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Decorating AdviceGray

Mirrors = Magic + Dazzle

By 03/28/2011January 28th, 201730 Comments
‘Floor mirrors are like portals into a magical, faraway land where you are excessively rich and live a luxuriant lifestyle. Use and abuse them.’

‘You can never go overboard (or wrong) with reflective surfaces. They add twinkly glamour, light and the illusion of space.’  Jonathan Adler. (above quote too)

I just installed a fabulous mirror in my dining room last week (below) which reflects the living room window.  It’s amazing how much more light and space it adds to that room and how different it feels again with this newest addition. A good tip is to think about what it will reflect when you think about where it’s going to hang.

Photo by Maria Killam

You can just see the tops of my dining chairs waiting for the table which is due this week, I decided to get it custom made as I could not find what I was looking for in the shops.

This is a great way to make an entry way feel larger (not like this one needs that trick).

Here’s a wall of mirrors behind the bed as a great focal point and maybe you can see the view from the windows too!

Mirrors are a much easier way to fill a wall if you can’t afford piles of expensive art.

I was originally going to fill up a wall in my dining room with mirrors similar to this one (above) but the wall that reflects the window is not large enough.  I love the drama with the dark charcoal wall!

Or install wall-to-wall mirrors just to make it glamorous!

How many mirrors do you have?

If you would like your home to fill you with happiness every time you walk in, contact me.

Related posts:

Styling Tricks of the Trade from David Jimenez
How to bring Sun into a Dark Bedroom
Stunning Front Entry

To make sure you pick the right colour download my eBook, How to Choose Paint Colours: It’s All in the Undertones.

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To make sure the undertones in your home are right, get some large samples!

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30 Comments

  • Karena says:

    Maria, I adore mirrors of all kinds and designs!! Gorgeous images!!

    I have a new giveaway up I think you will love…from The Zhush!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

  • Red Door Home says:

    I think I must have one mirror in every room of my house. I love their reflective quality and the style they add to any space.

  • Design Elements says:

    love mirrors! we have (let me think 🙂 5 at home 🙂 wonderful JA-quote!

  • Sjn says:

    I have one in every bedroom and bath, two in the foyer, one in the dining room, and one in the back hall.
    I do not like an entire mirrored wall though… it's like seeing double.

  • Kristine says:

    Great pictures. I have an older home and I use mirrors in every single room to make the space feel larger. I have a room with a wall-to-wall mirror, a room with a collage of mirrors, a room with a freestanding mirror, a mirror in the entry, mirrors over the bed… I love mirrors!

  • Shannon says:

    I love mirrors, not because I enjoy looking at myself, but because of the wonderful light and reflections of my garden they bring into my home. Not counting our bathrooms or bedrooms, I have 8mirrors.

  • Bruce Barone says:

    Office = 1
    Bedroom = 2
    Dining Room = 2
    Bathroom = 7
    Living Room = 1
    Sitting Room = 2

    Total = 15

  • Luciane at HomeBunch.com says:

    Wow! What a great post!

    How many mirrors? I'm convinced I don't have enough after reading your post. Need to buy some more. I love mirrors… especially when I'm looking good! Ha! 🙂

    xo

    Luciane at HomeBunch.com

  • Cindy W says:

    I think I have more mirrors than artwork in my house. It's like art that never feels dated! I love them! But I do feel alittle weirdly vane about having so many!

  • Jil Sonia McDonald - Interior Designer says:

    Was this a Homesense purchase? I love it! The curved lines really soften angular rooms – works well with the lines of your curvy sofa 🙂

  • Maria Killam says:

    Hi Jill,
    It was not at Homesense, I've never seen a mirror like that there. It was the last one in a local home decor store. Maria

  • Tina says:

    Wonderful post..I love mirrors and have them all over the place and no it isn't a vanity thing..lol. I am considering mirroring my closet doors in my new dressing area…..its a serious thought and the more posts I see on mirrors the more I want to do it! The first mirror is gorgeous. Lovely blog..will be back. Please visit me too,
    http://www.theenchantedhome.blogspot.com

    PS Am your newest follower!

  • Carrie'sCreations says:

    Mirror, Mirror, on the wall, or floor, or ceiling, that is the question:) Or something like that! Love mirrors, love them everywhere, use them everywhere. My only dilemma is I have a love of mirrors and art, hmmmm, may have to get some more walls:)

  • diana says:

    This is such a great design tip.. it is amazing what a well placed mirror can do to brighten up and enlarge a space.

  • The Shade Shop, Inc. says:

    Mirrors are essential in our small urban old factory apartment! It helps create the illusion (for me) that I have a much larger space!!! Love mirrors!

