Using Mirrors In Your Home
11 March 2009, by Isabella
Frank Lloyd Wright once wrote that “The mirror is seen in nature in the surfaces of lakes, in the hollows of the mountains and in the pools deep in the shadow of the trees; in winding ribbons of the rivers that catch and give back the flying birds, clouds and blue sky… It may be as refreshing and beautifying in architecture, if architecturally used.”
Because mirrors have a significant ability to accentuate the design of a room they are viewed by many interior designers and architects like Wright, as tremendous designing “tools.” And, in this era of shrinking spaces and shrinking budgets, use of mirrors is becoming more important.
Mirrors can make the room appear bigger than it is, add light to a dark area of a room, introduce another wall color from across the room, or even extend a beautiful view.
Mirrors also play a vital role in Feng Shui. It is believed by Feng Shui practitioners that a well-placed mirror can dramatically alter or redirect the energy in a room to make it more beneficial for the inhabitants.
Throughout history, mirrors have been a key aspect of human architecture, art and practicality. The Chinese may have been the first to create bronze mirrors in 2000 BC. But every culture since then, including Mesopotamia, Egypt and Rome, have used and coveted mirrors.
In ancient times, only the wealthy and entitled few owned mirrors, today, mirrors are found in almost every home and business, and choices in mirrors have grown exponentially.
Fine Art Services, at the San Francisco Design Center (www.fineartservices.net), has been designing and installing custom mirrors, primarily in fine homes in the Bay area for over 30 years. According to Fine Art Services owner, Paul Robert Porambo, “If one is trying to enhance the feel of light and space, try a mirror before considering costly and time consuming renovations. Mirrors versatility is also why they are so popular with many of our interior designers.”
A mirror can have a beveled edge or a “V” groove within the body of the glass to provide more elegance to the design by adding refracting angles of light.
Mirror glass can also be antiqued, or etched with patterns to add a period feel for an intimate projection of light. Custom frames, from simple contemporary designs to gold gilded or antiqued period frames, can also add a lot of character to each individual mirror.
According to Porambo, there are some important things to keep in mind when using framed mirrors:
* Custom mirrors should suit the room. So if a room has a contemporary look the mirror should be chosen accordingly,
* If the mirror is placed to make the room look bigger than it is, select a big mirror to simulate a door way or large window, and don’t forget that,
* Mirrors can bring improved views from around the corner or from another level of a room or architectural feature.
“Ultimately,” says Porambo, “mirrors may amaze you with the way they can transform space… and on a more philosophical note… mirrors can even help keep you on track – who was it who said that ‘Happiness is: looking in a mirror and liking what you see.’”
Categories: Home Improvement, Lighting, Walls
