apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Why isn't painting the entire room purple an option?

The color would certainly make your blanc de chine and white chairs pop and your mirror would look great against the purple as well.

I agree paint the whole room.

me too, tone the mirror into the wall somehow

Sconces with little black lampshades would look chic.

take metallic (silver colored) paint to it.

Maybe something like this:

http://www.affordablelamps.com/quo-mm8701bg.html

Hard to tell what the design of the whole room is. Something all black with just a little flourish might be nice too.

remove the excess clutter from around the mirror rather adding even more stuff if you want to really show off the mirror.

I suggest you paint the one wall housing the mirror the same greenish / khaki color as the pillow on the right. Currently the problem (from what the photo view) is the finish of the mirror is to dominant to the rest of the room and stands out rather then fitting in. A contrast wall color would help anchor the mirror to the room.

Completely off topic, but I love that pendant lamp reflected in the mirror! Where is it from?

I agree with painting the room (if you own your place or if the landlord will allow it) and flanking the mirror w/sconces with black shades.

If you can't paint, try one of the temporary wallpapers from Graham & Brown. The grass closs in a pale green would pick up the green tones in the mirror frame and be an elegant backdrop for your chairs and decorative pieces.

If you can paint, Farrow & Ball paint has beautiful pigmentation and finishes as does Donald Kauffman.

Move the mirror to the purple wall. Put a nice big piece of colorful art on the white wall (which will be reflected in the mirror).

I agree with Cassis..........move the mirror to the purple wall. Sconces would look incredibly odd and overdone, and would detract from the mirror, IMO. Also those chairs would be right under the sconces, making anyone sitting there look like he's got a sconce growing out of his head, like a sconce-antler, lol

Now THERE's an idea.....antler sconces!

I agree with everyone suggesting the mirror go on a darker wall (either by moving it to a purple wall or painting the wall it's on).

You don't seem to want all your walls to be a deep purple, but how about painting the remaining white walls a lighter hue of purple, so it's not overwhelming?

Yes! Continue your boldness and add color to that wall--it will highlight your objets and pull it all together. If you cannot go all aubergine, then I agree w/ThomSF on a contrasting color or a patterned wallpaper would be fabulous. The reflection of the opposing wall is great--go with your obviously terrific instincts for decoration.

I would so highlight this mirror!..on it's own...no clutter around it...against one of the suggested wall colors..It's a beautiful and original piece...

I'm arriving a bit late, but since you seem to like antiques, a suggest (if you can fond affordable ones) Venetian style sconces, or 18th century Italian (style) ones at least.

ie :

http://cgi.ebay.fr/HUGE-Vintage-Italian-Tole-Toleware-Wall-Candle-Sconce_W0QQitemZ220269671852QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item220269671852&_trkparms=72%3A606|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.fr/50s-Italian-Gilt-Tole-Candle-Sconce-Hollywood-Regency_W0QQitemZ190244534845QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item190244534845&_trkparms=72%3A606|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.fr/Pair-Polychrome-Italian-Blackamoor-Sconces-Venetian_W0QQitemZ360077723405QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item360077723405&_trkparms=72%3A606|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

FROM ABIGAIL, who owns this mirror:

I'm so sorry I'm late getting back to everyone. I have so enjoyed your comments. I might consider painting that wall a khaki color, although I'm a little worried about overdoing the paint -- the other wall is quite striking and quite large/long.

Someone asked about the chandelier. I LOVE it to. I got it at the Neiman Marcus/Horchow outlet, actually. The same style is no longer available, but here are some close cousins:

http://tinyurl.com/6yxav6
http://tinyurl.com/57gejp
http://tinyurl.com/6pw58a

As for sconce shades, I think I may do red, to bring out the red in the mirror. But here's my big question: what SCALE of sconce should I use? How big should a sconce be in relation to the mirror? Should I use long sconces or short? Wide or narrow?

Thank you all very much!