The Mirror Rule

Sometimes a rule gets jumbled.  I had a client say to me, "I know your rule on not putting a mirror over the fireplace because so and so said you wouldn't let her put a mirror over her fireplace."  The truth is - I don't have any set rules on these kinds of things!  But, I do have specific reasons for why I place things (or recommend to my clients to place things) in certain places.

For the record, here's my thoughts on mirrors.  First, I adore them.  They are truly necessary for your space to feel interesting and varied (you shouldn't have a room full of oil paintings - too much of one note).  But you MUST think about what the mirror is reflecting when you put it in your space - it's just that simple.  Often, if you place a mirror over your mantel, it will reflect a bare white (or even worse, popcorn) ceiling.  Or, heaven forbid, a ceiling fan! (here's the inside joke on the Ceiling Fans).  So, this is the main reason, that over the fireplace is usually the last place I will consider for mirror placement.

Caveat: If I'm in a pinch and need something large over a fireplace, and the client does not have the right size painting, I will place a mirror over the fireplace.  But, I always try to layer something over the mirror to distract from the reflection (if it's of the ceiling).  Here is an example of just that (in a very stunning room I might add).

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With that said, here is the perfect example of how to use a mirror to get that Wow factor.  Look at all the yumminess this mirror is reflecting.

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When the mirror itself becomes art - you've placed it in the right place! M. 

New Take On A Favorite

I've always been a fan of starburst mirrors, but I've been seeing these rectangular shaped versions lately.

 They seem so modern and fresh.

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I think the contrast of a rectangular mirror would look amazing hanging over a demilune table like this one in an entryway.

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Have you noticed this trend?! M.

Find of the Day - Louis Mirror

They are beautiful . . . 

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But the real deal can be very expensive.

Found this knock off for a client's entryway.  When I saw it in person for the first time, I gasped!  IT IS STUNNING.  

The price - $257.99 and it's 42" high (not kidding).

Enough said. 

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 M. 

DIY Project

I've been working on a project with this really cute couple who live in Homewood.  We are freshening up their main living space which includes a dining area and family room in their adorable bungalow.

This space has a couple of things going for it.  It's open, so visually it feels large. It also has tons of light, so it's bright and cheery.  The house sits on a hill with a great vantage point and has wonderful views from the front and back.  The space also has it's challenges.  There's only one wall that does not have a door, window,  or fireplace on it which makes furniture placement difficult.  (In fact, they have arranged the furnishings every way imaginable, with no luck.)

I came up with a new layout for the space using their current furnishings and adding a few additional pieces with a better scale for the space.  We actually flipped the original placement of the dining room and sitting area to take advantage of the one large wall for the placement of the sofa.

So. . . .
At this point, you may be wondering why I titled this post "DIY Project" - I getting there, I promise!

 In my design plan, I included a starburst mirror over the fireplace for major impact when you enter the room (you can see it's placement in the layout above).  Since these mirrors can get really expensive and totally blow a budget, I did some research and found this amazing DIY starburst mirror.

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I knew this client could pull it off because the husband and his dad are both incredibly talented woodworkers.  Here's the result (the wife sent me this on her iphone, so the picture is small and not super clear).

They decided to use a coat of varnish over the entire thing just to bring out the color of the wood, but don't you love the different tones of wood included in the piece?!  We are going for a more rustic casual feeling in their home, but this could easily go in a glam direction if you painted it gold.  To get something like this . . .   

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There's your sneak peek!  Hopefully, my client will send me a few other pictures when they finish purchasing all the items and re-arranging the space.

If you are feeling inspired and would like to make one of these for your house go to Addicted 2 Decorating(she is so clever!) and read about the original project and then go to Blue Hydrangea to see the design we used which is a variation of the original project.

I have lots of other affordable interior design ideas.  Contact me if you would like for me to create a design plan for your space.  M.   

Clever Idea

I stumbled up this picture recently and thought it was beautiful.  I love how the homeowner did not sacrifice the natural light with the traditional placement of a mirror or choose to move the vanity to a different wall.  Instead, they came up with a practical solution to make the vanity work in this space.

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The result is quite wonderful.


