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Mirror, Mirror on the Wall - Make Your Home the Best of All
by Cheryl Entrekin

To know ourselves, we need mirrors. "Something to reflect the face" is the Egyptian word for mirror. We don't use mirrors for just personal grooming and presentation. They also have a multitude of aesthetic and mood enhancing properties. Mirrors can be a piece of artwork, used in conjunction with lighting to enhance a room or hallway, achieving looks of romance or decorative appeal.

As we all say, Mirror, Mirror on the wall...Mirrors are indeed extraordinary. It is not too fanciful to believe that the development of the glass mirror in only one civilization not only altered art, but also gradually altered the perception of what human beings are.

Let's look at some history of the mirror. Typical mirrors were formed from sheets of glass and backed with aluminum and /or silver that produces images by reflections. For a smooth surface to act as a mirror, it must reflect as much light as possible and must transmit and absorb as little as possible. The earliest mirrors were hand mirrors; those large enough to reflect the whole body did not appear until the 1st Century AD. By the time of the Renaissance era, Venice had established an outstanding reputation as centers of mirror production. In fact, the mirrors that were shipped from other countries were cut into two pieces so the taxes were not as high. For example: in 1680, a mirror that was 3'x 4' would cost $40,000 in today's currency. Initially, only the rich and famous could own mirrors for their homes.

When mirrors took to frames, furniture styles dictated material and lines to those frames, like the Chippendale, Queen Anne, or the Baroque styles. America had her Constitution Mirror of Revolution, the flying Bald Eagle or the urn filling the broken arch posed on top of the frame. Over-mantel mirrors were popular during the 18th and 19th centuries and have revolutionized again into the 20th/21st Century. Period framed mirrors, courting mirrors, box mirrors and compact mirrors are highly collectable and make great accents in the home.

We know that some of the design advantages of antique mirrors, like antique furniture, acquire that elusive quality called patina; a softened, mellow look that bespeaks times past, a connection of past to present. We consider them the jewelry of the room. Mirrors are capable of enlarging a space or brightening a dark area, allowing you to make any statement...being bold, classic, romantic, handsome. Consider a pair of mirrors, side by side. There is certain opulence about pairs displayed together. How about taking that mirror you have hanging vertically and turn it horizontally. Then apply some sconces or vases on either side to enhance the mirror. Why not remove your standard bathroom mirror and replace it with a decorative framed mirror hung from ribbon from a decorative knob? If you experiment with mirrors you might be surprised at the difference they can make to a room.

For more information on mirrors, visit the designer resources section of this website.