Mirror in the Dining Room

A mirror in a dining room can be a good idea especially if you have candles burning in front of it. But don´t ever place a mirror so people can watch themselves during the meals. Some will do everything to avoid seeing themselves and other will watch themselves as much as possible.

I agree with Saab on all points. Personally, I think a painting or group of art work is more interesting and cozy.

That's sort of what hubby said.

The mirror is this one.

One other option

Look like a port hole on the Queen Elizabeth II. Go art shopping.

Art is always better in my opinion. It looks like a large wall. You have to balance the art and the wall. You could also add sconces for a lighting option.

It doesn't look like a port hole when you actually see it. It does look a little weird in that picture. The mirror is very big.

The wall is pretty big and totally bare.


The picture above is a 24x30.

Do you think that would be big enough?

Give me a few minutes to search. I assume you are going for contemporary or modern. I found a couple of nice traditional looks, but they don't look like they would work with what you are describing.

Check out the freecycle network. I've seen some very large (18"x3') mirrors get offered in the Austin area. Your mileage may vary.

I have a mirror in our dining room. It hangs over the buffet.
Plus 3 pieces of art, a tapestry hanging and candle holders.

I can envision Eoe's scheme and that would work- having the mirror as part of the overall design and not the main focus.. I also think having a sideboard or cabinet to break up the space is a good idea, plus it would give you more storage. Part of the reason I don't like the mirror idea is because it is going to reflect back the kitchen, which could mean a nice view of dirty dishes or messy food prep. It also looks like it's made of plastic, but that's a person prejudice of mine. I like natural materials. The last picture here had an interesting arrangement of smalls works, but I'm not crazy about the big scroll thing hovering above. It would work better without it.

It is wood but i get your point about the view into the kitchen.

If you insist on the mirror I think you should add art in round,oval and square frames.

http://interiordec.about.com/library/graphics/interiors/0101-193s.jpg

I'm not hung up on anything just yet.

It's so hard to decide because everything is so expensive I don't want to make a decision and then hate it a month from now.

Have you tried IKEA yet, Bella. Their mirrors, artwork is fairly inexpensive.
I like Green Witch first idea with the burgundy walls - then again I like color!

We are having some incredible auctions and sales in my area due to foreclosures. Take a look in your local paper for these events. I've never seen so many good pieces go so cheap ( I buy to sell on Ebay and I also sell antique garden pieces in my "day" business ). Come spring, you can take a trip to a flea market or antique swap meet. It's a good place to push a baby carriage around. Remember to only buy what you love, don't settle, you want to live with it for a long time and maybe even pass it on to your daughter. You can always use the items you have and keep looking for other items you like better. It might help to spend some time looking at house and design magazines. Spend a lunch hour in the Barnes & Noble magazine section or go to your local library. No reason to buy expensive magazines. Just get ideas - imagination and a good eye is more important than money.

Very good ideas...
If you do as green witch suggest and get good things with quality avoid Ikea as the plague. It is cheap and falls apart before you even have hung them. Ikea is good for a child´s room or kitchen, but I would not use it in a dining room.
Their furniture are ok, but the rest is tasteful junk. Cheap china for daily use or if you like to have many sets is ok too.
Don´t hang Ikea on the walls.

Saab and I could live together. I agree. Dorm room days are over. Think quality, think lifetime. Money spent on quality is never wasted. Pick something you love and will enjoy running the dust rag over for the rest of your life. Chose an item you can be proud of and not something that is the Hamburger Helper of Interior Design. Live with bare walls for a while if you have to. You're young it's OK.

Think about the Shaker furniture. Simple, good quality and white walls, then you can slowly add modern art or whatever your taste is. If you start off simpel than you have time to find things you really like.
Modern Danish interior decorating is about the same. Few things in good quality

http://images.google.de/imgres?imgurl=http://www.falkmobler.no/images/Skovby%2520SM24SM64.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.falkmobler.no/spisestuer.htm&usg=__CfQ2Va1bwTfKRHg1BbAJaDNZSLw=&h=294&w=298&sz=18&hl=de&start=3&sig2=VzPXmq4e0lkFllseASeCTA&tbnid=Efmu3pCPUPh-UM:&tbnh=114&tbnw=116&ei=Mmp3Sd7YIJOI_gaolcTjCA&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddanske%2Bspisestuer%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Dde%26sa%3DN