Mirror, mirror
| Mirror, mirror |
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Now I’m not saying we gays of the village are vain, but let’s face it, the most important part of our home is the mirror. Not so much an accessory as a necessity. I have a full length mirror that was obviously made in one of those fairground hall-of-mirrors places because the image it reflects is always so damn gorgeous. Everyone remarks on it – ‘Oh, I look so slim, so lovely!’ But take a look in the large bathroom mirror and that, I fear, is more like the truth – ‘Oh, so lumpy, so caramelised!’ Guess which one I look at before heading out for a big night … Mirrors are great not only to check out the spinach in your teeth but also to bring a new dimension to your living space. In feng shui, a mirror that reflects your dining table is meant to enhance the energy of good food and good company, whereas if it reflects your desk then it doubles your workload. Whatever the symbolism, placing a plant or a vase of flowers in front of a mirror certainly boosts its impact. The same goes for a collection of objects, enabling you to see the back of the items without having to pick them up. They bring light and movement to dowdy corners and create depth and interest to a narrow space such as a hallway. There are a variety of great designs around so don’t just imagine you have to go the IKEA route (although that flattering full-length mirror of mine is from there). It’s important that the mirror itself is good quality – the larger the surface, the better the quality must be or else you’ll be driven mad by a warped reflection. So even though there are some great internet sites for mirrors, I’d always try to see the real thing first. Freedom has usually got an interesting range that taps into the zeitgeist. At the moment they have a variety of bevel-edged mirror-frame mirrors which are very Art Deco and add a touch of glamour. For my money, though, their Desert mirror with its washed timber frame has a wonderful relaxed quality that is very contemporary.
Try the big mirror shops for huge mirrors with gilt-frames (like Deco Mirrors on South Dowling Street). These big Baroque numbers have been popular for a while but look great in a small room – that grand scale a nice counterpoint to a small space. I love them in bathrooms or leaning against the wall as a dressing mirror, although they look dramatic filling the wall by a dining table – very La Traviata. For sheer artistry, check out Kezu’s range by Filipino designer Kenneth Cobonpue, who weaves rattan to create exuberant frames that are as much installations as useful mirrors. (They also have the puzzle-like Showtime mirror by Spanish designer Jaime Hayon, which I find hideous.) Whatever your budget, there is no reason not to have some sense of style, even if you’re only pondering your nasal hair.
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There’s more to this quintessential home item than just finding out who’s the fairest of them all, writes Colin Bisset.
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