Take a Fresh Look at Mirrors

The right mirror can do a lot more than let you check for spinach in your teeth. Small mirrors can create a focal point, while large mirrors can give a small room the illusion of greater space. Mirrors can be used to reflect a floral arrangement, a group of objets d'art, or a window with a special view, so the "vignette" can be enjoyed from other angles in the room. Today, more than ever, we're seeing an incredible variety of styles — mirrors that are cleverly framed in everything from traditional wood to antique-style metals to unique arts-and-crafts creations with etched or painted detail, even mosaics and semi-precious stones. Yes, the right mirror can be a vital accessory to express your personality and set the mood for a room. For example, the new Sienna model from Moen caught my eye with its gracefully curved metal accents — just see how it creates a tone of sophisticated romance! I'd play this mirror against the pale sage wall of the guest room, above the heirloom black-oak vanity: so very 1920s glamour girl! And I might very well accessorize with a vintage lace runner, a tortoise-shell or faux-celluloid dish to hold my guests' bits-and-pieces, and a cut-glass bud vase with one delicate orchid. That's another thing about mirrors: they are frames for visions and dreams, in the end, aren't they? Look around and get a sense of what shape, size, and frame materials are most attractive to you, then let yourself daydream... Before you know it, fresh ideas for decorating will surely begin to flow!