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Mirror mirror

Create an illusion of space and light.

You can never have too many mirrors… they do wonders for any house. All sorts of minors have their place and mixing old and new really brings a home to life, whilst still keeping the look simple as mirrors never 'clutter’ but add space and light. They do not have to match the period of the home; in fact, quite the opposite can work brilliantly. An antique mirror in a modern room will look stunning, as will an enormous chunky modern mirror in a period home.

They all have their place, whether reclaimed wood mirrors such as those made near Kingsbridge from timber from Plymouth docks, gilded antique frames, plain modem mirrors from well-known stores, driftwood minors from North Devon. French antique mirrors with their rubbed-off silver-grey paint, minors with leather or suede frames, copper or pewter Arts and Crafts mirrors, antique pillow mirrors, mirrors with tweed frames, Art Deco mirrors, Venetian glass-framed mirrors... whichever ones you love.

Grouping inexpensive minors can be most effective, especially in a hall or on a staircase - the same style but all different sizes, or different styles but all one colour. For instance, gilded antique round convex mirrors, in various sizes, grouped together, or all sorts of odd cheap mirrors out painted in one colour. l like to whack on lots of a chalky white emulsion. lt can also be fun to make your own mirror. Picture frames in secondhand shops can often be more attractive than the picture, and it is easy enough to get mirror glass cut to size and shape

The original mirror glass in antique mirrors (often mercury or silver) is often far more flattering than modern mirror glass, so the original glass should be left alone. The antiques trade also advises this, no matter whether a mirror has bevelled or plain glass.

First impressions count and making an entrance feel welcoming is important. A mirror placed directly opposite the front door gives depth and masses more light, especially when a console table with lamp are placed beneath in a classic design combination. Make sure that the bottom of the minor is about or just below chest height when standing, preferably hung landscape-wise in a low-ceilinged room or portrait-wise it the ceiling is high. lt will also give you a chance to check how you look on your way in or out...

In a dining area before you hang a mirror make sure that it reflects you and your guests when sitting down at the table. Of course it will also reflect the candles and glass on the table, so it will not just be the conversation that sparkles.

Large mirrors are the most effective. ln a living room, a very large heavy mirror can work wonders just propped against the wall at a slight angle to give reflections, but this would not be a good idea with children in the house. The classic position for a mirror is above the fireplace, which always lifts the room, whether in a contemporary or a period setting. In a symmetrical living room, mirroring the walls floor-to-ceiling either side of the fireplace gives the impression of being able to walk through on either side, making the room look twice as large: a bold and exciting move but a good one. Somehow, mirrors placed opposite each other either side of a room giving limitless reflections can be just a bit unsettling.

A full-length mirror in a bedroom is ideal but, rather than a free-standing cheval mirror, which takes up quite a lot of room, try a ‘dressing mirror’ framed in suede or tweed that is fixed to a wall, perhaps hear the doorway. Remember, heavy mirrors usually need mirror brackets for safe fixing.

Mirrors are essential to a bathroom, whether we like it or not. Mirrored walls look terrific but make sure they are well out of the way of the much moisture so that the silvered backs do not tarnish in the wet. Modern department stores sell excellent mirrors that are specifically designed for these ‘high humidity areas’. For steam-free bathroom mirrors, buy heated mirror pads, but generally ventilation quickly sorts it out. Hotel-style magnifying mirrors in a bathroom are useful for doing one’s make-up.

Upon reflection, buying a mirror for your home is the simplest way to make an enormous improvement, especially where light and space are important. You never knew what you might see ‘through the looking glass’...

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