Author Archives: Gene Graham

Mirror wall panels, no matter where they are placed in the home, encourage a refined, spacious aesthetic.

Consisting of large pieces of high-quality glass, they can add light and dimension to a room in truly remarkable ways.

Because of the versatility of glass architecture, and the endless possibilities of size, shape, colour and finish that you can get with custom wall mirrors, this is one feature that you can use to make a bold design statement, without overpowering a space.

Even more appealing, and what many property owners in Hoppers Crossing, Werribee, Point Cook and the surrounding areas of Melbourne don’t realise until they experience it for themselves, are all the practical properties mirrored panels have.

Durable, easy-to-maintain and complementary to any interior design style, there’s good reason more Australians today are opting for mirrored walls.

Where Are Mirror Wall Panels Used?

As with other architectural glass features, the ‘where’ can be anywhere you want to create the effect of more space, reflect light or draw the attention of the eye. Mirrored panels can be used:

• On closet doors to open up the feel of an enclosed closet and to offer a functional reflective surface for checking one’s reflection;
• Along hallways to make a narrow space feel wider;
• In entrance ways to create an ambience of drama and intrigue, whilst also reflecting any natural or artificial light;
• On alcove walls for an attractive architectural element and to highlight statement pieces;
• Along stairways, adding movement and light in a unique way;
• Along the wall of indoor pools or home athletic studios;
• Behind large pieces of furniture, such as a bed, office desk or surrounding a fireplace to add another dimension to a room; and
• Anywhere you’d like to draw out more space, light, colour or energy into a room, large or small.

Practical Advantages of Mirrored Panels

Mirrored wall panels aren’t just timelessly attractive, they are also easy to take care of and offer excellent longevity. Unlike other materials, such as timber and drywall, you don’t have to worry about moisture build-up damaging your glass paneling over time or leading to mould growth. 

This makes glass a smart option anywhere near water or moisture, such as in or nearby bathrooms, kitchens or any indoor pool or spa area, the same way that glass splash backs, frameless glass showers and other glass features are becoming a popular choice in both new builds and home renovations.

Glass is also extremely easy to keep clean. A simple glass cleaner is all that is necessary to maintain a like-new shine on your mirrored walls. High-quality glass isn’t going to lose its lustre and beauty over the years if you don’t spend a lot of money and time maintaining, refinishing or updating it, like you have to do with other materials.

With today’s advancements in glassmaking, architectural glass is also incredibly strong. This isn’t a material that will break or scratch easily. In fact, as long as you work with an experienced glass company, your mirror wall panels will have to undergo a lot of impact in order to foster any marks or cracks.

Aesthetic Advantages of Mirrored Panels

From an aesthetic standpoint, large expanses of crystal clear, custom-made glass are always striking. Particularly with a frameless wall mirror, your glass will define your space with clean architectural lines. 

This is an appealing feature in modern, contemporary and industrial homes, but it also serves the more intricate interior design styles such as art deco, vintage or bohemian by balancing complex interplays of colour, shape and texture.

The other advantage is a greater sense of space. Where a single mirror can increase the apparent dimensions of a room and reflect back desired features, such as indoor greenery, natural or ambient lighting, or colourful pieces, mirrored walls will amplify this effect.

This can create an almost surreal environment, where it feels as if one could walk into the illusion of space.

Customization Options for Mirror Glass Panels

With mirrored walls for the home, it’s possible to customize the glass so that it perfectly suits the character. And the dimension of a particular space, as well as your unique design vision. Glass can be cut to exact measurements to fit whatever space you’d like to cover with mirrored panels.

When your glass is installed, the dimensions are determined by how large the access to the room is, rather than the size of the wall. Then, multiple smaller mirrors are brought in and joined together before they can be mounted. 

This means you don’t have to worry about your mirror being too large or cumbersome – the glass is often joined together. It does mean, however, that your wall needs to be perfectly straight. A glass professional should take accurate dimensions and ensure the wall is straight before starting your project.

Experienced glaziers will also be able to cut your glass out of larger squares. Giving you the exact shape you need. This can allow for interesting designs. 

For example:

Instead of using larger squares of glass, you could use pieces with a defined shape that are mounted together. Such as a honeycomb, diamond, or circular shape.

