An antique mirror on the wall – Photo Courtesy: Posh Living, LLC
Antique mirrors are beautiful, first and foremost. You can find all sorts of styles in local vintage stores and in online antique boutiques, from classic French gilt to simple driftwood. Choose mirrors that reflect your personality, and make sure that they are an appropriate size for the room.
Mirrors are obviously great for reflecting more light into a room, and therefore making it feel bigger than it really is. But, if you choose a design that’s too big or too small, then it could have the opposite effect.
So, to make sure your vintage mirror fits perfectly into your room, go into the room and visualize where you would have it, then get a tape measure and measure the approximate size you think would look right. You may want to get someone else to measure whilst you stand back and visualize it. Generally the smaller the room, the smaller the mirror, but this is not always the case. You will want to decide on whether you want it to be vertical or horizontal too.
Then, take your measurements and browse online auction sites or head to your nearest vintage shop. When you find something that you like, which seems to meet your size requirements, then congratulate yourself on such an amazing find!
Antique Mirror Styles
The most common style is a large French gilt wall mirror, that wouldn’t look out of place in the halls of Versailles. These do look good in all types of homes, but are best suited to large rooms with high ceilings.
For a slightly smaller, but yet similar style, opt for a Victorian gilt wood Florentine style mirror, which looks great hung over a fire place. But, if you don’t want to pay the high price tag, go for a reproduction, or create your own with gold transfer paper.
Or, if you don’t want gold edging, then go for a more fluid Venetian vintage mirror, with etched glass detail. These mirrors are stunning wall features, and work well in so many different types of home.
Vintage Shabby Chic Mirrors
There’s nothing more effortless and homely than shabby chic style interiors. So, to add a little of this look to your home, find a mirror with a lived-in quality, that’s a little bit worn, pre-loved. Or take some new wooden furniture, paint it and then wear it by sanding off some of the paint.
White and French style mirrors epitomize this home design look, so check out your favorite furniture stores, and raid local bric-a-bracs and car boot sales. You could even incorporate a little of this style by buying a small white wooden photo frame, and filling it with mirror.
Some great online furniture stores, with amazing mirrors, reproduction and originals:
Juliettes Interiors – These reproductions are affordable and absolutely beautiful.
Favorite pieces: the Murano Venetian mirror and the tall black Penelope mirror
Melody Maison – Shabby chic interior design, all the items in this furniture store are unique and oh-so chic. From pictures and wall plaques to Christmas ornaments and furnishings, if you love a French shabby chic look, you’ll want all these items to fill your home.
Favorite pieces: the French style white mirror and the tall 4 arm Christmas candelabra
Casually Elegant Home – Specializing in romantic Venetian mirrors, this easy to browse website contains different sizes and colors of mirror for your home.
Favorite pieces: the Georgia Mantle mirror and the oval Titania Ribbon mirror
To be fair though, there’s quite a thin and narrow line between ‘shabby chic’ and just ‘shabby’. It really depends on the quality of furniture you buy to reproduce the effect.