• 1. I had the pleasure of meeting the talented Tricia Huntley of Huntley & Co. a few weeks ago, and have since been enamored by her luxurious portfolio and blog. Mirrored walls above a home vanity can err on the side of cold and unfocused, but Tricia's beautiful addition of the layered antique mirror makes a wonderful focal point and adds the perfect element of elegance to the bathroom.
• 2. Although this mantel is a little too country for my liking, I love the fresh feel of the propped and layered mirrors above the mantel, which increases the casual, sweet vibe of the space.
• 3. Michael Bruno, founder of 1stDibs, has the most wonderful mirror layering technique. I love how hanging an elaborately framed mirror above a simple one instantly updates and tones done the ornate impact without losing an ounce of glamor.
• 4. DC designer, Kelley Proxmire, seems to incorporate lovely rounded mirrors into many of her notable spaces, but this convex one mounted on the mirrored panel is especially eye-catching.
For other ways to incorporate mirrors tastefully into your decor, check out this related post on unconventional mirror use done right.
(Images: 1: Huntley and Co. via My Notting Hill, 2: Better Homes and Gardens, 3: via More Ways To Waste Time, 4: Kelley Proxmire)
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I have had my eye on this design feature for awhile looking for a place to incorporate it. I absolutely love the first picture. This may be a silly question to some, but how does one go about mounting the second mirror? Won't drilling a hole crack the under mirror? Please tell me there's some magical hook or something I can buy!
Why the heck would you layer mirrors?
Not sure how you could look at these gorgeous examples and ask why.
This is a great idea for renters!!
Because it makes no sense. It looks nice in some of these pictures, but if I saw someone do that in their house, I'd think they were trying too hard to create a 'look' or that they'd hired a designer.
I wouldn't do this if I had the ability to just take down a big mirror and replace it, but I agree with coralia- for renters who are less likely to tackle boring sprawling mirrors- this is a great idea!!
I'm with slowdown. What's next ... layering paintings? Having multiple (non-overlapping) mirrors makes more sense to me, if one wants a multiplicity of mirrors.
I happen to love the look and hope to do something similar in my bathroom when i get the chance to redo it someday.
I like the convex mirror on the large panel but on the whole, I'm not at all into this look. That's not to say that it doesn't have a place somewhere - I've seen it used in a bathroom - two pretty, more ornate mirrors mounted on top of an existing large, rectangular expanse of mirror above a vanity. Great trick to creating a luxe look on the cheap, but again not my cup of tea.
I totally love the first and last pictures. I think the first one is a great way to jazz up those standard-issue bathroom mirrors that are so boring. I'm with Silly Bee, I hope there is a magical hook to hang these!
How would you hang a mirror on a mirror?
I don't have a "inspiration folder" or whatever, but this has inspired me to start one!
For those who find this silly,
Here in Chicago, many older apartments have built-in cabinets that include large mirrors.
I've lived in two such apartments whose mirrors were in very bad condition -- lots of dark smudges were somehow embedded into the mirror, and they had an inconsistently foggy, smeared, or streaky look. No matter what, the mirrors looked dirty and dusty.
As an example, I found this photo that looks like the typical vintage hutch you'll find in the area, only this has been repainted (they're usually a medium to very dark stained oak finish).
Setting smaller mirrors in front of these crummy mirrors would have been the perfect solution.
"Why the heck would you layer mirrors?"
Why put a sheet and a blanket and a duvet on the bed - Why not just one thing to sleep beneath?
Do you really need to wear a t-shirt, a shirt, a sweater and a coat when it's cold outside - Why not just one thick coat?
Why put a rug on the floor - There's already some floor down there.
Why hang draperies over blinds when one or the other is enough - better yet, why not just close the hole in the wall with some plywood.
Why put jam and butter on a croissant - There's plenty of flavor there already.
Bepsf --Over the top snarky comment (as usual).
Your comparisons are all things that are commonly paired together. Some people may think that mirrors look odd layered.
Their opinions - No more no less.
But if you rent, how can you drill into the existing big mirror, as in the photo?
i think this is a great trick, especially for smaller spaces. the layered effect seems to add depth., which might give the feeling of a larger space. just a though.
@FantasticMrFaux,
Just lean the new mirror in front of it, like in the 2nd photo on the mantle. For my ugly built-in mirrors, that would have done the trick.
@bepsf,
I don't think your examples are applicable because the majority them are functional touches. Why put a rug on the floor? Because the floor is cold and it helps absorb sound between floors of a building. Why pick out a particular rug? Because it suits your style.
Why put a mirror in front of another mirror? It really is just a decorative touch, so I can see why people are adverse to it, but then again, isn't just the single mirror only a decorative touch in some of these examples (in a dining room or on a mantle?). Why not more than one? It is just a matter of preference. Shrug.
"Why put a sheet and a blanket and a duvet on the bed - Why not just one thing to sleep beneath?"
I actually never use top sheets. Duvets all the way. Blankets for added warmth.
"Do you really need to wear a t-shirt, a shirt, a sweater and a coat when it's cold outside - Why not just one thick coat?"
Layering is functional because most people don't stay outside all day and buildings have varying indoor temperatures.
"Why put a rug on the floor - There's already some floor down there."
Because the floor can get cold. And a rug does not equal a floor. What a weird example.
"Why hang draperies over blinds when one or the other is enough - better yet, why not just close the hole in the wall with some plywood."
Now that's just silly. Why even bother closing up the hole? Get rid of the house, move to a warm-weather state and live in a shack.
"Why put jam and butter on a croissant - There's plenty of flavor there already."
I actually eat croissants plain. If they're good and fresh, you don't really need anything else on them. But to continue bepsf's logic: Why even bother with the croissant? Why not just pour flour, butter, sugar, eggs and yeast directly down your throat?
I'm not all about function and practicality, otherwise I wouldn't be reading this website. But my taste is somewhat minimalist and I don't like this kind of excess. It strikes me as going too far toward the purely aesthetic side. It's like having piles of pillows on the couch or color-coding books, or crafting 'vignettes' involving antique books and gilded pinecones.
haha, i love it when people get all riled up
in response to the "why layer mirrors over mirrors?" question, i think bepsf's point is simply "why not?"
like most of those who commented, i'm not a huge fan of the look but i think her point is that design choices are deeply personal, subjective, whatever.
interesting debate going on but i have to say i love it. these images are just beautiful & you can't deny that. i would do it simply because it's just so gorgeous!! it's a little fun & irreverent!
All of you have just put a big smile on my face!! I can see every point of view, however, this is just one of those things that you love or hate. Personally, I love it and plan on doing it in my bathroom.