Whether you want to see your own reflection, reflect an interesting view, create a focal point or light up a dark corner, mirrors are a versatile accessory that add sparkle and space. Kitty Bartholomew, host of HGTV's Kitty Bartholomew: You're Home, tours the home of designer Pamela Heyne to learn her top 10 mirror tips. - Use large-scale mirrors to add a sense of space and light to a large area (figure A). Floor-to-ceiling mirrors on either side of the fireplace give a feeling of space to a dark, cramped living room while adding height and architectural drama.
- Hang a pier mirror, also called a fisheye mirror, between windows to give a room added depth (figure B). Small pier mirrors placed between windows were used by 18th-century French designers to visually minimize massive walls.
- Use mirrors to hide blemishes on tabletops or walls (figure C). A mirror cleverly covers the damaged portion of a favorite table, saving hundreds of dollars in refinishing costs and creating an interesting focal point.
- Use movable mirrors to alter your view (figure D). A freestanding mirror at a desk can be adjusted to give a more pleasing view.
- Use a mirrored screen to add light and drama to a dark corner. A glass-faceted screen placed to the left of a fireplace adds light to a lower-level dining room.
- Use mirrored place mats to create a variety of light-catching effects (figure E).
- Mirror a ceiling to create a "skylight" (figure F). Using a mirror on the ceiling of a foyer gives the illusion of a skylight. A gold ceiling enhances the feeling of depth.
- Mirror a backsplash to add light to a dark kitchen.
- Mirror a cabinet ceiling to help you see what's on the top shelf.
- Use mirrors to make a basement window (figure G). A pair of mirrors cut to the width of the window and arranged parallel brings in the outside view. One mirror is placed under the window and the other above; the top mirror reflects the outside view to the bottom mirror.
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