Lkristine Electric fireplace framed out with TV above, even though some say that's a NO NO? Keep the mirrored aspect on the sides while adding shelving........Keep in mind, I have no idea what your personal style is. Just offering an idea that could work as transitional depending on your personal taste.
kwistina Definitely take it down. What if you make a mistake with your idea about creative shelving, and now you have holes in the mirror? Among other things . . . Really cramps your creative juices owning a wall you can't put nails through
Victoria Pierce bye bye to mirrors... putting up shelves will probably crack the mirrors.. carpet and mirrors have to go... this is going to be a great room...
Joanne Heidkamp Another vote cast to remove the mirrors. They limit your options.
I'm sure its hard to imagine the room without them, but once they are gone you'll see so many possibilities.
Terri Symington, ASID Not so fast...! Mirrored walls can be very interesting. Take a look at the ones below.. Now, I know that all these have an aged effect to them... but there may be a creative solution to make yours work...depending on the style that you are going for.
Perhaps you could hang some interesting empty frames like a gallery wall... you can suspend them from a rail at the top of the wall.
Or perhaps you could create an interesting treillage effect with applied moldings or actual trellises for a conservatory look
I'm sure I can come up with some other ideas as well...
Terri Symington, ASID What will make a big difference is the flooring...
I like the seagrass in the one photo... clean and fresh feeling... yet keeps the space toned down. A nice oriental rug could even go over the seagrass.
Terri Symington, ASID Also... looks like the stair case is going to need to be painted out... it looks kind of chunky... and it would be best for it to blend in.
ASVInteriors I am with Terri - your living room looks quite a low ceiling without much light. That is probably what the mirror was put in there for. Not only does it double the capacity but adds much needed light.
You can change out the carpeting and buy shelves without backing. This will negate the huge "ballet studio" feel that you have now. Take a picture of this room, and then place a coloured or white sheet over where the mirror is to see how quickly the room will shrink in size (visually).
olldbobbi I wouldn't take the mirror down. Instead I would add a floor lamp on each end, and bookshelves/media center between, with the same wood tone in the stairway: [houzz=Tripod Floor Lamp by Sandy Chapman]
[houzz=Ventana Bookshelf]
BM Mid East either way, you can do so much with this space. I love mirrors and mirrored walls and I am with Terri. i would update the floor...weather you add more modern printed carpet, wall-to-wall sisal, or wood floors, etc. what do you use the room for or intend to use it for all depends on what you choose to do. i see some light coming in from the side...is it a tri-level? if so, you can afford to be without the mirrors. I, personally, love how mirrors add sparkle and life to any room! my vote is to keep them.
graciousone This is the patio area 14x20 off livingroom. Love the mirrowed rooms you posted. This room does have limited lite since the patio is covered and fenced, on a sunny day better lite otherwise limited. Good note on stairs also.
Becky What if you added nice picture frame moulding to the outside and framed it? You could use a wood color or a metal tone like gold or silver as fancy or plain as suits your taste. This is done in bathrooms these days to update the look and makes it look totally custom. See photos before/after. Link with idea: http://www.hgtv.com/bathrooms/how-to-frame-a-plate-glass-wall-mirror/index.html it's fairly inexpensive. The moulding sample pic is $9 per foot on Ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/Picture-Frame-Moulding-HUGE-GOLD-LEAF-ORNATE-/390112717184#vi-content (not my listing and I know nothing about the seller) Wide trim would probably look best. Don't hang shelves on it, as suggested above, it could crack. Hanging lights from the ceiling near the mirror would be really pretty at night when lit. The long chandelier in each corner... wow! (lose the track lighting)
karen paul interiors No, to taking down the mirror. Ceiling is low and how much natural light does the room have? How will this room be used? Know first what your plan is for the room before tearing out a wall of mirror. Once you have created a plan it will become abundantly clear what needs to be done regarding the mirror.
DIAspoton keep the mirror wall. change the floor. get rid of the track lights. the rest depends on how you plan to use the room. what furniture you already have. your overall style. see the potential.
