Mirror Mirror on the Wall…
by habituallychic
08 . 23 . 10
One of my readers left a comment on my last post about how mirrored walls usually look tacky but that it looks beautiful in Gilles Mendel’s duplex. Mirrored walls used to get a bad rap but they are great for opening up spaces and reflecting light which is necessary in many small New York apartments. I especially like when they are made up of smaller antiqued mirrored squares but I think all of these inspirational uses of mirror are very chic and definitely not tacky! The antiqued mirrored wall in Todd Romano’s old apartment above is one of my all time favorites!
Bunny Williams also has a wall of antiqued mirror in her apartment.
In another view of Bunny Williams’s living room, you can see how it reflects the artwork and mirror on the opposite wall.
Renea Abbott‘s mirrored wall reflects her beautiful living room too.
Another look at Gilles Mendel’s mirrored living room.
Chloe Sevigny as well as a few others have hung paintings over their mirrored walls.
You can see how light is reflected from the mirrored wall in designer Lindsey Harper‘s living room.
Dining rooms are another popular room for mirrored walls as in Isabel Lopez Quesada‘s design. I’ve seen this done where the mirrors are applied to jib doors that open to reveal storage for china and glassware.
The mirrored wall in the Janklow’s old townhouse were very antiqued and I love how the wall color makes them look green.
Another mirrored wall in a dining room by Markham Roberts.
This mirrored dining room in Italy looks very elegant.
Elsie de Wolfe popularized mirrored fireplaces.
Elliott Puckette and Hugo Guinness hung a mirror over their mirrored fireplace wall in their Brooklyn townhouse.
Chanel’s mirrored staircase is one of the most famous mirrored walls in the world.
Mirrored backsplashes are a great way to open up small New York kitchens as Stephanie Stokes illustrates here.
Miles Redd also employed mirrored backsplashes in this dark kitchen.
Interior designer Allison Caccoma used mirrors under lattice in this kitchen and breakfast room.
Allison Sarofim had mirrors installed in her small bathroom which also opens up the space.
And last but not least, Miles Redd famous mirrored bathroom. I don’t think this would work for everyone but it might help motivate you to work out!
22 Comments
All beautiful, which just goes to prove that in the right hands, anything–any color, any material, any fabric–no matter how expensive or common, no matter how allegedly ‘dated’ or, conversely, how currently overdone, can be elegant, just as in the wrong hands, those very same things can look laughably cheesy. Of course, that would be a different post.
I love the antique wall of mirrors in any of these rooms. I especially love when artwork is hung on top of the mirrors. Love all of the examples you shared.
I am a lover of mirrors and we have a nice collection of our own .. we are about to embark on the “fun” of covering a section of bedroom wall with the antique mirror squares.
The only one that I am not loving is the backsplash idea.. I am too obsessive, every time a water splash or spot would appear, I would be there with the glass cleaner.. 🙂
I remember growing up and my aunt that has amazing style had all mirror wall in her dinning room and let me tell you it made amazing impack. Thank You for sharing!!
That Stephanie Stokes kitchen is one of my favorites ever.
The tiny, white kitchen with mirrored backsplash has always been a fave of mine. I think it’s certainly an easy look to pull off. Great collection of images!
What an excellent resource of visuals! I love the antiqued mirrors– reflective but very soft. Great post!
Is there a way to do that to a new mirror? (the antiquing)
I agree, I love the first look…. the antique finish is fantastic. The one behind the lattice makes me wonder how you’d clean it!!! But it’s a great idea and I love the mirrored back splash!
No one loves mirrors more thatn I do. These are drop-dead gorgeous room, and you know that I love the rooms by Miles Redd especially.
The italian dinign room is perfect.
Teresa (Splendid Sass)
my formula is plain old mirror = 80’s, antiqued mirror = always looks good. love all these images!
Not tacky, so there.
Your photos show the power of mirrors. I’m a fan – and love how they can open up a space.
Love this idea too–one question: how does one actually hang a piece of art onto the mirror? I love that idea, but can’t fathom how you would actually make it work. 🙂 Thanks gang. . .
I love this post; so much great visual information. Yes, there is a way to chemically treat new mirror to “antique it”–I think it involves spraying the back with an acid wash and then removing/neutralizing the acid once the level of antiquing has been attained. Buying pre-antiqued mirror can be quite pricey, but worth the investment. One of my favorite details is the use of stamped brads or large nail heads were the corners meet.
All rooms convey elegance and beauty, and they have one thing on common, mirrors. This only proves that mirrors can make simple space look good.
Regarding antiquing new mirrors, you could do what we did and mirror the bathroom wall in a 100 year old building then wait until the neighbor upstairs has a few pipe leaks… we have perfect antiquing on our 3 year old mirror 🙂
I think with ’80s mirrored walls, the thing that made them look tacky was the collection of furniture parked in front of them.
This is amazing. Great use of all these elements, colors, and patterns. Very inspiring.
Wow. Has anyone ever told you that you’re habitually chic? 😉 Fabulous post, as usual, darling. I find mirrored backsplashes in small spaces like that so very elegant looking, like a butler’s pantry. Thanks for bringing such fabulousness to our screens!
Great post. I LOVE the small kitchen by Stephanie Stokes.
Of course I love the Chanel stair case, but all the interiors look great, it never occurred to me how great mirrored-walls could be.
It’s like you just went into my folder on my computer and pulled all of my favorite mirrored rooms!
Tacky- NEVER. Tasteful, timeless and classic- ALWAYS!