With frameless wall mirror glass, you can choose how the edges are done, from straight, polished edges to elegant beveled borders. Your glass can be finished with a bright, clear polish or sandblasted for a more fascinating appeal.

More property owners are opting for colored glass today, such as smoky or black glass. Or mirror glass with gold, rose, or copper tones.

Why Mirrored Walls Are Always Beautiful

Some people envision the more traditional approach when they think of mirrored wall panels for their homes. Large panels of the frameless glass cover an entire wall. Whilst this is a timeless choice, there are so many options for mirror wall panels.

From dramatic entranceways and faceted beveled edges to the mystery and intrigue of a full panel of colored glass. This is a design material that can be tailored to enhance your space – anywhere in your home – with striking, yet subtle beauty.

Having a custom mirror installed in your home can totally transform your space – as long as you have your mirror cut to size.

In the western suburbs of Melbourne custom mirror glass is often used as a unique architectural element, designed to fit within, compliment, or reflect other dimensions in your home, from either the space itself or other pieces, such as countertops, cabinets, a fireplace, a dining table or windows.

Being a few millimeters off can change how the mirror looks when it is installed. In some cases, it can also make the installation itself a challenge – or even impossible unless the glass is recut.

The fantastic thing about mirror glass, especially frameless glass, is that it can create remarkable aesthetic effects, depending on where and how it is positioned and how it interacts with other aspects of a space.

For example;

In this bathroom, the mirror fits seamlessly with the countertop, acting as a virtual extension of it.

In this living room, the wall-sized glass mirrors create a dramatic effect in an otherwise calm space, with soft, warm colors and plenty of rounded décor pieces. They are sized perfectly, giving the beautiful crown molding and ceiling design enough room to be seen, yet they are large enough to double the space of this otherwise tight room.

When your mirror is cut exactly to size, it can offer so much more to your home than just an attractive reflective surface. With a design element as powerful as mirror glass, the precise measurements, placement, and shape are what is used to tell the story of the space.

Instead of worrying that your made-to-measure mirror isn’t cut the way you – and your design constraints – need it to be, use these tricks to ensure your mirror glass is cut flawlessly.

1. Laser Measure Your Space

If your mirror needs to be installed by a professional. This is generally the case with custom mirrors as you want your glass to be mounted. And set in place correctly to avoid problems like poor positioning and improper glue usage. Your best bet is to invite them to your home to take the measurements for you.

Any experienced glazier will take laser measurements, which are more accurate than tape measure dimensions. And, they’ll know exactly how to assess your space based on the characteristics of your architecture (for example, how curves, crown molding, and other details of your architecture may impact how your mirror should be sized).

They can do this because they’ll have had plenty of experience with different made-to-measure scenarios.

2. Hire a Glass Professional for a Professional Cut

When a licensed glazier is tasked with cutting your mirror glass, they will also laser measure and cut to size your mirror. This way, you’re guaranteed your glass will be cut to the exact size and shape, down to the nearest millimeter.

When you have a glass professional do this instead of, for example, ordering a certain size or shape online. From a factory warehouse or from a store. You are passing on any liability to the glass professional who has done both the measuring and the cutting.

If your custom-cut mirror glass doesn’t properly fit the space when it is installed. Then they’ll remedy your glass for you at no cost. If you took the measurements and asked for dimensions that aren’t quite right. You may be stuck with the costs of having the glass recut.

3. Work with Glaziers that Have Glass and Mirror Cutting Experience

With custom-cut mirror glass, you can get virtually any dimensions you want. It’s possible to create the perfect size or even cut a shape from a square of glass.

If a glass company tells you your cut isn’t possible or your expectations are too high, it may be because they don’t have the skill and experience to create the customized shape you want.

Keep in mind with glaziers who have been working with architectural glass for years. What can be done is only limited by your imagination. Shape, size, finishes and even different colored glass. Your mirror can be cut to size and tailored to seamlessly suit your vision.

Whether you want a unique statement piece in your West Melbourne home or want your mirror to help you achieve your design vision, only custom mirrors can yield the results you’re after.

Picking out a beautiful mirror will always enhance your interior design, but customising your mirror has the power to transform it.

