Handcrafted NAVADO Mirrors: From Bevelled Glass to Mirror Art
Start with the wall opposite the entrance and decide what you want a visitor to notice first. In a quiet sitting room, it might be the edge of a rose petal catching the afternoon light. In a larger room, it might be the symmetry of two peacocks above a sofa. A handcrafted NAVADO mirror can give either idea the presence of a work of art. The effect depends on how the maker shapes, bevels and fits the individual pieces of glass.
What hand bevelling does to the light
A bevel is the sloping edge ground into a piece of mirror glass. It catches light at a different angle from the flat face. Along a row of petals or feathers, that difference creates a fine line of highlights that shifts as you move through the room. A bevel also draws attention to the outline of each piece, so an uneven edge can interrupt the pattern.
The maker has to judge how much glass to remove while keeping the piece true to its shape. On a curved petal, the slope has to follow the curve and meet the next section cleanly. Look closely at the edge in side light when reviewing a sample. You should be able to follow the highlight around the shape and see how it meets the neighbouring piece.
Why the fit between pieces matters
Once the pieces are shaped, the maker has to arrange them so that the drawing still reads at room scale. A narrow joint can define the fold of a leaf. A misplaced joint can break a continuous stem. Checking the arrangement against the drawing helps the maker keep lines aligned while balancing clear and tinted glass across the composition.
In the Rose Vase Gold Mirror Wall, clear, gold-toned and bronze-toned pieces build the roses and faceted vase against nine dark mirror panels. The lighter faces bring the petals forward. The darker ground gives the outlines room to read. The bevels and joints supply the finer detail that becomes visible when you step closer.
Choose a motif that suits the wall
The Peacock Kingdom design uses two inward-facing birds to create a central axis. Try aligning that axis with the seating group, then view the outline from the doorway. Leave enough clear wall around the tails for their curves to remain visible. For a softer composition, the Four-Leaf Clover Mirror Wall uses rising stems and separate flower heads to draw the eye upwards.
For a bespoke mirror wall in a UK or European interior, mark the proposed outline on the wall and check it from both standing and seated positions. Look at what the glass will reflect in daylight and after dark. Share the wall dimensions, a photograph of the opposite view and the positions of nearby lights. Ask to see the glass colours and a bevelled sample together, and agree where the panel joints should sit before production.
Explore more handcrafted decorative mirrors from NAVADO Vietnam for ideas on motifs, glass colours and bespoke compositions.