We know that all of our readers at the Kuotes are attractive, gorgeous, stunning, and absolutely beautiful people. How can we prove it to you? Simple. By providing you with this ultimate mirror buying guide so that you can have a good look for yourself!
Choosing a great mirror that fits into your design style can be a tricky process, but it’s a vital one! Many people don’t recognize the critical role a mirror plays in a room: A mirror is perfect for some shameless self-admiring, but for design purposes, it also significantly brightens and widens even the smallest and darkest of spaces, making your room more comfortable and inviting.
Mirrors also add a decorative element to your room, and depending on which mirror you choose, a mirror can even act as a focal point. At KKH, we offer a wide selection of mirrors for a variety of design styles. But how will you know which style mirror is for you? Read on to discover the mirror you could see yourself loving.
The Kuotes has created this style guide for you covering all of the different types of mirrors that you should add to your lexicon:
The Antique Mirror
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Antique mirrors is a general term used to describe mirrors that have coatings or tints that make a mirror appear as if it has deteriorated with age, and they typically feature ornate frames, dark edges, and distressed patches. Choose an antique mirror to add a vintage vibe to any space. Their decorative and often elaborate frames offer character to an otherwise plain room, and if flanked by a pair of sconces, antique mirrors can serve as a great focal point.
Antique mirrors pair well with vintage furniture, and they look great in multiple design styles. Place an antique mirror above a fireplace or piano for a rich classical look, or place one next to a modern media cabinet or office desk for a textured, eclectic look. You’ll find antique mirrors in many of our collections, but they’re especially at home in our Modern Classic and Hollywood Regency collections.
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The Baroque Mirror
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Baroque mirrors are rooted in the luxury and drama of the late Baroque period. These mirrors are heavily carved and decorated, and they typically feature pediments, flowers, or cherubs in their intricate, gilded siding. These mirrors are extremely regal and traditional. They work best in classical, French style homes.
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The Foxed Mirror
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Foxed mirrors are named after the foxing effect that occurs on their mirror surface, either naturally or artificially. The term “foxing” actually originates from paper and describes the spots and browning that comes with the aging of vintage paper. Surprisingly, mirrors go through a similar deterioration process, and foxed mirrors are mirrors that have these defects retained or superficially added for an aged effect that adds character to your design style.
A kind of antique mirror, foxed mirrors look great with other antique and vintage pieces but can also offer an engaging juxtaposition in a more modern design. Note that foxed mirrors are more valuable for their aesthetic value than their practicality. Foxed mirrors typically have damaged or not as reflective surfaces, so they are not the choice for your main bathroom or bedroom mirror.
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The Starburst Mirror
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Starburst mirrors, also called sunburst mirrors, are known by their distinct look: a frame that radiates out from the mirror like a shining sun or star. These mirrors date all the way back to 1434, first seen in a Jan van Eyck painting and very popular in Europe during the early 19th century; however, they did not gain popularity in the United States until the recent post-war era.
Now, starburst mirrors can be seen in almost any design style, and their popularity is largely due to their versatility. The structured look of starburst mirrors makes them perfect for the more traditional Hollywood Regency or Modern Classic home, but their playful shape and pop let them serve as an exclamation point on a contemporary design.
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5 thoughts on “Which Mirror Type Reflects Your Interior Design Style?”
Best ever informatic article about different styles of mirrors. I love all the mirrors, especially The Starburst Mirror. thanks you so much for sharing!!
I found this blog helpful. I was looking for glass and mirror styles to make my home more attractive
I have a small collection of mirrors you didn’t include: mirrors with frames of reverse-painted glass. They were quite popular a few years ago–still are with me–and were described as eglomise mirrors although only the frames were treated. Does this mean the frames are actually treated mirrors? Perhaps you can expand on what the term eglomise encompasses.
Hi Carolyn,
Thank you for reaching out with such a good question! There are so many mirror designs out there (many of them custom or artisanal), so every mirror will definitely not fall perfectly into one of these broad categories. Reverse-painted glass is a very broad term for when paint is applied to a piece of glass and then viewed by turning the glass over and looking through the glass at the image. Lots of decor includes reverse-painted glass in its composition. It’s very common with antique-style lamps, for example. Eglomise is similar, but it’s a very specific type of reverse-painted glass in which the back side of the glass is gilded with gold or metal leaf and then etched with a pattern or design. So eglomise is a form of reverse-painted glass, but not all reverse-painted glass is eglomise.
For your mirrors, if the just the frames are treated then you can call it a “mirror with an eglomise frame” or an “eglomise framed mirror.” Some may also define it less specifically and call your mirrors “eglomise mirrors” since there is eglomise work on the frame composition. Neither is really right or wrong, it’s more a matter of how technical you want to get.
I hope this answer helps!
I appreciate you explaining these different styles of mirrors and showing us pictures of them to give us an idea of what we’d like best. They truly do a lot to maximize the lighting in space, as you said. I think it’s important that you pick a mirror that is appealing and fitting for your personality since you will be looking at yourself in it every day when you get ready.