The Solid-Wood Framed Mirror: The Piece That Enlarges and Ennobles
The mirror is the only decorative piece that brings into a room something that was not there: light and depth. A solid-wood framed mirror does this with class — it does not merely reflect, it ennobles, because the carved frame is itself a work of art. It is the designers' favourite trick for small, dark rooms and a status piece in large ones. At Martello, a good mirror rarely leaves alone.
What a large mirror does in a room
A well-placed mirror doubles the light, visually enlarges the space and gives depth to a flat wall. Set opposite a window, it brings the garden or the sky inside; beside a lamp, it spreads warm light through the whole room. It is the cheapest way to make a small room look twice as large — and one of the most elegant.
Why the solid-wood frame matters
The frame is the difference between a mirror and a piece of furniture. Solid wood, carved or with patina, gives weight and character, while cheap resin frames feel hollow and peel over time. A good frame has real relief, cleanly joined corners and a finish — gilt, waxed or natural — that ties in with the rest of the wood in the room. It is what turns a useful mirror into a desirable piece.
How to size it
Above a console or chest, the mirror should be about two thirds the width of the piece beneath it, to look considered rather than accidental. For the maximum sense of space, choose a large, even floor-standing mirror, leaned against the wall. A mirror too small on a large wall gets lost; a generous one becomes the focal point.
Where to place it and at what height
The classic place is in the hallway, where you check your look on the way out, and in the living room, above a console or the sofa. Hang it with the centre at about 155–160 cm from the floor, at eye level. Place it so it reflects something beautiful — a window, a painting, a chandelier — not an empty corner or the bathroom door.
Care
Clean the glass with a gentle solution and a lint-free cloth, keeping the frame away from moisture. Feed the wood of the frame with wax twice a year; wipe gilt finishes dry only. Check the wall fixing once a year — a heavy mirror needs a fixing to match.
Every mirror in our collection is a unique piece, with its own carved frame. Discover them in the mirrors category and in the rest of our catalogue, then come and look into them at the Martello showroom in Nimoreni, Ialoveni. We deliver throughout Moldova and Romania.