Does this mirror work? It's BIG!

16 years ago

Total nondecorater here but love to see all everyone does here. I have this buffet that I got off CL's and want something over it. OK I need to decorate a whole house but will start with the foyer. I totally ? everything I do in the house so I do NOT trust myself.

Does this mirror go with the buffet? Size-wise? I can scuff it up to match the buffet better-that is not a problem but I don't know if the scale is right. Price was though-$45-but I can take it back if it doesn't work. Would a picture be better? Does anyone have inspiring pics of your foyer tables/buffets decorated? And what can I put on the right side of the buffet (closer to front door)? I dont have floor space as rug covers floor but would like something on wall.

Thanks for the help! How do I make my pics smaller?

Pics of buffet and foyer:

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Comments (36)

caminnc
16 years ago
I like it ALOT. I think once you get accessories on your buffet it will look fine. Very pretty!!!
wodka
16 years ago
I like it - you got a deal on the price. I wonder how it would look if you turned it vertically instead of horizontally - looks like you've got enough room, nice tall ceiling. That way it wouldn't look like it overpowers the buffet and you could add candlesticks on either side or a pair of lamps. Just a thought. Love the mirror!
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I don't know how you use the space, or how many you need to seat, but I see an serious imbalance in the room. It feels as if most of the substantial pieces, the large upholstered or heavy wood items, are all at one end of the space, and the other end has all the light, small, leggy things. Also, all the seating, except for the one upholstered chair to the left of the fireplace, face in the same direction. I would love to see the couch and tv stay where they are. Move out the two upholstered chairs on either side of the couch. Take the two ghost chairs and put them at the end of the room, where you are considering hanging the small mirror. Use the zebra table between them. I would leave the space between the windows blank for now, as I think when you get panels there you won't need anything. I would use the large rectangular mirror that is on the wall left of the fireplace, turned horizontally and hung above the couch. The three pix you have there are too small, and hung too high. Take the upholstered chair that is now on the left of the fireplace, and put that on the other side of the couch. Now, take the two upholstered chairs that were by the couch and put them by the fireplace, but flanking the fireplace on each side, facing outward, rather than looking at the fireplace. Use the floor lamp on the left side chair, kind of behind it toward the corner a bit. Take the three small pix and hang those vertically on the wall where the large mirror hung before. Take the two candlesticks on the mantel and use them grouped together, not separated. Because they are different heights, the should be used as a pair. Also, because the candleholders themselves are different heights, the candles should be the same height, not two different heights. Rule of thumb is candleholders are the same height, candles can be two different heights for interest -- candleholders two different heights, candles the same height for some continuity. Then take the small vase from the hearth and use that on the right side of the painting, now that the candlesticks are paired on the left. Add some twigs in the vase, to echo the twigs in the art. You have a wonderful space, and lots of great items. Have fun pulling it all together.
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teacats
16 years ago
Excellent choice!!

Yes -- try it vertically and add two tall buffet lamps on the chest. Always nice to have additional lighting options in a hallway!
User
16 years ago
I think it would look better vertically also - both pieces are too close in size to be used horizontally.

Jim

Here's some inspirational arrangements.
mclarke
16 years ago
No.

It doesn't work.

SEND IT TO ME IMMEDIATELY.

: )
jerseygirl_1
16 years ago
Lovely find. I agree with everyone else. It could work both ways but vertically would be best.

For a total nondecorator, I think your doing just fine.
patricianat
16 years ago
Pretty mirror, on the vertical. If it seems a bit narrow, you can add some sconces or wall vases/shelves on either side.
whenicit
16 years ago
Post a pic when you have it all done. You are doing great. I'm a total nondecorator too and then I have the added problem of having a friend who is a professional interior decorator. This means I can't even ask her how something looks without feeling guilty (she does not make me feel that way but it is like asking your dentist friend about a toothache, right?)
Happyladi
16 years ago
I think it will look great. A mirror by the front door is always a nice touch.
lkplatow
16 years ago
I like it on the horizontal. I think it will look too tall and skinny vertical, even with lamps to the side. I like how it just seems like an extension of the buffet when it's horizontal, and you could still add lamps and accessories in front of it so it doesn't read as a massive black blob with a mirror in it.

Great start! Why doesn't my craigslist ever have anything that cool!
bebetokids
Original Author
16 years ago
Wow thanks everyone for the ideas. I got DH to switch it to the vertical and he says it looks like Lincoln's hat! It's VERY tall! That's my DR reflected in the mirror (and DH's shoes-oops!)

What do you think now? Jim-thanks for the inspiration pics-I really like the first one.
beaufortbelle
16 years ago
I like it horizontally once it is raised up off the buffet it will look just fine. Great find by the way. And from one nondecorator to another, you are doing a great job. Just hang the mirror and start accessorizing.

Keep us posted with what you do.
squirrelheaven
16 years ago
Can you take a long shot on the vertical? It looks rather tall, but hard to tell so close up.

I guess the shiny newer finish, next to the worn chest doesn't bother any one else? I love both pieces but think maybe some sort of a rub'n buff or other modification to the mirror finish might enhance the two together. I just love the finish on that chest!! whoops, looking back for the price of that CL buffet, I see you plan to work the mirror finish! So, I do think that would be a good idea :) $45 for the mirror? I'd save if for my next life if necessary, but I think it looks great.
teacats
16 years ago
Looks GREAT vertical!!

