Mouthwatering mirrors!
I LOVE the effect that a beautiful mirror can have on a room... Several years ago for Valentine's Day my husband, John, surprised me with a most exquisite mirror. I absolutely treasure this piece and have cherished moving it from room to room over the years... It continues to surprise me with each new space I put it in! (As a side note, I find myself doing this with other one-of-a-kinds as well... gorgeous lamps, side chairs, unique vessels... Do you do this too??) Of course, I'm always on the hunt for new dazzlers... like our cultured turquoise mirror, or our handsome chinoiserie mirror. I am a big believer in using gems like these in a variety of ways... They add such wonderful depth and personality to most any space. My philosophy is... you cannot have enough mirrors! And don't be afraid to combine an over-the-top piece with something plain and simple... The harmony is sometimes a sweet perfection!
* Find a beautiful frame, old or new, and have a piece of mirror glass dropped in... For a few dollars more, you can have them bevel the edges for a more classic feel!
* Embellish an existing mirror with old costume jewels, millinery flowers, seashells, mosaic tiles, or lengths of ribbon for a more hand-touched look.
* Rather than a grouping of wall art, try a gallery of mirrors in different shapes, sizes, and finishes to create the illusion of a larger space.
* Dress up any mirror with touches of hand-painting (or a beautifully stenciled pattern) on the wall around it... What a wonderfully inexpensive way to add scale and drama!
* Line the back of a hutch or bookshelf with mirrored glass... Or lean several smaller mirrors behind a stack of books for more casual, unexpected sparkle.
* Consider putting a mirror where you normally wouldn't... in a kitchen, on a door... even on your table! Sprinkle with tea light votives, and voila... Instant centerpiece!
* Find a beautiful frame, old or new, and have a piece of mirror glass dropped in... For a few dollars more, you can have them bevel the edges for a more classic feel!
* Embellish an existing mirror with old costume jewels, millinery flowers, seashells, mosaic tiles, or lengths of ribbon for a more hand-touched look.
* Rather than a grouping of wall art, try a gallery of mirrors in different shapes, sizes, and finishes to create the illusion of a larger space.
* Dress up any mirror with touches of hand-painting (or a beautifully stenciled pattern) on the wall around it... What a wonderfully inexpensive way to add scale and drama!
* Line the back of a hutch or bookshelf with mirrored glass... Or lean several smaller mirrors behind a stack of books for more casual, unexpected sparkle.
* Consider putting a mirror where you normally wouldn't... in a kitchen, on a door... even on your table! Sprinkle with tea light votives, and voila... Instant centerpiece!
posted by Tracy Porter Blog
34 Comments:
Love, love, love the handpainting on the wall beside that ornate mirror. It's beautiful. Is that the artichoke paint you spoke about Tracy?
artist that was exactly what I was thinking: love, love, love and BEAUTIFUL!
Tracy, the mirror, wall painting and wall color are truly DIVINE! Bravo...once again!
Yes, the metallic gold stencil surrounding the mirror is gorgeous. What a fabulous idea. I just painted my hall bath that exact green, which btw is my fav color...along side turquoise.
Speaking of turquoise, I think your turquoise mirror just might be my favorite TP item :)
Just stunning!!!!
I hate to sound so forward,...but I must have the turquoise mirror! Wow,.. is all I can say!
The turquoise mirror is mouth-watering! And, the stencil....yum-o! I love mirrors. You know how "builder's bathrooms" in the master have one honking mirror across the entire counter?????? I put a gilt framed mirror on TOP of that mirror. It's attached to the wall above by a gold chain. It adds that personal touch.
Virginia, you are so clever. Yet another form of layering. I love the mirror idea. bet the gold chain is handsome too.
Oh Virginia, I love that idea. Sounds stunning. Picture?:)
I can totally relate to the 'big honking mirror' problem... Functional, but not very attractive. I love the idea of layering like this, Virginia... Very creative!!
I am such a tear-sheet freak...saw that mirror idea years ago so copied it. I'm thankful to my blogging buddies that appreciate it. Some think I am just over the top: ha!
I had those big honking mirrors too...ugh! Finally took those suckers down! Good riddance...but I like your idea too Virginia.
Yes, Priss...the next itch to remodel will include those being ripped off.
I think what i love about mirrors is that they are another way of adding art to you walls, and light and reflections......and don't bother with all those rules about where and how to hang them, I find they are gorgeous high and low, crowded and also just perfect right on top of the book shelve ( hang on the face of your shelves for a very cool look)...or, you know me, a few of them. BTW, if you ever find one that is inexpensive just snatch it up and antique with a dry brush and brown paint.....instant old! Yes, that is the artichoke paint.
xoxo
I have those big ole ugly mirrors too. I just build a frame around them with 1 x 4's and applies a pretty little paint finish to them. Looks like a mirror I bought in the store.
