subject: Decorating Your New Home - Mirrors [print this page] Mirrors have been a very desirable piece of furniture since the Middle Ages. Firstly made out of polished metal, they quickly become mass-produced thanks to the introduction of glass and metals such as tin and mercury. Mirrors are a great idea to fill gaps on walls and to decorate entire facades in bathrooms and bedrooms, but can also be used wisely in kitchens and hallways. One of the main objectives when using mirrors in confined spaces in your new home is the opportunity to make the room look bigger.
There is a vast quantity of different styles that can suit the need of homeowners, from the alternative to the high-tech. The great difference between styles can sometimes become a bit of a headache, but carefully selecting the most suitable ones can result in a very interesting combination.
One option when choosing mirrors is to pick a provider that offers shapes made to measure. There is some specialist websites (mirrorsandglass.co.uk, prices vary) that offer this option, and in this way you can fit the mirror to your room's needs. The ability to cut mirrors to your own desired shape comes with a price though: no frame might be available to fit it. Using frameless mirrors is not as bad as it sounds; using them in bathrooms or lounges can bring the room to a different level of finesse. The fact that there is no frame around your mirror is also a great idea to conceal large or small cupboards and shelving units. Also, using this option for a mirrored wardrobe can increase the space in your bedroom, blending the purpose of wardrobe and dresser.
Framed mirrors are usually featured in antique magazines and old houses, but with recent nostalgic trends, sourcing items from the past to combine with technological appliances, the demand for antique, stylishly worn-out mirrors is now high. With wooden frames, it is better to have them with original paint, which even though is not homogeneous, will add the charm of the worn-out feel. You can find these items in antique shops, but there are also other companies that provide reclaimed furniture (www.retrouvius.com, prices vary).
There are also a variety of accessories that are made of mirrored surfaces. These range from vases to photo frames, coffee tables to chests of drawers. There are also some items that can make your house technologically advanced with no major modifications. The StoccoMaitre touch screen mirror (stocco.it, prices on request) allows you to play your iPod or iPad just by touching its surface (see photo), and it allows you to play your music, see pictures and videos. It is a very cool solution that could double the functionality of your bathroom mirror.
