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decorative mirror problem

16 years ago

I posted here before about some decorative mirrors I wanted to hang in my bathroom (I was worried about the quality, versus buying something from a glass shop). Well, I purchased them and they were hung up today and they look beautiful! HOWEVER, now that they are up, they seem to have some distortion. When I stand in front of them ( or even 3-4 out) my image looks fine, but the background looks distorted. When I stand in the doorway and look into one (10-12 ft?), everything looks distorted. All I've ever had was plate glass mirror, so I don't know if this is normal with decorative mirrors. I'm hoping I didn't get the raw end of the deal with these. I really like them.

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Comments (5)

annzgw
16 years ago
As long as they work for the task intended, then they should be fine.
That said, yes, there is a difference in the quality of mirrors and that is why 'decorative' is often less expensive.
maggiersn
16 years ago
It's tough, when you love some aspect about something you've done to your house, but aren't so sure about it for other reasons... I sympathize, superchick.

Would the vendor take them back if you decide you don't want them?

If so... Hope this doesn't sound too simplistic, but what I usually do when I find myself in some kind of situation like this is...take a few moments, take a deep breath, think about what I'm like, and then try to answer the question whether, over the long-term, what I love about the item is going to be more persistent than what I don't love.

When I think about it, I have lots of things in my house that aren't perfect, and I bought them that way. E.g., I have a gorgeous maple spinning wheel from the 1830s. It's handsome and perfect in everyway, except that the foot pedal (treadle?) is noticeably cracked. I'm a perfectionist who would have rather have found one in mint condition, but that's not an easy proposition. Guess what? It's been in my house for six years now and I adore it.

OTOH, I have a beautiful, handpainted oversized ceramic bowl from Italy I received as a gift from special friends a few years ago. I'm crazy about this bowl and keep fruit in it. But the glaze crazed early on, and I noticed today that stains have gotten into the cracks. I know me, and I know I'm just not going to like looking at the stains.

*shrugs*

Do you think that effect with the mirrors makes your decorating look like a poor or cheap job, OR, together with what's positive to you about the mirrors, does it lend your house character and beauty?

Live with them for a day or two and see which feeling gets stronger. Only you can decide. Good luck with it.
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nhb22
16 years ago
I have two cheaper decorative mirrors from Michael's and three more expensive mirrors from a reputable lighting company. I am not seeing any changes in any visual of my mirrors. Perhaps it is just the fact that you are use to a wider mirror surface that make you think they are distorted. Like the others say,,, live with it for a while!
mareda
16 years ago
I have a decorative mirror that isn't distorted either, but then, yours may just be defective. Can you try exchanging it to see if it's just that mirror? Personally, I wouldn't keep a defective mirror because I see enough defects when I look in a good one....lol.
Phobie Privett
Original Author
16 years ago
I can't exchange them. Got them at Lowe's on a Black Friday special. They must have been a special purchase, because they don't normally carry them. I'm wondering if it's just the shear size of the room. I've never had more than 5 feet of space in front of any mirror in a bathroom. Now it's twenty feet from the bedroom door to the bath mirror! I'm thinking if I can't stand it, I'll just order some replacement mirror and re-use the frame. They are too pretty to get rid of!!! :()

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