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Take Another Look at Mirror

Designers find them just right in today's home

By Sara H. Myers

Designing with mirrors is making a comeback. Whether you want to get rid of an ugly view, make a crowded room feel spacious, or become more energy efficient, mirrors can help to alleviate the problem. And, consumers are increasingly saying yes to these affordable design solutions.

"People are more bold and willing to experiment with mirror now," according to Pamela Heyne, AIA, author of Mirror by Design. In the past, homeowners associated mirror with a 'Las Vegas' look and have been timid to use it in their homes, the designer explains. A huge misconception, she notes, is that using mirror creates a stark or cold environment. This is not true, and Heyne believes it is all about becoming aware of what beautiful things mirrors can accomplish in the home.

A timeless usage when it comes to decorating with mirror is replacing an unwanted or unattractive view by re-flecting a more desirable view. "A bad view can be replaced by a prettier view," Heyne points out. One of her clients, living in a townhouse, struggled with a boring view of other townhouses that were in close proximity. To solve this particular view problem, Heyne brought in mirror and positioned it to reflect a lake that was farther off in the distance. In this case, mirror solved the design problem and made a happy client. Heyne points out that the combination of mirror and nature is a favorite tool of hers when it comes to taking the emphasis off an ugly view.

A popular answer to a not-so-fabulous view in the bathroom is implementing a view scoop. In one instance, Heyne was able to substitute a tiresome view of a neighbor's window with a view of a spacious backyard by blocking off the window view with a 45° angled custom bay window. On the 45° wall she installed a mirror that scooped in a pretty view. "You are essentially scooping up a better view," she adds.

Playing with various angles can be a creative and fun way of bringing in new views. Other popular requests from clients are that they want to see the back of their hair. To achieve this she suggests the use of three mirrors, which form a gentle arc around the sink.

Taking a more analytical approach to interior decorating, Heyne strongly recommends considering what is actually going to be reflected in the mirror. A good way to gauge what that reflection would be, she explains, is to take a tennis ball, bounce it against where you plan to place the mirror, and wherever the ball lands is what is going to be reflected. Do be careful with what you are reflecting, she warns, and take both day and night into account. Decide when and where people will be spending more of their time because at night, for example, it wouldn't matter much what is being reflected, she explains.

Also, remember that whatever is in the foreground can be altered to accommodate which reflection you might be trying to capture. Simplifying furniture and moving lamps are just a few of the various ways to change the foreground. "Don't get too nervous about the mirror. The mirror is neutral, and you can always modify what is in the foreground," she assures.

While Heyne urges consumers not to be afraid when using mirror to design, she does frown on using mirror merely out of habit. Placing mirror over mantelpieces has become so common that designers now shy away from that look. Mantelpiece mirrors were used in times of palaces, and they worked well because of the huge amount of space, Heyne points out. "It just doesn't make sense in smaller rooms, where you don't have that wonderful sense of space," she adds.

"Philosophically, we are getting more crowded," Heyne continues, pointing out that mirrors also aid in eliminating the feeling of being closed in. Something as simple as installing a wall of mirror, behind a sofa for example, can create the illusion of spaciousness. This can easily be done without drastically changing or remodeling the entire room. "I call it remodeling without plaster dust," she says with a laugh. To give the mirror a built-in, antiqued appearance she suggests mirror framed with custom molding.

Not only can nature, angles, and changing foregrounds create different atmospheres in a room using mirrors, but installing mirrors with different tints also creates an array of designing options. For example, gray tinted mirror works well in dining areas because the reflection of the person is more subtle, and generally, while eating, people don't like to look at themselves. Blue tinted mirror is popular for homes in Florida, creating a cool feeling; and peach tinted mirror is used mainly in spas and similar places for its calming effects. Heyne, herself, enjoys working with clear mirror for the most part.

Trends
Residential mirror usage is in fact on the rise, but it is being used in new ways with respect to the home, according to Ross Christie, vice president sales and marketing of Walker Mirror. "More mirror is being incorporated into furniture, occasional tables, dining sets, etc.," he notes. In addition, he sees traditional bathroom vanity mirrors giving way to framed mirrors, where the frame-styles become the design motif.

New applications around windows and skylights are popular because they are adding life to what was painted sheet rock before, Christie continues. Most importantly though, he sees homeowners buying decorative mirror at an unprecedented rate due to the fact that manufacturers are supplying design styles that keep up with major decorating trends. Retailers now offer countless choices of sizes, styles, and finishes that were nonexistent a few years ago.

So where do you start? Web pages are a wonderful way for people to find out about mirror and how to use it in design. For example, www.servicemagic.com is a Web site dedicated to matching consumers with pre-screened designers, architects, and contractors for free. If you want to speak with a person, phone requests are taken at 800/474-1596. In addition, for design ideas and brainstorming, Pamela Heyne recommends thumbing through Architectural Digest. Your local glass and mirror retail store will be able to supply you with an inexhaustible number of suggestions as well.

Affordable, flexible, and easily accessible, mirrors are part of today's design solutions. As Ross Christie sees it, designers and home decorators see the value of mirror in all rooms where space and light play a part in enhancing the ambiance.

Source: Consumer Design Guide, Glass Magazine, December 2001.