Maleficent Mirrors

I've been searching for Maleficent Mirrors in London homes and have decided that only the grandest will do. Monster mirrors, fabulously ornate, dripping in ormolu and intricate plasterwork. Huge great things that hang, prop up against and dominate walls. Antiques with built in shelves.
Starting with two wonderful examples of how to impress with a casually placed, I-just-happen-to-have-this-laying-around mirror: Studio East...

...and at Littleworth, just the thing for this vast, simple but elegant bedroom.

I especially love antique mirrors with built in shelves, which are quite rare to find. Both Lordship Park...

...and Mapesbury have the beautifully proportioned rooms and gorgeous design work necessary to pull one of these off. 

The owners of this Holland Park mansion have perfected the fine art of antique decay made beautiful. 

But here in Richmond Road, very careful consideration and choice has gone into creating a scenario where each piece works together towards an entire, exquisite look. At the opposite end of the room is another, equally stately mirror which reflects back on the ormolu and cannily, doubles the reflection of the whimsical disco ball into infinity. So very English! 

Speaking of clever mirror placement, this Rococo house boasts and appropriately Rococo mirror which casts an image of the one opposite in the hallway as well as the grand mantle inside the living room. Bouncing back between each, the light suffuses all rooms. 

I had to include the wonderful and unique French mantle mirror gracing Ruby House, north London. Is it not incredible? Somebody has found the exact figurines that it was surely designed to show off. Shabbily distressed, it lacks not a shred of grandeur. The sort of piece to create a room around. 

A custom photographic studio has made use of this awe inspiring hunk of Victoriana as a backdrop or prop to relish. See more at The Depot

Lastly, I love this one the most because. Only in an English countryside Manor could a mirror so staggering be sort of shoved away in a quiet corner of the house that is, in fact, the casual sitting area part of the old kitchen. Here's what that says: 'We have such magnificence that we forgot about this old thing.'
Have you seen it?! It's probably carved by Grinling Gibbons!