Glass & Mirror Blog

Custom Mirrors

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Have you ever wondered, “Are my custom mirrors at risk of developing unsightly brown or black spots? It is a common question, especially given the condition of many antique mirrors people stumble across while shopping at flea markets, boutique shops, collectible retailers and the like. The answer we give our customers is, “not likely” and here’s why:

Brown and black spots are caused by one thing, substances seeping through the mirror backing. Those substances range from condensation and cleaning fluid to storm water and human sweat. The related stains use to occur often in the 1800s and early 1900s because custom mirror backing weren’t that strong. Today, many custom mirror fabricators use stronger materials that prevent seepage. As such, brown and black spots are thankfully becoming scarce.

Of course there are still antique and cheap mirrors out there that remain at risk of developing ugly spots. With that said, we’d recommend taking steps to prevent discoloration from occurring in the first place. Otherwise, once the spots form there is really no way of reversing the damage without cutting out the discolored areas. Here are a few solutions:

  • Use a dehumidifier, heater or air conditioning system to keep the indoor, relative humidity below 50% and avoid placing cheap mirrors in areas prone to developing moisture problems. Examples include rooms with hot tubs, saunas, whirlpools, glass enclosed showers, garden tubs and lap pools.
  • Bring your mirror to us and ask to have the backing coated with a protective material. Of course you could also try to bolster the existing backing yourself with specialty paints and films from the local craft store. They won’t be as effective as the commercial backing materials we have on hand but may do in a pinch.

To learn more about protecting wall custom mirrors and other mirrored items from turning shades of brown or black, please contact us today.

Posted by on in Custom Mirrors

Are you space challenged? Is your living situation more cramped than you'd like, but a remodel to add that needed addition just isn't in your financial cards this year?

There is another solution and an affordable one to boot. Instead of refinancing the house to redesign and build that extra space, try some custom mirrors

A large custom area mirror strategically placed can magically add on that addition simply by reflecting the room back to you, giving the illusion of space. And amazingly, when a space appears larger, we feel as though we actually do have plenty of space. Energy always fills a vacuum and if it seems as though we have ample space, we somehow function just fine within that space.

Another idea to reflect your space back to you, is with colored back painted glass, or with textured or pattered glass. Full or partial wall installations of this mirrored or textured glass can result in stunning transformations of your space, rendering it unrecognizable from its former stunted views.

It may not offer the storage you need, but for a quick and very beautiful fix, Hutchinson Glass & Mirror can offer some excellent mirror and glass ideas. And as a fourth generation family owned business since 1920, HG&M is the oldest, independent, glass fabricator/retailer in the Washington metro area, specializing in the highest quality, distinctive design, production, and installation of all types of glass.

With a knowledgeable staff of skilled installers providing excellent service, customer satisfaction is priority. If you are ready to deal with your space challenges, contact us today for a complimentary consultation.

 

 

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Mirrors are a wonderful decorating tool for your home. They add natural light to a dark room, lengthen walls, add height to ceilings, and make spaces appear larger. If you have a small space in your home, try using mirrors to make it feel more spacious. Check out these five tips for using mirrors to add the illusion of space in your home: 

1. Go with groups. Hanging mirrors in groups is a great way to get the effect of a larger mirror without the price tag. The trick with grouping mirrors is to buy mirrors of different sizes and shapes, but with the same (or very similar) frames-this keeps your collection looking organized rather than cluttered and messy. Grouped mirrors also make an interesting focal point in any room, especially an entry area. 

2. Work with windows. Have a small room with a window? Hang a large mirror on the wall opposite your window. This technique reflects the outdoor view of the window, almost making it appear as if the room has another window. The room will be flooded with more natural light, creating a feeling of more space. 

3. Go big. If you are looking for a dramatic way to create space and make your ceilings feel higher, Real Simple magazine suggests using a mirror that is at least three-quarters the height of your ceiling. There is no need to try to hang such a heavy mirror - leaning it against the wall and securing it that way works well. 

4. Try one behind the stove. A small kitchen will open up with a mirror placed on the wall behind your stovetop. We spend so much time in our kitchens standing in front of the stove, having a mirror in this spot will automatically make the room feel larger, and add tons of light to a normally dark wall. 

5. Turn it. Lengthen a short wall by turning a long, skinny mirror on its side. Hang it on the wall horizontally, and you'll be amazed by how much longer the room appears. 

Mirrors are a fantastic solution for small, dark rooms. They make a room appear more spacious and add natural light, both of which open up your home. Please feel free to contact us for more information about using mirrors to make your small rooms feel larger.

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Mirrors are an essential item for every home, but they also function beautifully as decoration. If you're looking to spruce up your home, check out these mirror decorating tips to make a big impact with little effort. 

