home decor

Mirrors Lighten Up Your Home

May 3, 2018

You can use mirrors to lighten up your home and bring the sunshine into dark areas, it’s true.  I have always used lots of mirrors in my homes.  I often use a rectangular mirror as a serving tray for charcuterie, and that one I bought at T.J.Maxx,.  It was inexpensive so I don’t worry much about breaking it.   And I learned a great trick when I moved into my one-room loft: mirrors can bring the light into your space.  In my apartment I have floor-to-ceiling windows on the front side, but that’s pretty much it.   The walls are mostly brick and the ceiling is exposed beams and ductwork.  There is plenty of light, but it is all on the front side, leaving me in the dark the further into the place I go.  I have a very large mirror, maybe 3′ x 6′, and when I moved in I stood it up against a wall temporarily.  When I went to move it I quickly realized that it was actually providing light.  It acts as a window.  The reflection the mirror provides lights up that part of the apartment and it is too dark without it.

There are limitless styles of mirrors: currently, I am on a mission to find a round mirror and I have fallen in love with this one on Amazon.  The color is called Spruce and looks like a green-gray.  Love, love, love.  The round shape feels updated and fresh.  You can find so many options in all price ranges and they will instantly open up your home.  Bring sunlight into a corner that is away from the windows with a morror and see what a difference it makes.  I think you will be amazed and how bright and airy your home will feel with the addition.

Let me know if you have a great use for a mirror in your home.

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My Go-To Home Accessory

December 9, 2016

I live in a one-room apartment.  It’s a loft with concrete floors and brick walls and I absolutely love it.  But when it comes to storage, there isn’t any. When I left my husband I left behind a pretty big house with a big, remodeled kitchen.  I entertained a good amount and had lots of dishes and serving pieces that I brought out just for special occasions.  While I still love to entertain, those days are over.

I am not complaining.  Moving to a smaller space has freed me up from all of that stuff, and I could write a self-help book about that freedom! Everything worth having now has to do double or triple duty.  And, my go-to accessory is a great mirror.  It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money (the one in the photos here is from T.J. Maxx).

My Ottoman

I use a mirror on an ottoman in my “living room” to put it to work as a hard surface (the ottoman unfolds into a single bed for the times all of my kids are in town).  The mirror makes it a perfect coffee table.

My Holiday Decor

I found some really pretty glass balls in a blush color last week at Lowe’s on sale and put them on the mirrored coffee table and I have an instant holiday display that looks beautiful.

My Serving Tray

As a nibbling station for a holiday party, I used my handy-dandy mirror and piled it high with different colors of grapes, lots of cheeses, figs, crackers, olives, and other fruit. I used cake stands to create some height. It was a big hit.

Anytime I use mirrors as serving pieces, or just as my coffee table, I make sure to put several candles on top.  Candles on the mirror are so sparkly and warm.

The mirror that you see here has a mirrored “frame” that I think works well, but you can find one that suits you.  Try this at home and you will figure out all kinds of ways to use your mirror.  When you aren’t using it for anything else, you can hang it up and look at your reflection in it while you pat yourself on the back!

 

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