How to Choose an Accent Mirror

Like accent tables, accent chests and accent chairs, accent mirrors add that little extra something to the rooms of your home. Because everyone uses them regardless of which room they are in, an accent mirror is also an easy way to increase the room's functionality. But as with other pieces of accent furniture, in order for accent mirrors to have the desired effect and create maximum impact, it helps if you know what to look for.

Size

When choosing an accent mirror for a specific room or area such as a second floor hallway or a foyer, location will play a big role in the shape and size that you select. Naturally, you will want it to fit the intended space so that it looks "right;" not too big or too small, so scale is important.

Shape

While we might not give it a second thought, the shape of an accent mirror definitely makes a statement, defining the room it is in and lending an air of sophistication that would otherwise be missing. A rectangular decorative mirror draws attention to the height of the wall and by default, the ceiling. Round accent mirrors tend to make the mirror itself the center of attention. Whereas oval decorative mirrors put the focus on the frame and the spaces between the other elements in the rooomthat surround the mirror.

Style

Traditional style accent mirrors have an impressive look and feel that is typically formal or stately. A traditional decorative mirror is often very ornate, with metal scrollwork or wood carvings.

A contemporary style decorative mirror has a clean, streamlined appearance that is both inviting and stylish. A smart contemporary accent mirror may have a round or elegant oval shape with a textured frame.

Transitional accent mirrors merge the best of traditional and contemporary décor elements together. Corners are rounded; lines flow; and traditional decorative accents are softened and not as elaborate.

- E.L.

Once Upon a Time

Once upon a time in a land far, far away, there was a country called the United Reiterates of Fairy Tales where the characters of fairytales from many worlds and cultures resided in peace and harmony. At the heart of this thriving country’s economy was Cymax Stores, a group of niche markets, where all of the characters did their online shopping, because, no matter what they needed, they could find it on one of the company’s many websites.

The Queen, with the Princess tagging along for something to do, would often be seen at the Public Library, where there was free internet access. Logging onto More Mattresses, she ordered 20 full size box springs and 20 mattresses with a few clicks of the mouse and had them delivered right to her castle. (The pea she took from a big bowl sitting on the kitchen counter in front of the fire when Cook wasn’t looking.)

The family of Three Bears furnished the master bedroom, the guest room and their child’s bedroom at Bedroom Furniture N More, purchasing bedroom sets rather than buying each piece separately, since it was more economical (and Papa Bear really liked that part). Mama Bear appreciated the fact that she could set up a repeat order with Cymax Stores for the KidKraft Avalon Chair in Honey. This meant that every time Goldilocks sat on Baby Bear’s chair, she didn’t have to keep ordering new ones; it was just sent automatically to their quaint little cottage.

Of course, Stepmother bought the now famous mirror from Mirror Source. She actually purchased it long before she married Snow White’s father. It took several days of browsing before she found the Murray Feiss Villa Medici Mirror. But it was worth it; it was so perfect. She had to pay extra for the voice-over that told her she was the fairest one of all. When the mirror changed its mind and named Snow White as the fairest, Stepmother wanted her money back (for the voice-over only; the mirror she wanted to keep).

Like the fair citizens of the United Reiterates of Fairy Tales, you too can find pretty much anything you need for your home, from bedroom furniture (including mirrors) to dining chairs, at Cymax Stores. And everyone lived happily ever after. THE END

Easy to Shop For

Most of us have, at some point or another, been told by a family member or significant other whether or not we are easy to shop for. This assessment is typically given around Christmas or one’s birthday, and if finding a gift for you doesn’t require much thought or effort you will be given this distinction.

Young children are the only demographic group as a whole that can have the “easy to shop for” tag attached to the lot of them. This is even more true when you consider the array of children’s products at www.childrensfurnitureselect.com. Don’t be too quick to assume that simply means toy after toy for the little ones. Although toys are a big part of the ease in finding enthusiastically-received kids’ gifts, playfully themed children’s fixtures are an equally safe bet much of the time.

