Peace of Mind with Gold Mirrors

What could be a more fitting topic to open Glam Interiors' glamorous blog series than gold-framed antique mirrors? Those mirrors, glowing in various shades of gold and suitably worn from their carved arches, are masterpieces of traditional craftsmanship that never leave my mind at peace. In fact, not a day goes by without me trying to spot a new beauty on online antique markets and Facebook flea markets. I think I'm addicted. I don't buy them all, of course, but I admire and mentally place them in different interior settings. By the way, I've learned that Italians have as many antique and vintage mirrors in their homes and storage as Finns have rustic furniture and Ikea Kallax shelves. Just take a look at a Facebook flea market and set the area to an Italian city.

But where does this addiction come from? At first glance, it at least relates to a longing for beauty, my

tendency towards nostalgia, and a need to understand history, especially the history of beauty concepts.

Upon further reflection, I also understand it relates to an appreciation for traditional craftsmanship. In the

age of knowledge work professions and artificial intelligence, such objects, which at first sight create an

image of a craftsman grounded in working with natural materials, bring peace of mind. Upon reaching the depths of my analysis, I understand that gold mirrors also serve as a means of escapism - I can take a psychological break from everyday reality, stress, and slushy weather, and my mind can

recharge. Gold mirrors are in the same "glamour escapism" toolkit as TV series like Downton Abbey,

Bridgerton, and Elisa di Rivombrosa.

Then there's the perspective of interior design and the architectural styles of different centuries and

decades, in which mirrors have their own roles and places. The mirror, a two-thousand-year-old invention,

has been associated with soul and spirits over time, and it's no wonder we all know the Roman belief in seven years of bad luck if a mirror breaks. A couple of centuries ago, mirrors were still only upper-class purchases and social status symbols. In Renaissance Italy, a mirror cost three times as much as a painting by Raphael. In addition to reflecting appearance, mirrors had an important effect on enhancing lighting in candle-lit spaces.

(Picture: AI)

The lumens of six candles (6 lm) could be doubled with the help of a mirror, not to mention a chandelier

with twenty candles hanging in front of a mirror placed above the fireplace. However, it was really dim

compared to modern times. Mirrors were used to create a sense of space in rooms, and we still use this

trick. In my own design, I like to apply different eras in the same space, bringing layers and stories to the

overall style. An antique mirror combined with a modern sofa set creates a continuity of history without

making the space feel like a museum.

(Picture: AI)

With this introduction to gold mirrors, I invite you to follow my blogs, where I will be sharing about the

restoration and renovation project of a 570-year-old apartment located in Genoa, Italy. Future project

descriptions may very well feature gold mirrors. As a content warning, in addition to "glamour escapism" the blogs will also include some harsh realism related to Italian bureaucracy and renovation life. But you

probably already guessed that.

As a tip, the hunt for gold mirrors doesn't have to be limited to online browsing. In Italy, when I find a

suitable candidate, I put on my buying pants and travel to strange places to haggle over a worn-out mirror

or piece of furniture. At the same time, I see new landscapes, and if a winery happens to be on the way, all the better luck.

I'll return to these reflections soon.

Nina