Tracey, I've seen artwork hung on the edge of bookshelves before, but a mirror sounds pretty as well. May have to add that to my list of stuff to do!
Another great thing I have seen Trace do is to literally prop up mirrors & nestle them in with books amongst all the other goodies on her book shelves - they add such a great layer and element of whimsy when you add them in unexpected places!!
xoxo ~katie
Another thing I do with mirrors is lay them on a table and put candles on them or perfume. Also if anyone has a dresser that came with a mirror attatched to the back, it is fun to remove the mirror and replace it with something different. I also love to hang a mirror in my mudroom so I can check my make-up and hair on my way out of the house.
Tracy, these mirrors are works of art all on their own!
Virginia, love your layering idea. I've propped a large, rather plain framed mirror up on a console table and placed an arrangement of forsythia (pussy-willows and flowering quince look lovely as well), in a large, clear glass cylinder. It's rather a win-win sort of thing...my boring mirror is masked by this spectacular arrangement, now doubled in size due to the effect of the mirror behind. Big impact, instant spring!
Im, I love your ideas! Do you ever find that the mirrors you have laying flat get scratched?
Stephanie, I'm going to jump in here...You've got to get rid of that "perfect" mindset. So what if they get scratched? They are showing the patina of wear and look that much better.
Believe me Artist, every aspect of my life and home is covered in patina!LOL But you are right...who cares?! I guess I must have hang-ups when it comes to glass! ;o)
Stephanie, I do have a few hangups that I am just discovering. Maybe you can help me. I dog-sat this weekend for my son. "Ranger" was so sweet and well behaved but all I did was vacuum! What do you people with inside dogs do? Is your vacuum attached to your anatomy? LOL
I have a golden retriever and a yorkie. My golden sheds so much so I use the swiffer vacuum daily on our hard wood floors. I keep it plugged in and charged and it's ready to go. it's light weight and works better than sweeping. Our dog is high maintenance but she is worth it for all the love she gives.
Artist, I'm so afraid that my house will smell like "ode da poochie" .... I vaccume every day! I know, I'm a bit OCD....but, I can't help it....I love my poochie but want my home to smell poochie free!!!! :)
Shhh....don' tell but I will tell y'all a little secret that I do around our home. Many days just before leaving my house I'll pour Pine Sol in my potties. When we come back home the "clean smell" fills the air.
Well girls, I have Ranger for a few hours again today. Can you hear my vacuum?! LOL
cc-so funny. Glad i could have a laugh before i am out for the day. "pine sol in my potties"lol
So glad to hear you girls are doggie lovers. Couldn't live without mine. Love those goldens but understand about the hair....but the pay back is worth it. We have a part golden/part shar pei. He's short and stocky so we named him Pudge Rodriguez after the baseball player. Then when my mother went to assisted living i inherited Gus, her Jack Russell Terrier. or terrorist. we call them the boyz. they make us smile. I do the pinesol thing also but i only use the blue. doesn't smell so commercial. Artist, next time you are at Petco or go online and get the furrminator (sp?) and brush Ranger. You'd be amazed at all the hair it removes. i use it often much less hair in the house.
Y'all crack me up! Pine Sol in the potties. We do not have the pooch smell BUT it would make my hubby happy to arrive home to the fresh pine scent! He's Mr. Clean himself. He'll think I've been at it all day: tee-hee. It's our secret!!
Thanks for the helpful hints Texas. I do hope Ranger isn't making himself too comfortable here.LOL He's not our dog but he's soooo sweet and hard to say "no" to. I'm just not used to having anything follow me all day. It's sort of funny. Kids if you're listening...could I have a grand baby instead?!!!!!!!!!!
oh, I've missed so much chatter.
Artist, we used to have a golden, so I understand your pain. One of our clients had a golden-doodle... too cute. Plus, they are shed free.
Love the pine-sol trick. I am suffering from burnt popcorn smell in the microwave currently. Can't get rid of it. I tried the lemon in water, vinegar in water, coffee grinds in water. Still lingering. Ahhhhhhhhhh!
Sure miss the TP gang:(
oops, the burnt popcorn microwave comment was from me. Sorry, must have forgotten to leave my name in my sleepy state!
Hey Melissa load your microwave up with charcoal close the door leave it in for several days....oh leave a note on the outside that says OUT OF ORDER....
Haha. Definitely "out of order." Charcoal? I haven't heard of that one, I will go buy a bag tomorrow. Thanks so much Texas!
texas, i am going to check out the furminator today for coco, my golden. thanks for the hint.
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