Any suggestions welcome

How about a door frame with a small pediment on top around the edge of the mirror? This would give the idea of a gate open to another part of the garden.

This will give you an idea of what I mean:

http://www.maxwellsdiy.com/doors-c6/door-furniture-accessories-c11/door-shaper-internal-door-frame-pediment-architrave-head-piece-p978

Andrewr

iam hopeless with design... may i sat tho i do like your garden and the bench/chair seat....

Trellis sounds a good idea,will stop you accidentally working into it aswell.

I think Andrew has hit the nail on the head!
Watch you don't miss it, though, or you might smash the mirror.
Oo-er, seven years, don't forget. Lol.
You might even consider raising it on a faux step to make it look as though leading to a garden on a higher level.

They all sound really good ideas, will you have some woodland bulbs and flowers, primroses maybe in front, it may be possible to make it like a receding path......

I think it looks nice as it is. It's like a door into another part of the garden :o)

I agree with Hywel, it looks great as it is..

I love mirrors in the garden Denise and yours looks really good. I was going to suggest the same idea as Andrew or frame it with an arch. I like Mouldy's step idea too :o)

Looking good already Denise . . . love the path idea :))

How about buyin a large Ivy and training it around the edge of the mirror.
It looks good, I like mirrors in the garden.

This looks good as it is but I think Mouldys idea sounds really good.

Paul I have a Parthenocissus and Ivy growing around mine :o)

That sounds pretty Annella, virginia creeper or boston ivy?...We'll be seeing the colour soon

I like both Andrew and Mouldy's ideas too, nothing too new just something that looks as if its always been there;0)

All the suggestions are great Drc - can I throw another into the mix....
what about an old (or new) wrought iron gate, also giving the impression of opening into a new area.

I really like Andrew's idea with the door.

Ah....Annella...you've not been around.Have u checked u'r messages recently.I sent you one as I have u'r white Astrantia seed in an envelope ready to post!

Thank you all, some great ideas to mull over

*say... not sat.... weekend came quick there...

I also thought of ivy or even a jasmine perhaps? The door suggestion is a great one though!

It is a lovely idea.

A wrought iron gate in front gives another illusion - I've seen someone's blog in the past few days that used mirrors very effectively. Will trawl through my computer history to see if I can spot it.

Thanks Wildrose I am not going to rush it I like the idea of framing it, thanks Urbanite that would be good.

I like the ideas that have been put forward and am looking forward to seeing what you decide upon Denise....

One thought - is it a glass mirror or acrylic? If glass you might want to consider a safety film, in case of breakage.

I will show you the results Lincslass. Its glass Urbanite and thats a good idea.

Has the back (iron oxide, I think) been protected against the weather to prevent the reflective coating from flaking off?

We had a new bathroom this spring and it came out of the old one, so Mouldy it hasnt what do you suggest?

I really don't know.
Some would suggest pva, but as an ex-plasterer, I wouldn't, as I've found (upon sealing walls to recoat them) it tends to loosen paint, which, in effect, is what the reflective coat is.
Maybe not, but it's worth checking.
You'd be better asking someone who's done similar or a mirror manufacturer.
Sorry I can't be more helpful. :-(

Thanks Mouldy.

S'me again. Lol.
I've just googled the problem.
Apparently, it (the back) will require an acrylic coating to protect it against frost & moisture.
Maybe B&Q or another can provide the solution.
Hope you get it solved!

Could you nail together a rustic frame and just lean it against the mirror. Those odd bits of wood made me think that might work. I think its called Rustication or something. People make arches like that. When a bit falls off you pop another back on.

Yes that is the way I am thinking Dorjac with Andrews idea for an open gate.

I like the trellis idea as it might stop birds flying into it and injuring themselves.

Mouldy and Penny f got me thinking about the safety side of it and wondered if it is frost proof? What do you know! putting it back in the garage I broke one corner off so to the tip it goes.
But I still like the idea of a mirror and gate effect so come the spring I will be on the look out for a garden mirror.

Sorry to be a wet blanket but last year a thrush flew into a garden mirror at my friend's home and broke its neck, so I'm rather against them in practice although I like the idea of them. I suppose it's the same as birds flying into windows and stunning or killing themselves.