Ask the designer

Interior designer Aisling O’Toole, [e-mail], looks at some of your living room dilemmas. Email: [e-mail]

Q I’ve been looking for an over mantle mirror to match my black slate fire place for ages — any ideas?

A. It sounds like a classic bevelled arch mirror in a black frame would suit your fireplace perfectly — like this one I found on www.mirrors.ie for €375. Go for a cast iron, marble or deep wood frame such as mahogany to complement the black slate of the hearth. Alternatively, if there is any gold or silver detail in the fireplace, you could highlight this with a gold/silver gilt mirror. For something a bit more modern, consider a round or frameless mirror. Fado Antiques in Dublin stock a large selection of antique and reproduction mirrors that you may like — see www.fado.ie. If you still can’t find one you fancy, ask Mirrored Art about a bespoke mirror — mirroredart.ie.