Decorating With Mirrors

<p align="center"><a href="http://interior-pro.blogspot.com/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://img4.coastalliving.com/i/2010/03/johnson-dining-room-l.jpg?400:400" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 400px;" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Coastal Living</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> Designer Jill Johnson; Photographer Grey Crawford</span> </p><p align="justify">Mirrors can be a great way to expand a space, add interest, make a statement, reflect light or a great view and generally add sparkle. Here are some ideas for incorporating mirrors into your space...<br /><br />Designer Jeffrey Billhuber layered an antique mirror over the window for use with this floating dressing table.<a href="http://interior-pro.blogspot.com/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/images/homes/2003/09/bilhuber/hosl10_bilhuber.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 511px; display: block; height: 424px;" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Architectural Digest</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> Photo: Peter Vanderwarker<br /></span><br /></p><p align="justify">Stylist and designer Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo of ABCD Design created this huge dramatic wall with black paint and 48 rectangular mirrors (via Canadian House and Home)<br /></p><p><a href="http://interior-pro.blogspot.com/"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462737556275106994" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_itYrwqTJD0g/S8-K3Vb2lLI/AAAAAAAADF4/lPqCD7FIQJU/s400/ABCD+Design.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 450px; display: block; height: 388px;" /></a><br /><br />Framed mirrors also make a dramatic statement in this bedroom...</p><p align="center"><a href="http://interior-pro.blogspot.com/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://img4.coastalliving.com/i/2010/03/mikkelson-guestroom-l.jpg?400:400" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 400px;" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Coastal Living</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> Photo: Jean-Philippe Piter</span> </p><br /><a href="http://interior-pro.blogspot.com/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.housebeautiful.com/cm/housebeautiful/images/4-Wolf-0209-xlg-51496973.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 360px; display: block; height: 460px;" /></a> <p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">House Beautiful</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> photo credit: Lisa Cregan</span><br /></p><p align="justify">Designer Vincent Wolf likes using massive, over-scaled mirrors leaning against walls, as you can see in the bedrooms he designed above and below. This is some of what he told House Beautiful about that. "It's taking an architectural approach to a decorative object — like cutting open a wall onto a space beyond. It's also more casual and interesting to lean something than to hang it. Once a mirror is hung, it's isolated on the wall. But when it leans, the floor runs right into the glass."<br /></p><p align="justify"><a href="http://interior-pro.blogspot.com/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.housebeautiful.com/cm/housebeautiful/images/5-sendus-0609-xlg-1095189.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 360px; display: block; height: 460px;" /></a><br /><br />I love the idea of layering mirrors like designer Mary McGee did in her living room. You could also just layer a great frame over a mirror and it would work just as well.</p><p align="center"><a href="http://interior-pro.blogspot.com/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.housebeautiful.com/cm/housebeautiful/images/D7/2-forward-living-room-0408-xlg.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 460px; display: block; height: 360px;" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">House Beautiful</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> Photo: Miguel Flores Vianna</span> </p><p align="justify">The mirror used in this bedroom designed by Gary McBourne (House Beautiful - Photo: James Merrell) was too small so they added what Gary calls a "sash" to give it scale. I'll admit that, even though this room is beautifully designed, it isn't my style but that doesn't matter. The basic idea can be used in any room from casual to formal and contemporary to traditional and there are a variety of items (fabric, ribbon, rope, etc.) you could use to make your "sash". Just hang the mirror on the wall and then attach the "sash" to the back of the mirror and the hook.</p><a href="http://interior-pro.blogspot.com/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.housebeautiful.com/cm/housebeautiful/images/12-mcbournie-1208-xlg-62429600.