A description of different styles of mirrors

A mirror is an object that has at least one of its surfaces being reflective in nature. The first ‘mirrors’ were created using obsidian, a type of volcanic glass, in 6000BC. It is only during the early renaissance period that mirrors as we know them started being made in Europe, whereby glass was coated using a combination of tin and mercury. From then onwards, better quality mirrors have been made in many different styles.

Art Deco mirrors were first produced in Europe, Paris in particular, during the early 20th century and their popularity reached a zenith between the two world wars. Art Deco mirrors blend different styles including Modernism, Neoclassical, Art Nouveau and Cubism. The mirrors feature distinctive features like angular and geometric shapes, and frames of well-finished wood, iron or chrome. Art Deco mirrors are currently making a return and can be seen in many restaurants and homes.

The aesthetic value of the home can be greatly enhanced with the use of decorative wall mirrors. When these are hanged in various rooms they not only serve to show us our reflections but they also enhance the overall decor elegance by creating illusions of increased light and space. You will certainly be spoilt for choice when it comes to decorative wall mirrors since they come in many different shapes and sizes; you can use them functionally or aesthetically and this implies that you have to really think about their positioning in the house.

If you wish to brighten up your house, using full length mirrors may be the way to go. The cost of renovating can be quite steep considering the current times and rather than incurring such costs it may be appropriate to use various full length mirrors to give the house an interior facelift for a fraction of the conventional renovation budget. These mirrors will be of great help in producing illusions of depth and light especially when placed in positions where they can reflect natural sunlight to virtually every part of a room.

Multi faceted wall mirrors introduce more natural light into a room in a remarkably stylish manner on account of their multi angled pieces of glass from which sunlight bounces off in diverse directions. These mirrors make for beautiful reflections around the room with respect to the designs in which they are created.

With the help of ornate framed mirrors you can bring in more natural light into a room and as well make the space look larger. Framed mirrors are also functional in nature. They can be placed in different parts of the house including above fireplaces or in hallways and they’ll still achieve that very decorative outlook. In purchasing these mirrors you have a choice of going for ready-made or custom-made ornate frames crafted from various metal or wood materials.

Overmantle mirrors, like Art Deco mirrors, originated in France, and were associated with royalty and opulence. They were originally meant to liven up the usually sooty and dull fireplaces by introducing more natural light into the room. In buying overmantle mirrors you should be observant about the dimensions of the whole mirror and the colour of the wood that makes the frame so as not to out-dominate the fireplace and conflict the general decor of the room respectively.

Antique mirrors are increasingly popular home decoration accessories because they manage to add charm and glow into rooms quite uniquely. The Rococo mirror is an antique style that appeared at about the same era as the American Revolution and it is known for an asymmetrical design usually designed with ovals, knots and scrolls. Such mirrors blend really well with wrought iron furniture and wall sconces.

Children’ or novelty mirrors are generally shaped in child-friendly designs like letters and animals. For safety these mirrors are made of acrylic which is light and shatterproof but they are still very shiny and reflective.

Venetian mirrors are highly regarded works of art that were first produced in early 16th century Venice; they are currently produced on the island of Murano. These mirrors are crafted in fourteen separate stages including faceting of the glass, the engraving of various designs like fruiting vines and scroll motifs, and a traditional silvering process. Venetian mirrors are widely regarded as being the most stylish and elegant.