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The Beauty of Reflection: 3 Decorative Mirrors by Frank Lloyd Wright

Posted by Victoria Primicias on

Title page for blog post: 3 Decorative Wall Mirrors by Frank Lloyd Wright

Frank Lloyd Wright was an American architect, writer, and educator who is widely considered as one of the greatest innovators of the 20th century. He designed more than 1,000 structures, including houses, offices, churches, schools, and museums.

Wright's designs were characterized by his use of organic architecture, which emphasized the integration of buildings with their natural surroundings. He believed that buildings should be designed to enhance the lives of the people who inhabit them.

In additional to being an architect, Frank Lloyd Wright also created furniture. His furniture designs were renowned for their use of raw materials like wood as well as their clear, uncomplicated lines. The principle behind Wright's designs was that furniture should be both visually beautiful and practical. The barrel chair, the Allen table, and the dining chair from the Robie House are a few of his most well-known furniture creations.

Barrel chair     Allen table   Robie house dining chair              

The significance of mirrors in Wright's designs

Although mirrors were occasionally incorporated into some of Wright's designs, he generally shied away from them since he thought they were unnatural and took away from the organic nature of his buildings. To evoke a sense of openness and connectedness with the environment, Wright chose to use other architectural elements including stained glass windows.

This does not imply that he never used mirrors in his works, though. Mirrors have occasionally been used to increase natural light and give the appearance of continuity between interior and outdoor spaces.

Examples of decorative mirrors associated with Wright

Taliesin Mirror

The Taliesin Ensemble, which was a collection of furniture that included the Taliesin Mirror, was created in 1955 as a result of a collaboration between Frank Lloyd Wright and the Heritage-Henredon furniture company. Each piece of furniture in the series was created to work together to create a seamless living space. Commercially successful, the Taliesin Ensemble is highly prized by collectors today. Frank Lloyd Wright and Heritage-Henredon worked together until Wright's passing in 1959.

Taliesin Mirror by Frank Lloyd Wright

Taliesin Ensemble furniture ad
Heritage-Henredon ad for the Taliesin Collection

 

Marin County Mirror

The Marin County mirror is adapted from the rotunda design in the Marin County Civic Center, which was constructed after Wright's death and completed by 1970. The project embodied Wright's ideal of organic architecture – a synthesis of buildings and landscapes with the scalloped blue roof mirroring the color of the sky above. The mirror features a circular frame with a pattern of intersecting lines, which is typical of Wright's designs. Like many of Wright's designs, the Marin County Mirror is not just functional but also a work of art that reflects his unique design principles.

Marin County mirror by Frank Lloyd Wright
Marin County Civic Center
Marin County Civic Center (Photo: North Bay Business Journal)

 

Ennis House Mirror

Charles and Mabel Ennis commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to build a house for them in Los Angeles, California. Early Maya temples served as inspiration for the 1924 construction of the Ennis House. The geometric shape of the Ellis house mirror complements the home's architectural style. Hollywood and music video producers have found the building to be a desirable setting because of its unusual appearance.

Ennis House mirror by Frank Lloyd Wright

Ennis House exterior architecture

The Ennis House in Los Angeles, CA

Wright's influence on other artists

Several artists have created their own interpretations of decorative mirrors based on Frank Lloyd Wright's inventive use of glass in architecture. For instance, the "Francesco" bathroom vanity mirror by Victoria Primicias, which features a stylized tree with branches spreading out, is influenced by Wright's Tree of Life stained glass windows.

Prairie-style decorative mirror inspired by Tree of Life
Tree of Life stained glass window by Frank Lloyd Wright

Tree of Life stained glass window

 

Wright's influence on many artists is a testament to the lasting impact of his design principles and techniques. His use of light, space, and materials continues to inspire artists and designers to this day.

A sense of space and light was produced in Frank Lloyd Wright's structures because of his inventive use of architectural elements including large expanses of windows. His glass projects were pieces of art that not only served a practical purpose but also exhibited his distinctive design concepts. Contemporary artists still find inspiration in Wright's designs, continuing his legacy for years to come.

About Primi Mosaics

Primi Mosaics creates decorative mirrors that salute the past while enhancing the modern lifestyle. Inspired by turn-of-the-century designs of the Arts and Crafts movement, Frank Lloyd Wright and Art Deco, these mosaic mirrors bring a unique style and elegance to both modern and traditional decor. See some mosaic stained glass mirrors influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright now.