Bask in reflected glory with a quality mirror
It might be just what you need after the sweating and stressing of trying to put one of its shelving units together, though I’m not sure how long it would take before the novelty wears off, especially on a day when an all too obvious spot on your nose is immune to concealer.
No bathroom can be without a mirror, however, for the practical purposes of shaving, hair styling and make-up application. (Alternatively, if you want to maintain a pristine bathroom, but live with teenagers, then omit the mirror — it confines the make-up mess to their bedroom.) And in the bedroom or hall, a full-length mirror tells you your tie is straight and your outfit is cohesive.
Other than that, mirrors are largely decorative and often a quick and easy solution to resolving the interior design dilemma of a dull, blank wall. The vogue for clusters of mirrors in different shapes and styles is a fashionable approach and creates an eye-catching assembly. Make it a weekend project and explore a combination of high street and vintage shops, even house clearance warehouses,to find a selection that works together. It’s an alternative to art and photography but can be just as visually arresting.
Any lucky girl who enjoys the luxury of a room devoted to her wardrobes and dressing table might consider a large, full-length mirror to lean against a wall, with a smaller hanging version beside it for trying on hats, and a smaller one at floor level for posing with the bend of an ankle in new shoes.
Darker, north-facing rooms will always benefit from mirrors if they are situated opposite a window to reflect light. Mirrored furniture will help too, although it’s not to everyone’s taste. Rather like cleaning stainless steel kitchens, it’s labour intensive and involves rubbing off paw prints and has to be done regularly, as the residue from moist fingers is not as forgiving as dust, which tends to take on the colour of the surface on which it sits.
A disadvantage of the fashion for darker though often gorgeous paint colours, is they can make a room feel smaller, if not a tad oppressive, so the hanging of a few mirrors, especially frameless versions, will lighten everything up again.
Revisiting designs of yore and adapting them for modern use can be fun. Borrow from the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles with its candles reflected in huge mirrors which created the 17th century equivalent of the wow factor.
For winter evenings particularly, a beautiful ambient glow is achieved with a line of candles of differing shapes and heights sited in front of a mirror.
Make sure they’re tall enough to reflect properly as the flame from stubby votives won’t lick above the frame even if the mirror is sitting on the mantelpiece. In homes without a fireplace and mantle, position candles on a console with a mirror hanging on the wall above, or resting on the console surface. In a hallway the arrangement will make a warm, welcoming atmosphere as guests arrive, but do be careful not to leave lighting candles unattended while you’re distracted by hosting duties.
Have you banned indulgently long power showers in your house now the dreaded water charge has arrived?
A little gizmo called the Amphiro Smart water shower meter tells you how much water and energy you’re using while you scrub, and there’s an animated graphic of a polar bear on an iceberg to help children monitor their usage as the iceberg appears to melt when energy and water consumption increase.
* €99 at City Tiles & Bathrooms, Togher Industrial Estate and Northpoint Business Park.
The Ideal Homes exhibition is back this year at Dublin’s RDS from October 24 -27 and a particular product stands out.
For anyone who wants to work from home, or needs space for a house guest but doesn’t want the disruption of building work, the freestanding Shepherd’s Hut might be the answer.
Based on Scottish design types of the 19th century, the huts are raised on antique cast iron wheels, and are fully insulated with sheep’s wool.
However, that’s where any similarity with the basic functional hut used by shepherds spending weeks on the Highlands ends.
The modern day version is more a luxury item that can be fitted out to match the intended use, and unlike a pavilion or outdoor room, the Shepherd’s Hut can go with you if you move. Handy.
From €15,000 for a standard finish, including painting and with a wood burning stove — they can be found at www.shepherdshutsireland.com
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