Mirrors can work on so many different levels in the home. Often they are the perfect choice for enhancing the light or creating the illusion of space. In these cases larger mirrors are the best choice and simple styles are usually the most effective. However, sometimes it is the mirror itself that you want to be the centre of attention. If that is the case then a more decorative piece with an interesting frame, an unusual shape or striking form would fit the bill.

When I redecorated my cloakroom I was anxious to include a feature mirror which would really add something special to the overall look that I had created. The cloakroom is the smallest room in the house but that doesn’t mean that it has to be the least interesting! I decided that I wanted a bit of sparkle in the room which I featured with some gorgeous mosaic border tiles and quartz floor tiles with silver flecks. Whatever mirror I chose would have to complement the black, white and silver colour scheme and the mosaic.

The Search

I had a good look around for the perfect mirror but struggled to find what I needed. Then just when I felt that my search was in vain I was wandering along the South Bank in London and discovered a fascinating little shop at Gabriel’s Wharf. In the window there was a selection of mirrors in different sizes which had wonderful mosaic borders in a variety of colours. There wasn’t anything in black, white and silver but perhaps there could be? I walked in and had a chat with the owner who was happy to make the mirrors to order. I explained the look in my cloakroom and placed my order which I arranged to collect a couple of weeks later.

Winter Blues

As it turned out, the day I travelled back to London to collect the mirror was one of the coldest that I could remember and blighted by biting winds and driving rain. I was just a little bit horrified when I arrived at the shop to discover that it was closed. I rang the mobile number that I have been given and was relieved to find that the owner had simply been delayed. By the time she arrived I was suffering from frost bite and had lost the use of my fingers! I was now praying that I liked the mirror because getting my hands on it was a great deal more hassle than the rather reasonable £80 price tag.

When the mirror was produced with a flourish I was absolutely delighted with it. I arrived home later that day colder and poorer but with the perfect mirror. It looked even better in situ and I loved it. It did rather also open my eyes to the many decorative possibilities presented by mirrors which I later exploited with other attractive pieces in my home. It is funny how mirrors are so often things that you take for granted but you can really miss them when they are not there and the right one makes such a difference to a room.

Article by Sally Stacey