“Does this mirror make my bedroom look fat?” asked the house to the looking glass.

There are those of us who like our spaces small and cozy; also among us are greenies that feel confined and uncomfortable in the itty-bitty. For both camps, we’re inclined to point you in the direction of the infinite: the looking glass, which reflects the potential in every room from the miniscule to the massive. Here are 12 mirrors that will show your room in the best possible light. To make your house look even better, they’re also eco-friendly.

The metallic facing of this one is made from hammered recycled aluminum.

This wood-frame floor-length mirror can be anchored here, there and over there. It is narrow yet fully functional, for you space conservators out there.

Hand constructed out of thousands of beads by Bishop Tarambawam. As a young boy growing up poor in South Africa, he learned the intricate art of weaving with wire and small beads. His works eventually became so popular that he caused traffic jams in Cape Town when he sold his wares. Eventually, Cape Town’s Design Institute stepped in and started sponsoring his work.

These mirrors by Nomad Art are made out of driftwood from the coast of Puerto Vallarta.

Hand-carved from the wood of a tung tree, renowned in Asia for its density, texture and durability. It is also one of the fastest growing trees in the world.

Everyone needs a good floor-length mirror, period. How about a vintage one framed in hand-planed reclaimed fir?

I’m partial to Zuma Beach, therefore in love with this driftwood mirror from Living Simplistically.

There is nothing more seductive than the curves of Moorish and North African architecture, especially in a mirror made from sustainable mango wood.

This ornate mirror from Pavilion Blu was hand carved by artisans out of mango wood.

From Clark Street Home, an intricately pieced together eco-mirror made out of recycled magazines.

And another, also from Clark Street, made from recycled newspapers.

Once upon a time, Sweden had a king named Gustav. “Oh brother,” you groan, “not more Scandinavia from you people. Obsess much?” But listen, it’s important. Gustav visited France and returned with a passion for ornate French neoclassical design. The Swedish, being Scandinavian, kept it sleek and simple. This century-old reclaimed Douglas fir Gustavian mirror is an ode to that tradition, and a fine Swedish addition to your abode. 

Images: Matthew Stasoff

The post 12 Ways to Fake a Bigger Room appeared first on EcoSalon.

I am silver and exact. I have no preconceptions. – Sylvia Plath

Decorating with mirrors is an old hat trick used to open up a dark space, bounce light about or make a cramped room feel a little less cozy. Mirror placement can also be an artful pursuit, a discipline used to breathe life into a room, making the life lived within it a little less ordinary.

As Shakespeare famously wrote in Hamlet, I summarize:

“Suit the action to the word, the word to the action…that you o’erstep not the modesty of nature…hold the mirror up to nature: to show virtue her feature.”

I dare to translate that into interiors:

Suit the room to the reflection, the reflection to the room…that you cherish the inherent quality within it. Hang or hide a mirror, to give space to a new virtue.

Take the outside in and enjoy the insight it might give you. Mirrors offer a new way of envisioning, reflecting, and living within your surroundings. The view is sweet, isn’t it?

Images: Jessie Lee; brent.darby; Country Living: ohdeedoh; a beach cottage; Design Cracker; Kay Loves Vintage; Red Hot Temper; Ode to Beauty

The post O Mirror, Where Art Thou? appeared first on EcoSalon.