Several readers have written recently to ask where they can find retro style 40s 50s 60s medicine cabinets – including the type with the vertical light bars to the right and left of the cabinets. As a starting point, it appears that Nutone-Broan has a number of options that could work in retro renovation bathrooms of various eras. Here is their medicine cabinet landing page – most of the images I show here are in the “Specialty” category. Tip: Be sure to see a sample of your medicine cabinet “in the flesh” before you buy – in order to assure it meets your quality expectations. There can be a wide swing in quality, in my experience, from model to model.
Where can I buy a vintage style medicine cabinet?
Posted by: • March 4, 2009
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I’ve been SO wanting one of these!
Thank you! This is exactly what I’ve been looking for, but I haven’t been able to find one anywhere.
Wow Pam, how did you know my next thing to track down is a replacement for my medicine cabinet? Thank you for always doing such great legwork for us! My turquoise boomerang formica is supposed to arrive today for the kitchen project in works…I’ll keep you posted!
Cool, Milster, can’t wait to see the final product!
Did you find a turquoise cabinet? I have one with verticle lights AND a turquoise shelf.
In the specialty category, I’ve got the 455FL cabinet in my bathroom. I bought the house with an unfinished bathroom with this cabinet already installed so maybe I can convince my wife to finish the bathroom around the cabinet.
I cannot say this often enough: eBay, eBay, eBay!
I bought my circa 1950 white metal medicine cabinet on eBay, in absolutely mint condition. In fact, almost everything in my bathroom, including the bathtub, sink, and toilet, were purchased on eBay!
Should have added the direct link to the photo that Pam posted some time ago:
http://retrorenovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/pssbathroomsink.jpg
Yes, Palm Springs Stephan – good stuff to be found on ebay – as well as at the Restore/Habitat for Humanity. It’s cool, though, that you can still get these vintage-style medicine cabinets new. In fact, I was looking at some circa-1967 marketing material this afternoon – and some of these Nutone designs for sure go back that far, at least. That company was prolific!
uh, Palm Springs Stephan some of us can’t use eBay
PugFreek, why can’t you use ebay? I’m sure I’ve seen listings from Australia….?
Uh, I’m sorry, PugFreek … It was just a suggestion. As an eBay addict, I have trouble imagining any reason why someone would not be able to use it, but if you say so ….
I’m amazed that you can still get some of these styles new. I’m thinking of ordering the 124LP. I think it would look great, but I’m not sure how well it would pass as mid-50′s period correct.
Northside CJ, I am not sure how early the 124LP started showing up. I’m sure I’ve seen it by the early 60s, though. I think it would look just fine in a mid-50s home. If you’d like, I can ask the folks at Nutone what the inception date was for this model….?
Yes there’s a dedicated Australian eBay. I came across a retractable ceiling light from there last week.
Thanks, I appreciate the info/opinion. I am curious as to the roll-out date of that model. That said; don’t go to any trouble. How period correct it is matters to me alone. 99% of people wouldn’t know the difference, or for that matter care. So it is not a big deal. I know that the “commodore” model is indeed 60′s. My family vacation home is a relatively unmolested ’64 with that style medicine cabinet. On a side note the Aussie site is ebay.com.au I have been looking for a vintage Ford Falcon XA on there for a while.
Pam and Palm Springs Stephan, yeah we can get it here
but I’m 11.Its a bit tricky.Also Palm Springs Stephan
I hope I didn’t sound rude, sorry.
Not rude at all, Pug! But now I am fascinated that someone 11 years old has such a strong interest in Retro-Renovation! I suspect you are the youngest fan. That is excellent!
Thats a relief.I thought I sounded rude
Pam, You seem to know alot about these old medicine cabinets so I hope you can help me. I need a replacement Philip Carey recessed with light medicine cabinet from about 1954. It has two sliding glass mirror doors which need re-silvering and the plastic light frame which runs the entire top length has yellowed. I can probably clean it up but wonder if the cost of refinishing would be more than repalcement. Please help and thanks in advance for your time. The outside dimensions of this cabinet are 29 1/2 inches length by 22 1/2 inches wide, not encluding light fixture on top.
Hi Dennis, sorry, but I do not know much about professional services to refinish these items. My personal experience is that indeed, costs to refinish can be more than buying new. Here’s a post on vintage style medicine cabinets: http://retrorenovation.com/2009/03/04/where-can-i-buy-a-vintage-style-medicine-cabinet/
Good luck.
I saw one with the lights on the right and left at our local ReStore! I wanted it, but have no where to put it. I love these. The store is in Omaha, Nebraska if you’re interested!
I wanted to see if anyone knows anything about a “NATCCO” “Mirr-O-nette” made by the “National Steel Cabinet Co.” of Chicago. Vintage, years, info about the company, replacement parts, anything. So far I know they filled for patents in the 40′s & 50′s, but that’s about it.
I bought it at a thrift store a year ago rewired it & repainted it. It looks similar to the Nutone 455FL & I’d post pictures if I could. Thanks for your help!
Hi Ross – I don’t know about this but it sounds cool. You can send me a pic at retrorenovation [at] gmail [dot] com. I look forward to it!
I have an old medicine cabinet turquoise color with the vertical lights on it. Wanting to sell it. Also have a metal turquoise shelf from the same bathroom. Wondering where you would post it?
I have a medicine cabinet very similar to the one pictured above. Does anyone know where I can get new tracks for the mirrors to slide in? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Bill
Drats….I see this is an old article- there’s no special category, and not much as far as vintage style anymore…
use the Search bar — some more stories come up. Good luck