I’m all about rethinking the traditional ways of doing things. I call it a modern way of life and I make sure there are no rules to inhibit my creativity. I’m open-minded and I consider fresh new ideas that bring back the past in new creative ways. That said, here is a great way to create some reflection, conversation, and illumination to something as traditional as a mirror. It’s an easy project and you probably have everything you need in your home. Once you try this you will never look at a mirror quite the same again.
The typical mirror is a sheet of glass that is coated on its back with aluminum or silver that produces images by reflection. The mirrors used in Greco-Roman antiquity and throughout the European Middle Ages were simply slightly convex disks of metal, either bronze, tin, or silver, that reflected light off their highly polished surfaces. Today’s mirrors are mass produced and offer a verity of choices and shapes to complement your home dÌ©cor. But my simple project takes the traditional mirror and reinvents it as a powerful serving tray and or decorative tablescape design.
Already have a mirror you want to use in mind? So let’s break down the steps to some simple facts to know.
- Take any mirror and remove hooks from the back, allowing it to lie flat on any surface.
- Clean and wipe all surfaces assuring nothing chips or peels.
Ideas for food presentation:
– Use smaller mirrors in lieu of trays for your next party.
– Place larger mirrors on the dining table or coffee table and cover with assorted cheeses, crackers, and other delicious appetizers. Add height by placing candlesticks or candelabra in the center of drama and interest.
– The best mirrors to use for food are the easiest to clean — meaning no elaborate frames. Straight edge frames are the best, and those with no frames are easiest of all.
– Step it up: During a party, in lieu of name cards for your hors d’oeuvres, write the item names right on each mirror (Camembert, Figs with Prosciutto, Mini-Quiche Lorraine, Shortbread, etc). Tip: Use unscented organic soap to write with — it won’t conflict with the food scent and is safe next to the food, and washes off easier than something wax-based like a crayon.
As an accent piece:
– A perfect place to display your plants. Tip: Avoid decorative pots since they will conflict with the mirror — the idea is to use the reflective quality of the mirror to create the design, not get it from the pots. I recommend simple terracotta pots, even better if you have moss-covered cache-pots. Having reflection offers more light and better-looking plants. A collection in various heights makes the best table dÌ©cor. Natural green with a punch of the unexpected.
– A place to put all our collectibles. What a great way to show off a collection of glass or figurines. Tip: mix things up — don’t just use all glass or all figurines unless they are of various colors.
– As a bar area. Placing your glasses, bottles and serving accessories in a mirror defines the surface of any side table as a bar — if not all the time then during parties — and makes for a better focal point.
– A place to add all your perfume bottles. Mirrored trays are a traditional way to showcase fine fragrances, but repurposing your own mirror steps it up and makes it your own. This is a wonderful way to show your collection of fragrances or beauty products — or jewelry.
– If your mirror has a border, fill with reflective ornaments and/or candles for an amazing flickering display. Festive, decorative and fabulous for the holidays.
As if this is not enough ideas for you to consider one can always refer back to a traditional mirror on the wall but first ask yourself “mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the most creative of all?” The answer won’t be Snow White.
And there you have it.