Glass is an incredibly flexible and versatile material to work with as there are just so many things you can do to a piece of high quality glass, especially with all the possibilities that modern technology offers.

Cut, bevel, colour and finish to suit your space and make your creative ideas come to life. Here are some of the ways you can have your glass customised.

Achieve Bespoke Dimensions with Custom Cut Mirrors

Today’s laser technology has revolutionised what professional glaziers can achieve with mirrors. Glass can be cut to exact measurements with a laser, leaving you with a precise set of dimensions that are perfect for your space. Instead of settling for cookie-cutter shapes and sizes and forcing a mirror to work within your interior, you can have one custom measured to elegantly fit next to your living room wall art, to brighten up your hallway, to complement your bathroom decor or to meet any of your other design goals.

Knowing that you can achieve any size you want when the glass is cut to precise dimensions, it’s possible to get really creative with your mirrors, placing them in areas of the home you might not have previously considered, and securing truly flawless design. Custom made mirror glass on doors, stairways, in alcoves or measured to highlight other features of your home – the possibilities are endless.

Create Unique Mirror Shapes

Using lasers, mirrors can be custom cut from a sheet of glass to a desired shape. This means conventional mirror shapes and sizes do not confine you. Whether you want your mirror to work within a particular frame, or if you are using frameless glass, aim to think beyond the standard square, rectangle, circle and oval to hexagons, diamonds, domed tops and customised curves and edges.

You can have your mirror custom cut to complement your existing tile designs, artwork, furniture and more. Even subtle differences in shape can make profound style statements, adding to the uniqueness and character of your luxury home.

When using reclaimed materials for unique architectural designs, custom mirrors are a huge advantage as you can have your glass shaped and sized to suit another material that you want to include in your home, such as this gorgeous copper wall.

Use Different Mounting Options

With custom mirrors, you also can take advantage of various mounting options. Traditionally, mirrors are mounted on a wall with a mounting device or adhesives, depending on how heavy the glass is. When you work with custom glass professionals, you can do so much more.

Open up a narrow passageway or basement with ceiling mirrors. If your home has an architecturally sophisticated ceiling, customised mirrors are fantastic for bringing your unique design elements to life, adding movement, light and dimension to your property’s original design.

Create an enchanting look in your bathroom, using features that will interact with the light and allow light to pass through. Think frameless glass shower screens, bevelled window glass, and vanity mirrors. This luxury bathroom becomes more than a washroom, but an experience. With the mirrored ceiling and brilliant sunlight coming in behind the shower, walking into this bathroom is like stepping into a mesmerizing dimension of glass, marble, porcelain, and light.

Who said all mirrors have to mount on the wall? Your custom mirror can install to fit within other structures in your space. This can create the illusion that your mirror is floating in space or it can serve as a reflective room divider.

Here’s an example of how mirrors can mount. So, that they appear to flow seamlessly out of the window glass. This brings out the natural beauty surrounding the indoor space in a fantastic way, creating the feel of being outdoors, whilst within the sanctuary of this zen-like interior.

Finish Your Mirror with Custom Edges

The faceted sides of bevelled glass create an appealing prismatic effect. Light bounces off in different directions, dancing upon the varied surfaces. Use a simple or more elaborate bevelled finish, depending on the style of your interior design.

Polished edges will give your mirror a more sophisticated aesthetic, making them a popular choice in luxury homes. With professional glazier edging techniques, you can achieve anything from subtle elegance to edgy statement pieces such as this brick-styled mirror glass splashback.

Add Vibrancy with a Coloured Glass Mirror

Another way you can use custom glass to make your vision come alive is by using colored materials. From the bold look of blacks and greys to the intense beauty of rich copper, rose and gold hues. A custom mirror with colored glass always adds to the ambiance of your interior.

This gold glass splashback reflects back a warm, alluring color, contrasting with the stark black and white color scheme of the kitchen.

In this bedroom, the antique glass wall creates an intriguing ambiance. Transforming this guest bedroom into a breathtaking retreat of luxury and ornate style. The antique grey of the glass pulls together myriad purples, and textures. And patterns of the rest of the space, delivering a more complete and satisfying whole.