Mirror Panels 

If you have a long hallway or a bare wall, create mirror panels by either using custom-made mirrors that are the length of the wall, or simply placing several smaller mirrors side-by-side. You can also experiment with various tints for a more abstract feel. 

Antique Mirrors 

A specked mirror might not be ideal for putting on your makeup, but it looks great in a classically furnished living or dining room. The antique look adds elegance. 

Go Big 

Get a mirror custom made to fill up the majority of a wall, and choose a beautiful frame. It's a bold statement, but shows style and will add a feeling of space and light to any room. 

Go Double 

Hang two identical mirrors side-by-side to create a more dynamic and interesting look in your living space. You'll also get the benefit of more light reflection. 

See double

Place a mirror to reflect your collection of candles to create the illusion of double the flames. 

Create a theme

Place multiple, different shaped mirrors close to each other and connect them with a theme using the frames. For example, maybe all the frames are made of the same material, or are all the same color.

Here at Hutchins Glass & Mirror, we can meet all your mirror needs. Contact us to discuss how we can help you find the right mirrors to decorate your home. 

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Strategically placing wall mirrors around your home can really add to the appearance of your home, but dirty and stained mirrors just make your home look messy. However, keeping your wall mirrors clean is not difficult to do, especially when following the few simple tips you will find below.

Make Your Own Window Cleaner

While there are some great window cleaners on the market that you can buy, you can also make your own window cleaner that works just as good, but while being the more reliable option.

In an article by She Wears Many Hats, Amy describes a simple recipe including 2 cups of water, ¼ cup of white vinegar, and ½ teaspoon of dish detergent mixed together to create a window cleaning solution.

Remove Dirt and Dust Particles before Cleaning

It may be tempting to get right to cleaning when you want to clean your mirrors, but doing this will make it harder to get a squeaky clean look as you will unfortunately be working against your efforts.

Whether you use a duster or a soft cloth, make sure to give your mirrors a good wiping to eliminate all dirt and dust particles, which prepares the mirrors for a sufficient cleaning.

Get Rid of Water Stains with White Vinegar

As much effort as you put into cleaning your windows, there may be water stains from before that just will not come out, regardless of how much cleaning solution you use.

Fortunately, you can get rid of these water stains by using 100% white vinegar.

If you want more information or are interested in custom wall mirrors, contact us today.

Posted by on in Custom Mirrors

mirror-feng-shui-college-park-mdIn Feng-Shui, mirrors represent the potential for increased wealth, health, and happiness. Mirrors hold a lot of power because they create a double of whatever they are reflecting. Next time you are in the mood to make some changes in your home, keep in mind these tips for ideal mirror placement. 

Bedroom

If you find your sleep quality lacking, it might have something to do with your bedroom mirror. Mirrors bounce energy, which can keep your mind bouncing as well. Ideally, put your bedroom mirror in a closet. If that isn't an option, just make sure you can't see your own reflection from bed.

Bathroom

Conventional Feng-Shui dictates that there should be no mirrors in the bathroom, however that feels extreme for our modern, western standards. If anything, make sure your mirror does not reflect the toilet because that represents draining energy. Additionally, having a full length mirror on the outside of your bathroom door will help the chi flow from the bathroom into the rest of the house.

Living/Dining Room 

Check that your living room mirrors reflect pleasant images rather than clutter or sharp edges from walls or furniture (known as poison arrows, sharp edges will cut through the energy). Do you have a beautiful view? Place a mirror so it can reflect and double the beauty. Hang a mirror in the dining room to foster abundance by reflecting food. 

At Hutchison Glass & Mirror, we can help you find new mirrors for your home. Contact us for more information.

use-wall-mirrors-to-stage-your-home-for-showing-to-potential-buyers-frederick-mdSelling a home is a delicate process that requires careful planning to do in a realistic time frame. If a home is not properly staged, potential buyers who are looking at other homes will simply choose the properties that are displayed in an appealing and organized manner.

It is vital to stage the home, and one way is to invest in wall mirrors throughout the home.

Over the Fireplace

If you have a fireplace in your home, you can improve the space greatly by hanging a wall mirror above. The room or area of space that has a fireplace should feel warm and welcoming, and this is exactly what the addition of a wall mirror will help to accomplish.

In the Bathroom

When you have a bathroom mirror that catered to your own style, which may not fall into the neutral category, your best option is to switch it out for a neutral wall mirror that allows potential buyers to visualize the bathroom being theirs, as opposed to the current homeowner’s.

By the Front Entrance

While a wall mirror works quite nicely by the front entrance, to achieve an ideal look, you should place a mirror above a table or tall shoe rack that is close to the front door. A wall mirror is a great way to improve the appearance, but it also makes an excellent upgrade because it provides functionality to those leaving. It allows them to look at the mirror and make sure they are ready to go outside and tackle the day.

