Saturday, July 31, 2010

Decorating Tip: Light up Your Fireplace with a Mirror

We’ve all heard the old decorating chestnut about using mirrors to “open up a room.” While that is true, and while a mirror does brighten a room by reflecting light, they have another important design purpose. Mirrors add architectural interest to a space. I like to put mirrors above fireplace mantles since the shape of the mirror gives weight and importance to an central feature of the room.


The mirror becomes a part of the mantle—giving it height, prominence and a greater sense of grandeur. A mirror also serves as a visual counterpoint to the fireplace itself. Where the fireplace is essentially a black hole when not in use, the mirror is a source light. The tension between the two makes for a good visual marriage. At least there’s one instance where tension helps a marriage. Reflecting the rest of the room, a mirror will make sure your fireplace stays warm even when it’s not in use.

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