Dali Seen from the Back Painting
Gala Eternalized from the Back |
The Salvador Dali painting above, like all mirror paintings, fascinates me. We only think what we see is our view, but what we always see in a mirror painting is the view of the subject seeing into the mirror.
No matter how we try, the painting absorbs us, and we see into it as if we were the subject. It’s a painter’s trick, and a powerful one.
Mirrors are powerful decorating accessories as well. They can make a room seem bigger, bring light in, alter a view, or reflect a bit of the owner’s personality. When adding mirrors or mirrored furniture to your home, consider what will be reflected and how the view will differ depending on the angle.
Try the mirror in various positions before hanging. Look into it from all the angles. And consider adjusting what’s reflected, where possible, to enhance the reflected view. These well-planned, mirrored rooms show what I mean.
1. The long and short of it…
2. Sparks will fly…
3. Mirror, mirror, against the wall…
4. Panes of reflection…
Hung close to the floor, this mirror reflects the diminutive vignette on the floor in front of it, as well as the elegant settee in the larger room and the arched pane French doors beyond. The divided panes of the mirror echo those of the doors and add abstracted interest to the reflected view.
5. Powder room for primping pooches…
6. Parsing a white wall…
7. Door-to-door-to-door….
You wouldn’t think a reflection of doors would be all that exciting. But this one is done with such symmetry and elegance that simple white woodwork puts on added appeal. The arabesque-shaped matching mirrors add to the architectural show, and who wouldn’t want to reflect all that gorgeous turquoise! Definitely head over to Home Bunch to see more of this home, designed by Jill Litner Kaplan Interiors. Photos are by Michael J. Lee.
8. Reflection of Arabian Nights…
9. A new spin on the mirrored closet door…
In a New York loft that lacked closet space, designer Steven Sclaroff added a mirrored wardrobe. “It’s a welcome hit of muted traditionalism,” he says. “It kind of looks like its own freestanding dressing room.” Having the mirror framed and broken up in panels lightens its weight. See more photos from this Tribeca home here. Photo by Francois Dischinger.
10. Like planting an extra garden…
This mirror makes the porch of a Florida home by designers Courtney Coleman and Bill Brockschmidt feel more like an actual room. An added benefit? It reflects the garden by day and candlelight and stars by night. Sofa by Smith & Hawken, carpet by Madeline Weinrib and photo by Simon Upton. Check out more photos of this home here. See more of Brockschmidt and Coleman’s portfolio here.