Mirror painting walls???
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I live in what once was an elementary school - 100+ years old - all the walls are concrete or brick. Lots of windows, but still kind of dark. Can I paint the upper walls with mirror paint to reflect the light? No one I've asked seems to have ANY clue. Thank you :-)
8 answers
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Hi Jeannie- I have used mirror paint on wood- it is a bit shiny but does not end up looking or reflecting like a mirror. The reason mirror paint works is because you are painting the underside of the glass surface. You are looking at the painted surface through glass. You might be better off with a high gloss paint in a color-or even white- then adding some mirrors in different places to reflect the light. Your home sounds amazing!!!!
Country Design Home
on Feb 03, 2016
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What fun decorating challenges you must have! We looked at an old school that was for sale. Someone had started making it into a home. Anyway..... I wouldn't try mirror paint and high gloss will show up all the imperfections....that's not a bad thing necessarily, though. Brick and concrete walls do have imperfections and that's sort of the charm of them :-) Since you have a lot of windows (yay on that point!) are you also using lighter colors on your walls too to keep things looking as light as possible? Also like Sue said above, you can use mirrors in places opposite the windows to reflect more of the light. Remember too....When that school was built the lighting was designed for classroom use. Now as a home, the usage of the rooms is quite different. Plan out your furniture arrangement then get as many floor lamps, table lamps, etc. that you can reasonably use (but let's not make it look like a lamp show room...hee hee!). More light from as many sources as you can get will help alleviate the dark look. Don't forget to use some uplights too....like behind a floor screen, a large floor plant, behind a sofa, etc. etc. Uplights cast wonder evening shadows in rooms and create a very pretty glow. I have one on in my LR all day long :-) Oooooh I wish I was there to see your home! I'd love to visit with you about it, how it works as a home now, the story behind it, etc. Would love to see pics of it!
CK
on Feb 03, 2016
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I would use some low light tall plants in a grouping with a accent light behind them which I feel would make the room appear brighter. To me anyway plants always brighten any room in any situation.
Janet Pizaro
on Feb 03, 2016
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Your home sounds like a real adventure! I had friends who owned an old schoolhouse and used it for their home and business. They used lots of light colors on walls and flooring and took advantage of the window light by keeping window treatment to a minimum. Lamps will add a warm glow to your rooms. I like plants buy too many can look jungle-like and take up precious floor space. Potted plants or small jars of flowers would look great on those deep sills! Be sure yo use some mirrors as the gals above recommended. Posting some pictures of the room would be great!
MN Mom
on Feb 03, 2016
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If I can figure out HOW to post pics, I just might! :-) Thank you! Btw - my curtains are white lace - I couldn't stand anything shutting out what light I DO have! LOL
Jeannie Carle
on Feb 03, 2016
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What about sky lights or solar tubes? Acrylic mirrors are lightweight: http://www.homedepot.com/p/24-in-x-36-in-x-118-in-Acrylic-Mirror-AM2436S/202509285 or even rolled, mirrored acrylic or silver mylar in a frame, if you are putting it up high, where reflection of objects is not important...it is very lightweight...http://www.homedepot.com/p/Viagrow-100-ft-Mylar-2-mil-Reflective-Film-VMY150/202985199
B. Enne
on Feb 04, 2016
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several people have given me suggestions :-)
Jeannie Carle
on Feb 04, 2016
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Have you considered a mural? Large artwork or sculpture would be nice.
Lisa Gage
on Feb 05, 2016
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