Above the Dresser

Another place where a wall mirror fits in well is above the dresser in the master bedroom. It makes sense because it is the spot where people get ready and a mirror makes it easy to fit and match properly.

If you are interested in getting wall mirrors to stage your home, contact us for more information.

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From small to large, antique or custom-made, wall mirrors serve many benefits other than helping you check your hair. Mirrors are a simple way to dress up any room in your home. These tips below can help you use mirrors effectively around your home.

  • Make your rooms seem larger.

A large mirror can make a room look much more open and spacious. Instead of being faced with a blank wall, a mirror reflects the room behind you into sight. This technique is wonderful for small rooms, or rooms with dark walls. A frameless mirror will amplify this effect, as the lack of harsh border between wall and glass helps the open effect. Use large wall mirrors in social spaces like living and dining rooms to create a welcoming and spacious room.

  • Use mirrors to amplify light.

A mirror that catches sunlight from a window can give the impression of even more space as it reflect the light around the room. Use mirrors to brighten up a space that might otherwise seem dim and stifled. This works especially well in bathrooms that have small or no windows. Instead of getting a small medicine cabinet, a mirror the length of the counter-top with good lighting can turn a cramped, dark room into a refreshing and well-lit space. Aside from windows, this effect also works with other light sources, such as a small mirrors near candles or light fixtures.

 

  • Place mirrors where they can actually be used.

When placing mirrors in the home, don’t forget their actual purpose - to reflect an image. Generally, functional mirrors are resigned to the bathroom. But think of the other places in your home where a mirror would serve both form and function. A large mirror in an entryway not only opens up a foyer as a welcoming space for guest entering the home, but can let you get a final glance over your appearance as you leave. Walk-in closets can benefit immensely from a mirror for the same reasons. Bring the feeling of the gym home with large mirrors in your work-out room. Mirrors can find use in many areas of the home outside of the bathroom.

 

  • Treat mirrors like art

Mirrors themselves can be treated like artwork. Pick a frame that compliments the decor of the room, whether it’s fun and colorful for a child’s bedroom, or one of rustic aged wood for a dining room. A collection of small mirrors arranged artfully on the wall provide the benefits of a large mirror where one may not fit. Small mirrors can also be intermixed on a wall with art pieces beautifully. 

Almost any room can benefit from the reflective properties of a quality mirror. They are an easy way to bring light, space, and art into a room, even in the smallest of spaces. Please contact us here at Hutchinson Glass & Mirror to find out how we can help you bring mirrors into your home.

36d965bd570cb11c0457da342b62350aDespite persistent warnings, more than 40 million Americans continue to smoke cigarettes or cigars on a routine basis. Not only is it an addictive, costly habit that can drain their bank accounts and cause illness, it will leave behind a pervasive, harmful residue too. It’s made up of more than 6,500 chemicals, which are often extremely hard to remove from bathroom mirrors, glass surfaces and shower doors. However, the task is not impossible to complete, providing that the right products and procedures are in place.

One of the easiest ways to remove tobacco smoke residue from bathroom mirrors and shower doors is to apply steam. Even though the residue is oily, the steam will soften it up to the point where it can simply be wiped away with a clean cloth. However, not all of us have ready access to high quality steamers. Plus, as we mentioned before, the residue contains many chemicals and not all of them are water-soluble. That said, household rubbing alcohol will typically dissolve some of the smoke residue too. It is ideal for removing smoke residue that contains chemicals like vinyl chloride, polonium, lead, butane and toluene.

Other common cleaners that may help freshen up shower doors coated with smoke residue are white vinegar, ammonia, degreaser, oxygenated and chlorine bleach. However, they shouldn’t be used without hesitation. Why? Those types of cleaners give off strong fumes and may damage certain surfaces. For instance, some commercially available containers of bleach are not as pure as others. As such, they could turn plastic shower doors yellow or cause decorative elements to fade. People who own glass shower doors should take heed too because bleach also has the power to create etching and discoloration. Therefore, use them at your own risk. To learn more about repairing or replacing nicotine stained shower doors and mirrors, please contact us today.

7da3f2de13d73a8e47853301a8a84fe0It’s coming up on a new year and there’s never been a better time to freshen up homes and businesses with wall mirrors. In our experience, adding them really helps set the mood and shows a willingness on the part of the building’s owner to change direction. That said, our custom mirror fabricators and installers have come up with a short list of their best tips for selecting and positioning new wall mirrors in 2015. Here it is:

Always keep the rules of Feng Shui in mind when choosing a location for your new wall mirror. The most important one is to place the mirror where it can reflect all of the great things that you want more of in your life during 2015. For instance, if you want more time with your family, place the mirror where it will reflect the images of the ones you love the most.