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 360px; display: block; height: 460px;" /></a><br />In this Coastal Living idea house they mirrored the doors of this dual vanity which draws your eye to the detail. (Photo: Tria Giovan)<br /><a href="http://interior-pro.blogspot.com/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://img4.coastalliving.com/i/2009/11/seawatch-master-bath-l.jpg?400:400" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><br />This is much more subtle but these vanity doors and drawers are also mirrored. <p align="center"><a href="http://interior-pro.blogspot.com/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://img4.coastalliving.com/i/2009/10/condo-bathroom-l.jpg?400:400" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><span style="font-size:85%;">Coastal Living</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> Photo Dominique Vorillon </span></p><p align="justify">Mirrored night stands are so pretty, aren't they? </p><p align="center"><a href="http://interior-pro.blogspot.com/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://images.meredith.com/bhg/images/2006/10/ss_100000468.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px; display: block; height: 300px;" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">BHG.com</span> </p><p align="justify">The next four images are from Homes and Gardens. You can see the rest of their slideshow, How to Decorate Using Mirrors, on their site. (Photos: Carolyn Barber)<br /></p><p align="justify">Displaying a variety of mirrors on ledges is a creative and fun idea to punch up your space. <a href="http://interior-pro.blogspot.com/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.homesandgardens.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2340&g2_serialNumber=2" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 500px; display: block; height: 500px;" /></a><br /><br />Adding mirrors to an armoire in a bedroom is a great idea, especially if you're short on space to add one anywhere else. </p><p align="justify"><a href="http://interior-pro.blogspot.com/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.homesandgardens.com/imageBank/cache/1/11278_e_6ac5d528e86f6cea1edde64c3feb5f33.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px; display: block; height: 300px;" /></a><br /><br />Reflective drum shades could be stunning in the right space!<br /><a href="http://interior-pro.blogspot.com/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.homesandgardens.com/imageBank/cache/8/8196_e_6ac5d528e86f6cea1edde64c3feb5f33.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px; display: block; height: 300px;" /></a><br /><br />Using a mercury glass mat for a centerpiece. I've used a framed mirror in the same way in the past, which also works well.<br /><a href="http://interior-pro.blogspot.com/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.homesandgardens.com/imageBank/cache/4/4290_e_6ac5d528e86f6cea1edde64c3feb5f33.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px; display: block; height: 300px;" /></a><br />Just for fun... Can you tell what this frame is made from? I'm sure you probably can. Colored plastic spoons! :-) Country Living<br /><a href="http://interior-pro.blogspot.com/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.countryliving.com/cm/countryliving/images/Y4/spoon-mirror-0709-de.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 360px; display: block; height: 460px;" /></a><br /><br />Cute tennis racket mirrors from Country Living. Imagine how many different things you could repurpose as mirrors once you start thinking outside the box...<br /><a href="http://interior-pro.blogspot.com/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.countryliving.com/cm/countryliving/images/CLX060109_077_1_4-de-56622656.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 360px; display: block; height: 460px;" /></a><br /><br />Hmmm... Any ideas on how I can get <em>my</em> mirror to reflect the same view that <em>this</em> mirror is reflecting? :-)</p><p align="center"><a href="http://interior-pro.blogspot.com/"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462937266909960658" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_itYrwqTJD0g/S9BAgBhpWdI/AAAAAAAADGA/gHVBCFgfe-0/s400/CT0404034a_1_y.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px; display: block; height: 400px;" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">myhomeideas</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> Photo Keith Scott Morton</span> </p><p align="justify">If you're interested in more inspiration for decorating with mirrors, check out the mirror image post that I did back in August. </p>