The Difference that Customised Mirrors Make

Glass is the most versatile architectural material. Change its shape, use faceted edges, a smooth finish, subtle coloring, and bold design; it’s up to you. When you combine well-made, quality glass with professional craftsmanship. You can use your creativity to achieve a bespoke glass mirror that doesn’t just fit within your space but elevates it.

A smoked glass mirror differs from the standard silver mirror in that it offers a subdued reflection, and at the same time makes a strong style statement. This tinted reflection is ideal in many design environments, creating a mellow, smoother appeal, as opposed to the sometimes bright, overbearing feel of traditional mirror glass.

What Is Smoked Mirror Glass?

Also known as a grey mirror, a smoked mirror is normal mirror glass with colour added to it. It may be a dark bronze hue with a graduated look or a luxurious black tint. To create a smoky appearance, a mix of metal oxides is added to the glass when it is in its hot, molten state.

A lot of Melbourne’s homeowners are not sure what the difference is between a smoked mirror or Antique Mirror Glass and a black glass mirror. They are actually the same thing. Both refer to the captivating elegance of a grey mirror.

Take a look at all the different ways this unique type of mirror can be used. Whether as a stunning statement piece or functional décor, a smoked colour always adds a special richness to a space.

Smoky Kitchen Glass Splashback

If you have a lot of metallic in your kitchen already or are using a black, grey and white colour scheme, using black mirrored glass for your splashback can be a fantastic style choice. The darker glass is perfect for this high usage area of the home as you can quickly and easily wipe away any splashes and splatters whilst cooking. It also adds a touch of refinement to an otherwise utilitarian kitchen scape.

Antiquated Grey Mirror- Antique Mirror Glass

Grey glass can instantly add intrigue to your interior space when you use an antiquated finish for your mirror.

Antique mirror glass framed with an ornately styled, aged bronze frame, this Antique Mirror Glass mirror becomes a gorgeous piece of wall art whilst also adding light and depth to the room. The darker colour of the glass perfectly balances the bright whites and clear glass used in the rest of the space.

Antique Mirror Glass Bedroom Backdrop

In this contemporary bedroom, the antiqued glass mirror behind the bed both creates the illusion of space and adds dynamism to an otherwise streamlined colour palette. Antique Mirror Glass makes the room feel warmer and richer.

Antique Mirror Glass has a grey tint and a smoky finish, which turns it into a point of interest but still lets it stay in the background in a pleasant way.

Smoked Mirror Closet Doors

Black mirror glass is a popular choice with closet doors. Frameless glass is fitted over the entire surface, making this space feel large and open, but with the softer reflection of the grey glass.

The smoky colour helps to quell the glare that can occur when you cover such a large space with a reflective surface. It also provides a nice dark contrast to the bright, white walls.

Cosy Bathroom Mirror

A smoky mirror in the bathroom compliments a dark, elegant colour palette. It brings out the richness and modern appeal of sleek, smooth surfaces.

The addition of a silver mirror with white framing and wall-mounted lamps provides an eye-catching feature and softens the large, dark surface.

It also provides a simple contrast to the busy wallpaper on the adjoining wall, the stone benchtop and the earthy timber flooring. For bathrooms that are more suited to soft lamp light than bright whites, the darker glass helps to complete an already cosy ambience.

Backlit Mirrors

Here’s another example of a smoky mirror in the bathroom. What’s fantastic about this design idea is the contrast between the illuminated frame and the darker mirror glass.

Only with black tinted glass can you get such dramatic contrast. Paired with a marble bench top and earthy coloured wall tiles, this creates a soft, ambient space.

Home Wet Bar

The antiquated grey glass keeps the tone of this home wet bar smooth and sophisticated. Here’s an example where the bright clarity of traditional silver mirror glass could detract from the urbane style created by the richness of the dark wood cabinetry and brass fixtures.

Entranceway

Here’s another place where the softer radiance of antiquated grey glass enhances a space without distracting from the rest of the décor. It adds depth to the entranceway area. With this mirror, the diamond-shaped marks subtly reflect the black and white chequered floor, creating a totally original look and an eye-catching artwork in itself.

