Our guide to buying a Venetian mirror

Here are Out There we believe that the Venetian mirrors are the most beautiful decorative mirrors you can buy. We have a large range of traditional and modern Venetian mirrors and are adding to the collection continually. We oversee the manufacture of our Venetian mirrors to ensure you are receiving the best product possible. We are strict about quality control, precision of design and manufacturing methods when it comes to each Venetian mirror, and have therefore written this guide to assist you in your Venetian mirror purchase.

How our Venetian mirrors are manufactured

Our Venetian mirrors are manufactured to the highest standard in a superb factory located in South East China. The quality control of our factory is second to none, and these standards are noticeable in every Venetian mirror we sell. The designs are created either by us, or by the in-house design team. The individual elements of the mirror are then broken down into sections by an engineer who masterminds the creation of the piece.

Venetian mirror manufacturing process

Each mirror is manufactured from beautifully cut glass. The manufacturing process begins with the large sections of glass being backed in silver nitrate then cut and bevelled using large machines operated by skilful workers. The smaller sections which make up the frames and details of each Venetian mirror are cut individually by hand and passed down the production line to be bevelled (also by hand) on cleverly designed rotating wheels. Once bevelled, the smaller pieces move further down the production line where the etching process begins.

How we etch our Venetian mirrors

In the 18th century Venetian mirror etching was created by applying a beeswax and rosin ‘resist’ onto the clear sections of the mirror, leaving the ornate sections free of the coating. The whole Venetian mirror thing was then dipped into an acid bath which burned the design into sections not covered in the resistant coating. It’s a common belief that methods of manufacturing become increasingly crude over time, however when you consider that our Venetian mirrors are etched by hand on a spinning disk by highly skilled craftsmen it seems the opposite is true! Each mirror is beautifully etched, not by a machine, not by acid but by an individual. These talented workers embellish each and every Venetian mirror with their painstaking work, in a clean and contemporary (albeit rather hot) work-space.

What happens next?

Once all the pieces have been bevelled and etched they are transported to the final section of the factory where a young and energetic work-force combine the pieces to create our fabulous Venetian mirrors. The pieces are set firmly onto precisely designed hardwood backs which are lazor cut in the shape of each Venetian mirror. The hardwood backing which is approximately 2cm thick is coated in a silky black lacquer for a smooth, professional finish, and chrome hanging hooks are fitted to the back, along with a strong hanging wire. (Having both fittings allows you to support the Venetian mirror with either nails or wall plugs). Once each Venetian mirror is firmly assembled and quality inspected it is thoroughly polished and bagged in clear plastic. It is then placed inside a uniquely moulded polystyrene container which fits the Venetian mirror perfectly. The polystyrene casing holding the Venetian mirror is then boxed in branded cartons before beginning its long journey West to our warehouse.

Venetian mirror quality control

As you can no doubt tell from the detail we have gone into above, our Venetian mirrors, although reproductions are impeccably made. Here we break down some of the differences you will see when purchasing your Venetian mirror from us:

Our Venetian mirrors are crystal clear

We use top quality glass backed with silver nitrate which is perfect combination for a dazzling Venetian mirror. Our Venetian mirrors do not ‘fox’ over time, nor does the backing disintegrate or peel away. They will remain looking superb for a great many years.

Each Venetian mirror is fully bevelled.

It’s massively important that your Venetian mirror is bevelled as it is the individual pieces of bevelled glass which make Venetian mirrors so special. If the bevel is not there it will just look mediocre. This is the primary difference between a cheap Venetian mirror and a good one.

Our Venetian mirrors are etched by skilful professionals

As mentioned above, we do not use any crude or cheap trick method when it comes to etching our Venetian mirrors. They are all etched individually by hand. Read more about this under the heading ‘How we etch our Venetian mirrors’ above. The etching itself is either floral or generic, We do not buy Venetian mirrors featuring strange patterns out of keeping with the style of our site, nor do we purchase glass mirrors with ‘themed’ etching.

