This Kohler bathroom is stunning. Though the colour palette is muted, the room has sparkle and glitz.
The crystal chandelier definitely steals the show, but the collection of decorative mirrors also adds dimension and visual depth.
The pair of oval mirrors is exquisite. They have a romantic, fairy-tale appeal. This feminine trait is balanced with the plain, arched French-door-design mirror in the middle, which is a totally different style, but stills works in the space. When the denominating factor is a mirror, you can get away with mixing various styles, shapes and sizes with success.
Mirrors are a versatile decor item that we sometimes forget about. They are making a great comeback in many unique and interesting applications, so I think it's a good time to revisit their use in the decor.
Displaying a grouping of mirrors of varying styles is all the rage right now. Whether you decide to create your own eclectic mix or purchase a set, multiples rather than a single mirror are the way to go when you are using mirrors for decorative purposes.
Mirrored tile projects
Mirrored tiles are inexpensive and can be used to create a myriad of mirrored projects. Create your own unique collage by framing mirrored tiles in matching or mismatched styles of frames. Another neat project is to use these tiles to create a faux French door, which looks similar to the large mirror in our feature photo. You can create mirrored "window" squares on an interior door and make the mullions using decorative moulding. We did this in our kitchen years ago and I still love the way it looks.
This is a great project for inside a bathroom door, as it makes the space look larger, provides a dressing mirror and reflects light. It's also a good project for a dim entryway for the same reasons. Our project was on a dark kitchen door which, when painted white, transformed that area of the kitchen.
These handy tiles can be used to cover headboards, flat furniture or even as inexpensive reflective centrepieces on tables at a wedding or other gathering. Use them to create a mirrored backsplash in the kitchen. You can also use them in the backs of bookcases, china cabinets or shelving to reflect the contents and again, add dimension.
The only downside of projects using tiles is that they generally come in 12x12-inch squares. Cutting mirror can be tricky, so try to use them at the size they are whenever you can. As well, the edges can be sharp, so you have to keep this in mind when planning your projects. You don't want to have sharp, unfinished edges on a headboard or tabletop.
You can find varying sizes of mirror tiles if you look hard enough, but they probably won't be as inexpensive as the 12x12-inch tiles that are readily available at most home-renovation stores.
Mirrored wall decals
Mirror wall decals are also a popular home decor accessory right now. These reflective acrylic products come in a variety of designs, everything from graduated sizes of dots to mirrored quotes that are self-adhesive but are easy to remove and reapply as desired. You can arrange these kits in your own unique design and create the look you want in most any room.
Decorate a plain mirror
An unframed mirror can be transformed into a unique decor accent in many ways. Use your imagination to create a unique piece that would suit your own space. For example, in a nautical-theme bathroom, you could glue rope around the edge of the mirror to frame it and glue seashell accents to the rope. Glue smaller mirrored tiles onto a large mirror to create another dimension to a plain mirror.
Dried flowers, river rock, buttons, beads, small toys, and so on can all be used to create an eye-catching mirror for your home. Use the right glue for the job to keep your project items secure. If your mirror has a small flaw, you can use these items to cover up the flaw and make the mirror attractive once more.
If you don't want to glue items to your mirror, you can still add accents to it using small suction cups instead of glue. Drape lightweight items like a decorative swag, nautical rope, lengths of beads or what have you, using clear suction cups.
Mirrors are a great decor accessory that can be used in many ways and in many rooms. Consider updating a current mirror or create a unique project of your own using mirrored tiles.
connieoliver@shaw.ca
