Interior Design

Artisans
have been using wrought iron to make everything from sculptures to
kitchenware to decor since the Middle Ages, when British royalty used
the metal in protective gates. Wrought iron is popular because it is
slower to rust than other metals, and resists pitting.

Its
rough surface also makes it easier to paint over or otherwise finish.
Wrought iron lost some of its appeal among blacksmiths with the
advent of cast iron and the less-expensive-to-work with steel, even
though cast iron has proven to be more brittle, and steel has a
higher tendency to rust.

Wrought
iron furniture has become a popular choice among savvy decorators who
want to add a simple elegance to their homes. Because of its sturdy
nature, it can be used in or outside, and has taken a significant
role in adding a Medieval feel to homes constructed in a much
different time.

Because
of its versatility, wrought iron furniture can be used in any room,
in its natural form or finished with paint or varnish. Wrought iron mirrors are popular examples of Medieval style that has found a use
in the modern home.

Wrought
iron mirrors have always been popular decorative pieces, even before
the Grimm brothers introduced Snow White, the Wicked Queen and her
magical mirror to readers throughout Europe.

Now,
wrought iron mirrors have found a home outside of the castle, in
modern condos, apartments and ranch homes. They are used to embellish
other home interior styles, and fit in just about anywhere, whether
in the bathroom, behind a bedroom door, or in a front hallway or
foyer.

While
mirrors were designed to serve the vain, they no longer hold such a
simple role. Wrought iron mirrors can still reveal a viewer’s
beauty (or shortcomings), but can also serve a practical decorating
purpose. Interior decorators have long known that mirrors can be used
to make a room appear larger.

For
example, by staggering mirrors down a narrow hallway, the size of the
hallway can more than double. Decorators also use wrought iron
mirrors to add dimension to coffee or dining tables. Adding mirrors
to lamp stands or near lights significantly increases a room’s
available lighting, actually saving energy, as lower-watt light bulbs
can spread twice as much light by using the mirror’s reflective
abilities.

Authentic
wrought iron mirrors may be more difficult to find in retail shops
now that cast iron and ‘mild’ steel have replaced its general
use, but you may find a stray piece at flea markets, antique shops or
the occasional garage sale. They are also widely available through
online specialty stores.