Furthermore, remember that a wall mirror’s best attribute is the ability to reflect light and imagery in interesting ways. Therefore, keep in mind the basic rules of reflection too. For example, flat mirrors do not alter an image but convex and concave ones do just that. Hence, that’s why mirrors in amusement parks’ fun houses traditionally look the way that they do.

Next, if you plan on hanging a new wall mirror over top of furniture, do two things. First, choose a frame that matches something about the furnishings closest to it. Second, make sure that the mirror’s size, symmetry and hanging height are in harmony with the furnishings as well. If you have any doubts about being able to achieve those things, relay those concerns to our wall mirror fabricators. They may be able to provide personalized guidance.

Similar may be said about selecting a wall mirror’s shape. Because we custom create mirrors, it is possible to go beyond the normal squares, circles, rectangles and ovals. Just be cognizant that Feng Shui principles state objects with severe angles and points should be used sparingly and only in certain situations.

To ask our custom fabricators questions and learn more about how adding the right wall mirror can give people a new outlook on life, please contact us today. We are open weekdays and on Saturdays by special appointment only. So if you e-mail your wall mirror question in, you may expect to receive an answer on one of our normal business days.

e8cccb0fadb6cf835a8907966cce79ab2Decorating your home and making it your own can be a challenge when you have to rely on what you can purchase in a store or online. Some people may find what they want, others may compromise, but it is possible to decorate your home how you want when you decide to invest in custom wall mirrors.

Get a Fit for an Awkward Location

If you have a spot on the wall in your home that no store-bought mirror can fit, you can use the assistance of professionals that create wall mirrors to get one that fits the awkward spot perfectly. It is a simple solution to an issue that some homeowners will deem impossible to resolve.

Have Your Own Design

Along with getting a mirror on your wall in hard-to-fit places, you can get your own design. With the ability to choose from a multitude of shapes, sizes, and designs, there is no reason you cannot fill your home with personalized mirrors that represent you through your own design ideas.

Enjoy a Mirror for Years to Come

It is hard to know whether you are going to get a high quality or low quality mirror from the store, unless you have previous experience with the particular brand. However, there is an even more effective way to ensure you get a mirror that will last for years, and that is by getting one custom-made.

Knowing that you are getting the highest quality materials put into your mirror will give you confidence in your purchase, and it will help you enjoy the mirror for many years.

Contact us to learn more about custom wall mirrors.

ab08397eee41d768180d3750de341641134There is no denying that 18th century French craftsmen were at the top of their games. During that time period, they produced amazing, ornate, gilded pieces of furniture and trumeau wall mirrors. Thus, it’s no wonder that so many people consider it to be the country’s Golden Age of Home Furnishings. There’s just one obstacle for those modern day Americans that want to surround themselves in antique furnishings and wall mirrors from 18th century France. Purchasing authentic pieces is cost prohibitive. Good thing buying customized replicas is not.

At Hutchinson Glass & Mirror, we appreciate the beauty and functionality of 18th century French designs. There is just no denying that they were stunning works of art. Plus, we have the skills needed to help create customized trumeau wall mirrors to suit. So the only difference between our trumeau wall mirror replicas and authentic ones will be the amount of flaws. After all, antique mirrors are known to have a lot of them and our replicas are flawless. Some of the most common flaws that you’ll find in existing antique mirrors from the 18th century are chipped frames and bubbles or dark spots on the glass.

If you are not quite sure how to choose or install trumeau wall mirrors, don’t worry. Our fabrication and installation experts are ready to provide complimentary consultations to those that need them. In our experience, many trumeau wall mirrors from the period were long, narrow and rectangular in shape. They characteristically featured great, hand-carved detailing at the top with additional flourishes added to the bottom and sides. Some of the elements often included in those carved sections were scallops, florets, flora, bows, ribbons and images of select fauna.

To learn more about trumeau wall mirrors and how to go about having one made for your home or business, please contact us at Hutchinson Glass & Mirror today. Oh, and by the way, in addition to creating replicas of 18th century wall mirrors, we can help create companion pieces too. Examples include, but don’t end with medicine cabinets, shower panels, glass railings and backpainted glass backsplashes.

hutchinsonblogHere at Hutchinson Glass & Mirror, we provide not only standard mirror items, but also create custom mirrors for those who want something different. While mirrored shelves may not necessarily be offbeat, it may be only for some select tastes. Nevertheless, when you know why people use them, you may want to try them yourself. It has everything to do with lighting both artificially and naturally in helping to illuminate items you have on display.

