In the living room at Fox Hall, the mid-eighteenth-century English bull’s eye mirror is hung over the mantelpiece. The “hippocam” that crowns the mirror is a subtle reference to my passion for horses.
The artwork you choose to present on your walls provides a window into your interests and tastes, and Mummy instilled in me never to buy reproduction art. The cost of a mirror is quite often only a fraction of the cost of a painting. It’s always better to purchase a lovely mirror than inferior artwork.
In my first book, The Pretty and Proper Living Room, the chapter, “Magnificent Mirrors and Wall Art,” discussed how mirrors can enhance the design of a room. They are similar to a living painting because they reflect life in a room, and occasionally an outside view too.
Mirrors (referred to as “looking glasses” in England), have been used historically to increase the daylight or candlelight in a room before there was electricity. Candlelight placed in front of a mirror doubles the “romantic” lighting.
When selecting a mirror, ensure that the frame complements the furniture and architecture of the room. Formal surroundings deserve formal mirrors. Hepplewhite, Chippendale, and Adam-esque mirrors continue to reign supreme in classically tailored interiors.
I adore antique Venetian mirrors, especially for a resort house, as I have done in Palm Beach, because they add a touch of glamour and whimsy!
An antique mirror is preferable to a new mirror because of its well-earned patina on the glass. One can never have too many mirrors!
My Pretty and Proper Living Room book features a page about mirrors. The top mirror shown is in my office. It is the first mirror that Stuart and I ever bought as newlyweds. We thought it was an antique because we purchased it in an “antique” store on Cape Cod. When we went to hang it, we discovered underneath the backside paper that it was a new reproduction- lesson learned, but we still love it!
Grandmillenial tips:
There can be more than one mirror in a room. Consider creating a design theme in a room around a collection of mirrors!
When hanging a mirror over a fireplace mantelpiece, decide what you intend to display on the mantel first, and then hang the mirror, so that the decorative pieces on the mantel do not block the details on the bottom of the mirror frame.
Place a sculpture in front of a mirror, so that one can appreciate the back of the sculpture in the reflection of the mirror.
When placing a mirror over a sofa, bring the mirror up far enough so that when someone is seated, and their head accidentally tilts backward during a jolly good laugh, their head will only strike the wood frame, not the glass!
Forbidden Faux Pas:
No-no: To resilver or replace the mirror glass on an old mirror. Imperfections are part of the charm of an antique mirror. Embrace the well-earned patina on the glass.
No-no: To spray cleaners directly on the front of the mirror, because the liquid can drip into the frame and also begin to disintegrate the silver coating on the back.
Instead, spray a soft cloth with the cleaning solution. Then, gently wipe the front surface of the mirror. Water and liquids can drip into the frame and begin to disintegrate the silver coating on the back.
No-no: To vacuum the back of a mirror or to dust the frame too vigorously. The suction of the vacuum, or the action of abusive dusting, will challenge the integrity of the back, which protects the silver layer.
Here’s looking at YOU!
Xx
Holly
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