Magnifying Glass Decor

Mid-century modern's stronghold may reign over the design world for years to come, but there is always room for some good old fashioned nostalgic decor. Magnifying glasses are a favorite of late. Grouped together or standing alone, they create an interesting focal point in any style room.

deisgn house magnifying glass.jpg
Most recently we spotted a collection grouped in a gorgeous display in Gloria de Lourdes Blalock's living room at the Washington Design Center's Spring Design House. The clusters of magnifying glasses dispersed between the shelves unified other disparate items.

anthropologie magnifying glass.jpg Anthropologie sells a range of sizes. We love browsing the ever-changing arrangements that their creative team of stylists put together in their stores around the area.

mothology magnifying glass.jpg We also dig the simple design of Mothology's take on the standard magniyfying glass.

We can't decide which version we like better, what about you?

(Images: 1: Pottery Barn Home Book, 2: Leah Moss, 3: Anthropologie, 4: Mothology)

Comments (8)

i recently bought a magnifying glass as a decorative piece on my fireplace. It looks cool and people love playing with it when they come to visit!

posted by mrsouellette on April 27th 2009 at 1:35pm
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these look awesome, but am i alone in the fear that a ray of sunlight could shine through the magnifying glass at a certain time of day and start a fire?

is that even possible?

posted by tenderoni on April 27th 2009 at 4:10pm
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Isn't mid-century modern itself a type of "nostalgic decor"? It seems like everyone under 30 wants to live in their grandparents' house circa 1960.

posted by Lisa (Montreal) on April 27th 2009 at 4:11pm
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tenderoni makes a good point, by the way. also, are there feng shui implications? that is, magnification of certain areas of the house may have certain effects? it doesn't concern me, but others may find that a consideration.

posted by avianmission on April 27th 2009 at 4:13pm
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The only thing to be careful about here is how the sun hits these things in a room. I once had a snow globe turn an innocent sunbeam into a concentrated laser of light that was hot enough to melt a hole into a nearby plastic CD case. Crazy!

posted by Annegret on April 27th 2009 at 4:17pm
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Mothology also carries those magnifying glasses on stands, as well as a rather Gothic clawfoot version. If price wasn't an obstacle I'd buy the lot. There are some amazing vintage and antique magnifiers out there, as well -- on telescoping stands, goosenecks, you name it. Haven't managed to nab one yet. Oh, but I will.

posted by rosenatti on April 27th 2009 at 4:48pm
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By the way, why is everything in the picture from the Pottery Barn Home book infinitely cooler than anything PB actually carries in its stores?

The question is probably rhetorical.

posted by rosenatti on April 27th 2009 at 4:51pm
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Magnifying glasses are a favorite of late. Grouped together or standing alone, they create an interesting focal point in any style room

*Groan*. And I thought my sense of humour was bad.

posted by Blandwagon on April 27th 2009 at 9:56pm
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