PS: If you voted in the coolest small home contest I posted about on Friday, the winner of the contest was announced yesterday and it's  "Jordan's Light, Location and Vibe" (this is the home with the dedicated office).  Congrats to Jordan!

Now, go out and make today your own!! M.

The Magpie

I have a really great friend who claims to be a major magpie (which always makes me laugh).  She claims to be a total sucker for anything shiny.  

So, I have to ask . . . are you a magpie?  

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P.S: I wanted to say thank you for all the emails I received yesterday.  The blogging community is the best!  As I've watched the news (with many of you I am sure), I have been amazed at the resilience of those hit the hardest by the storm.  Many areas are still without power, but people are beginning to clean up and are truly thankful in the midst of this disaster.  Please continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.  Have a great weekend.  M.

Hocus Pocus!

Look at this picture.

http://www.houzz.com/photos/professionals/4586/Mueller-Nicholls-Cabinets-and-Construction

Do you see the mirrors? Pretty cool, huh?

I am off to New Orleans for a little R&R with my cute husband, so I will be taking a long weekend from posting.  Hopefully, I will have some fun stuff to show you next week!

Have a great weekend!

One more Mirror - Addition to my Post Today

OK, I missed one!  It is the perfect scale and the perfect price (and no they are not paying me to say this!!) 

Rustic Mirror Addition (see post below this one for the full story):

on sale for $74.25!!

http://www.wisteria.com/Natural-Finish-Oval-Mirror-New/productinfo/W4527/

Mirrors - Stylish Alternatives

I love a great deal.  But the one thing I refuse to do is compromise on the style of a piece.  If I can't find an affordable alternative that truly gives me the same look, I would much rather save my money and get the real thing.  So, when I see options that do give me the same look for less, I must share them!

So, let's talk mirrors - first, they help brighten a room (if placed in the right spot).  They can add sparkle (which every room needs a bit of) and they can play up the style of a room.  

Rustic Mirror

http://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=5350&index=12&currentPage=0&searchQuery=round%20wood%20mirror&searchType=photos

The rustic feel of this mirror adds a ton of character to the space.  Note:  normally, I am not a fan of a mirror over a fireplace (you usually have to hang it so high that all it is reflecting is the ceiling).  But in the picture above, it works because it is opposite a window and reflects the outdoors. 

The pricey option:

$2,150.00

http://southofmarket.biz/product/architectural-wood-mirror

Here is a more affordable option(and I actually like it better than the more expensive one).

$425.00

http://www.tonichome.com/catalog.php?item=678&catid=2&ret=catalog.php%3Fcategory%3D2

Now we're really talking, this is more like it:

$295.00

http://www.restorationhardware.com/rh/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1608099&navAction=jump&navCount=0

And here's one for even less. OK, I will give you that it is round and not oval, but it is the same scale and roughly the same size and it's REAL mango wood.  So, I do think it can give you the same look in a space for a lot less. 

$169.00

http://www.westelm.com/products/round-wood-mirror-w556/?pkey=cmirrors

High Glam Starburst Mirror

OK - I know that lots of people think that these are done (the trend is over), but I do still like the impact.  I admit it.  I love the Hollywood throw back feel of this style.  I can see a pair of these mirrors over demilune tables on either side of a doorway entering a dining room.  Or just one over a fireplace (like this).  

http://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=14837&index=17&currentPage=0&searchQuery=starburst%20mirror&searchType=photos

Here is the pricey version:

$850.00

http://www.tonichome.com/catalog.php?item=663&catid=2&ret=catalog.php%3Fcategory%3D2

And a better option.

$395.00

http://store.plantationdesign.com/gv-9-90325.html

Getting better. I actually like the muted gold tones of this mirror and the shape more than the pricer option.  It feels more like an real antique.  One issue - It's 7" smaller than the first one, so it will not have the same impact as the larger mirror, but the price is right!

$299.00

http://www.wisteria.com/Sunburst-On-The-Scene-Mirror/productinfo/W3539/

This is the best option.  It is large like the most expensive one and has the best price!

$279.00

http://www.ballarddesigns.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=10627&fromNewSearch=true&mercadoResultId=24

So, ALWAYS shop around.  For most items, you can get the look for a lot less!