The value that mirrors have on the design aesthetic has always been high. The elements of good design are usually established over time. This is no exception. The history of mirrors being used in home design is a long one and stretches back 500 years.
Glass mirrors became popular in the 16th century when glass blowing techniques revolutionized production. Although at that time mirrors were small and meant to fit in your hand. The artistry behind the frame that would hold the mirror became the focus for most mirror makers. The beauty of the frame became the most valuable part of the item. Mirrors often had flaws and the frames were designed to hide any defects as well as cracks that may have happened after creation.
It wasn’t until the late 17th century that larger pieces of glass could be created. By today’s standards the largest piece of glass was rather small at approximately eighteen inches by twenty-four inches. The most famous display of these mirrors can be found at the Palace of Versaille in the room known as the Hall of Mirrors. The Hall of Mirrors has 306 mirrors over seventeen panels that run parallel to seventeen windows. The mirrors reflect the light illuminating the gallery from the sun during the day and candlelight at night.
When the cost of mirrors declined it allowed wealthy individuals in France to start purchasing them. Soon the public rooms in their homes began to have mirrors. At the beginning of the 18th century the largest piece of glass to become a mirror measured seven feet by four feet. These mirrors were vastly expensive and only 50 percent ever reached their destination and were placed. They were extremely fragile. To make the glass reflect a fine coat of mercury was used on the back. Unfortunately, the use of mercury had negative consequences. For example, the mercury would react with damp weather so to avoid any contact with wetness mirrors were always away from where the most traffic was in the house. Again, during this time the frame that the mirror was set in became the focus of artistry and drove up the price.
In the mid-19th century glass production boomed once again when thin sheets of silver replaced the mercury that had been used to coat the back of mirrors creating the reflection. This also made the creation of mirrors less dangerous and less hazardous for people to own. The cost of producing mirrors reduced significantly. It was at this time that more mirrors made an appearance in entry halls and parlors. Mirrors soon became part of furniture pieces and were built in as overmantle mirrors. In some homes the bigger the mirror meant that the more elaborate the frame became that housed it.
In the 20th century mirrors became even more affordable and became a part of the architecture of private and public buildings. The price allowed even homes with modest incomes could have multiple mirrors. This allowed more and more homes to enjoy the opulence of mirrors to aid in bolstering the design of rooms. Just as in previous centuries the frame surrounding the mirror has again come into focus.
Depending on the design style of your room you can choose from gothic, art deco, gilded, or modern frames to surround your mirror. For example, a traditional mantle may call for one of the more ornate gilded overmantle mirrors. The alcoves above fireplaces may be the perfect spot for a frameless mirrors that will look as if the were built-in with glass shelves in front to give them a more modern look.
Mirrors have come a long way in the last 500 years and the value they add to your interior will never decrease. You have many options to choose from in mirrors to find the perfect one to enhance your room. A well-placed mirror will make your room feel bigger and brighter reflecting both natural and artificial light back into the room.