In the realm of artificial lighting, a mirrored shelf can help throw light at angles you couldn't achieve otherwise. Many people now use strip lighting that can fit into the small niches of a shelf unit. With these little LED lights, light can be better reflected thanks to using mirrors. If you've ever experimented with lighting using mirrors, you know how it can create some interesting effects.

This helps when you want to display an item and you have specialized lighting to bring out specific details.

The same applies to natural lighting if you depend on that lighting from nearby windows. As many discover using glass furniture we design for them, the ability to reflect natural light from windows is a real asset to a room without having to depend on using lamps.

Then, a mirrored shelving unit can do another thing that much larger mirrors frequently help with in many homes.

Giving the Illusion of More Space

The greatest gift mirrors give to people living in small spaces is providing the illusion that there's more space there than there really is. Those who use our wall mirrors see the strongest advantages to this for small rooms. But mirrored shelves can provide the same effect. If you have just a small shelf unit with a few items, it can give the impression you have more shelf space than meets the eye. Along with reflecting items sitting on the shelves, it can fill in additional empty space.

Contact us here at Hutchinson Glass & Mirror to find out more about custom projects we can do like mirrored shelves. We want you to see the advantages of how mirrors in your home can help create better lighting and a better psychological feel to free you from feeling claustrophobic.

1068088ae9aee592dd18cba4e627af90 2 You probably have mirrors in all the expected indoor spaces: in the bathrooms to help with cleaning your face, by the dresser for putting on makeup, and by the entry for one last look before you head for work. Well these reflective accessories can work their magic just as well outdoors.

  • Increase your foliage. Are your plants and flowers looking a bit sparse because of your brown thumb or you just don't have a lot of space? Put a mirror behind your favorite flowering plants or next to masses of container gardens and you'll instantly double the size of your foliage. If you have a blank wall outside, mounting a mirror on it will also increase the visual size of your outdoors.

  • Keep visitors occupied. If you put a mirror just outside your front door, you give visitors a chance to fix themselves up before they ring your doorbell. They also won't mind if you take longer-than-usual to let them in because they'll be too busy looking at themselves.

  • Adjust the sun. Does the path of the sun across your property brighten some outdoor spaces and leave others in the dark? Adding some artfully angled mirrors can reflect the sun's light into the gloomier corners of your patio or garden. These reflective sheets don't have to be mounted on wall. They can also be integrated into plant stands and outdoor tables.

Naturally, such outdoor mirrors need to be waterproof and be mounted with materials that resist the weather. Please contact us and we'll be happy to provide more information.

ab08397eee41d768180d3750de3428ea.jpg 22Decorating the perimeter of wall mirrors with pine boughs, spray snow, flocking spray, spray glitter and spray frost is an age old tradition that we suspect many people will continue this December. Although there is no denying that it will give rooms a festive look, it could also really make the mirror’s surface hard to clean once January 2nd rolls around. Mercifully, there are products that will remove spray snow, pine sap and the like from glass.

Believe it or not, spray snow, frost and glitter tend to be harder to remove from wall mirrors that pine sap and other stains. That’s because most of the sprays are impacted by changes in temperature. So removing them from mirrors located near drafty areas or heat sources may take time and several different methods.

For the most part, using rubbing alcohol on the sprayed area will help cut through the muck. But it can also mark up other materials (e.g. wood frames). Thus, use a lint-free cloth that has been moistened with the alcohol to clean up the mess rather than a spray. If the cloth method doesn’t work, think about temporarily removing the mirror from the wall and attacking the mess aggressively with a plastic ice scraper and a quick dip in a basin filled with pure ammonia.

If sap from pine bough decorations is also present, you may need to use products like Cleanup Batter Pine Tar and Ball Mark Remover, mineral spirits, nail polish and Goo Gone. In a pinch, mayonnaise, and peanut butter may work too. However, they are apt to leave an oily residue behind, which can generally be removed with the rubbing alcohol.

Finally, there is the option of rewriting your family’s holiday tradition and investing in etched mirrors instead. Nowadays, upon special request, they may be permanently decorated with all sorts of holiday images. To make such requests and obtain festive wall mirrors for your home in time, please contact us today.

how-wall-mirrors-can-work-well-in-small-rooms-of-your-home-college-park-mdHaving several small rooms does not mean you need to treat them like so. It is possible to make a small room be just as useful as a large room, as long as you invest in proper organization and furniture. It is simply not realistic to purchase or place large furniture into a small room and except it to work, you need to work with what you have, which is a limited amount of space.

Using wall mirrors is an excellent way to improve your small rooms in a variety of ways.

Get More Light with Minimal Lighting

Having a mirror next to a source of light is a smart choice because it will reflect the light and bounce throughout the room to create even more lighting. Artificial lighting is artificial regardless of how you put it, so it really does not matter whether you get extra light from a floor lamp, table lamp, or mirror.