Decorating With Mirrors

Coastal Living Designer Jill Johnson; Photographer Grey Crawford Mirrors can be a great way to expand a space, add interest, make a sta...

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Creative Decorating for a Tuesday

Use two (or three) tablerunners horizontally across a table. Gives you a different look and they can double as placemats. <img alt="" border="0" src="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/goodthings/gt04aprmsl_placemat01_xl.jpg" style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 360px; display: block; height: 450px;" /> <p align="center"><span style="font-size: 85%;">marthastewart.com</span><span style="font-size: 85%;"><br /></span><br /></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">So let's just say that it's Tuesday (because it is :-) ) and you're looking around your house wondering what little thing you could do today to shake up your decorating a bit. Just a little. Not much. Just something fun or different that you may not have tried before. The list of things you could do is actually unending, but here are some ideas...</span> </p><p align="justify">If you've never layered art on your fireplace mantel, why not try it for a different look?...<br /></p><img alt="" border="0" src="http://img4.myhomeideas.com/i/2008/09/1836158-fireplace-xl.jpg" style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 420px;" /> <p align="center"><span style="font-size: 85%;">myhomeideas.com</span> </p><p align="justify">If your artwork is too small, make it bigger by attaching a thin piece of painted wood to the back like Just A Girl did for her spring mantel...<br /></p><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6w9V6iayqeS1nJmpLMRO7ankG3lhEJ8-ZSnonVOWZ0GSrcv-QkC-szt1mItSKHERWOWdMgpBcfsTVNxsQTqzC6Pwu86AAhVtEycVx9wXyZ7afRaLv8v9OrZeFINZ0FMAICb-3NQdW5aQ/?imgmax=800" style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 512px; display: block; height: 359px;" /><br />Paint a chalkboard on a door...<br /><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.countryliving.com/cm/countryliving/images/Detail-Kitchen-seating-area-MKOVR0905-de.jpg" style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 360px; display: block; height: 460px;" /> <p align="center"><span style="font-size: 85%;">Country Living</span><span style="font-size: 85%;"> Photo Keith Scott Morton</span> </p><p align="justify">We've talked about painting the backs of bookshelves and papering the backs of bookshelves, but why not make it a little more interesting by doing a little of both and mixing up the patterns?...</p><p align="center"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.idealhomemagazine.co.uk/inspiredecor/gallery/d/3855-2/Bookshelf.jpg" style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 550px; display: block; height: 550px;" /> <span style="font-size: 85%;">idealhomemagazine.co.uk</span><span style="font-size: 85%;"><br /></span><br /></p><p>Arrange your books by color...<br /></p><p align="center"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.styleathome.com/img/photos/biz/Style%20at%20Home/coverstories-squarecase.jpg" style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 457px; display: block; height: 265px;" /> <span style="font-size: 85%;">Style At Home</span> </p><p>Paint a funky mirror a fabulous color...<br /></p><p align="center"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/ms_living/2010Q2/mld105713_0510_bathroom_0101_xl.jpg" style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 360px; display: block; height: 450px;" /> <span style="font-size: 85%;">marthastewart.com</span> </p><p>Add some lace to your favorite pillow...<br /></p><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.styleathome.com/img/photos/biz/summer-accents-4.jpg" style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 457px; display: block; height: 265px;" /> <p align="center"><span style="font-size: 85%;">Style At Home</span> </p><p align="justify">Mix up your bar stools with different finishes or paint colors...<br /></p><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.styleathome.com/img/photos/biz/naturally-serene-2.jpg" style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 457px; display: block; height: 265px;" /> <p align="center"><span style="font-size: 85%;">Style At Home</span> </p><p align="justify">Update your family photos and make them a focal wall in one of your rooms or hallways...<br /></p><img alt="" border="0" src="http://img4.myhomeideas.com/i/2008/09/1836158-photo-system-xl.jpg" style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 420px;" /> <p align="center"><span style="font-size: 85%;">myhomeideas.com</span> </p><br />Think outside the box on a new way to accessorize your dining room walls. This dining room wall would be a great one to use for inspiration!...<img alt="" border="0" src="http://cptnrin.smugmug.com/photos/758594055_2PS8Y-O.png" style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 416px; display: block; height: 478px;" /> <p align="center"><span style="font-size: 85%;">Photo by </span><span style="font-size: 85%;">Michael Partenio </span><span style="font-size: 85%;">via </span><span style="font-size: 85%;">House Of Turquoise</span><br /></p><p align="justify">Paint your front door a bold or just different color...</p><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.architecturalclassics.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/yellow-door-500.jpg" style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 500px; display: block; height: 324px;" /> <p align="center"><span style="font-size: 85%;">houseandhome.com</span> </p><p align="justify">There was a question in the comments on my decorating with mirrors post on whether I knew how to make a new mirror look old. I actually didn't, but found some sources that do.... </p><p align="center">e-how article How Do I Faux Antique a Mirror?<br />marthastewart.com How to Antique a Mirror<br />HGTV.com How To Distress a Mirror<br /></p><img alt="" border="0" src="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/ms_living/1998Q2/la_0498_mirror_l.jpg" style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 225px; display: block; height: 281px;" /> Have an awesome day!

Creative Decorating for a Tuesday

Use two (or three) tablerunners horizontally across a table. Gives you a different look and they can double as placemats. marthastewart.c...

Read more »