I think that mirror and the room are very "modern".__I'm not sure I like the white trim and seafoam walls. Painting those would probably bring it out of the 80s with very little money.

I agree about leaving the mirror wall. Instead of looking at the mirror wall and not liking it, look at what is reflecting in it and consider changing that. It's hard to tell what we are seeing because of the way the picture was taken. I know you're changing your cabinets but then perhaps add some accessories that will reflect in the mirror as a statement.

An example - (only because this is all I can see) When I look at the mirror I see the very boring back of your couch. So, add a colourful throw that drapes down the back or if you can, add a sofa table behind with some interesting things on it, even an indoor large plant which might help to negate some of the large expanse of the glass.

I agree that the seafoam (and to a lesser degree) the white may not be the right color.

Or, depending on the rest of the house, you could "antique" the mirror; or you could put wallpaper or fabric over it.

I like the mirrors, too, and agree that the paint colors in the room along with what is being reflected is more where you might want to look to update. I like the idea of hanging large art on it, too, like nosoccermom's pic.

I looked for a good example, but haven't found one yet, but you could also hang sheerish draperies over the whole thing except the vaulted part. It would give the illusion of a wall of windows and the light would be reflected back into the room through the draperies. If I find an example, I'll add a pic. I also like this example where the trim is closer to the color of the walls (altho these are individual mirrors), which makes it more cohesive....

Greenwich Apartment · More Info

I'll be another dissenting voice and think I would find the mirrors very distracting, if not unnerving. The two other photos shown as examples are in rooms where the reflection is only of that room. Since you have an open plan with kitchen/living/dining, it feels like it's reflecting back everything that's going on in your living space. You can't get away from it. Don't get me wrong, I like mirrors in rooms and like how they can expand the space and magnify light, but I think your mirrors are too much of a good thing.

Can you apply the film that is made for windows, with a rice paper or patterned look? I don't know how that would look. But I find the mirrors a little too...distracting.

I would take it down or neutralize it by painting all walls and trim a nice modern taupe. Choose a med tone taupe found somewhere in the stone. Do all adjoining walls . There are too many contrasting styles going on. The kitchen has white cabinets; the front door is wood or painted not to go with anything. There is stone on fireplace and walls. And then there is a white or off white floor. If you have a sample of your new flooring maybe think of stripping the front doors and applying a different stain and or color wash. Make it all look purposeful. Once neutralized all the differences will look stylish instead of fighting one another.

This is messy but I don't have time for fine tuning. This is what I mean by neutralizing. If you are trying for a small budget you may be best served with choosing a taupe to jive with the stone and leaving the mirrors. The reflection will bring the stone shades into the other rooms so that it will not look like the cheese that stands alone. I couldn't get the right taupe shade on mircosoft paint but hopefully you get the idea. Paint the vertical lines on mirror a darker taupe.

Think about the whole big picture.

Wallpaper or fabric. You could use fabric with starch. At least that makes it removable.
use starch to add fabric to glass

I wonder if one can paint mirrors

I would remove them. I think it will solve your problem.

I'd take them down.

I would remove it.

I would keep them, paint them a medium to dark gray-beige and add wainscoating to the bottom area. I would also paint all the other walls in a lighter tone of the same shade

In less the other generations of family and friends live there and are paying the mortgage, remove it. Because YOU want to.

(I would want to be perfectly dressed with fresh makeup and hair every time I was reflected in that wall....even while making the first cup of coffee. )

ML

Get rid of the mirrors! It's your home, you get to do what you want!

Sue

Get rid of the mirrors! Actually if you can find a nice window film, you might be okay keeping them.

(I love the paint color, which probably means you should change it...)

To the people saying get rid of them, OP has asked how to do it while "keeping cost at a minimum." I'm all for getting rid of something you don't personally care for in your own house. But I don't see how to do it without replacing the drywall, because I assume they are glued on. Painting out the trim is truly the most cost effective solution, and it is technically "modern".

Covering them isn't a bad idea. I was going to say don't know how well the fabric would stick to glass. But I see that nosoccermom has provided a link, so I'm off to check that out. :)

We had a mirrored wall removed in a Florida condo. DH called a mirror and glass company (think shower door makers). They came and removed the mirrors and hauled them away for $100, which was well worth it.

Glad you are redoing the floor because IMO it is at least 50% responsible for the eighties vibe in the room! The mirrors are the other 50%, and there is nothing you can do to update or modernize them; they just Need to Go. Your instincts are right and I would not let friends or family bully you, however goodnaturedly, into keeping these relics.

Well, if you want to be cheap, you can paint it. It won't be a really sturdy paint job but unless you have kids who have to peel anything peelable (I was one of those), it's possible that nobody will know it's glass until some future homeowner tries to hang a painting. :P

Grasscloth wallpaper over the mirrors would be lovely, but not with the current paint color.

Thank you for all the input, we are currently taking all advice into consideration and removing some mirrors and removing all the trim. We feel we can create a separate entrance area and then the table area will have the three mirrors with a chandelier. Here are the steps we are currently taking with keeping costs low.

Completed thus far:
1. Remove all trim (used hammer and flatbar)
2. Watched a bunch of youtube videos on how to remove mirrors on walls
3. Bought two suction cup grips that are about 4 inch in diameter from Lowes.
4. Bought a pair of Kevlar gloves from Northern Tools
5. Taped the mirrors with duct tape to help in case they were to break.
6. Used the suction cup grips to loosen the mirrors from the wall (myself and father-n-law)
7. Used joint compound on the walls were the glue was holding the mirrors and ripped drywall.

Still to complete:
1. Paint the inside of the front doors white
2. Paint the mirror wall the seafoam color that everyone seems to hate :)
3. Will be getting a mirror company to come out and frame the remaining three mirrors with a mirror border (will show border example once we pick one)
4. Replace the existing light above table with a chandelier.
5. Kitchen and floor as previous stated (pictures of examples attached) and 5 1/4 base board, countertops silestone stellar snow

Notes:
1. We live in southwest Florida
2. A contractor wanted 1700.00 to remove all the mirrors and finish the wall (not paint) and we completed it around 80.00 (does not include the "still to complete list")
3. I used HGTV instant makeover program to look at some design options and we are going to ask the mirror company if they can cut the mirrors down as shown in the picture attached. (the blue wall design in picture is just an option I had to choose to block out items, we would use seafoam and also have the mirror company frame the mirrors)

I will post as we make progress, thanks everyone for the genuine feedback!

*Please do not mind the mess, we have visitors currently :)

-Tom & Brandie

Hey Tom, best of luck on your remodel! Looks like you have a good plan to suit your needs. I’m in Florida as well and have also been remodeling an early eighties home. It’s a challenge that is hard to communicate with people from other parts of the country as it seems different rules apply here. So, I feel your frustration. Also, as you have probably found by now here in Florida there is a person living in just about every second house who calls themselves a contractor. Most do not have a full regular crew so the prices are through the roof. Most you have to babysit. As a result my husband and I have been DIYing for over 25 years with numerous fixer uppers.

Your home is going to be lovely when you are done.