This one also comes in "shabby white" but you may be able to use Rub-N-Buff to give the brown one a subdued gold finish.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mirror

Thanks, palimpsest. I also found this one on the website you linked to. I don't know if there's too many curves in this one.

Laurie

Laurie, I love your inspiration pic.

> I also really like the pictures they used, but how do you find that many pictures that match?

I'm a do-it-yourselfer, so that's the kind of answer I'm more likely to give -- unless you're loaded with money and want to send it to China? ;o)

Why not take pictures with your camera and black and white film? Or, take them in color and use a graphics program to turn them black and white? Staples or some place like that can print them out for you, if you can't get the quality you want at home. The cost is very reasonable. By taking your own pictures, you can have family members, or favorite places -- things special to you and your family.

I'd be haunting thrift stores and CL for the mirror. If you think you might want to paint it, you don't need or want something super expensive and perfect for the chippy look. Once you have the mirror you want, print out the photo of the finish you want, and take it to the paint store and ask them how to get it.

Thrift stores are loaded with wooden boxes. Usually cost about $3.

Nice thing about buying locally is your money stays local and helps to employ your neighbors. Thrift store and CL buys also save landfills. Around here there are always lots of mirrors in CL for good prices.

oceanna - I knew someone was going to suggest that :) I'm not the do-it-yourselfer that you are, but I may be forced to take on the project myself if I can't find some already framed prints that will work.

Laurie

Laurie, there is a LOT of satisfaction in being able to point to something pretty and say "**I** did that!" Not to mention that it's cool to acquire skills. Maybe the biggest perk of do-it-yourself (besides saving money) is being able to get *exactly* what you want, when you want it (even at 3:00 AM). I love the independence of knowing how to do that. And finally, when you're done you have a one-of-a-kind treasure.

If you prefer to buy (nothing wrong with that if you can afford it), why not just call Michaels and/or art a gallery or a U-Frame-It place, and tell them what you're looking for? Or even contact a local artist (CL has those too). Print out your inspiration pic. and drop by and hand it to them and discuss it with them in person. You could specify botanicals, or landscapes, or seascapes, or whatever you like. You could also drop off some family pix you love. Any of them would probably be very happy to whip up exactly what you want.

oceanna - You actually have me thinking about this. I went through my photos last night and found some I think could work. I need to find my mirror first though, so I can buy frames to match. Do you know if you can by pre-cut mats that are wide like those above?

Laurie

Laurie:
You can go to Hobby Lobby, pick out some frames (they're almost always 50% off), and the color matting you want, and they'll cut the mats (for a minimal price), and put the whole thing together for you without the custom framing price (in other words, free!). The frames in your inspiration picture look like 8 by 10's to me.
Dee

deeinohio - Thanks! I didn't know that. I was trying to avoid the expense of custom framing, so that sounds like a perfect solution. If the frames are 8x10, do you have any idea how big you would make the picture in the center? 5x7? 3x5?

Laurie

They look like maybe 3 by 5's to me, but I'd take your photos, and the picture of your inspiration to Hobby Lobby and play with it until it looks like what you want. Also, sometimes they won't have more than 4 or 5 of one type and size on the shelf. I framed 15 Winold Reiss American Indian prints a few years ago this way, and they checked in the back to get enough frames.
Dee

another suggestion for matching photos. I bought 3 b/w notecards that were 5x7($2 ea.) There were a about 2 doz to choose from. Bought three black painted frames with white maps(4.99 each) popped em open, popped in the notecards a litte tape to hold them in place, and ouila! 3 Aubrey Bodine matted photos.
They look wonderful in the bathroom!

Cooperbailey: Those are fantastic photos. Laurie, they would look great with your mirror.

Here is a link that might be useful: Aubrey Bodine notecards

cooperbailey - That's a great idea if I can't come up with enough of my own photos. I was kind of leaning towards using sepia tone for the photos. I sure wish the Aubrey Bodine cards were sepia instead of B&W.

So, what do y'all think of the Uttermost mirror? I like the one in my 1st inspiration picture without the decorative accent on the top, but I'm not finding anything like that except for the few French Louis Phillipe ones I've found for $1,000+. Do you think the Uttermost one is too fussy looking?

Laurie

I like that one. Here's another Uttermost that looks similar to your inspiration, without the top.
{{!gwi}}

Here is a link that might be useful: Campton mirror

Thanks, dee. I'm not sure how I missed that one.

Laurie