Classic Style Inspiration: Mirrored Sconces

We first fell in love with mirrored sconces during a trip to George Washington's birthplace in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Functional and flashy, the concave disco ball-like fixtures were first employed to to maximize the effect of candlelight in the nights before electricity. Although less essential now, they've lost none of their magic in contemporary domiciles...

First Row:

• 1. Nicole and Colin's Streamlined Salvage. Nicole found her antique pair at the Georgetown Flea Market.
• 2 We love the sculptural quality of these mantel adornments.
• 3 We also like the traditional arrangement that Maureen Dowd used in her Georgetown home.
• 4 Finding of a matching intact pair of antique mirrored sconces is not always easy, so we love the bold use of a variety of mismatched sizes used for this collection display.
• 5 If you like the effect of candle light dispersed by a mirror's reflection, but haven't found the real deal, try Anne-Marie's simple but elegant DIY take on the classic mirrored sconce.

We love the refreshing effect that history-rich design elements have in contemporary interiors. What about you?

(Images: 1,5: Leah Moss, 2: Better Homes and Gardens, 3: Michael Arnaud for O Magazine, 4: House Beautiful)