Design Advice

10 of the most stylish mirrors ever

February 14, 2022 by CORINNA HENDERSON

I love a good mirror. With gorgeous shapes and finishes, they do more for me than art does. From adding texture, complimenting a finish, or bringing in an interesting shape, the most stylish mirrors improve the feel and function of the room they’re in. As I love looking at pretty things, I’ve collected 10 of my favorites.

How To Choose Stylish Mirrors

Shape, Size, and Style are the three key “S’s” to choosing the perfect stylish mirrors.
Wall mirrors can be a focal point, added décor, to make a room look bigger and brighter. Placement matters when trying to achieve any of these. Try two rectangular mirrors beside one another on a large wall. Create a feature wall with different design mirrors together. Stacked frameless mirrors can visually open up a dark hallway. Increase the visual size of a room with large mirrors on opposite walls. In a room with a lot of angles, soften them with an ornate oval mirror.

Mirror Sizing

The general rule is that a mirror’s size should be two thirds the size of the piece of furniture it is hanging above. A 30 inch vanity should have a 20 inch mirror and a 60 inch dresser should have a 40 inch mirror. There are always exceptions. So if the mirror looks right to you, then go for it. Try taping off the area with painters tape in the dimensions of the mirror you love so you can “see” it before you buy it.

Mirror Shape

Mirrors come in every shape possible. But how do you choose which one? There are some general rules. Horizontal mirrors create an illusion of length and vertical mirrors create an illusion of height. Square and rectangular mirrors compliment a traditional style. Round mirrors add a softness to the décor of a room. Other geometric shapes can have a modern feel. Sunburst mirrors are great for eclectic interiors. My favorite are mirrors with an ogee arch and those bring in and compliment a global style.

Mirror Style

The frame is ultimately what will and won’t make a mirror work in a room. Ornate and eclectic frames work well on their own as showpieces. Frameless mirrors have an elegance to them. Wood mirrors are usually associated with rustic, natural, and farmhouse style. Light colored woods compliment Scandinavian style. Dark, oak mirrors work well in traditional rooms. A gilt finish has a luxurious feel to it. Glass framing is more modern and raw metal is more industrial.

The 10 Most Stylist Mirrors

I think the only bad thing about these mirrors are that there aren’t enough walls for them all. It’s easy to dream of all the different places and rooms they could all go in. I hope that narrowing down my favorites makes dreaming up inspiration easier. I can’t wait to share that project soon.

Tips for Bohemian Chic Style Textiles

January 29, 2022 by CORINNA HENDERSON

Every well designed space mixed colors and patterns. But the key formula for each space is going to be different. Everyone has different tastes and that’s totally okay. If you’re finding yourself stuck sometimes when pulling things together in a space and you’re a fan of modern bohemian style, I can totally give you some ideas to browse. And maybe you’ll love one of these pairings enough to want to bring it home. I’ll let you decide where these Tips for Bohemian Chic Style Textiles take you.

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How To: Add Color Without Paint

August 21, 2017 by CORINNA HENDERSON

There are a lot of aesthetics that use color to bring out the desired vibe in a space. But for renters and those who find it difficult to commit to decor, paint isn’t really the best of options to consider when wanting to add color to a space. Whether you want to add a small splash, a monochromatic scheme to include color or you want full blown color-palooza, these tips will get you there without the dedication paint necessitates. From experience, here are the ways I like to bring color into my home:

The “No Paint” Method To Colorful Interiors

Textiles

Try It: Drape a tapestry over a sofa, bring in curtains in a bright color, cover a chair with a pretty blanket, lay a runner or table cloth on a piece of furniture, and bring together seating areas with area rugs.

Curtains

Pillows

Throw Blankets

Tapestries

Tablecloths & Runners

Area Rugs

Plants

Try It: Seek out a plant with unique colors or blooms, put a plant in a colorful planter, stick a planter on a painted plant stand (or stool-like object), or stick the planter in a macrame plant hanger made with colored cord.

Plants

Planters

Plant Stands

Plant Hangers

Art

Try It: Pick up frames in funky fresh hues, switch out the mat for a patterned or colored one, choose art made with colors you want in the space, hang colorful woven baskets or painted mirrors.

Frames

Mats

Art

Baskets

Mirrors

Vignettes

Try It: Incorporate color into a space by pulling together vignettes with lanterns, candles, books, sculptures and/or vases that are colored.