Each Venetian mirror is backed with hardwood.

Our hardwood backs are 2cm thick and coated in a silky black lacquer which gives them a smooth professional finish. The hardwood frame fits the glass perfectly, so no awkward overhanging edges. The black backs look neat and slick from the side angles, and are the perfect support for all that spectacular glass.

Our Venetian mirrors come with fittings

Almost all our Venetian mirrors come complete with fittings; either a heavy-duty picture wire, triangular chrome hooks or both, in the vast majority of cases. The mirrors can be supported via hammered in nails or drilled in wall plugs. Most of our Venetian mirrors can be hung within minutes on suitable walls.

Our Venetian Mirrors come in top-notch packaging

You will know you’ve received something fantastic when our Venetian mirror arrives on your doorstep. Almost every Venetian mirror is encased in super-thick uniquely moulded polystyrene which holds the glass mirror perfectly. The mirrors are bagged in clear plastic containing hanging instructions along silicon gel to eliminate moisture. The impressive polystyrene casing is enclosed within a neat brown box which will usually feature the name of the mirror along with the Out There logo. We know it’s very sad to get excited about packaging but we just can’t help it.

When Venetian mirrors go wrong!

What to watch out for when purchasing a Venetian Mirror.

Not all Venetian Mirrors are special! There are some real disasters out there and we have seen a lot. Here’s the low down on what to avoid:

When the frame overhangs to backing

This is a Venetian mirror manufacturing fault which is disaster waiting to happen. It happens when the manufacturer makes the back of the Venetian mirror too small for the glass pieces. Once the pieces are assembled the outer sections overhang the back of the Venetian mirror. Once settled in its packaging and on its journey west, the pieces of the Venetian mirror will begin to loosen due to the movement, and the fact that there is no support behind the delicate sections. You will therefore find that upon arrival the frame of the Venetian Mirror begins to quite literally fall apart.

Cheap and nasty etching

Unlike a lot of Venetian retailers we still love etching her at Out There. Yes it seems to have disappeared within the mirrored furniture market but a Venetian mirror is the perfect opportunity to indulge in elaborate etching. It’s not all the same though! And sometimes etching can be just plain ugly! We have seen very cheap looking etching, etching with little themes and simple boxy etching on some of the varying Venetian mirrors we have seen and dismissed over the years. Don’t assume that all etching is the same. Look for a close up shot to sanity check any purchase of a Venetian mirror.

No fittings!

There is nothing worse than waiting for a stunning decorative mirror to arrive only to discover that it doesn’t come with fittings. Most of us are not fantastic handy-men and women and we wouldn’t know what to do if a Venetian mirror turned up without a means to hang it. But there are plenty on the market which don’t feature this fundamental element. Double check this before purchasing your Venetian mirror.

Backing

Another typical trait of a cheap Venetian Mirror is the backing used. Cheap backing on your Venetian mirror can mean one of the following:

1. A cheap back, which is not smooth, too thick, too thin or simply not there. Plastic is not a good backing for a Venetian mirror. Although it may be sold as lightweight and practical, the whole thing will feel flimsy as the glass on the front will outweigh its support at the back.

2. Cheap metal backing. This is the backing of the glass itself which makes the Venetian mirror a mirror. If a cheap metal has been used the mirror may ‘fox’ over time (where bronze imperfections appear on the surface of the mirror) or brown marks may appear at the edges of the glass.

No bevelling

Never underestimate bevelling on mirrored furniture and Venetian mirrors. As mentioned above bevelling is what makes a Venetian mirror so special. If your Venetian mirror turns up minus the bevel you will be disappointed.

Original Venetian Mirror or reproduction?

