Surround yourself in style. Live it. Wear it. Be it.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Mirror, Mirror, on the wall, on the table, the bed, and the chest....

Photo via Bluetramontanastyle
Mirrors speak to me. Beyond reminding me each morning those fine lines and wrinkles are NOT 'noticeably improved' by the ridiculously expensive cream I religiously pat around my eyes each night, the sultry shimmer of a beautiful mirror seduces me every time.

Large-scale mirrors are always stunning, but with geometric styles, small mirrors can be placed together to create an oversized mirror. Mirrors from Global Views.


This modern "Grayson"venetian mirror is from Oly Studio, and I love the touch of brass!


Wisteria's Peacock mirror is handmade with german silver and has an inlaid feel.


Photo courtesy of thelennoxx. A mirror on a mirror is maximum drama! What other accessory throws around so much power? A shimmery, sophisticated mirror can enlarge a room, double the lighting, bring the outdoors in, and look shiny and beautiful all the while. Major multi-tasking!

Photo courtesy of Rajeesood. This floor to ceiling framed mirror gives the illusion of another room beyond the dining table.

Photo courtesy icandystyles. A large venetian mirror adds a vintage look to this bathroom.

Photo courtesy Rebecca Greenfield via Elle Decor.
The magnificant mirrored bathroom of Miles Redd.

Photo courtesy Neiman Marcus. This symmetrical repetitious arrangement of mirrors is the focus in this dining room, and adds to the ornate entry. Below, the simple rectangular mirror repeated makes a bold statement.

Photo from Global Views.

Photo courtesy Decorpad. Mirror panels on doors make the upper cabinets disappear.

In Feng Shui, the mirror represents the element of water. They bring a sense of refreshment and tranquility (with three busy kids in my house, it's no wonder I have them hung throughout!)

Mirrors expand a space, as well as to draw in the Chi, or positive feng shui energy.
They're a magic pill of feng shui; with proper placement, they can dramatically shift positive energy in any given space.

Take inventory in your space to see where your mirrors are located:

Best Feng Shui areas of your home to have a mirror-
East (Health & Family)
Southeast (Wealth & Abundance)
North (Career & Path in Life)

Feng Shui areas to avoid placing a mirror-
South (Fame & Reputation)
on the wall directly facing the main door
on the wall facing your bed.


The look of mirrors is illuminating the lighting scene, in polished chrome and other reflective surfaces. Mirrors in lighting magnify the light. If you don't want shiny light fixtures but have a room with minimal lighting, a mirror opposite a window can double the daylight, and if positioned near a lamp, will magnify the light emitted from the lamps. Here's what's shimmery in fixtures right now:

Pierced metal pendant light from Neiman Marcus.


Photo courtesy Euroluce. Studio Italia has introduced a modern twist on the disco ball, designed by Brian Rasmussen.

Photo courtesy Global Views. Classic pendants in polished chrome, and a modern chrome chandelier.


Mirrors are also moving into tile. A sophisticated application of mirrored subway tile is found at the Quattro Bar in South Beach.

Photo courtesy Luxury Insider.

Inside the Agua Spa at the Mondrian Hotel in South Beach...the reception desk is tiled -pure bling!

Photo courtesy bellemaison
Offset mirror tiles, used for the applications at the Mondrian Hotel.


A devinely notorious mirrored room is the Hall of Mirrors at Palais de Versailles, France.
The above photo is one I snapped when I visited: the grand scale and repetition of the windows with their filtered sunlight and ornate candelabras was to die for! Below is a complete photo of this decadent room, which looks quite bright, but without the mirrors, it would be quite dark and dismal. The mirrored panels directly reflect the daylight of the windows and their sheer draperies, and at night, the mirrors double the chandelier light.

'Mirrors have come to mean much more than the original 'looking glass.' They are now a part of the decorative scheme of a modern home. By using them, there are no dark, gloomy corners, no drab caverns for halls. There can be a feeling of freedom, light, air, space.'
Quote from Designer Dorothy Draper - 1942


Gone are the days of bifold mirrored closet doors!! Here is a fresh take on the mirrored closet door, via lovinglivingsmall.

The designs above and below are creations of design Diva Kelly Wearstler, courtesy adesignista.



Photo via StepfordMommyCreates. Love these unique wall panels! Mirrors are great if they are reflecting something gorgeous, but placement is critical - a mirrored kitchen backsplash can double your kitchen size, but it is not so effective if it also doubles the collection of dirty dishes on your counter!

Mirrored Technology:this stunning fireplace mirror television is from OX Home.


Photo courtesy Decorpad.

Beyond a large wall mirror or a mirrored wall treatment as the one above, mirror is finding its way into all aspects of furniture. Here are some wonderful pieces to enjoy!
Niermann Weeks Valois Canapo.

Photo courtesy Decorpad.


Photo courtesy Decorpad.

Mirrored Armoire from Lyle and Umbach.

Photo courtesy LifeinaVentiCup.
This amazing Cleo Cabinet is from Hickory Chair.

Photo courtesy LaDolceVita.
Is a mirror paired with mirrored furniture too much? Not at all, if done well, as in this photo...even with mirrored accessories!

Black mirrored cabinet with brass inlay via decorfair.


Bethel
has introduced black mirrored furniture to their extensive array of mirrored pieces. The pieces are stunning!

M.T. Italia's kitchen in a luxurious black mirror finish, called Dark Symphony.

Ralph Lauren's Modern Metropolis Collection of barware via Interior Design Ideas.
Consider other shiny chrome and silver accents: photo frames, bar and tableware, a silver tray, silver vases. The reflective properties of polished metal deliver the same impact in small doses. It's time to bring on the bling!

Add luxurious shimmer and shine to your home with mirrors. Beyond the beauty, they can brighten and enlarge your space! We're enamoured with mirrors this week; check out what others are hooked on here.

7 comments:

  1. I Jillian
    I am Julie from Australia. I love many of these fabulous mirrors you have showcased here. I think my favourite though is that delightful mirror in the image via La Dolce Vita.

    Was looking at your last post too.. funny I often think I do not like red [too much] until I see an image here or there that stands out.. this time being Eva's red earrings.. simple burts of colour, and also the red chest in the last bathroom pic.. delightful!!

    Have a great weekend. Julie

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jillian i am so glad I subscribed to your blog, it's fabulous! everytime great pics - amazing thanks

    ReplyDelete
  3. So many beautiful mirrored pieces and rooms :-) I LOVE the Neiman Marcus chandelier and the look of the sunburst mirror layered on the plain mirror.

    Kelly @ DesignTies

    ReplyDelete
  4. We'd kill to have the peacock mirror or victorian mirror. Fyi, Jonathan Adler has a mirrored Paul Evans bed in his Palm Beach apartment that is amazing. --CDHQ

    ReplyDelete
  5. I found your blog over at blogcatalog on the Interior Design Enthusiastics group.

    You have a wonderful blog, with so many inspiring interiors.

    Fee x

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Julie, Annie, Kelly and Fee:

    Thanks so much for visiting! So many pretty mirrors exist these days, thankfully I have the fun of selecting them for clients, otherwise I'd buy them all myself!
    Thanks Celebrity Digs for the tip on Jonathan's Paul Evans bed!

    Jill

    ReplyDelete
  7. OMG
    i love love love the black mirrored cabinet with brass inlay fr. decorfair.
    i want it !!!
    beautiful post.
    x

    ReplyDelete

Leave us a comment!