Mirrors are decorative, continued

There are so many beautifully decorative mirrors out there that I have to show you a few more.  Unless otherwise noted, most of these come from the pages of the dearly departed House and Garden magazine.

What self respecting exposé on mirrors would be complete without a shell-encrusted fantasy by Tony Duquette.  This one, made even giddier by its matching console and pair of faux ivory pagodas, was the cenerpiece of Richard Mishaan's dining room in Sagaponack.   Photo by Fernando Benoechea.

From over the top to the epitome of elegant restraint, this 1960s shagreen and bone mirror by Karl Springer is one of my favorites.  Photographed by Mattias Petrus Schaller, it graced a bedroom in the Manhattan townhouse of Reed and Delphine Krakoff.

 In the same article, another mirror is worth noting.  This one has a frame that appears to be clad in python.

Here's a close-up.  It's a great look and something that could be replicated using one of the many wonderful embossed or even faux leathers available.

An otherwise simple mirror design can take on added glamour with color, such as this bold blue by Orlando Diaz-Azcuy.  Photo by Mattias Schaller. 

This wonderfully overscaled mirror, in an apartment designed by Robert Passal for Yankee great Jorge Posada, works so well because of its distressed finish.  Photo by Lisa Kereszi.

 Designers Kevin Roberts and Tim Haynes's convex bulls-eye mirror by Herve´ Van der Straeten is a stand out in their Bridgehampton home.  Photo by Francois Halard.

Here's another convex mirror but with a rustic style.  In this Hamptons house designed by Thom Filicia, it opens up the entrance hall.   Photo by Thomas Loof. 

Another interior by Filicia, and another simple mirror that makes an understated impact.  Photo by William Abramowicz.

I love Suzanne Kasler's juxtaposition of this glam starburst mirror against the horizontal pine paneling.  Source unknown.

Another unexpected combo is this wonderful round mirror, that would seem more at home in a dining room or foyer, hung over a freestanding tub.  Source unknown.
  

More mirrors to come!  Thanks for reading, everyone!

Mirror, mirror (part I)

A former client, who was a delightful person with excellent taste, once said to me, "I don't like mirrors."  I was crestfallen.  How can you not like mirrors?  You don't have to look at yourself in them, for heaven's sake.  But in terms of bringing in light, expanding space, creating atmosphere and visual interest, there is nothing better!!!

So let's begin our look (sorry-- couldn't resist) at mirrors.

Part I:  Mirrors are Decorative

This simple but elegant mirror fits in perfectly with the restrained elegance of this living room (source unknown.)

Designer Kerry Joyce plays up the reflection of the 19th century Italian chandelier in a Beverly Hills dining room (photo by Grey Crawford for Elle Decor.)

 The Danielli chandelier from Niermann Weeks is reflected in this 1940s round mirror  (hung over a mirrored console, no less, and photographed by your humble blogger.)

In this clients' home overlooking Charleston Harbor, I hung a 19th century French mirror so that it would catch the light and all the wonderful reflections from the harbor -- also notice the mirrored cocktail table (photo by Ben Williams.) 

 In a client's Gramercy Park powder room, this old mirror was found at an off the beaten track antiques store and given new importance with a masterful paint finish that (ahem) cost more than the mirror (photo by Michael Kraus.)

 In the foyer of a client's Upper East Side apartment, an Art Deco mirror is set off by a pair of alabaster urns (photo by Michael Kraus.)

Ray Booth and Bobby McAlpine clad the walls of this Nashville bathroom in cyprus paneling and hung an antique Italian steel-framed mirror (yes, steel -- look closely) right on the paneling (photo by Peter Vitale for Veranda.)

Dealing with paneling or wainscoting can be a challenge.  Sometimes it's hard to hang a mirror or artwork right on the wood, as was done in the previous photo.  I chose to hang this mirror horizontally and above the panels.  What makes it work is the odd ball scale of the low chest paired with the tall skinny lamps.  Leaning the artwork against the panels also helps fill in the void (photo by Michael Kraus.)

 

The late, great Albert Hadley was a big fan of starburst mirrors as shown in this Manhattan penthouse (photo by Feliciano for Architectural Digest.)

I've heard people say that you should limit mirrors to one per room.  Nonsense!  This Manhattan entrance hall by David Kleinberg sports three and it looks great (photo by Pieter Estersohn for Elle Decor.)

In this Gramercy Park townhouse, the former design team of Sills Huniford used classic overmantle mirrors to great effect (photo by Scott Frances for Architectural Digest.) 

In his signature style, Jose Solis Betancourt hung an inlaid mirror over a draped fabric panel (photo by Pieter Estersohn for Southern Accents.)

Next time -- Part II:  Mirrors that Seduce.

Thanks for reading, everyone!