Make the Space Appear Larger

In a small room, you may feel a little claustrophobic depending on how you organize the room, but despite not being able to get more square footage, you can still make the room feel larger. Wall mirrors can be used to reflect an open space, which gives off the illusion of having more space.

Create a Non-Obstructive Focal Point

If you generally like to have a large focal point in your room, you may not be able to do this when you have a small room that demands functionality. However, you can still enjoy a beautiful focal point with a wall mirror because a wall mirror does not need to consume a lot of room, just some space on the wall.

Contact us for more information about using wall mirrors in your home.

 

 

are-your-bathroom-mirrors-ready-to-meet-face-to-glass-with-the-in-laws-manassas-vaYou’ve just got the news, company is coming. Better check out the guest and main areas of your home to make sure that they’re up to snuff. And yes, that includes those bathroom mirrors. After all, they’re known to accumulate nasty buildup caused by the use of personal care products like toothpaste, hair lacquer and scented body spray. Here’s how to get them ready before the in-laws show up:

Half fill a spray bottle with distilled water and rubbing alcohol. Then spray it onto clean paper towels and use them to wipe down the bathroom mirrors. It should remove the hair lacquer, body spray and toothpaste residue in a hurry. When you’re done, dry the glass with new paper towels and reach for some Rain‑X® Anti-Fog or a similar product.

Apply the anti-fog as directed. In our experience, it will cut down on the chances that your visitors will feel compelled to run their hands all over your bathroom mirrors after every steamy hot shower. And that will most definitely keep the germs and housework to a bare minimum during their impromptu stay. Afterward, store the anti-fog wipes, alcohol water mixture and paper towels underneath of the bathroom sink for any mid-stay, quick clean ups.

If your bathroom mirrors are in need of more than just a good cleaning and some anti-fog spray, don’t worry. Our glass and mirror experts can replace it with a new one. Depending on how much time you have before the in-laws arrive, you might even want to go with a customized look. There are various quick, easy ways to customize bathroom mirrors of all sizes. For example, you could request that the glass be cut in an interesting shape or have it rimmed with a fabulous frame. To learn more about those and other options before it's time to pick up your house guests, please contact us today.

 

 

Have you decided to remodel your Maryland home before the holiday entertaining season starts? If that’s the case, don’t forget about mirrors. They make beautiful, functional additions to any home remodeling project. To prove our point, here are five places that deserve to be decorated with great mirrors:

1.) Bathroom Vanity

What’s a bathroom without a mirror? In our book, they are just as important as sinks, toilets, cabinetry or shelving and shower tub enclosures. Most people like placing the mirrors over the sink or on the back of a door, but you don’t have to stick with convention. Consider putting them above the toilet and towel racks too.

2.) Living Room Wall

Living room walls certainly deserve great mirrors as well. Consider placing a large one behind the sofa, above the fireplace or opposite an entrance door. Gallery walls outfitted with mirrored tiles would also undoubtedly work well in some situations.

3.) Bedroom Wardrobes

The bedroom is not just for sleeping these days. It’s also used for everything from getting dressed to lounging around and reading the Sunday paper. That said, why not outfit a wardrobe or chest of drawers with mirrors? Full-length mirrors placed near a closet, bench or overstuffed chair would make a practical addition to a bedroom design too.

4.) Stair Hallways

Oftentimes, stair hallways can be hard to decorate. We’d suggest that you consider creating a salon-style arrangement of framed mirrors or frames made with small, mirrored tiles. They’ll surely help brighten up the spot significantly and add a good bit of visual interest.

5.) Outdoor Porch or Sunroom

Finally, don’t forget about your home’s sunroom or outdoor porch. They could benefit from mirrors as well. Think about placing the mirrors in areas that are likely to reflect the outdoors or the most natural light. If you have lighting and ceiling fans in those rooms as well, consider placing mirrors around them too.

To learn more about adding a variety of mirrors to your home or business, please contact us. We offer complimentary consultations and specialize in mirror fabrication and installation.

        

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When it comes to the furnishing of a bathroom, there are quite a few options that you have. It is ideal to have patience when making these decisions as rushing can lead to future regrets. An important aspect of a bathroom is the mirrors that are used, and this is because there are so many to choose from.

Medicine Cabinets

If you are looking for a reflective surface that provides as much storage as possible, you cannot go wrong with a mirrored medicine cabinet. It is an excellent design choice for small-sized bathrooms, but it can still serve plenty of function in large bathrooms by providing ample storage space. Deciding on hinges can help you bring a classic look to this kind of mirror for your bathroom.

Ledge Mirrors

Minimalists will enjoy this option for one main reason. It has built-in ledges, which allows homeowners to rest their items beside the edge. While it depends on the size of your bathroom, an extremely long ledge mirror can lead to plenty of room for storage while still keeping a minimalistic appearance.

