Monday, November 16, 2009

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Joining Cindy's party at cottage instincts.

So, a couple weeks ago I mentioned that I was picking up mirrors at the thrift stores, and Friday I said I was painting. Now I can reveal the finished project.

My goal was an arrangement of mirrors on the long wall above my sectional. I started by laying the mirrors out on the floor and playing with the arrangement.

The 3 square mirrors came from the Dollar Tree about a year ago. I got the stars from The Lakeside Collection, also many months ago. They reminded me of these from Ballard Designs, but at less than one-tenth the cost. The other mirrors were thrift store finds.

IMG_4426

Once I settled on an arrangement I liked and painted the frames, I hung them, with some assistance from Craig. I ended up trading one of the above mirrors for another one with beveled edges that I found later.

IMG_4479

(Sorry, I know indoor photos at night aren’t the best, but I was anxious to post.)

I also needed some lighting at that end of the sectional, in what is kind of a tight corner. The answer was the cool old thrift store stool I got back in May. I finally brought it in from the garage, almost 6 months later!

IMG_4481

IMG_4482

Here’s the whole shebang.

IMG_4480

IMG_4478

I’ve still got work to do in this room, but it’s coming along!

You may notice a common thread here: it took me between 6 to 12 months to decide how to use several of the main elements in this arrangement. Meanwhile, they were in a closet or the garage. But often, that's how I roll. I see something I like at the right price and get it, without knowing for sure how I will use it. Then one day inspiration (I use the term loosely) will strike and it will all come together.

I've read a number of times in magazines that if you get what you like, it will all work together, whether or not the individual items seem congruent. I agree with that: you're home should reflect you and your taste and make you feel comfortable and happy. And sometimes, that's a mixed bag!

17 comments:

Unknown said...

I work the same way. I buy what I love and wait until something hits me. Great job arranging the mirrors, what a difference from the first picture.
Good job so far!

Journey said...

I like it!!! Crisp and clean looking. Great idea! Do you make house calls?

Anonymous said...

You really have an eye for arranging! It's gorgeous!

hodgesfamilyof4@blogspot.com said...

I love the pictures of the arrangement! Great job! I too agree with the thought of waiting for what you are wanting & it will all come together. My home is made up of individual pieces that each have a story of how they came to be part of our home. I also love Goodwill/Salvation Army style. I just this past Friday picked up a chair & ottoman, red checked, matches my furniture at home for only $25. YEAH! I was so excited! I'm sitting in it right now! The satisfaction is so awesome!

Beth said...

It looks good! I like it :)

cindy said...

A woman after my own heart. I buy and store stuff all the time, waiting for inspiration to put it all together. I love what you did here. I'm going to try doing something similar on the wall going up my stairway. Since you mostly used what you had, you're welcome to link up to my 'made it with what I had' party today :o)

Dawn said...

Absolutely beautiful!

Nicole A. said...

Beautiful!! It looks Amazing!! I love it! Awesome job!

Sherri said...

I seem to always look at the item with potential depending on it's SIZE if I think I can use it with, around something. Once in a while I leave something I SHOULD have picked up when that light bulb goes off in my head. LOL I love the way you grouped these together. Fantastic! And the stool there is perfect.

Jocelyn said...

It really looks great!

Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

Charlene said...

Looks great Holly! I love the addition of the stool as a side table too, it fits there perfectly. Wonderful job!

I agree with you completely. When I shop antique/"junk" malls, I buy what I like or what stands out to me. At the time I might not have a place for it, or any idea of where it'll end up, but I bring it home and it just seems to fit...somewhere. I definitely live by the theory that if you like it, it'll all make sense in the end. And that's all that matters.

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Looks good!! I love that long skinny mirror. :) That looks like a welcoming, comfortable room. :)

Melinda said...

Looks great--I like the idea of using a stool to hold a lamp. It
has good height for that corner.

Melinda

The Pleasures of Homemaking said...

That looks great! I really like the mirrored stars! Gorgeous stool - it looks wonderful as an end table - I like the skinny legs!

Manuela

Elisa said...

This is one of my favorite things to do with mirrors because it really lights up a room. Did you paint them with regular paint or spray paint?

Anonymous said...

Very pretty with all the mirrors! I am wanting to do this in my stair way -

blessings
mary

Anna said...

the mirror arrangement looks great and the stool makes a perfect little lamp table