Regular readers will know I have been exploring antique mirrors on the blog recently after featuring it in a 10 Beautiful Rooms post and showing it used as a kitchen splashback (you can see it and read a tutorial about how to make your own here).
I am currently exploring the idea of using it in the shower instead of tiles. Before you all start shouting, firstly it will steam up when the shower in is use so it won’t be like having to look at yourself all the time. Secondly it doesn’t give a perfect reflection but tends to blur the edges which is, these days, the perfect way to look in the mirror and finally, it can double up as a long mirror in the room without being too modern and bling like a modern one. Anyway, I said exploring. I need to redo the bathroom tiles and I need a long mirror in the room. This may be the solution.
I saw this in a hotel in Iceland a couple of years ago where it was done, I think, as a space saving device and also to bounce the around the open plan room. I wouldn’t want to use modern mirror in this way but I think foxed mirror would be perfect.
But then I discovered this fabulous wallpaper version and I love this too. Obviously not in the shower, and not really for use as a mirror either so we’re ruling it out of the bathroom at this stage but it has a really fabulous luxe feel to it doesn’t it. It might be perfect in the bedroom behind the bed.
It’s called Albery by Cole & Son and comes in six versions of silvers, bronzes, rusts, blues and amythyst. It costs £95 a roll. It would be perfect for a dressing room as well. I’ve definitely got to get some antique mirror in my house. It’s just a question of whether it’s the real thing or the wallpaper.
What do you think?
Update: I have since discovered that it can work in the bathroom although obviously it has to be very carefully cut around the shower head and taps so it’s now about finding a builder who’s happy to install it. We have the quote for the whole bathroom now and I will share the plans with you in a few weeks time.
Ooh Kate WS! It’s like you’re in my head, or at least my Pinterest board. Was going to use fox’d mirror in my fireplace alcoves behind floating shelves but this could well be a better, or at least less expensive option. And seeing as I’m about to commit to 11Ks worth of Crittall Windows – well one window, more precisely, (please PLEASE don’t let them be a flash in the pan trend…!) I need to save the pennies where I can.
Ooh. If you said “mirror wallpaper” to me I would have been a firm no, but I rather love this. Am off to look up the other colourways. It would look great in alcoves.
That’s pretty darn cool wallpaper you have there! However I don’t think it would suit my apartment, hah! Can imagine in an older apartment/house kinda cool!
MaryEllen
They probably do have symmetry with the antique mirror in the other alcove and the fab elaborate gold number in the middle ?
I love antique mirrors and actually took a class on how to make reasonable copies. It might be worth looking into if you want to do a large expanse. I am wondering out loud why they owners of the dining room (last photo) chose to use two different mirrors–I prefer the symmetry of having the set on antique mirrors align behind the table and pendants.
Definite yes for the wallpaper – it’s a great find. Bonus to have a mirror that doesn’t reveal any wrinkles!
I live in Switzerland where it is difficult to find a lot of things, including antique mirrored tiles which I have longed for in our dining room. So I contacted a company in next door France and was quoted around 6’000 euros to have the entire wall done. Not being sure that would be a reasonable amount to spend, maybe this wallpaper would be an alternative, although the whole idea was to reflect the hanging chandelier!
It’s a definite yes from me ! Think the wallpaper would look really glam . I’m going to check it out for myself as it will look luxe and fab in the right location. Love antique mirror ~ so beautiful . The full wall in the second pic looks absolutely stunning. Thanks for discovering the wallpaper, Kate !
I have an antiqued mirror above my fireplace by Rupert Bevan and I absolutely love his work. I too want to put it in the bathroom, but behind the bath. I think it looks fabulous!!
I tend not to be for things that look like something else, except maybe the trompe d’oeil library of books wallpaper. I like the antique mirror look for sure, but when I see a full wall in certain places, like in the second photo, I just think about trying to keep it clean. Splashes have a way of going everywhere, including up high. The dining room in the next photo wouldn’t present the same challenge.