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Friday, March 17th, 2017
Cynthia Rowley for Hooker Furniture Swirl Venetian Mirror
Silver glass mirrors weren’t always silvery. Those that reflect our faces and bodies today were designed just 200 years ago in Germany. If you chanced upon the film Snow White and the Huntsman, then you’d know what the ancient mirrors looked like.
Justus von Liebig was the first to develop the process of applying a metallic silver on a pane of clear glass. This has to be applied thinly and on just one side. This has long since improved but the concept is still practically the same.
Modern mirrors may have begun to appear during the 19th century. Different cultures came up with their own adaptation of the ancient mirror but nothing beats the designs that we see in the world today and add the fact that they are much safer and you have a design element that is not just easy to use but could also add visual interest to your home.
Where to Effectively Use Mirrors
Now it’s time to notice the mirrors in our homes and how they improve the overall design. For example, installing mirrors in the master or guest bathrooms and extending them well beyond the sinks and the counter could give the bathroom a visual lift. This simple design technique does wonders.
A long, narrow room can also be visually improved if you add a mirror right on the walls. When positioned correctly, it can totally remove the claustrophobic feeling that you have when you walk through that space. It does this by making the room appear brighter and more spacious.
Owning a small condo could also mean installing ceiling to floor mirrors on one accent wall. You can also use mirrors to reflect the scenic views outdoors. You can also combine a sleek mirror with soft, upholstered panels. Together, these create dramatic interest especially when they reflect the skies.
When you have large closets in your bedroom, you can also make good use of mirrors to add to their charm (if they don’t already have one). An oversized mirror can also be the reflective background for a lovely collage of accessories.
Use a long mirror and lean it against a wall to make it appear more casual. You can even change the angle from time to time so that the accessories appear differently each time. The mirror, therefore, becomes an extension of your arrangement more than merely doubling what you see in a room.
Open Up Space with Mirrors
Did you notice how mirrors become standby elements in bedrooms and bathrooms? They very rarely become the stars of the show but they do play a significant role in making a room appear more expansive than it actually is.
Mirrors create the most exciting optical illusions by expanding any cramped area or even a seemingly hopeless nook. A narrow galley kitchen, for instance, can still have a dimensions to show.
A freestanding mirror can boost the living room by adding a reflection interest as it shows the furniture.
Fill up alcoves using mirror tiles. These can be placed on either side of the fireplace, too. Doing so will give any compact space with an elegant gloss and a roomier appearance. Add more to this visual interest by aligning symmetrical seats. This symmetrical alignment will reflect beautifully on your mirror tiles.
Expand closets with the use of mirrors. You don’t just get to check how you look in the morning, it also adds to opening up the appearance of the room.
These are just simple guidelines to start using mirrors in your home. See how your home starts opening up the moment you use this interesting, reflective design element.
Tags: decorating with mirrors, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, mirror, mirrors
Posted in Accents, Accessories, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on The Mirrored Wall
Wednesday, February 1st, 2017
The Hooker Furniture Bedroom Auberose Landscape Mirror completes this open space layout.
The mirror is an affordable accessory that one can buy for a home, office or any commercial shop. Interior decorators even claim that mirrors can complete the look of any room. These can come in standard sizes from any home décor store. There are ordinary mirrors, oversized ones, decorative and frame-less ones.
If you’re asking yourself if a mirror is important in a room, then the answer is a resounding yes. It also creates an illusion of space as well as increases the lighting inside any living space.
Streaky mirror – no matter how pretty its designs – remains an unclean mirror. Despite the number of times you spend cleaning it, streaks are unsightly, even frustrating. You might think that you already know how to clean a mirror or glass panes but as soon as you learn the secret techniques, you will realize how dirty your mirror has been.
Newspaper and Other Myths
For starters, newspapers don’t work. The inks that are being used nowadays leave unsightly residues. These generally make mirrors streaky. If you’ve been using newspaper and you still see unsatisfactory results, then now you know why.
It’s time to say goodbye to newspapers. Now, you might consider paper towels as alternatives – don’t. These leave flecks of lint that also don’t look great on your mirror. You will just end up wasting a good roll of paper towels.
What you need is a lint-free and non-streaking cloth that will help you clean mirrors and glasses in your home. You should also look for a designated glass cleaner. These are the ones that were made to be non-sudsing which means they won’t leave residues behind.
Further, what if there’s gunk on the mirrors? This will require prepping prior to the actual mirror cleaning.
Let’s Clean
So, if you want to clean your mirror like a pro, here are the things that you will need –
Microfiber cloth. This shouldn’t just be made with microfiber. Make sure that it comes with flat weave so that there won’t be any debris left. This kind of cloth also promotes faster drying and a lint-free finish.
Rubbing alcohol. Now this is the secret.
Cotton pads. These will be used with the rubbing alcohol.