  • Carol-Anne (Use the Good Dishes!) says:

    As a Home Stager, I can tell you that there really is truth to the saying about 'smoke and mirrors'. I use mirrors all the time to reflect light, space and windows!

    And there are so many beautiful frames available in mirrors, that they are like pieces of art!

  • Kathysue says:

    Oh Maria I am a mirror lover for the light it reflects in a room. To me a mirror is like a window. I did a post on this very subject and to answer your question about how many mirrors do I have. I have a lot I think I counted Ten mirrors in my kitchen dining room combinations. I have mirrors on the doors, mirrors on the back of cupboard doors. Two large floor mirrors and two decorative mirrors. Now that is just in that room. I won't go into the other rooms but I do so in my blog post.

    http://goodlifeofdesign.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-many-is-too-many.html

  • Ashley White Interior Design says:

    I am also a mirror fanatic… they're so beautiful and create a feeling of elegance in any room!

  • Brenda says:

    I do love mirrors (we have 10) and they are all huge but what I really love are all the different types of frames – I think it's a texture thing with me. At least now I know I'm not alone and not as vain as my Mother seems to think!!!

  • Barbara@HausDesign says:

    Fun post! I love mirrors and have to hold myself back sometimes from buying more – at least for now! I had planned to put two full length mirrors on either side of my chinest chest in the dining room of our future home…but now I'm leaning toward a wall of mirrors, similar to the one you show here – beautiful! I also love the mansard mirrors – I'd like one or two in our master bath!
    http://bjdhausdesign.blogspot.com/

  • I've always had a ton of mirrors as i just love what they do for a space. And you are right, they add so much when art isn't in the budget. If I had the space I'd have a floor mirror. Bummer. I don't. Great images. Have a great day.

  • Amy Vermillion @ Martineau Vermillion Interior Design says:

    Maria,
    I am a mirror addict! Loved your post,
    Amy

  • Sally@DivineDistractions says:

    Who doesn't love mirrors! I have a huge one at the end of my hallway that I couldn't live without. It makes the space look large and is a great full-length mirror right off my bedroom where I can check myself out! I have more than one in every room!

  • decoratica says:

    Hi Maria,

    I just was wondering -what about feng-shui? I'm not into feng-shui at all, but I was told that placing mirrors in front of a window takes good energies out of the house (the same thing with the front door)and I always take this into account -just in case, you know 🙂

    Not that I want to spoil your post, though… 🙂 But I would love to know your opinion on this.

  • VictoriaArt says:

    Totally agree with you. They have that little bit of magic, transforming views, open windows!
    I love that poodle in front of that large floor mirror!!!
    HA HA!

  • angie says:

    So true, Maria!! There is a mirror in almost every room in our home. It forms a work of art all on it's own, AND makes a room look larger. LOVE!!

    Angie
    xoxo

  • Donna says:

    Maria..This is such a great idea! I love the idea of floor mirrors..and what a perfectly gorgeous mirror that first one is.

    You are right about reflections. My friend learned that the hard way when she tried to put one on the mantle. All she got was the ceiling fan. It got moved where it did just what you suggested..it reflected a window.

    We have one in our bedroom..but all you see is the hutch. Still..it's a pretty hutch..and it still opens up the space in our little bedroom.

    I shall have to think of this more strategically in the future! :o)

    I love the design of your mirror..and how it reflects your window. What a view! I can't wait to see more of your house. :o)

    I've had grandkids all last week and visitors before that..and I've been sick with the flu the last four days. Wow..It can sure slow down the blogging! It's so nice to be here catching up. :o)

    xo
    Donna

    PS. Thanks for the sweet comment. You made me smile. We'll have to talk soon. I'm swamped at the moment. Taxes and homeschooling are at the forefront right now. And a big graduation party is looming on the horizon. Party number four that is..and one more child to go after that. :o)

  • Ideezine says:

    Maria,

    I agree mirrors give us space, light, and magic impressions as it plays with light. Reflects the lightness in us as loving human beings. We are what we reflect which is beauty.

    Bette

  • Renae Moore says:

    I LOVE mirrors, couldn't tell you how may unless I went counting!

  • proudgrits11 says:

    Q: How many mirrors do I have?
    A: Not enough!
    We have a gorgeous (huge!) turquoise mirror my hubby scored when he worked in the Chinese imports biz and we have some coconut-framed mirrors we didn't even bother hanging in your rental. We're moving into our long-term home in the next two weeks and I can hardly wait to hang the mirrors we have and aquire more!! I love the idea of buying them second-hand and painting the frame to match our decor. Great reminder to consider WHAT they will reflect, too. Oh and the one place I need a mirror most: on my dresser, so I can try my jewelry on without walking all the way over to the bathroom mirror!

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