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.

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.

(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!

Here’s the whole shebang.

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!