Glass cleaner. Choose any brand that is manufactured especially for mirrors. You can also use vinegar and water though you can also search for recipes on the Internet.
Procedure
First, put some rubbing alcohol onto a cotton pad. Look for the goopy or glob buildups on mirrors. Think of toothpaste splatters and hairspray residues. Scan from top to bottom then rub them off.
Work quickly as rubbing alcohol tends to evaporate fast. This is pretty much like spot treating prior to doing the laundry.
Next, spray the mirror using the glass cleaner. Don’t soak it, though, just have it misted. You can then fold the microfiber cloth and begin working through the surface.
Begin at the top left corner then drag the microfiber cloth across the top then slowly swoop down then head back to the sides of the mirror. Think of zigzag motions till you get to the bottom of the mirror. Make sure that you do not miss an inch of the surface.
Just to make sure, check for scuff marks. Look at a 45-degree angle as this will shed some light on the mirror surface. This will illuminate the streaks which you won’t be able to see when you’re looking directly at the mirror.
Spot clean any stain that’s been left behind by the cloth. Quickly wipe away the streaks then be sure to buff dry using the dry side of the microfiber cloth.
That’s it, you’re done.
This entire process shouldn’t take more than 90 seconds for every mirror. This is an efficient way to clean mirrors in your home even after they have been subjected to the toughest dirt and stains.
Tags: how to clean mirror, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, mirror, mirror cleaning, mirror cleanup, mirror maintenance, mirrors
Posted in Accents, Accessories, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on How to Have Scum-Free Mirror
Monday, January 11th, 2016
This Tommy Bahama Home Dining Room Capistrano Metal Dining Table is set to effortlessly catch anyone’s attention.
There is no denying that metal is really hot in the interior design industry these days. Trend setters know this and so they’ve come up with the best concoctions and pairings for metal furniture pieces and metallic accessories. But are you ready to infuse the metal theme into your own home?
How you eventually feel about this trend rests entirely on the current design of your home. Those who embrace modern or contemporary designs would instantly feel at home in the use of metal for interior design. Those who like rustic or country need not fret, though, as metal can still add the needed enigma to your interiors.
Here are some guidelines on how the most common interior designs could incorporate metal touches and finishes –
The Contemporary Style
Enthusiasts who like this style know that it is sleek and minimalist. Metal fits right in with this kind of style. Use nickel, chrome or stainless steel for metal finishes. Be sure to include metallic touches on your furniture, fixtures, accessories, mirrors and room dividers. An example is metallic furniture as a conversation piece. A set of chrome tables can be an interesting addition to what could have been a ho-hum room.
As for contemporary bathrooms, nothing is set in stone so you can go ahead and deviate from traditional design guidelines. A dark, contemporary bathroom would do well to have a gold mirror or any metallic piece.
This Uttermost Living Room Manoj, Small Bench 26122 will look great in country interiors.
The Classic Country
Country interior design boasts of a traditional and homey feel. You would want to find warmer metal pieces for your country interior. Look for copper, gold or chrome metal finishes. Chrome, most especially, adds a fancy touch to an otherwise simple country home.
Be careful in using too much metal, though, as you might break the old world charm that defines country style. Use metallic pieces that are not too bold or unnatural. Add vintage decor such as pans, pots and fixtures.
Country style is also about decadence. Polished faucets inside bathrooms and kitchens; crystal chandeliers in dining areas lend instant glamour. Copper is the greatest choice for rustic, laid back country abodes. If you are not ready to trade the current look of your kitchen for a French countertop, then displaying rows of copper pots would provide the same mesmerizing effect.
Vibrantly Eclectic
Bernhardt Interiors Living Room Argent Metal Cocktail Table 326-021 is the perfect statement piece for any living room.
Eclectic design is fun, even bordering quirky. This can be defined as anyone’s interiors serving as canvas for their personality.
Eclectic means you are not afraid to go out there and experiment in terms of furniture selection, decor placement, and such. For as long as you feel that the items are congruent and that they reflect your individuality, then you’re on the right track.
The best metal finish for this type of style is just about anything as eclectic can also mean anything goes; wacky is also the new trend. Metals can give you the chance to declare your biggest statement.
Do not recoil!
Use large mirrors, walls and huge blocks of furniture for your metallic pieces. Display a chrome lamp right on the side of your chosen sofa to add excitement to the room.
Your goal in setting up an eclectic home is to be at peace with pieces of furniture that speak to you. Funky may not be the world’s taste but it is you. Find metal items that will complement your style. The more unexpected metals you use, the more eclectic yet glamorous your mental interior design would be.
Tags: chrome, contemporary, copper, country, eclectic, gold, guidelines, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, metallic decor, metallic design, metallic interiors, metallics, mirrors, nickel, Old World charm, stainless steel, tips
Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
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