The Starburst Mirror - A Classic Iconic Mirror

Credit Amanda Carol Interiors

 There has been a lot of chatter as to whether the starburst mirror is a trend or a classic.  What do you think?  I think anything that has withstood the test of time like this iconic mirror is a classic.  This mirror has been around for centuries. Therefore, I don't consider it a trend.

There are many theories on the origin of the starburst mirror.  Many historians think it's popularity began when the starburst frames which were repurposed by collectors and antique dealers from religious icons that were in abundance after the French Revolution.  Some historians attribute the mirrors to Louis XIV, nicknamed "The Sun King."  Many claim that Louis chose the sun emblem as his personal icon because he loved the sun and its powerful rays but a recent trip to Chateau Vaux Le Vicomte challenges that theory.  When I was in Paris a couple of years ago, I visited Vaux Le Vicomte.  Our tour guide shared the history of the famous chateau.    Nicolas Fouquet, who built Vaux Le Vicomte, was Louis XIV's Superintendent of Finances.  I won't go into great detail here but let's just say Louis was threatened by Fouquet's opulent home and furnishings.  He feared that Fouquet was far more impressive than the King himself.  He was offended that Fouquet stood many feet above him on the steps of Vaux Le Vicomte when he greeted Louis XIV when he entered the grounds.  Noone was to stand above the King! He had Fouquet thrown in prison and stripped the chateaux of most of its furnishings.  He went to far as to steal Nicolas's personal emblems that were the sun and the squirrel.  I plan to write more about Vaux Le Vicomte in a later post.  There is a painting that shows the starburst mirror was used far before Vaux Le Vicomte or Louis XIV.  Shown below in a painting by famous artist Jan Van Eyck from the 15th century, which reveals a starburst mirror in the background of the  "Arnofini's Wedding" painted in 1493.  I remember studying this painting in Art History class when I was in design school.   This painting and many others that with symbolic meaning woven into the composition taught me to study great works of art for more than just the overall beauty. 
See the starburst convex mirror in the background?  If you look 
closely it reveals the artist himself in the reflection.

I'm not sure of the origin of the starburst mirror, but I can confidently say it isn't a trend that is going away.  Let's look at some of my favorite uses for a starburst mirror.

Credit Amanda Carol Interiors

 A large starburst commands attention as a great focal point on a wall over a mantle as shown here is a room designed by my friend Amanda Carol of Amanda Carol Interiors.  

Credit Traci Zeller Designs

My studio partner, Traci Zeller successfully used a trio of starburst mirrors in the guest room she designed in collaboration with Laura Ashley for Domino Magazine in her home.

Credit Rachel Cannon Lewis

My friend and Baton Rouge Designer, Rachel Cannon Lewis chose a painted version for this family room project mounted over a painting as an accent rather than the focal point.  The starburst mirror adds the perfect element to soften vertical lines of the room and pull the white trim and moldings together visually.

Credit via Rachel Cannon Lewis

Another great idea is to use a smaller starburst to capture light on a side table
 also by Rachel Cannon Lewis. 

Credit via Rachel Cannon Lewis

Rachel again uses the starburst mirror in a foyer grouping to create art interest and light.

Do you have a starburst?  I would love to see yours.  Feel free to post a picture on my Facebook page here and tell me the origin of your starburst mirror!
I have two starburst mirrors in my home.  I have a Worlds Away Starburst mirror over my bed and hand carved Julian Chichester's Hobbs Mirror in my dining room over a buffet.

Here are some of my favorite starburst mirrors.

FIND OUT HOW TO WIN OUR GRAND OPENING GIVEAWAYS!!!

It's official Traci Zeller and I have opened our joint studio which we refer to as Studio 202.  

   Our design collaboration last year on the Gentleman's dressing room in Traditional Home show house "Adamsleigh" was responsible for the birth of a design friendship which has resulted in sharing joint studio space.  We love our new studio and hope you will come see us when you are in our area.  Give us a call and come by.  We welcome designers and consumers alike.  Our studio offers beautiful furniture, fabrics, wallpaper, lighting and original art from North Carolina, South Carolina, Colorado, Seattle, and Virgina artists.  We will be spotlighting the artist weekly.  

We had so much fun at our Grand Opening on Sept 10th.  Here are some photos from that night.