As you might imagine, I’m a big proponent of planting the bookworm seed at as young an age as possible. Your little guy might beam upon receiving a Levels of Discovery Firefighter Revolving Bookcase with its fire-hydrant theme, and if so you may want to consider adding any one or all of the Levels of Discovery Firefighter Collection.

Enjoy these years, as before you know it you’ll be in a record store grossly mispronouncing the name of some obscure indie band. They don’t remain easy to shop for for very long.

Reveling in all that is dainty is very much a rite in the life of all young girls. While it’s not as simple as being drawn to anything pink or frilly, it does make it somewhat easier for parents and extended family or friends to choose a suitable gift for the little princess. To that end, do consider any of the Levels of Discovery Always a Princess Collection of suitably charming bedroom fixtures for your little lady before her tastes to switch to all manner of paraphernalia related to painfully androgynous-looking boy bands.

Don’t let your token adherence to conventional wisdom deceive you as to whether members of your family are easy to shop for. That you buy a tie for your father’s b-day every year doesn’t mean he’s just that, and the same goes for buying oven mitts for your mom the every 3-4 years it takes for the last pair to perish. I freely admit to being one for which the lack of intuition and creativity when it comes to occasion shopping makes easy-giftees out of some who perhaps shouldn’t be.

For example, if your little girl has amassed quite the doll collection over the years, why not veer wide left and surprise her with a Levels of Discovery Best of Buds Mirrored Storage Seat in her bedroom. She can admire herself in the full-length mirror and the storage seat means she can keep Barbie and Ken as immaculately proportioned and blemish free as the good lord intended them.

That young children are indeed so easy to shop for is a blessing that certainly does not last. While it’s here, be sure to enjoy it and make it equally easy on your hectic schedule with the convenience of shopping online at Cymax Stores.

Mirror, Mirror…Who is the Fairest Cat of Them All?

I have a confession to make. Of all the pieces of furniture designed to make our lives easy, efficient and more organized, the bedroom vanity is the one I understand the least. I know they are specifically designed to organize cosmetics, beauty supplies, jewelry and other small accessories, while being comfortably seated in front of the mirror. However, to my way of thinking, a dresser with a mirror (in conjunction with a corner of the bed to sit on) serves exactly the same purpose. It seems redundant to have a piece of furniture solely for looking at yourself taking up valuable floor space.

I took a trip back home last month to help my sister sort through what my father would and would not take with him when he moved into a smaller place, after selling the house. Since my mother was quite a collector of furniture, china and other curiosities, my father didn't want to throw out the baby with the bathwater. So, my sister and I decided to call in an antiques and collectibles appraiser for a consultation to help us separate good stuff from garage sale stuff. Before the appraiser was to arrive, my father asked if we planned to show him the vanity.

What vanity? My father said that I had already seen it because it was in the closet of the bedroom I used when I visited. Apparently, on one of their weekend day trips out of the city, my mother and father stopped for lunch in a near-by town and ended up perusing the treasures of an outdoors antiques fair. Mother spotted it in the back corner of one of the booths and immediately fell in love with it. When I opened the closet door, it became quite clear why I hadn't really noticed it. It was buried beneath a pile of miscellaneous items. But, after my sister and I cleared everything off and pulled it out into the center of the room, I could see immediately why my mother wanted to bring this bedroom vanity home with her.

Made of walnut, it had a drop front with a full length mirror in the center. The mirror had an arched top; the drawers on either side had delicate bail handles; but the thing that fascinated me the most about the vanity was the two, freestanding barley twist oval side mirrors. Intended to stand on either side of the center mirror, they could be moved around into a "tri-fold" position so that a person sitting at the vanity could see the back of their hair. Tucking conveniently underneath the middle section, a square vanity bench with a cane seat completed the look.