Frameless Mirror

Contemporary homes have certain qualities about them, and one of them is frameless mirrors. Going with this option is worthwhile as it generally provides you with the most viewing space. It is possible to have these bathroom mirrors customized to your exact desires, so it can be made to fit from wall to wall, or you can go with a custom design, which has the potential to lead into another style of bathroom.

Contact us to learn about other mirror types or to discuss options for your bathrooms.

        

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Knowledge is important when it comes to making changes to your home. If you are not aware of every option you have, you may end up missing out on something you would have really enjoyed. In this case, when it comes to bathroom mirrors, you should take the time to learn about your options before making a purchase.

Framed Mirrors for Making an Easy Choice

Getting a framed bathroom mirror is a popular choice for many homeowners. One of the reasons for its popularity is the fact that it does not require extensive decision-making, and this is because a framed mirror comes with the two main parts of a bathroom mirror, the frame and the glass. Also, Installation is easy because there is only one piece of install, so a professional can be in and out of your home in no time at all when purchasing a framed mirror for your bathroom.

Achieve a Modern Look with a Frameless Mirror

While there are various reasons why a homeowner may pick a frameless mirror, one of them is to give their bathroom a modern appearance. It creates this kind of look, because without a frame, a mirror can look like it is floating. Although installation is a simple process for a frameless mirror, glue is the standard option for mounting to prevent bulky and noticeable hardware from needing to be used.

Get a Custom Mirror to Meet Your Specific Demands

If you are not satisfied with your options for framed mirrors and frameless mirrors, there is nothing wrong with getting a custom mirror. While these mirrors tend to be a little more expensive, the benefits are also quite astounding for homeowners that want a personalized appearance. It is great because the options are nearly endless, which means you can choose from a wide variety of details and measurements.

Feel free to contact us for assistance in making the right choice for your home.

        

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Whether you're in the middle of furnishing a new home that you've recently moved into or you're interested in adding some new decorations to your home, it makes sense for you to consider the various benefits of different styles of wall-mounted mirrors. From large mirrors that function as a beautiful piece of art to mirrors that are ideal for using while you get ready in the mornings, it makes sense for you to consider the benefits that you can enjoy and the variations in appearances so that you make the best purchase possible. 

Adding a Stylish Focal Piece

Depending on the appearance of the frame of a mirror, this new addition can be a beautiful option for your home. Many homeowners and renters alike are interested in sprucing up their home with a stylish work of art, making it a good idea to add a mirror that looks beautiful. Not only are wall mirrors reflective, they can also add a touch of something very interesting to any room in your home. 

Imitating a Larger Space 

If you're frustrated with some of the rooms in your home feeling cramped, a mirror mounted onto one of the walls may be a great way to make the space feel larger. While mirrors won't actually add any square footage to your home, the reflection that they produce can help make a space feel quite larger without any real work. This can be a fantastic option used in any room of your home that feels cramped, making it a good idea for you to invest in a mirror that can be set up against one of the walls. 

Whether you have a specific idea of how you want your new wall mirror to look or you would like to choose a mirror out of our selection, we invite you to contact us so that we can help with whatever you may need. 

        

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Looking for decorating ideas to personalize those wall mirrors? We can customize the glass of your mirrors to fit unusual sizes and shapes, not to mention beveling it to give the glass a touch of class. Once the mirror is yours, however, you may want to try your own hand personalizing our handiwork with some of your own. Here are just a few ideas for DIY framing to get your own creative juices flowing.

 

  • Shutters

Got some old shutters hanging around? You can deliver a little bit of aesthetic oomph around unframed mirrors by using shutters as a decorative frame. Let's face it: shutters have become far more useful as a piece of decor than for shuttering the house from bad weather. So why not use them where they clearly serve no other objective other than looking good? Depending on the shutters you have, you can paint them to match your wall mirror to just about any decorative theme possible.

  • Virtual Frame

If you really want wall mirrors to pop out as part of your decorating scheme, surround them within virtual frames. Virtual in the sense that the frames exist only as decoration on the wall that cannot be held or moved. In other words, create a frame for your mirrors that is a piece of art work. You can paint frames for your wall mirrors freehand or with stamps or stencils. If you don't like the idea of painted frames, look at wallpaper border or tube lights or glue some photographs from a magazine that match the aesthetics of the mirror itself.  

  • Collectibles

A really inventive way to personalize wall mirrors is to create a frame around them made up of something you have collected over the years. Nothing particularly valuable, of course, but if you have some baseball cards that aren't worth much or small action figures or seashells or pretty much any collectible that can be affixed to the wall around the mirror without destroying its value, you have the makings of a one-of-a-kind frame. 

