadillac.
>> Enter House Tour Slideshow with Bathroom Pics
The bottom line is that - and we didn't know this beforehand - Robern makes very, very nice cabinets (among the best) and although they are more expensive, they won't break the bank in the large scheme of things, they do recieve heavy use and we think they are worth it. We would go right back here again for a new cabinet and avoid getting lost in the wide, wide confusing world of cabinet choices. www.robern.com
(ReEdited from 2007-03-15 - MGR)
Copyright © 2007 Apartment Therapy
Maxwell - The one in your bathroom looks more horizontal than vertical, which is what I'm looking for. When I checked Robern's site, I only saw vertical ones. Which one is the one in your pic?
Thanks much.
we put in the robern m series cabinet in our recent bathroom renovation, and also got the very cool looking attached light from robern (not the funny looking "hollywood" lights, but a nice flourescent strip)
we were a little bummed at the quality of the product considering it was pretty expensive. the glass is great quality, but the plastic construction is a bit weak. it's a gorgeous cabinet, though, and we're very happy with it!
barbara, they have lots of different 'series' of cabinets. they have wider ones, too. but maybe just putting two next to each other would work for you? one door opens to the left, the other to the right?
the "lip" for installing them in the wall is only 3/4", so it needs a very tight construction. installing them recessed and side-by-side might not work.
i definitely recommend robern...even if we were a bit bummed out by the quality, they're still better quality than everything else!
Handsome products. Question: can you give us an idea or example of pricing? Web site only says "see your dealer". Thanks!
i got mine on a deal thru a friend: it was 330 for the cabinet and 145 for the light. at most other places, with normal markup, it's about 400 and 185 (and up!)
I just purchased a Nutone Metro collection medicine cabinet for my bathroom. Also has mirror on inside of door and back of cabinet for the "Deluxe" and "Oversize" models. It's around $200. See my name for link.
Hello kd!
Off topic question, but I was looking at your flickr...is the kitchen cabinets and countertops Ikea? I was thinking of using the wood countertops for a wetbar, but I'm afraid of water damage and maintenance. How do you like it so far?
for plain and cheap medicine cabinets
in NYC anyway
Weissman's in Brooklyn
it's kind of a hideous place, but they always
have plain beveled mirror basic cabinet
for around $40.
edgar: they are indeed ikea! we're very happy with the cabinets, but the countertop, however, we're not happy with. it's gorgeous, but already needs a resanding/oiling. there is some damage, especially close to the sink and where we put the dish rack (we now line the counter w/ towels before doing dishes). i wouldn't recommend it. if you go butcherblock, spend the money on the good stuff :)
we're even considering replacing the countertop in the next year or so, and we just put it in less than two years ago. that says a lot, right?? maybe we'll go w/ stainless...or concrete! mmm...
cheers,
katy
I got the exact same cabinet (in various sizes) from Home Depot - not my favorite design place, but the cabinet really does feel like a cadillac - and I use the inside surface mirror more than the outside surface it seems - convenient to have the stuff you are using in front of you as you (apply or paint) use.
Also, keeps my counters clean!! Lots of space in a little foot (wall) print.
kd, i had mine recessed & side by side. i got the 6 inch deep cabinets, recessed 4 inches into the wall & covered the exposed 2 inches with mirrored trim. i have no other cabinets in the room, so these have to hold a lot of stuff, including double rolls of TP!
sassy, i too seem to use the inside mirrors more than the outside. i don't have any counter space, so i use things right where they're stored - very convenient!
check out these great recessed cabients for tons of applications throughout the house: cue sticks, back bars, wine and of course medicine cabinets
www.inwallcabinets.com
We purchased a great cabinet, similar to the one described here from kohler. All mirrored inside and out with additional mirrors for the sides if it cannot be inset.
view mepemodern's profile
We have a Robern M Series in our bathroom...it's funny that you mention these, as I was thinking about it last night. Ours is the kind that sticks out from the wall, and I appreciate that the sides are nicely mirrored, even if I never look in them. Also, it's nice to have both the inside of the door and the inside of the cabinet mirrored because we can both get ready at the same time on busy mornings!
view Sans's profile
Love these - I purchased one for my recent bathroom renovation.
view Kathryn's profile
You can also check out the ZACA space cabinets--they have adjustble shelves. (Ironically they are located across from my first office, 22 years ago.) We used them in my parents master bathroom remodel--removing a 30x30 cabinet and replacing it with a recessed like this in the smaller ZACA size. They still can put in more of the stuff that they used to keep under this sink because of the adjustble shelves.
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