Lanterns

Candles

Books

Sculptures

Vases

Processed with VSCO with preset — When you pull in elements from each of these different areas, you build the basis for a colorful home. Some quick tips for keeping things cohesive would be to choose colors with similar tones (brights, moody, jewel toned, grey toned, etc.) and to build over time. And remember, what matters most is that you love your space!

My Budget Boho Window Curtains

June 26, 2017 by CORINNA HENDERSON

I receive a fair amount of comments on my Instagram from fellow boho babes wondering about the curtains I have hanging in my living room. Today, I’m going to answer the question in my quick and easy budget curtain resource guide. But before we jump into it, how much do you spend on curtains for your abode?

The curtains themselves are just inexpensive tapestries that I purchased through Amazon. The designs are all perfectly boho and they come in an array of flattering colors and patterns. You can get them in different sizes and even for large sixes meant to cover a queen or king sized bed is still really cheap.

But since they’re tapestries and not curtains, there’s no loop or grommets to put it onto a curtain rod. I’m not a seamstress. I don’t own a sewing machine and I’m not keen on hand sewing things when I don’t have to.

The solution for that is also an Amazon buy. Curtain ring clips are perfect for hanging anything up on a rod that doesn’t have loops (like drop cloths and sheets!). They open up the possibilities for window treatments nicely. I’ve used these in the past for regular curtains, too, to give them a bit more length and it makes sliding them open and closed much easier.

And if you don’t have a rod, I’m in love with my double curtain rod. It allows me to layer curtains with tapestries for that layered boho look without multiple holes in the wall. I use them for the large set of windows in my living room so that I can have more light in the room with lace curtains and then when we need privacy or to be shielded some from the sun, I have the large tapestries that can easily be pulled closed.

But you could also do two layers for black out versus letting some light through or multiple tapestries for a truly collected look.

It’s really that simple! I hope this settles the question. I purchase super inexpensive tapestries mostly designed for draping over a bed or for hanging on the wall. I then add clip rings so that they’ll hang from a curtain rod without having to worry about sewing or gluing loops.

What’s your favorite resource for window curtains?

My Vintage, Global Bohemian Home Style Mix

May 17, 2017 by CORINNA HENDERSON

Not one person’s home is truly just one style. Right? Besides spaces specifically designed to emulate a specific -esign style, there are influences from other styles in all of our spaces. My home encompasses inspiration from multiple vintage eras, many different areas around the world and it all falls under the very loose bohemian style. Being a thrifter through necessity and love, some styles come through purely because the piece fits the bills, and others are specifically sourced out to add to the overall vibe of the space. Either way, I’m going to break down a bit about how and why I’ve gotten to my style.

If you’re new here- Hi! I’m Corinna and A Designer At Home is my musings from home with interior design passions. I garden, take selfies with my cats, walk everywhere possible barefoot and love the color teal. I’m a boho momma and I love to share my adventures in creating a sanctuary within my home. Big thanks to Stephanie from Casa Watkins for pulling together this My Home Style Blog Hop: Mix, Match, Coordinate Edition. At the end of this post you’ll find links to the other bloggers sharing their styles today.

Vintage:

Vintage style in itself is vague and all encompassing. It’s generally accepted that an item should be older than 20 years to be considered vintage. But if an item or looks like it’s from 1920-1980, it’s essentially vintage style. I love pieces from the 1950s through 1970’s. Mid century modern and hollywood regency are my favorites and I love using them together because they are on relatively opposite ends of the design spectrum.

Global:

I’m always trying to balance my adoration of other culture’s decor, style and items that are produced by the people of those cultures with respect. I know fast fashion gets a lot of heat for cultural appropriation and I think a lot of those same arguments can be said for home decorating. I truly find it beautiful though and incorporate as many authentic, fair trade pieces as possible, mixed in with thrifted pieces and a few inspired by pieces to round things out.

Boho:

I freaking love the boho you guys. If only I knew that the internet was going to be what it is now when I was in high school. My bedroom was legit bomb dot com. And the first couple of places I lived in before I met my husband were decked out with tapestries and the like. I’ve since refined my style a bit but it’s still true to what I really enjoy in a space. And we should love our homes, love being in our homes and the way they look. Lots of layers, patterns, texture, whimsy and plants make up the best boho spaces.

My Tip For Blending Styles:

Choose one style for your furniture, one style for your accessories and one style for your fabrics. It’s a really easy way to work in multiple styles without losing your mind trying to match things up. The more you build the space, the more you’ll get the hang of what will and won’t work in the space.