We had swung it around and pushed it up against the foot of the bed. Even still, there was barely enough room to move around. But, after the appraiser had left, I didn't have the heart to push this beautiful piece of furniture back into the closet. The next morning, I found myself carefully perched on the cane vanity bench applying face cream, brushing my hair and taking time to just admire the vanity…okay I'll admit it, admire myself in the mirror. Completely seduced, I gave in to the vanity's charms and arranged my small collection of beauty products on its two tabletops.

Later on that afternoon, I dashed into the bedroom to freshen my makeup before going out. I discovered my Dad's cat, Joe, sitting in front of the left oval mirror tilting his head slowly to one side. Then, he slowly tilted his head to the other side. I thought that, upon sitting down, Joe would vacate his pride of place. No such luck. He slowly tilted his head back to the left side oblivious to whatever it was I had in mind. He was still, for want of a better expression, admiring himself by the time I was ready to leave. For the remainder of my visit, the odds of stepping into the bedroom to find Joe in front of one of the oval mirrors were good. He never varied his routine-he slowly dipped to the left then to the right then back again.

The whole experience has me reassessing my opinion of this "vain" piece of furniture. I am seriously considering purchasing one: sitting at my mother's dressing table getting ready for the day gave me a feeling of confidence that perched on the edge of the mattress leaning into the dresser mirror while applying lipstick did not. And, since it seems that they like primping too, maybe I should get a cat to match my new bedroom vanity.

Elevator Chargers: Where Lay the Roots of Impatience?

Since relocating to the big city, a predominant trend has become increasingly bothersome to me – elevator chargers. I’m totally at a loss as to why waiting for the elevator to clear before entering seems to be conceptual thinking for a great many people in this city. I realize we live in a “go go” world, but to me this is a little bit much. I firmly believe it’s only a matter of time before I get a torso full of hot coffee as a result of simply vacating the elevator in an orderly, logical manner.

I have to say this tendency annoys me to no end. The very second the door opens it’s head down and forward, full bore. What gives? Are you really in that much of a hurry to get to the office? The two-to-three second delay you’ll give up to allow the passengers to exit is going to inconvenience you that much? Sometimes I think these are the same people who’d pull a Costanza when a “fire” breaks out at a child’s birthday party...

What is at the root of such disdainful behavior? I’ve given it some thought and I’m at something of a loss. As a result, I’m going to speculate that some of them may have experienced a painfully-recent home furnishings shortcoming, and if so I recommend online shopping at cymaxstores.com as a means of developing necessary social graces.

Perhaps he or she is running late due to their being unable to find the car keys that morning. Could it be that a Home Star Nesting Table, perfectly situated next to the door with those elusive keys and a comforting photo of the family, is a suitably stylish solution? Very reasonably priced for a pair in a fine hardwood finish, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more affordable means of adding quality-made character to the common areas of your home. A Home Star Corner Curio would serve the same purpose with similarly excellent value.

Maybe it’s an inclement weather day and one of the cattle is in a bit of a foul mood from being unable to find their raincoat in a cluttered foyer closet. Wouldn’t be enough to drive me to abandon all manner of civility, but I’ll refrain from ranting. An inexpensive Home Star Coat Rack would likely have meant a quick and easy procurement of the necessary garment and an umbrella to boot. Enough to prevent bowling over the elderly to get a seat on the Skytrain? Don’t know about that, but it’s worth a try.

The incomparable value of a Nexeria Allegria Mirror would allow any of the stampeders to take stock of their impeccable appearance each morning, and might inspire a little more relaxed strutting across the lobby so that others may admire the view; not to mention some of that coffee will likely end up on you as well. Perhaps Mr. or Mrs. Self-Absorbed were at a loss to find the right necktie or accessory belt that A.M. The value of a visibly attractive South Shore Drawer Chest in allowing you to be a more well-mannered member of society would be so much more than its clear dollars-and-cents appeal.

Pure speculation I admit – But what’s a guy to do when he’s at a loss to find any explanation for such reproachable behavior.

Slow down folks