Customising Your Home with Smoky Glass

A black glass mirror is just as versatile as a traditional mirror. It can use to bring out the luxury and depth of any space, from the kitchen to the hallway. But, unlike a standard silver mirror, smoky glass adds mystery, intrigue and drama in such a powerful way.

Inspired? Find out more about how you can enhance your home with the right glass.

Appealing mirror glass has the power to transform a room from having a standard design to stunning.

This is why it’s essential you work with the right mirror & glass shop to ensure your glass is capable of achieving the look you have envisioned.

In fact, experienced glaziers who specialize in sourcing, cutting, finishing, and setting luxury glass will likely exceed your expectations, providing you with a quality, customized mirror that adds an exquisite new dimension to your interior design.

When searching for the right mirror & glass shop, one with the experience and industry-leading tools, as well as dedication to the craft, there are several traits you should look for. Find a mirror & glass shop that possesses all of these characteristics and you are in for a treat.

You’ll experience just how much brilliance superior craftsmanship can bring to your home.

A mirror shop you can trust will:

Use Lasers to Measure the Glass

With today’s advancements in technology, there’s only one true way to measure glass. Lasers are capable of a millimeter accuracy. Gives you the confidence that your mirror will be cut to the exact specifications.

Yet, in practice, not all glass & mirror shops use lasers all the time or even some of the time. Measuring with lasers at your home. When taking dimensions for your mirror, and in the shop when custom-cutting the glass, is the only way to guarantee precision.

Even with a mirror that will be framed, it should be cut to the perfect size and shape to fit with the frame supplied by a professional joiner or picture framer.

Come to Your Home to Take Dimensions

If you can call up a glass & mirror shop, order a particular size and have it brought over to be installed, hang up the phone. Glaziers with experience will want to come to your property to take their own measurements for the space you’d like to use.

Especially for mirror glass that will go into tiling, an alcove, or any other situation where it won’t go into a frame, it is necessary for them to come out to get accurate dimensions.

At Economy Glass, we want every project to appear flawless, which is why we prefer to come out to your property to get the measurements whenever we are supplying or installing the glass.

Are Equipped to Finish the Edges of Your Mirror Glass In-House

A lot of mirror & glass shop won’t actually finish the edges in-house. They don’t have the right machines so they have the glass manufacturer do it or outsource to another business that has the capabilities.

This means you have no control over who is finishing the mirror. If it is performed at a large manufacturer’s warehouse, rather than a professional craftsman’s shop, you may have to lower your expectations as to the quality of the work.

You want to use a provider that not only finishes the glass in-house. With the proper machinery but also offers you different edging options. An expert glazier will be able to create more intricate finishes. Which can result in beautiful effects when light bounces off the surface.

Talk to your glazier to find out what techniques and artistry they can offer you.

Will Provide Mounting Options

There is no one best way to mount mirror & glass shop. The appropriate mounting option depends on the weight and dimensions. The area the glass will be mounted on, and your personal preferences. Make sure the company you hire offers, and consults with you about, different mounting options.

For example, using glue fixed to the wall allows the glass to lie flat. A standoff bracket, on the other hand, creates a shadow line behind the mirror. If you want to use backlighting, this shadow line can offer an attractive contrasting detail.

A professional glazier will be able to talk to you about how the way your mirror is mounted will impact the aesthetic of your room.

Offer Different Glass Colours

You also want to be able to choose between different colours for your mirror glass. High-quality glass will offer a gorgeous reflection in any color. Depending on the décor in your West Melbourne home, your interior design may be better served with a luminous white. A soft glimmering champagne hue, or a cool grey, green or blue.

Whilst crystal clear transparent glass is often a perfect choice. You can also use colour to add a truly unique look to your home. Consider the colors, textures, and ambiance you already have. And use that to inspire what you want out of your mirror glass.

Ensure You Are Part of the Process

The possibilities are endless when you find the right mirror & glass shop. The classic sign of expert glaziers is that they will invite you into the process. They’ll value your vision, and then will work their magic to make it come to life.

When you do your job, looking for a professional mirror & glass shop that has the right machinery, advanced processes, skill, and passion, your glaziers will do their part, providing you with a custom-made luxury mirror that you will adore.