More on (big) mirrors as decorating statements

Every room needs a mirror, including hallways. Not so much to view one's face, but they make great, and often inexpensive, wall art. They reflect light for mood in a dining room lit by candles, or they have wonderful frames that stand on their own. They add a 'window' to an area that may be without one of it's own.

Southern Accents Magazine

This wonderful trumeau mirror is the design focus of this entry way. The trumeau mirror originated in France during the 18th century.  Trumeau mirrors were intended to hang on the wall between windows providing a decorative element to the wall as well as serve a purpose of bringing in more light. Perfect! Both art and mirror at the same time.

 Designer: Phoebe Howard

This star burst frame makes the mirror in the middle irrelevant. It's all about the frame and the mirror is just an excuse. 

Homes and Gardens Magazine, UK

In this case a mirrored screen creates a large area to reflect back in to the room.  This would be great in a dark space to maximize light from windows and lights. 

Auctions are always full of great mirrors, and these large examples will make the statement in any room.

Stair Galleries

This wonderful French style painted over mantel mirror (55" tall) sold at a recent Stair Galleries auction for well below it's estimate. It went for $300. I can see this over a fire place if you have one, or at the end of a hallway to draw your eye down a dark space. What a great way to add color in to a room as well.

Christie's Interiors Sale, 31 Aug/ 1 Sept. - Lot 494

Christie's has several auction lots of French trumeau mirrors in their New York Interiors sale at the end of the month. This example is 59.5" tall, so a real statement. It retains the candle holders which would be wonderfully romantic to add burning candles for an evening dinner. It has a lovely painting at the top. This is French provincial from the late 18th/early 19th century, with an estimate of $1,200 - $1,800. 

Christie's Interiors Sale, 31 Aug. and 1 Sept.  - Lot 561

This Italian 19th century giltwood framed mirror (48.5" tall) is also included in the Christie's sale in New York at the end of the month. The frame is wonderfully carved, and would be a great central decorating focus in a room.

Christie's Interiors, NY - July Sale

Finally this 20th century four panel mirrored screen sold at the last Christie's Interiors sale for $563 (well below the estimate). I like the giltwood frame to add more interest and break up the mirrored look a bit. I would love this in the corner of a living room to add interest to the lighting scheme in the evening. 

Big mirrors make big statements