Cher’s Intricate Arches and Mirror Styling Offer the Ultimate Masterclass in Turning Overlooked Corners Into Stunning, Light-Filled Design Statements
Although Cher's Moorish display shelf is used to display an Oscar and Grammy, it proves that even the smallest of corners deserve star treatment
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Cher doesn't do things in half measures. As the Goddess of Pop, we expect nothing less than full-scale glamor from her interiors, and he Malibu home delivers in abundance. It's only fitting, then, that it features an equally dazzling display that showcases her many accolades – including three Golden Globes, an Oscar, and a Grammy. And yet, it isn't the awards themselves that caught our eye, but the genius way they've been styled.
Designed by interior designer to the stars, Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Cher's Malibu residence is a palatial take on Moorish design. It features Moroccan arches, ornate detailing, and a richly layered aesthetic that sets the scene for what might be the most glamorous awards shelf we've ever laid eyes on. The intricate arched niche is mirrored at the back, amplifying the trophies' gold glow where they sit atop a cabinet with beautifully detailed jali doors.
While few of us have such highly-acclaimed accolades worthy of display, the design lesson that Cher's niche imparts is that we just couldn't resist sharing – that even the smallest, most overlooked parts of our homes can become eye-catching design statements in their own right. The secret, it turns out, is decorating with mirrors.
Shop the Look
Inspired by Cher's Moorish design style? Bring the same ornate detailing to your home with this arched mirror from Wayfair. Its beautiful bevelled frame feels so timeless, and it's a great way to elevate a forgotten corner of your home.
Cher always brings the drama, whether on stage or – as we've now seen – in her home. There's something wonderfully Gothic about her mirrored niche, aided by the bold candelabra that sits atop her shelves. Keen to recreate the look? We love this chic option from West Elm.
There's something so chic about an antique-effect mirror, the aged patina offering rustic elegance. Take inspiration from Cher's home and use this mirror from Zara Home to line the back of a cabinet or alcove where the duller tones promise to reflect light far more romantically.
The power of a mirror should never be underestimated, but they really carry the most weight when used in unconventional ways. If you've ever stepped inside a hotel lobby with a mirrored ceiling, you'll know exactly what we mean. It's like magnetism for the eye. And, as Cher's home proves, mirroring the back of shelves has exactly the same sort of impact.
In keeping with her Malibu home's Moorish design style (also seen in Cher's Malibu bedroom), her niche features an ornate arch and beautiful lattice woodwork. And yet, it would be easy to overlook if it weren't for the striking mirror. The gold of the trophies washes the entire niche in a gilt effect, meaning the entire shelf appears to glow from the inside out.
Nina Lichtenstein, founder of Nina's Home Design, notes that it's hard to imagine a more glamorous alove idea, but the design principle can be borrowed for any space. 'The mirrored niche transforms what could have been a quiet alcove into a radiant focal point,' she explains. 'Mirrors multiply light, bounce reflections, and visually expand the boundaries of a small or narrow corner, creating a sense of depth and luminosity that instantly feels elevated.'
All of these qualities converge to form this arresting mirrored backdrop, creating what Nina calls an opulent 'jewel-box effect'.
'The takeaway is simple: treat forgotten corners as opportunities,' she says. 'Line the back of a built-in or shelving niche with antiqued or smoked mirror to add instant dimension, and use warm lighting and reflective surfaces to create the illusion of space and luxury, whether you’re displaying heirlooms or a favorite stack of books.'
Whether it's a simple bookcase or a prosaic living room shelving, adding a metallic glint behind your items will make it look as though it glows from within. The key, says Nina, is balance. 'Allow reflection to work its quiet magic without overwhelming the eye,' she says.
Want to turn that end-of-hall cabinet into an arresting focal point? Keen to give that bookshelf a Cher-approved glow-up? Ready to embrace the sort of glitz and glamor you thought was only reserved for Hollywood royalty? Then push the boat out with a mirrored back panel. We promise that those once-forgotten parts of your home will be the new stars of the show.
