apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I see nothing wrong with the mirror.
I would only suggest changing the light fixture and adding come color/texture.

Sorry, I'm with "everyone that walks into your bathroom". It is not so much that it's too big, but more that it is next to the toilet (ack!) and reflects the mirror opposite it creating a weird affect for a bathroom in my opinion. I wouldn't want to see that much of myself in a bathroom, ever. It also seems to grand in style for that bathroom and for your black bedroom set.

oh my lord, a fireplace in the bathroom? gimme a break...

I think accessories would be an inexpensive way to soften the effect. Change out the light fixtures, add some rugs, paint the walls, some art, maybe a bamboo privacy shade, etc and it'll look great. I mean, the bones are fantastic - it just has no personality. If you like modern - then add modern accessories!

How about painting the frame of the over sized mirror white so that it blends in more with the wall?

If you love the mirror, keep the mirror. I'd hang a curtain above the mirror at the same height and in the same material as the curtains you hang above the window. Then add a tie back so it falls over the corner and one edge of the mirror. I think this will block out the veiw of the vanity mirror opposite which will eliminate the tunnel effect. My bedroom is also black and white and I ended up making my own curtains. I used a black sateen that I got on sale and added white cotton ribbon in a rectangle three inches from each edge. The shiny fabric is elegant but the effect is sleek because of the clean straight lines. You could take a similar approach to marry a modern bedroom/bathroom to the more classic mirror. Best of luck.

The room as a whole is pretty spartan so the ornate bulky mirror does stick out like a sore thumb. For it blend you'll need to design the bathroom around it. At the very least you'll need to paint the walls a color and put up window treatments.

Ok, before you can solve the mirror problem you have to change out that light fixture over the vanity. A tasteful light fixture will change the tone of your entire luxurious bathroom. Others have made good suggestions about paint and accessories to soften the look. I also imagine a sheer white drape hanging from ceiling to floor between your tub and toilet. Such a drape would offer subtle separation to the toilet and lend a more spa like feel to the area. Oh... and keep the gold frame. Good luck

Nevis, do you have any particular accessories in mind that you would suggest? Also what colors do you think would go well. I would prefer to stay away from the standard beige but don't want anything too bright either.

Kung fu grip, the fireplace opens into the bedroom and bathroom. What can I say when tatertote casserole was dinner 5 days a week and when I worked my butt of for a C in college I didn't expect to have a fireplace in my bathroom at 24!

ValHalla , without major renovations how would you add texture? I am completely clueless sorry about all the questions. I would love it too look great but am only begining with understanding what i am doing

Change the light fixture above the vanity to one that "matches" or is similiar in style to the mirror. Voila, it fits. Texture can be applied through fluffy towels, a roman shade or other type of window treatment, baskets etc. Think anything that isn't flat. I appreciate the white-towel look but the lack of color in this room makes it look drab. Slap some color on the walls and hang some art, even if its just a few smaller peices. The room needs some personal touches besides the mirror to tie it all in.

The reason this ornate mirror stands out is because the rest of the bathroom is so dull & sterile - including the typical-tracthouse frameless mirror above the sink. And is that a vinyl floor? Shampoo bottles on the floor of the shower?

This room needs the basics: Color on the walls, window coverings, rugs, light fixtures & switchplates that don't look like they came from the "Contractor-Special" aisle of Home Depot...
...only then will the mirror look like it belongs in that room.

I am assuming you have a standard flat mirror in front of your sink(s). Why not take that standard mirror out and hang this mirror above your sink(s) horizontally? If you did this, would it reflect the light from the window above the tub? If so, I would also recommend light colored paints on the walls. To keep everything airy.

haha..as far as contractor special...yeaaa that is right on point..we just moved in 3 month ago and build the place from scratch so the light fixture and the plain mirror came with the contract...you like the faucets?... those were an upgrade that i squizzzed, the original screamed contractor too. The floor is ceramic tile and the shampoo in the shower is a very good catch!

The large mirror is too big to fit over the sink, although good thought.

That is a beautiful mirror, but IMO it's wasted where it is now. I don't think it fits with the rest of the bathroom in terms of size, weight, style or proportion. I think it would look stunning somewhere else where it has room to breathe and can be better featured... e.g. an entry hall or living room. Plus, nothing you do to change the bathroom could change the fact that near the toilet is an unappealing spot for that mirror.

OTOH, if you'd like to give your bathroom a bit of a softer and more sophisticated air for very little money, here are a few suggestions:

- Install a wooden frame around the mirror over the vanity - something with a simple profile, painted in a soft brushed silver tone that will marry well with your brushed nickel faucets. This is an easy fix for those personality-free frameless bathroom mirrors everywhere. Make the frame substantial - a good two inches wide - and glue it directly to the mirror with construction adhesive (in a caulking gun). The trick is to install it so it sticks out past the mirror about 1/4" to 1/2", to mask the thickness of the mirror.

- Install a new light fixture over the vanity.

- IF the sun comes through that window at all, install a matchstick blind to filter/soften it.

- If you'd still like a mirror roughly where that one is standing, look for something about half as wide, with a much lighter and narrower frame than this one. Examples:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10125981

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40106735

Add a plant on the floor beside any floor mirror to soften that corner.

I say lots more plants will soften this place loads...If you got one big tropical treelike one it might balance out the hugeness of the mirror.....

is it possible to replace the mirror over the sink with the mirror that you love?

i love the effect of ornate mirrors over the sink - very spa/hotel like. it needs a rich paint color on the wall to work best, though.