For more information on the wonderful world of mirrors, or the equally marvelous world of show enclosures, please Contact Us. Thanks.

        

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rsz ab08397eee41d768180d3750de3428eaHave you ever considered having a full wall mirror in one of the rooms of your home? It may be a dream project you've always wanted, yet thought it was too out of reach economically or just too much work. It's never too late to add a wall mirror in your home. And while sizes always vary, having a full-length wall mirror can add more benefits to your life than you may have intended.

Full-Length Wall Mirrors Make Rooms Look Larger

Do you have a guest room that's overly small and gives a claustrophobic feeling whenever you step in? A full-length wall mirror can help give the illusion that your room is larger just by reflecting the entire room. This can work even better if the wall faces toward a larger room so the room can give off the feeling of being triple the size.

Using mirrors like this is a common interior design trick to make spaces look larger. With a high-quality full-length mirror, it can give a very effective illusion of depth and a better psychological feeling to those sensitive to small environments. If it looks too convincing, remember to warn guests that it's a mirror so they don't end up having a collision.

Full-Length Mirrors for Trying on Clothes

Everyone wants to get a full view of themselves when trying on new clothes. However, not everyone has the mirror setups at home that clothing stores have in fitting rooms. Setting up a full-length wall mirror in a closet or your bedroom can give you an opportunity to see yourself better and how you look in that new suit or pair of pants.

As an alternative to seeing yourself from both sides, consider using an additional full-length mirror on an opposite wall. This can help you see yourself from behind when reflected in the opposite mirror. It also can help your bedroom look more expansive as you managed with your guest room mirror.

Wall-Length Mirrors Also Help Bathrooms

If it can fit, a wall-length mirror can help make a small bathroom look much larger and more appealing. Considering it's a place where you'll be spending as much time as you do in the kitchen, it's worth serious consideration. You shouldn't worry if someone might think you're conceited having such a mirror there, because guests will appreciate being able to see themselves in full view just as much as you do.

Visit us here at Hutchinson Glass & Mirror so we can provide any type mirror or glass option you need for your home. The sky is the limit when it comes to using mirror and glass in the home, from doors, walls, to counter tops.

 

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                                                                                                                                                             When it comes to adding space to your living area, wall mirrors are the perfect addition. Not only do  they make it look as if your room is larger but they add light, elegance, and charm.

 Mirrors work to spread light in rooms which can not only brighten up dark corners but their  reflections make any room look bigger. The key element is to choose what the mirror will be  reflecting. For instance, a dining room wall is the perfect area to place a decorative mirror but you'll  want to make sure  it's not reflecting the sink or garbage area. An opposite decorative wall is a good  reflective area or even  facing a window or door to the outside.

 In fact, wall mirrors add elegance as well and you never have to worry about them going out of style or  you changing your mind on the look, like sometimes happens with wall art. They're timeless pieces  that can be passed down to future generations and are built unique to each person's specifications.

 We've been in business since 1920 and can customize the wall mirror you want to fit in with any  decor. We work with different beveling, patterns, edging and shapes so that your wall mirror is as  unique as your aesthetic and we work with you from start to finish; this includes field measurements,  production, and installation.

 

 

 

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hutchinsonblogAlthough some people are beginning to talk with Real Estate agents as they prepare to look for a new home this spring, there is a growing population of people who are very interested in pursuing their dream of building their own homes. For many of them, this is the year they will make that dream a reality. 

Regardless of where you fit in to the equation - whether you're going to be moving soon, or you're planning to start building your new home, the most important part of the planning process for you is designing your new space according to your own preferences. Our custom mirrors as well as our other amazing products will add the perfect personal touch to any room of your home. 

Customized Mirrors

Mirrors have long been used as an accent piece in every room. However, they're often overlooked as a way to truly bring the design of the space to life. Mirrors bring a great deal of light and depth into a room. Depending on the type of mirror you choose, you can make a room appear larger or smaller, and mirrors can even be used as artwork if you hang them the right way. With customized mirrors, you have a very important part in the design process, and the finished products will be pieces that will add a distinct amount of character to each room. 

Thinking Outside the Box

When it comes to using glass and mirrors in your home's decor, current trends are leaning toward thinking outside the box. They aren't just for hanging on the wall. Consider adding some flair to your dining room with a glass table top. You could also add glass shelving to a sunroom. When you begin to get creative, you'll be amazed that the dramatic effects that can be brought into your space. 

When it comes to customized mirrors and glass, it's important to work with an expert in the field who will take the time to listen to your thoughts and produce a fabulous product for you. That's what we're all about, here at Hutchinson Glass & Mirror. If you have some ideas for your home, we would love to help you by bringing those ideas to life. 

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