Mirror Estate didn’t appear overnight.
Like many historic estates, it grew over generations.
The earliest parts of the estate date back to the Marino family’s arrival in Florida. While Ralph Marino is often associated with the estate in family lore, he wasn’t the first Marino to call the area home. Earlier generations laid the foundation, both literally and figuratively, for what would eventually become Mirror Estate.
What began as a family home gradually expanded over the years.
New buildings were added as needs changed. A guest house welcomed visitors. Service buildings supported the growing property. Eventually, a chapel became part of the estate’s landscape, followed by an orphanage and school dedicated to helping children in need.
The estate itself continued to evolve.
Gardens were planted and expanded. Walking paths wound through the grounds. A gazebo provided a quiet place to sit and reflect. A lake was added, creating one of the property’s most recognizable features. With each generation, the estate became something larger than a residence.
In many ways, that was the vision behind Mirror Estate from the beginning.
When creating the setting for the series, I was inspired by historic estates such as Biltmore, where construction and expansion took place over many years. I wanted Mirror Estate to feel as though it had lived through decades of history rather than appearing fully formed.
That history is visible throughout the property.
Some buildings are newer than others. Some areas have changed purpose over time. A few parts of the estate hold stories that have been passed from one generation to the next.
And like many old estates, not every story has been fully explained.
The longer I wrote the series, the more Mirror Estate began to feel like a living place rather than simply a backdrop for the characters. It has grown, changed, and accumulated history just as real places do.
Perhaps that’s why readers often tell me the estate feels real.
In my imagination, it is.