All the Venetian mirrors on the Out There site are impressive reproductions. Yes, we call them Venetian mirrors but that’s because you call them Venetian mirrors. If we were to advertise them as Venetian reproduction mirrors you probably wouldn’t have found our site. Essentially ours are Venetian STYLE mirrors. And this is reflected in our pricing. Almost all Venetian mirrors you see advertised on the internet are reproductions but there are plenty of retailers out there insinuating that their mirrors are antique Venetian mirrors from Italy. An original Italian Venetian mirror of a size similar to ours will cost you thousands of pounds and genuine antique Venetian Mirrors in good condition are exceptionally rare. If you do want an original do your homework, get to know the seller. There are lot of people selling reproductions at scandalous prices. Don’t assume that the Venetian mirror is authentic just because the price is high.

Shapes and styes of Venetian Mirror

Venetian mirrors come in a vast array of shapes and sizes, usually more intricate and unusual than plain rectangles. The unique designs of the Venetian mirrors allow for the intricate details of the frames, which is of course what makes Venetian mirrors so special. Some of the shapes you see on our website are traditional, others modern interpretations by clever designers. Here we take you through some of our most popular Venetian mirrors:

Traditional shaped Venetian mirrors

Julia is probably the most obviously traditional of our Venetian mirrors. She is portrait hanging mirror like most original Venetians, and has a very typical ornate crown, rich in etching and small individual pieces of cut glass. There are a great many variations on this classic style of Venetian mirror, but Julia is the most impressive we have found. Her slightly concave body gives the glass mirror depth and an added element which adds to the design. Another traditional style mirror is Sienna, which is perhaps the most popular of our Venetian mirrors. This stunningly decorative mirror has quite a traditional shape and extensive detailed etching which is typical of a traditional Venetian mirror. The etching is particularly pronounced flowers, rather than the generic swirls of some Venetian mirrors. Sienna is large and impressive with a great many individual pieces making her one of the most eye-catching glass mirrors in our collection.

Modern takes on the traditional Venetian mirror.

Perhaps the most noticeably modern of our Venetian Mirrors is Melanie. This exceptional Venetian mirror is constructed of several beautifully bevelled cut glass pieces of clear, un-etched glass. The shape of this contemporary Venetian mirror lends itself to the plain, modern look, but should you want a touch of the traditional Rachel incorporates both the original etching with the contemporary twist. Another striking contemporary Venetian mirror is Destiny which is probably our favourite modern Venetian mirror. Destiny is a stripped down version of a classic style. She has an eye-catching design and brilliant crystal clear bevelling.

Glass mirrors for all interiors

We also have some fabulously simple plain glass mirrors which work brilliantly in all interiors. Mirrors such as Nadine, Ophelia and Giselle are plain glass rectangular Venetian mirrors, all featuring chunky bevelling, clean lines and exceptionally clarity. These plain glass framed mirrors are perfect for anywhere in the home and have a huge, illuminating impact in a living space.

Fancy a coloured Venetian mirror?

Different coloured Venetian mirrors are arriving all the time. At present our favourite by far is Imelda – a fabulous pink Venetian mirror featuring an almost oriental floral design beneath the glass. Oval Venetian mirrors have become quite typical, but this is a statement piece which will never fail to turn heads. Other coloured Venetians mirrors we feature are Madeline, a blue/grey glass mirror and Bailey a simple and very striking gold Venetian mirror. If there is a particular coloured Venetian mirror you would like to see we would be very interested to hear your comments.

Or a black Venetian mirror?

Gothic mirrors are a growing trend and a black Venetian mirror is the perfect gothic mirror. Our black Venetian mirror range is also added to regularly, and all are perfect for contemporary interiors, ideal with cream and white decoration they make a dramatic statement on light walls. Sofia ia probably the most popular of our black Venetian mirrors, boasting intricate detailed etching and a semi-traditional design.

