We all know that mirrors in our home reflect light and can visually enhance the size of a room.
But even more than that, mirrors can create drama, and add a sculptural presence in a space. Sometimes they can even become a focal point.
This week I’m sharing some thoughts on the subject from two New York designers, NICK OLSEN, nickolsenstyle.com
and SARA GILBANE, saragilbaneinteriors.com.
The conventional wisdom has long been that mirrors are an easy way to bring light into a space and make rooms appear larger. That’s definitely true, but it also sells mirrors short. The best ones can function as works of art and have the same outsize effect in a room as a dynamic painting—at a fraction of the cost.
As designer Nick Olsen points out, “They provide so much. A large, bold mirror, like a powerful artwork, provides scale. It creates a textural contrast with the surrounding wall. And if it has an ornate frame, it provides an architectural quality as well.”
Sara Gilbane agrees and says she uses mirrors in virtually every project. “There’s just something very appealing about a mirror,” she says. “They are a way to create the effect of a window in a window-less wall. They provide a grace note, whether in a room that’s supermodern or traditional. Decorating with a mirror is the oldest trick in the book, but it’s still around for a reason.”
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NATALIE MIRROR BY MADE GOODS
Gilbane admires the intricate laser-cut faux shagreen on the frame. “It has a fashion-forward vibe,” she says. “I’d pair this with rattan furniture to add a funky element to a beach house.” The scalloped detailing would give a feminine touch to a tailored environment, says Olsen. “I would hang this above a charcoal velvet sofa or on an upholstered bedroom wall.” 36″ dia. x 1″ d.; $1,600; anthemsf.com
HORN TILE MIRROR BY FLAIR
Olsen praises the mosaic horn frame. “It would make a strong focal point amid a grouping of artworks,” he says, noting its heft and depth: “It’s substantial, though not too large.” Gilbane calls it a “high-impact piece” but notes that, with its black-and-white palette, it can be mixed with anything. “I’d love to see it surrounded by velvet, mohair, and other textured fabrics,” she adds. 40″ h. x 20″ w. x 2″ d.; $1,950; flairhomecollection.com
SAPPHIRE MIRROR BY BUNNY WILLIAMS
“Bunny Williams is bringing the cobalt mirror back in a very playful way,” says Olsen of this “high-drama” piece. “You don’t need blue in your decorating scheme—this could be the only color in a room.” Gilbane calls it “gracious but exciting” and extols its large scale and burnished gold wood frame. “I picture this with grass cloth behind it,” she adds, “or in a hallway with blue-and-white tiles.” 54″ h. x 24″ w. x 1.5″ d.; $979; bunnywilliamshome.com
VIOLETTA MIRROR BY JULIAN CHICHESTER
“I love its shape and sense of movement,” says Gilbane. “It has a kind of Hollywood Regency glam.” The framing horseshoe shapes are antiqued, she points out, “a great way to get the distressed look without losing functionality.” Olsen agrees: “This has so much personality, I’d place it with something neutral—above a dressing table or a Jean-Michel Frank parchment desk.” 48″ h. x 32″ w. x 1″ d.; $2,385; julianchichester.com
CHARLESTON MIRROR BY OOMPH
Olsen is drawn to the fanciful wood frame, which can be lacquered in 16 punchy colors—Parakeet is shown. “It’s supermodern,” he says. “It winks at history but also has a kind of Dorothy Draper glamour.” Gilbane describes its curves and glossy finish as “feminine and clean. It would be an unexpected addition to a powder room,” she adds. 56″ h. x 33″ w. x 3″ d.; $1,875; oomphonline.com
WALDEN MIRROR BY IRONIES
“It’s gorgeous,” Gilbane says of the hand-carved and -finished wood frame. “I would center this statement piece over a sofa to draw your eye up.” Olsen raves about the high-relief foliage. “Where are you going to find that in 2014?” he asks. “Something this intricate needs a simple wall or the contrast of lacquered furnishings to make it pop. You’ve got to have 12-foot ceilings for this bad boy.” 65″ h. x 41″ w. x 4″ d.; $5,852 (to the trade only); ironies.com
PAGODA MIRROR BY HORCHOW
Olsen links this chinoiserie mirror, made of resin, with the revival of interest in Tony Duquette and Palm Beach style. “It’s a flight of fancy,” he says. He imagines a pair flanking an entryway. “A total wow piece,” exclaims Gilbane. “And the color adds another level of excitement.” She also praises its price: “This mirror gives you a lot of bang for your buck.” 49″ h. x 30″ w. x 1.5″ d.; $570; horchow.com
SMALL LEAVES MIRROR BY CHELSEA HOUSE
“Because it’s so compact,” says Gilbane, “I see this in a bedroom setting. Or hung amid a group of artworks to add an element of fun.” With its low price and flat metal frame, available in a gold- or silver-leaf finish, Olsen considers it playful. “I would hang two or three together,” he says, “then have a decorative painter draw scrolls around them to heighten the effect.” 36.5″ h. x 19.5″ w. x 0.5″ d.; $390; chelseahouseinc.com
FARRAH MIRROR BY ARTERIORS
“My eye goes to the antiquing at the edge of the glass,” says Olsen. “So it looks timeworn, but the mirror is totally functional.” Because the gold-leaf iron frame is so decorative, he adds, he sees it in a “jewel-box space, with crazy wallpaper.” Gilbane likens the piece to a French flea-market find. “It’s timeless. I’d love to see it in multiples in a big room.” 36″ dia. x 1.5″ d.; $1,140; arteriorshome.com
ANTIBE MIRROR BY MICHAEL S. SMITH FOR MIRROR IMAGE HOME
This large-scale piece evokes the Arts and Crafts movement for Olsen. “I would put it in a rustic environment—a log cabin or a ski chalet,” he says. “The hammered iron frame gives it a hand-hewn feel.” Gilbane imagines it in an indoor/outdoor room. “You could surround it with potted palms or keep it simple, contrasting it against tile or limestone floors.” 54″ h. x 32″ w. x 1″ d.; $2,208; gracehomefurnishings.com
Photos: via Elle Decor
Until next time…
Blessings from my home to yours
Dedicated to helping you live your rooms—not the other way around
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Designers Sara Gilbane and Nick Olsen take a shine to these fancifully framed beauties, which add drama, gleam, and sculptural presence to a room
By Rumaan Alam
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Photography By David A. Land/ Produced By Orli Ben-Dor
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The conventional wisdom has long been that mirrors are an easy way to bring light into a space and make rooms appear larger. That’s definitely true, but it also sells mirrors short. The best ones can function as works of art and have the same outsize effect in a room as a dynamic painting—at a fraction of the cost.
As designer Nick Olsen points out, “They provide so much. A large, bold mirror, like a powerful artwork, provides scale. It creates a textural contrast with the surrounding wall. And if it has an ornate frame, it provides an architectural quality as well.”
Sara Gilbane agrees and says she uses mirrors in virtually every project. “There’s just something very appealing about a mirror,” she says. “They are a way to create the effect of a window in a window-less wall. They provide a grace note, whether in a room that’s supermodern or traditional. Decorating with a mirror is the oldest trick in the book, but it’s still around for a reason.”