Our designers friends, Jason Oliver Nixon and John Loeke of Madcap Cottage, came for our Grand Opening!  We were thrilled that Cathy Austin of Bespoke Banter, Holly Hollingsworth Phillips of The English Room,  Randolph James of Magnolia Emporium,  Cheryl Luckett of Dwell with Cheryl

to name a few.  Thank you all for taking time to come out and celebrate with us!

Traci and I were thrilled to have Leslie Newby at our Grand Opening.  Leslie is President at WorkTheBrand, a division of Brand Communications,Inc and has become a dear friend.  She is an amazing person and represents many well known brands such as Caracole which happens to be a favorite line of Studio 202.  Caracole was so kind to supply this beautiful Mood Ring Mirror to give away in honor of our Grand Opening.  We have so many things to giveaway.  

Traci and I had planned to have the drawing at our Grand Opening, but everyone was having so much fun it didn't seem right to stop the fun for business.   The next day we had people who couldn't come yet, donated money to our Ronald McDonald donations page.  We decided everyone who donates or attended the Grand Opening should be included in the drawing.  

The purpose and goal of our Grand Opening was to raise money for Ronald McDonald.

Guess what!  We decided to extend the Giveaways to allow all of you who couldn't come to get involved.  Keep reading to find out what we are giving away and how you can enter to win!

Here is a peek at a few of the items we are giving away.  She the Susan Skelley Art on the Black stool?  Yes that is a giveaway too!!!!!  Sorry I don't have an individual picture of this piece to show but it is fabulous!  I'm out of town and not in the studio or I would shoot a pic.  I'll do it when I return tomorrow and post on instagram. 

Caracole "Mood Ring" Mirror  Have you visited Caracole's website?  This is a beautiful line designed by women!  Incredible designs!  Traci and I both style spotted this line when we were style spotters for High Point Market.  Can't wait to share more about Caracole.

Taylor Burke "Blake" Table in pearl  Go to their website and check out all the beautiful pieces Taylor Burke offers.  All their products are Made in the USA!  We can order any of these pieces for you in Studio 202.  We are giving away one Blake Table and we have another if you win and would like a pair or if you don't win and  want it badly!  

A Pair of Tobi Fairley "St Nick Pillows" in charcoal and daffodil worth $500.  I know it is hard to think Christmas but these are fabulous!   Traci and I are both members of Tobi's Mastermind Group and love everything Tobi!  If you are interested in Mastermind, shoot us an email we would love to discuss the value of Mastermind with you.  We love our Mastermind Group with Tobi!

Original Painting by "Trees" by Harrison Blackford 8" x 8"  We have lots of Harrison's painting in our studio.  come by and see more of Harrison's beautiful paintings!  She is available for commissions as well. 

Traci Zeller Signature Candle given to each person who donates a $100 or more while they lasts!

($38 value plus shipping).  These candles smell wonderful!!!

Shark 

 Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Upright Vacuum (worth $200!). We love our Shark in Studio 202.

This little vac is so lightweight but picks up like a heavy weight vac!

 Lovely vintage brass tray by Matters of Style   Traci and I have Sarah Fisher's beautiful vintage pieces in our studio!  We love the interesting layer vintage adds to our projects.  

There’s much more up our stylish sleeves, including the Pink Peony Rockbed Watergarden in Large Glass Cube by NDI  (worth over $500!).  This arrangement of peonies looks so real you will want to touch them to see if they are real!

 Several Traci Zeller pillows (worth over $150 each!) 

Also giving away a Lisa Mende Design Door Mat (Be one of the first to receive one of these! Can't show you yet because these were designed in conjunction with October Breast Cancer Awareness for Carpet One!)

Plus there are a few more items like CR Laine's
 awesome Pillows, ! 

Are you as excited about these prizes as we are???

 Traci and I are excited about Ronald McDonald and we want to do our part

So you are wondering how you can enter to win?
It's simple!  

Go to Our Donation page for Ronald McDonald
 and Make a Donation here!  

For every donation no matter what size
 we enter your name to win our great prizes!

  It is important to Traci and I to reach our goal for Ronald McDonald.  We can't do it without your help!  Please make a donation today and enter to win.  If you came to our Grand Opening please don't feel cheated,  anyone who came to our Grand Opening will be entered twice, so we are doubling your chances!

The Drawing will be on September 26th which is the day Traci and I return from  installing our room at Ronald McDonald.  We promise to post pics of our room install on social media.  If you aren't following traci or me on instagram do it now, to follow our Ronald McDonald install in real time!  

 To Read More about our Ronald McDonald Project click here.

