Colossal 9-panel mirror above 12′-w x 20′-h hand-fabricated on-site
Oh magic mirror, what do you see?
“For it’s not what you look at that matters but what you see.” – Thoreau
Decorative mirror is one our specialties at K. Salowe & Co. We are a licensed general contractor specializing in sophisticated interior remodeling. As a designer, I have always considered the use of mirror as an effect in architectural interiors, in addition to being a potentially interesting functional or decorative element. Let’s start by asking, ‘What will it reflect and is that good or bad?’ For instance, is the reflection helpful, necessary or impactful (in a good way) or might there be some regrettable, unexpected discovery after the fact?…As an example if you were to mirror a wall next to a toilet only to realize that now you visually have two toilets, you may find that is not the effect you were going for. I believe in all good design, planning the effect is better than the alternative.
There was a time in professional design circles when we had what I called a gratuitous use of mirror. Wall-to-wall slabs of mirror in some cases. Very cool at first glance in its day but then it became a fad. I think it was the late 70’s and 80’s sprung from the Disco era. Undeniably flashy and sexy. The first time I saw such a thing I thought it was a pretty cool interior remodeling concept, just infinite expanse of space. Kind of hypnotic. The famed Hall of Mirrors at Versailles is both an elaborate, decorative statement as well as a wild reflective effect. Shocking in its time for the opulence as well as the abundant use of mirror. Of course, The Palace of Versailles was shocking on its own in scale and opulence. Still an eyepopping effect to this day.
One of the many offerings from K. Salowe & Co. is to contemplate how to use mirror as an effect or a decorative element or both. The aforementioned questions apply such as, ‘is there a practical function or do we want a statement piece?’ In a lot of our boiserie and paneled rooms we often integrate mirror as a dynamic material to refract light and movement. It can add mystery and even a little confusion of the curious kind to the average four-walled box.
The above mirror is integrated into a custom boiserie dining room. It gives an illusion of spatial expanse and adds light and movement to an otherwise simple box of a space. It also creates some confusion with the continuation of the beautiful architecture.
One of the more interesting contemporary applications for mirror is to create a pattern such as the diamond pattern below. We beveled each square and then butt them together to create a geometric grid. In this case we applied a silver rosette at each intersection to get this elegant effect. Finished with a thin black frame to tailor the edges and marry the vignette together with the granite top and silver leaf cabinet.
A mirror can be an objet d’arts but it can also be strictly utilitarian as with a bathroom vanity mirror…all business if you like. In that instance you can have what I call a ‘slab-o-glass.’ Almost invisible as a ‘mirror’, it just reflects and expands the feeling of the space. I love that in the right place.
Below is a an example of a simple solution using mirror where we strategically placed mirror to create the effect that there is ‘no wall.’ In essence, expanding the space, magically. The perfect scenario where the answer to the question, “What does it reflect?”… is a continuation of forms that will allow the mirrored wall to disappear. Even after you know it is mirrored, you are still tricked into believing the wall does not exist as the illusion of the ceiling beams are carried through the plane of the wall and over the stone cap of the horizontal brick wall. It just pulls your eye through like a magic trick where you know how it is done but it fools you anyway. Less costly than demolition.
It is considered good feng shui to have mirror near your entryway to add light and movement not to mention have a glimpse of your fabulous self as you are heading out the door. There are some do’s and don’ts with mirror by your entry with respect to feng shui which I will not address here but you can research on the internet if you are inclined. Some classic design applications include having mirror above a mantle. Full length dressing mirrors in a boudoir. Can be very chic and sexy.
ABOVE is a full length mirror in an entry foyer flanked by upholstered panels set into a compatible frame. I can imagine using this concept in a dressing room as well.
One of my favorite mirror projects is where we have designed mirrors in the context of a free-standing screen, which can be used as a partition like any dressing screen or as a dynamic way to add light and movement.
In this master bathroom above we created a Hollywood movie-star kind of glamour. We integrated the solid marble Sherle Wagner sink into a prominent panel of the mirror-screen and walked the panels around the hard 90-degree corner to soften the turn and compliment the position of the clawfoot bathtub.
This screen is an original design with silver leaf finish . Six-panel screen is 16’ long x 96” tall. It is attached to the wall for safety but it looks free-standing with its feet on the floor. We have fashioned a few different mirrored screens with a similar concept for our clients.
Below is a link to video of this beautiful silver mirror screen
Grande or petit, functional or glamourous, It is our pleasure to work on these type of projects. Feel free to call me personally to discuss your interior. Check out some of our mirrors here
Thanks for taking the time to look- Ken
Leave A Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.