Mirror, mirror -- Part II: Mirrors are seductive

Mirrors are all about reflection.  Strategically placed, they can captivate.  There is an undeniable fascination with seeing multiple reflections into infinity.  There is a come hither quality that draws you in, transports you...am I getting carried away?  Yes...I'm sure you'd rather look at mirrors.

In a dining room in Charleston, SC, I had this vintage mirrored screen hung on the wall to catch even more light and reflection.  The reflective quality is heightened by the metallic glaze on the wall as well as the shimmering fabric on the chairs.  Photo by Ben Williams.

In the same apartment, an antique French mirror placed at the end of a long hall works its magic by extending the view all the way from the front room.  The mirrored wall breaks up the expanse of hall and gives it depth.  Photo by me.

More metallic!  This reflection catches both the living and dining rooms of this Manhattan penthouse designed many years ago by Gary Hager of Parrish-Hadley.  The silver tea paper in the dining room creates a sophisticated glow.  House & Garden; photographer unknown.

In a breakfast room in the Hamptons with wall to wall windows on two sides, I hung four mirrors right next to each other to capture the feeling of a third wall of windows.  Photo by your humble blogger.

I love mirrors in unexpected places, such as on this screened porch in a Hamptons hosue designed by Timothy Macdonald.  Architectural Digest; photo by Peter Aaron.

Eastern Long Island is known for its light, and what better way to play it up than with mirrors.  I used this one to do just that.  Photo by Michael Kraus.

William Sofield's 1996 design of the SoHo Grand Hotel made effective use of mirrors, such as this mirror on mirror wall treatment for the penthouse.  Interior Design; photo by Peter Mauss.

I've had this tear sheet in my files for years.  I always loved the glimpse of that big oval mirror hanging over the daybed littered with pillows-- looks like you could dive right in!  Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz's design was featured in Metropolitan Home in 1996 and 16 years later still looks fresh and inviting.  Photo by Peter Margonelli.

This wonderfully spare yet equally dramatic mirror leans against an entire wall in a dressing room designed by Emily Summers and photographed for House & Garden by Scott Francis.  The lacquered 1940s vanity by Samuel Marx sets it off to a "T" (for Texas...yes, Texas!)

For his own modest weekend home in Southampton, architect Lee Mindel (accustomed to much grander scale and budgets) threw some whimsy into the mix.  The vintage mirror brings the outside in.  The reflective quality continues with a collection of mercury glass vases and convex sconces by André Debreuil.  Photographed for Metropolitan Home by William Abranowicz.

In this New Orleans bathroom by Ann Holden, an oversized mirror leans against the wall, reflecting the languid elegance of the room.  Photo by Simon Upton for Elle Decor.  

The South does evoke a sense of grand ruin and decay as in the haunting reflection of this majestic half-tester bed through a splendid old mirror.   Old House Journal; photographer unknown.

Another leaning mirror casts a long reflection in designer Kelly Wearstler's Beverly Hills home.  Photo by Oberto Gili for House & Garden.

Mirrors can also make a powerful architectural statement...next time.  Thanks for reading, everyone!