Is this mirror too small for my chimney breast?

8 years ago

I have been creating a Winter Woodland themed living room, and have been searching for a mirror that is both modern and follows the theme. I found this one:

http://www.wayfair.co.uk/Endon-Lighting-Aluminum-Mirror-EH-MINAKO-UEL3959.html?refid=SBP.otAhhFaWX7ESfaV0D46XAtnKkscnL0jLkD_r0vU6sgg

The problem? It's quite small. It's 56cm wide and the chimney breast is 120cm.

Do you think it'll look too small?

Featured Answer

Francesca Haselden
Original Author

8 years ago

Driftwood mirror looks fab! Might have to have a go at that.

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Comments (16)

Brandi Nash Hicks
8 years ago
Art is best over a fireplace, a mirror should reflect something very pretty when hung
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User
8 years ago
Disagree with the art idea, Mirror's are always best over a fireplace and greet you with reflecting light when you walk into a room. Tall caandles on the fireplace at night will bouce the light around when lit and reflect in it. Very soothing. Rule of thumb, don't go for anything more than 1/3 smaller than the width of the Chimney breast. Your Chimney breast is also quite tall, so mounting slightly higher than the mantel shelf will help balance the space. I had a little search about for ideas on google images etc. Came up with the idea of a 'driftwood miiror'. The beauty of this is that you can buy a mirror the right size, and do it yourself. Just collect interesting twigs and glue them to the mirror. ( hot glue works best in a glue gun ) - That's if you can't find one you like the right size already made. You can also spray paint them just the colour you like !
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Hello Shelly, I rather think the peaty, mushroom, blackish browns of the colour chart could look really nice.. Or deeper blacker blues.. With the alcove or chimney dilemma.. Contrary to what F&B have said.... I'd personally paint the chimney breast the darker colour.. It will not only highlight the fire and the mirror but draw the eye to it... The recesses then stay the lighter colour thus giving the room an idea of space. Eyes are drawn to darker bolder colours.. Darker recesses bring it all forward to the eye and then create the idea of less space if the majority is staying a lighter colour.. If you are working to a dark scheme then I would suggest all dark or the reverse of what I have said, so light chimney breast in a dark room.. It's to do with the majority ratio : ))
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The new fireplace is 136cm wide (old one 131cm) and 116cm high (old one 110cm). I love the look of the main wall in the picture above. What do you think of this mirror? Its diameter is 110cm. As for blinds, I like what you've suggested for the two little windows on the fireplace wall as privacy isn't an issue here. However, the main window to the front (which is massive) needs a blind for privacy. would it be a no-no to put a wooden venetian here which would mean two different blind types in one room? I'm guessing so but what to do|? This is the blind that John Lewis sell, supposedly in the same fabric as the curtains already posted, but the colours/pattern are the opposite way round. Good to put together or not? I'm still thinking little windows only - and probably to hang inside the recess (?) although I know this reduces the light.
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Francesca Haselden
Original Author
8 years ago
The mirror will reflect two prints that are on the opposite wall. I don't want more art in this room as there are already going to be two huge prints, two smaller ones and a sculpture.
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User
8 years ago
We have a motto here....................'how hard can it be?' It's invariably a little fiddly sometimes, but so worth the effort when you've created something yourself!
User
8 years ago
What mirror?
Lynn Robbo
8 years ago
Can we see the mirror
Francesca Haselden
Original Author
8 years ago
The link is right there in the first post, but here is a picture. It's 56cm wide.
PRO
Carpet and Flooring Concepts
8 years ago
You use a mirror to reflect the light and make the space feel bigger it would defeat the purpose to put in a small mirror. Put in a large mirror and you can always hang your art on the facing wall and have it reflected in the mirror.
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Yasmin Chopin Interior Design
8 years ago
Hello Francesca! The white circular mirror is very pretty but I don't think it really works with the fireplace. Based on the information you have given here I would say your gut feel is right, it's too small. Also there are lots of square shapes and angles in the room (what we can see of it anyway) and though rounded shapes will soften it there are better ways of doing this - the mirror will look out of place. Another consideration is the balance of light and dark tones in the room: the fireplace is quite dark giving it a 'heavy' appearance. Assuming you have already decorated and the wall and shelving is staying the same colour I'd be inclined to bring some of the darker tone up onto the wall. Of course it also depends what you will be putting in the shelves and what else is in the room. It's very difficult to be absolutely sure about the advice without seeing the room and discussing it in more detail with you but hope this helps. Best wishes Yasmin
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Hello Francesca,

Think the driftwood idea would work well but I rather think that you want something a little more rugged and definitely not painted. They should be exactly as they are natural and earthy.. Also veering toward the more unusual..

These rounded ones are fabulous as they would sit nicely with the surround which is stately and needs something that will offer a dramatic frame- they have width and show off their materials nicely.... For colours you could have some mossy greens or greenish greys... stone colours etc... with some elements of darker ivy greens to compliment... Think cushions and other details here..

There are actually some other lovely elements that take this onto other areas such as table lamps and or wall lights.. With really interesting twists on the theme...

Something else that would work with the textures is this mangrove chandelier.. Shown here on dark charcoal backdrop but it would compliment the fire surround beautifully... : ))
Francesca Haselden
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks everyone, I am loving these driftwood mirrors!

I've found one that I think is a little more my taste. It's a bit simpler, whilst still having the wood look I'm after. It's 90cm wide so would leave 15cm each side on the breast.
PRO
Yasmin Chopin Interior Design
8 years ago
Yes, Francesca, this 90cm mirror is great and the thick frame will look good with your wooden fire surround.
Lynn Robbo
8 years ago
Hi, mirror far tooo small
Janice Parker
8 years ago
Yes, it's too small. In my humble, I'd go as big as possible - frameless would look good. You could put driftwoody type candlesticks in front of it, to carry through the theme.
PRO
Property Reviver Ltd
8 years ago
Here's something a bit different that makes a statement. I've just put it in one of my projects. It's called seaweed but could resemble a snowflake with a bit of imagination!

http://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-seaweed-round-mirror-dia-110cm/p154674