Announcing Studio 202 Retail Partnership with Taylor Burke Home

 Studio 202, home of Traci Zeller Designs and Lisa Mende Design is proud to announce a retail partnership with Taylor Burke Home.  Studio 202 will be your go to resource for Taylor Burke furnishings in the Charlotte area.  

{Click to continue reading & view the collection....}

STUDIO 202 - SAVE THE DATE!!!

Traci Zeller and I are finally announcing our Grand Opening for Studio 202

 and we would like you to :

SAVE THE DATE!!!  

Wednesday, September 10th 

5:00 pm - 8:00pm

We hope to see you at our Grand Opening on September 10th!  We will have raffles, door prizes and lots of fun and exciting things going on!  Pop over for a glass of bubbly and a gander!  Lots of pretty things to see!!  

(Click Here to Continue reading.....)

STUDIO 202 UPDATE!

It's time for a Studio 202 update!  My new studio with Traci Zeller is now open!  We are so excited to share our joint home studio gallery!  There are more exciting additions coming to the studio but for all intents and purposes our studio is open for business.  

SAVE THE DATE!!! OUR GRAND OPENING IS SET 

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1OTH!!!

5PM - 8PM
{click here to continue reading....}

PHOENIX DAY LIGHTING - NEW TO STUDIO 202!!

Have you updated the lighting in your home lately?  Are you living with bland

builder grade fixtures or still staring at the fixtures you have been promising to

replace for 10 years?  Traci Zeller and I can help you replace your boring lighting with 

new exciting options!  Lighting plays such an important part in every room. What

are you waiting for?  Here are some great options from Phoenix Day
now available through Studio 202.
{click to continue reading....and see more..}

Harrison Blackford, Newest Artist in Studio 202 Gallery!!!!

I posted this picture four days ago on instagram just to tease you but I was the one who got the joke played on me.  So many of you wrote to ask me about this piece of art.  I am happy to announce that artist Harrison Blackford has joined Studio 202 as an artist in our studio gallery!  I actually corresponded with Harrison over 2 years ago but we finally met in person when she dropped off paintings last week to our new studio gallery.  We currently have 8 of Harrison's beautiful paintings in the studio in a range of sizes and colors!!!  Would you believe that Harrison is actually an interior designer by trade?  She jumped ship about two years ago and decided to paint full time.  If you would like to learn more about Harrison click here.  We can commission Harrison to paint size painting in any colors to match your fabrics or decor.  

{Click Here to continue reading and see the Harrison Blackford paintings

 currently available in Studio 202, Charlotte,NC}

Sneak Peek of Studio 202 - "We've Come A Long Way Baby"

It's official!  Our name is on the door and we are open for business!  There is still quite a bit to do at Studio 202, but Traci Zeller , my studio partner and I  are are working in the studio! 

We have decided to wait til August for our grand opening celebration, but if you are in the need of original art, accessories, furniture, interior design help, we are here and ready to accommodate your requests! I would like to give a shout out to Talitha McGuinness of Carolina Consulting Company.  Talitha worked with Carolina Realty Company to get our door signage.  Trying to get two very different logos positioned and in sync was a balancing act, but Talitha did a great job!  Thank you!

{click here to continue reading and see more pics....}

THE SECRET WE'VE BEEN WAITING TO SHARE!

 Traci and I worked so well together, on the Junior League of Greensboro's Show house with Traditional Home Magazine last year, we decided to share studio space!  The show house was the first time either of us had worked with another designer.  We discovered we really enjoyed bouncing ideas off one another.   While Traci Zeller Designs and Lisa Mende Design will remain separate firms, but look forward to working together harmoniously in our new digs!  Together we will bring Charlotte, resources not currently available in our fair city.

   

  We have been plotting behind the scenes for quite some time to to make this happen.  Finding the right location for both firms, as well as a place that was convenient for our clients was quite the task.   Providence Plaza on the corner of Sharon Amity and Providence Road proved to be a convenient location for all of our needs.  We will continue to bring Charlotte the best in residential new construction, renovation as well as commercial interior design!

We have so many fab events, scheduled to happen once we are open, but first we must finish with designing our new home.   We can't wait to share pictures! It is going to be wonderful to have a working sample room, conference room and an office to call our own (well almost, since we are sharing the space). 

If you are in Charlotte please come by in April for a visit and check out new studio!  We plan to have furniture, accessories, original art and so much more! 

We look forward to work with you on your next project!