I hope you’ve found this break down of my main styles interesting and helpful in some way. Don’t forget: Comment below what styles you find most in your home. Which styles are your favorite?

Pop on over to Cassie Bustamante next!

Wednesday Home Styles

Thursday Home Styles

Willow Street Interiors

Statement Bathroom Decor: Lanai Mirror

April 2, 2017 by CORINNA HENDERSON

Statement Mirrors. We put them in every room of those house. Statement mirrors are popularly used above buffets, behind sofas, over dressers and fireplace mantles. But one place I don’t often see a statement mirror is in the bathroom. And I find that fascinatingly odd because the mirror is the one and only necessary art piece in the room. Especially if you own your house, I have to give you the biggest encouraging thumbs up to go for the mirror of your design dreams. Because you can always take it with you when you move and use it in your new bathroom or another room.

Ditch the complicated gallery wall. Go with a sophisticated large scale mirror to fill your wall space.

Previously in my bathroom I had a statement mirror. It was a moroccan style mirror and it’s gorgeous. I’m definitely not getting rid of it, just using it elsewhere in the house. It just didn’t have the “wow” factor the space really needed. So when a PR rep reached out to me to see if I would be interested in reviewing the Lanai Mirror from Serena & Lily, I restrained myself from saying “heck yes!” and agreed in a slightly more professional manner. The mirror was sent to me free of charge. I want to disclose that up front.

the more you know

So, here are my thoughts:

This mirror is heavy. And as a result, it needs to be packaged well to prevent it from being damaged in transit. Thankfully, the mirror came packaged in a careful and thoughtful manner. All of the bamboo that sticks out had specially shaped pieces of foam around them to ensure the mirror truly stayed in place and cushioned on it’s way here.

So these babes aren’t doing as well of a job at concealing my paint fail but maybe they’re being that helpful friend, encouraging me to Get. It. Done. Already. Like, really, the easiest thing I need to fix. Lazy city. Lol. I opted to move the Palm into the living room. ? it survives! I really, really want it to thrive! Rainy day over here. What’s the weather like in your neck of the woods? #showmeyourboho #eatcraftdiy

A post shared by Corinna | Hampton Roads, VA (@adesignerathome) on Mar 31, 2017 at 8:43am PDT

But really, that’s the boring stuff. If you want to know what I think of a $400 mirror, you probably want to know about the mirror, amiright? Like I said, it’s heavy. And that’s because the bamboo is real, lacquered bamboo. It is not plastic, it is not dried out, hollowed out, cheap pieces of bamboo. The lattice, interlocking design goes overtop a single piece of mirror. It’s not a bunch of small mirrors cut to fit in all the little cavities. I was very, very dissapointed with a mirror I bought from a popular flash sale site years ago that did that. When the cheaper route is taken and the mirror is not solid with the design resting overtop it, the image in the mirror is distorted. Plus, all those extra grooves make dust collection inevitable and impossible to clean. Also, the backing is more than just cheap MDF stapled on. This mirror is quality.

New mirror vibes ✌?✌ #showmeyourboho

A post shared by Corinna | Hampton Roads, VA (@adesignerathome) on Mar 28, 2017 at 5:15pm PDT

It’s really freaking pretty. Like, you guys. Really. It’s a warm and lively raw bamboo finish. The mirror itself is of really good quality. The interlocking bamboo pieces are done in a way that looks seamless (and they’re spliced and connected in a way that it won’t ever come loose).

Oh, it can also be hung vertically and horizontally. There is strong hardware on the back to hang it both ways.

Would I buy this mirror? Yes. I have spent this amount of money on a mirror before. And I absolutely, in my mirror buying experiences, beleive this to be worth the money.

Shop

Now, I’m not a salesman. But if a tropical vibe is your thing and you’re in the market for a gorgeous mirror, you can buy it here. I couldn’t find where they participate in rebate sites like Ebates.com, but when I went looking for coupon codes, I found that they have a refer a friend program. So if you’d like 20% off (that’s almost $80 off!), here’s the special link. And you can sign up to refer friends as well and get rewarded (I’m not sure what the reward is yet since that part was vague when I got the link). Then once you’re on the site you can just search “Lanai Mirror.” Either way you shop, if you shop, it’s a good mirror that I think a lot of you would like.

Let me know if you enjoyed this review, if you have questions and if you’d like to see more reviews by leaving me a comment below. Be well and I’ll chat with you again soon.

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