Styles of Venetian mirror - Etching or no etching

As mentioned above a lot of our modern Venetian mirrors are being manufactured without etching which suits the contemporary styles of most current mirrored furniture. Etched mirrored furniture has been overtaken by contemporary styles in recent years and yet etched Venetian mirrors are still holding their own in the contemporary market. If you have contemporary mirrored furniture and want to choose a Venetian mirror, it is not necessary to have a contemporary style. The traditional Venetian mirror will work perfectly with your contemporary mirrored furniture regardless of etching, however if you need to go all out contemporary we also have the modern Venetian mirrors to match.

How to use your Venetian mirror to best effect

How Venetian mirrors transform spaces

Venetian mirrors have the power to transform living spaces. They have fantastic illuminating qualities, more so than standard mirrors. Their bevelled glass pieces catch all available light and sparkle beautifully from all angles, breathing new life into dark corners and dull rooms. A Venetian mirror on the wall of a dingy bathroom or basement bedroom will elevate the room enormously, pulling the space out of the mundane and into the fabulous! And they don’t have to match their surroundings, as Venetian mirrors are usually clear glass they will match in with almost all surroundings whilst at the same time creating a striking focal point.

Venetian mirrors in unusual places.

Venetian mirrors are surprisingly versatile objects which have the ability to bring luxury and opulence into the most unlikely spaces. The image below shows a huge Venetian mirror on the wall of a small kitchen, giving the small space dramatic impact and almost doubling the size of the space visually. Don’t be concerned about putting Venetian mirrors in small spaces. They increase the light and the visual size of the space whilst giving it wow-factor. Small bathrooms and cloakrooms are perfect spaces for Venetian mirrors, along with dark hallways and basement bedrooms.

How to make the most of your Venetian mirror

Choosing complimentary furniture

To maximise the impact of your Venetian mirror choose furniture which will compliment it. As mentioned above, with the exception of our coloured glass mirrors the majority of our Venetian mirrors will sit well in almost all interior surroundings due to their clear features, however particular surroundings will maximise the mirror’s impact. Although Venetian mirrors can work well on fashionable printed wallpaper, here at Out There we think Venetian mirrors look best on plain walls, whether natural brick tiles or paint. A blank canvas like this will ensure your Venetian mirror has maximum impact. Although we have seen Venetian mirrors teamed beautifully with wooden furniture this look is harder to get right than the trendy eclectic mix of mirrored furniture, modern furnishings and ethnic pieces. Glamorous lacquered and high-gloss furniture also works superbly well with Venetian mirrors.

Cleaning you Venetian mirror

Clean your Venetian mirror regularly with your usual glass cleaning products and dusters. If your room gets particularly dusty you may want to use a strong vacuum or cotton buds to clean around the intricate details of the frame once a month. Dry kitchen roll will polish a Venetian mirror superbly. There is no need to invest in anything other than the norm.

Ideas for decorating with Venetian mirrors

We aren’t interior designers here at Out There, but we have seen thousands of Venetian mirrors in room sets and magazines over the years. Here are a few of our favourite interior design choices incorporating Venetian mirrors:

1. Choosing an all white theme with Venetian mirrors, flowing drapes and mirrored furniture will give your room an angelic, serene feel and an atmosphere of ultimate feminine luxury.

2. An all white scheme also allows you to accent the space with brightly coloured furniture and go wild with a coloured Venetian mirror.

3. Placing a Venetian mirror on an all black wall above a simple basin creates an awesome statement which very easily and cheaply achieved.

4. Earthy bathrooms with natural stone tiles are an example of how a Venetian mirror can transform a down-to-earth space into a luxury spa.

Well, we’ve just about exhausted ourselves with regards to Venetian mirrors. We hope that you have found this a useful guide for help with purchasing. Remember we are adding new Venetian mirrors to our collection continually, and we also have a huge back catalogue of glass mirrors which we are not currently advertising. If you think we have overlooked a particular style of Venetian mirror please use the feedback form in the bottom right had corner of the website to tell us so. Happy purchasing.