Darzy IMHO, modifying the wall to "fit" the mirror...bookcases, electrical FP,etc, will only look like you tried to disguise the mirrored wall. An entire wall of mirrors reminds me of the 80s model homes that were too small to really live comfortably and the designers tried to make the room look bigger to sell.
I am not sure what you are planning on using this space for. Mirror walls can be incorporated into a giltzy living room design style but usually they remind me of: Vegas, the 80's, a dance studio, an exercise room or a dressing room. I am assuming this is a living room. Is this a formal living room for entertaining or a daily use family living area? I would probably tear it out if it is a family living area. Maybe it is a dining room. It might create some neat drama if it is a dining room and you hang deep velvet drapes on either side with a large piece of art in center.
I think the real question here is what does the mirror reflect? Maybe if the staircase were painted white it might be a better reflection but I think it will still be a lot going on in the low ceiling room.
The staircase and the wall paper in the hall and the mirror wall are all different styles. What style do you like? Start there and this decision will get easier.
I like the tile you picked out. Are you putting it down in the floor?
What part of the house is the latest picture you posted? Is it the entryway? It looks like it has a dark concrete floor with a fence around it?
Post more pictures of your style and these awesome Houzzers will give you a bunch of great ideas.
Victoria Pierce I was always told to only use mirrors when you liked what they reflect ... if they reflect a beautiful garden ... yeah.... a staircase.. ummm
the room needs light.. but maybe lots of ceiling lights.. recessed... those big can lights are really dated..
nukiegirl Rawket and Victoria you took the words out of my mouth! I do have a few full length mirrors myself at the house that were professionally installed but when I look into mine I see the river and trees so I was bring the outside inside to my home without turning around to see it! Yes new floors would be aplus too.
graciousone Thank u all for your input. Great food for thought. Here is a look at my first furniture placement with my existing furniture. I am thinking of asking the association if the outside fencing can be removed to let in more lite. This space is for single adult pre-retirement living and entertainment purposes and yes the chain hanging lite fixture will have to go.
nononanna Unless your style is really rustic, the room could be fabulous with the mirrors. But you can't do it halfway - either play them up or forget them.
karen paul interiors If you replace your current lights with recessed fixtures, paint the staircase and place your dining room light on a dimmer, you will have a very pleasant and comfortable room.
I'm sure its hard to imagine the room without them, but once they are gone you'll see so many possibilities.
Perhaps you could hang some interesting empty frames like a gallery wall... you can suspend them from a rail at the top of the wall.
Or perhaps you could create an interesting treillage effect with applied moldings or actual trellises for a conservatory look
I'm sure I can come up with some other ideas as well...
I like the seagrass in the one photo... clean and fresh feeling... yet keeps the space toned down. A nice oriental rug could even go over the seagrass.
You can change out the carpeting and buy shelves without backing. This will negate the huge "ballet studio" feel that you have now. Take a picture of this room, and then place a coloured or white sheet over where the mirror is to see how quickly the room will shrink in size (visually).
[houzz=Ventana Bookshelf]
keep the mirror wall.
I am not sure what you are planning on using this space for. Mirror walls can be incorporated into a giltzy living room design style but usually they remind me of: Vegas, the 80's, a dance studio, an exercise room or a dressing room. I am assuming this is a living room. Is this a formal living room for entertaining or a daily use family living area? I would probably tear it out if it is a family living area. Maybe it is a dining room. It might create some neat drama if it is a dining room and you hang deep velvet drapes on either side with a large piece of art in center.
I think the real question here is what does the mirror reflect? Maybe if the staircase were painted white it might be a better reflection but I think it will still be a lot going on in the low ceiling room.
The staircase and the wall paper in the hall and the mirror wall are all different styles. What style do you like? Start there and this decision will get easier.
I like the tile you picked out. Are you putting it down in the floor?
What part of the house is the latest picture you posted? Is it the entryway? It looks like it has a dark concrete floor with a fence around it?
Post more pictures of your style and these awesome Houzzers will give you a bunch of great ideas.
the room needs light.. but maybe lots of ceiling lights.. recessed... those big can lights are really dated..