• 1. There are many things to love about about Layla and Kevin's kitchen redo, but the mirrored inner cabinets are definitely a favorite. Dark cabinets could have had the potential to be overpowering, but the mirrors do an incredible job of expanding the space and lightening the dark interiors. In case you missed their lovely house tour, you can check it out here. For details of how they went about installing the mirrors check out Layla's post on her blog, the Lettered Cottage.
• 2. Mirrored closet doors can be the epitome of cheesy, but not when it's up to Thomas O'Brien's design. I love his functional and ultra classy window like antique mirrored doors.
• 3. We featured this mirrored fireplace yesterday in my post on sprucing up an unused fireplace, but I couldn't resist including it here as well. We don't usually think of placing mirrors so low, but it looks stunning and the mantel acts as a giant frame.
• 4. In the past we've had some mixed reactions to the idea of using a mirror as a headboard, but in an elegant setting such as this dreamlike bedroom, it reads as sweet and light rather than cheesy.
• 5, 6, 7. Mirrored back splashes are a great solution for a dark little kitchen. The key to this look is keeping the counters as clutter-free as possible— clutter is bad enough, you don't need it mirror-multiplied!
• 8. Of all the mirror uses we've seen, it seems the mirrored wall is the hardest to get right, but Bunny Williams seems to pull it off in this antiqued mirror living room.
(Images: 1: Apartment Therapy: DC of Layla & Kevin's House Tour, 2: Thomas O'Brien, 3, 4, 7: Domino, 5: House Beautiful, 6: Bespoke Press via Apartment Therapy: San Fransisco, 8: Bunny Williams)
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
It strikes me that the first example really isn't so unconventional as much as a rediscovery. I have a cherished china cabinet from the '30s or '40s that's entirely mirrored. It did an amazing job of making the smaller dining rooms I had it in feel lighter and airier -- I eventually decided only to put glass in it to emphasize the effect.
view dtremit's profile
mirrors behind cabinet shelves, yes
mirrors behind stoves...you must be nuts
view my Trampoline's profile
wow, i love the idea of a mirrored backsplash. i'd have to resist leaning over the hot spluttering spaghetti sauce to get a peek at myself though! :)
and i do love antiqued mirrors, and that last one is stunning.
view nikki moore - photography and vintage treasures's profile
I had mirrors in my glass cabinets in my previous home and liked the effect so much I put them in the two glass cabinets in my new place.
It makes an incredible difference in the room.
view grumbler101's profile
dtremit: I'd love to see a photo of your mirrored china cabinet. I'm enchanted by the thought. Any chance you'd post?
view Mary B C's profile
Wow who is so vain they need to see themselves this many times a day?
view ChrisGal's profile
I had a mirrored back splash in my last apartment, and I loved it! At first I was skeptical - I thought it would be too hard to keep it looking clean. What I found was that it was actually easier than a regular back splash. Because you can see every tiny grease splatter so easily, you can wipe it up quicker, and if you're in a hurry, you can focus your cleaning on just those spots that are truly dirty.
view Brandyjane's profile
I think all of these are great - I would do any of them except maybe the mirrored backsplashes, @Brandyjane's comment notwithstanding. I especially love #1. But is #4 really a mirror? It looks to me like a white painting behind glass.
@ChrisGal - I don't think for most people it's about vanity - it's about reflecting light and opening up a space.
view Emily the Cat's profile
I can see both sides of the mirrored backsplash (haha, no pun intended) but the idea of cleaning it in such an awkward space really is a turn off. Besides, getting greasy kitchen splatters on glass of any kind takes a bit of extra care.
It's pretty cool though.
view LizinCO's profile
In my first apartment I put mirrors as a backsplash. It was a tiny galley style kitchen at the back of the apartment (far from the windows and any natural light). They really helped bounce some light around and make the space feel cozy as opposed to it's previous depressing state.
view Ashycat's profile
I love mirrors all over, though I don't have many in my place. It's not about seeing your reflection; it's about reflecting the light and color that's in your house already, so your house has even more.
I'm inspired - I'm thinking of mirrors in the back of my barrister bookcase. That would be cool!
view Mary B C's profile
Mirrored backsplash? OK if you don't use your kitchen for preparing food.
view Nani's profile
I love it in the fireplace.
view birdablaze's profile
I like it on the shelves and the doors. I'd even consider it in glazed kitchen cabinet doors, in order to have the lighter look without the storage on display. But I don't think I would do the backsplash.
view JosieDaisy's profile
Mirror bed=kinky. Elegant kinky, but kinky nonetheless.
view quiltmaster's profile
The most insanely fun mirror installation I've ever seen is the Couture Kitchen by Alison Spear. It's on the Kohler website. Here's the link:
http://www.us.kohler.com/planning/detail.jsp?section=3&nsection=3&nsubsection=2&subsection=2&nitem=2&aid=1194379269366
Be sure to scroll down and click on the link that says "Watch video" and enjoy!
view MaeEast's profile
Another cool thing = mirrors in the garden... magical!
view mirandabee's profile