Beautiful symmetry

This is perhaps one of the most popular dining rooms in the blogosphere. Designed by Suzanne Kasler, it is greatly admired for its bold color and charming mismatched chairs. However, I don't think I have ever read a single comment about the symmetrical Queen Anne style mirrors that flank the door, even though these mirrors play a major role in the look and feel of the room. In some way, they help balance and ground the room.

It is not that common to see a door in the middle of the main wall in the dining room. A pair of mirrors is an effective way to utilize the two small sections that have been created by the door.

Ever since I noticed the symmetrical mirrors in the Kasler designed dining room, I have noticed this motif in quite a few other rooms. This beautiful living room, designed by Gerrie Bremmerman (Southern Accents, photo by Tria Giovan) utlizes two large mirrors and two matching Italian consoles. There is a very large piece of art on the wall to the left (not seen in this picture), and the mirrors provide a great balance for the large art, as well as some nice sparkle in the room. The lamps on the end tables pick up the silver metallic look.

This dining room also has a large object breaking up the wall (a fireplace this time), and designer Carole Weaks utlized mirrors to balance the sides (as well as settees underneath the mirrors). This room was part of the Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles Christmas showhouse, and also featured several beautiful paintings by artist Heidee Becker.

Designer Mary McDonald used ornate matching mirrors to flank a canopy bed in this bedroom. Sometimes I prefer mirrors to art because of the infinite possibilities in the frame style and color. I have put myself on a mirror purchasing moratorium as I have a few too many around the house!

This room (from Phoebe Howard's store Max & Co.) is one of my favorites because of the light and casual feel of the space. I love the look of the large mirrors flanking the fireplace, and think that it is unusual to have two matching mirrors that are on either side of another mirror. Somehow it works, perhaps because the sunburst mirror is more about the sculptural shape of the rays than the mirror itself.

The recent issue of House Beautiful had a particularly beautiful example of dual mirrors; these are giltwood. Interior design by Albert Hadley and Harry Heissmann.

Until I really studied this picture, I thought that the mirrors - Louis Phillipe style - were identifical. But upon closer examination, it looks like they are similar in shape and style, but somewhat different. Perhaps it is the lighting, but the one on the right looks like it has a darker frame. The one on the left looks like it is much more gold. Image from Wind Lost and House to Home.

I love this room by Jeffrey Bilhuber - the two mirrors facing each other, accompanied by Italian consoles, create beautiful symmetry in this room, and make a nice break between the two sitting areas of this NYC apartment.

Another bedroom that has the mirrors symmetrically placed on either side of the bed. This was part of the 2008 Atlanta Symphony Showhouse, interiors by Kim Regas of Regas Interiors.

Barrie Benson used two matched mirrors to flank the window in this dining room.

These mirrors were made from an old French window (via Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles, photography by Mali Azima). I am not quite sure if they are identical, although the shape is the same. The one on the left seems to have fewer segments, but perhaps this effect is because the one on the right is reflecting a bookcase. I always think it is nice when a mirror reflects something interesting. I like how the mirror on the left reflects the piano and the gallery wall above the piano.

I have loved this picture for years; it is actually an ad for a flooring company, but the interior design was by Ondine Karrady. Karrady was recently a contestant on the show 'Top Design', and made it to the top three. The two matching mirrors are one of my favorite things in this room (although I do love those coral silk curtains too), and I love how this picture illustrates that the effect of two mirrors can be achieved even with very small mirrors. In a sidenote, when researching this post, I googled images for 'symmetrical mirrors', and it led me to one of my old posts on Ondine Karrady!

I can't say that I have seen the dramatic use of matched mirrors very often in the homes of friends and family, but it would be easy enough to do. I found numerous examples of this style used in bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms; it is quite versatile. The architecture of the room has to be right, but matched mirrors are an easy and inexpensive (provided you are not getting antique gilt wood!) way to deal with walls and spaces that are segmented by windows, doors, beds, and fireplaces.  Plus, for a mirror lover like me, two mirrors are always better than one, and provide such a beautiful and dramatic focal point to a room!