Excellent inspiration photos -- and just the idea and images that I had in mind too!

Yes -- add two lamps -- just like the ones in the photos ...... perhaps a nice woven tray on the buffet itself to "corral" incoming items from folks just stepping in the door OR perhaps a nice red floral arrangement to work with the tones in your hall rug?
bebetokids
Original Author
16 years ago
Forgot the hall shot:
chris61
16 years ago
I vote for horizontal...a little too tall for vertical. I would have two people hold it so you can eye-ball how high to hang it... maybe even post the options here for us if you are unsure.

I would not distress it...does not need to match exactly the finish on your buffet and you might want to use it elsewhere someday.

Very nice mirror....and house ....it looks like! Feel free to show us more..lol.
determined_sammie
16 years ago
I like it horizontal - it dwarfs the door when it is vertical, and seems to fight your lovely trimwork. With a couple of lamps, some accessories, it will be great!
neetsiepie
16 years ago
Another vote for horizontal.
les917
16 years ago
Too tall for vertical - it will end up almost against the crown moulding.

Horizontal is fine, tho I think it is a bit wide. I like it better when the mirror is no more than about 3/4 the width of the item below it. Adding two buffet lamps will help hide some of the frame and visually break it up.

Honestly, tho, I like the idea of the vertical in the hall, as you have a lot of horizontal lines going. I think something with some height would help balance the door and the entry opposite. The other thing that bothers me just a bit is that it looks like you were trying to match the cabinet, but didn't quite get there. I would rather see something with an antique bronze finish, more like the hardware on the cabinet.

The mirror is great - if you don't use it there, I would find another spot for it for that price.

One other thing. With the buffet right there, I would rather see a rectangular rug or runner that would run in front of the buffet, to create a more cohesive feel to the entry. The round rug is very nice, but kind of feels stuck between the door and the buffet. And the hall fixture is kind of off from the rug, too, so having a longer rug will make the whole space feel like one 'room', if you will.

By the way, don't be so hard on yourself. From the pix you posted, you have a lovely home!
walkin_yesindeed
16 years ago
Horizontal, definitely.

I think I need to move, either to where the OP lives or to Oceanna's neighborhood... nothing like that is EVER on my Craigslist!
skypathway
16 years ago
I think it's perfect to work horizontally and the best thing about it is when you add two lamps on either side the light will be reflected in the mirror and thereby doubled. I think by spanning the width of the buffet you don't have to put stuff up on the wall to fill in the space which can make for a cluttered look if you aren't careful in your choices.

Sky
susanlynn2012
16 years ago
I like it Horizontal and hung on the wall a little bit above the dresser with a buffet lamp on each side with a flower arrangement in the middle.
Valerie Noronha
16 years ago
I agree with the recommendation to hang horizontally with a buffet lamp to either side.

Here is a pic of mine with the buffet lamps, though as you can see my mirror is a bit smaller. I basically went with what I liked, though in my case it could be a tad larger.

{{!gwi}}
juddgirl2
16 years ago
I love the buffet - what a great finish! My first thought was that the mirror seemed a bit large for the buffet, but I do like it better horizontal than vertical, because it is very tall. Buffet lamps on both ends would look great on the chest.

I agree that the finish on the mirror should be roughed up a bit. It looks too new next to the great antique finish on the buffet.
patricianat
16 years ago
You can buy black paint without a sheen and just rough up your mirror a bit with something like very fine sandpaper or fine steelwool just enough so that it is slightly abraded and then put a coat of the flat black on the mirror.

Lincoln's hat? Your DH has a great sense of humor. I like that. All men should have. I think you can hang it horizontally but don't put it right jam up against your buffet, let there be about 12 inches between the mirror and the furniture.
squirrelheaven
16 years ago
I think you can work it both ways, although the wall would need to be filled out, imo, as you can see. Maybe the chest can be moved down just a tad towards the door?

I do like the round rug there, although you might be able to do a runner along with it. Or maybe a decorative coat rack in that corner?
User
16 years ago
If you're not happy w/it vertically because of height - another trick you could try is dropping the mirror down a few inches below the back of the chest.

Jim
caminnc
16 years ago
I still like it horizontal. I think it's a little too big to hang vertical.
bebetokids
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you for all the ideas and suggestions-and you squirrel for the mock ups. I really like it both ways. I think the hard part for me is "seeing" the final product and that is why the finished pics are great. I'm off today to see if I can find some lamps and/or other things to add to this area. I still am not completely "sold" on the mirror there but I am gonna keep it cause I do like it alot.

We moved in this house in August and I am having a hard time getting into a groove. No pics hung and I have kinda drug my feet on decorating. It took a lot out of me to build the house (but the BAH forum was awesome!) so I hope that I am finally getting some steam! I'm going to post some pics of my DR later for some ideas in there.

Thanks again!
dixiedo
16 years ago
I think I prefer it vertical.... it *is* tall, but I think it adds much more presence, especially flanked with lamps and prints like Squirrel mocked up.

Keep the mirror for sure.
inmydreams
16 years ago
I've got a similar mirror for my dining room. I've been trying to decide whether to get a buffet for below it. I love the look of squirrelheaven's mockups - particularly the third one. Squirrel - what software are you using to do those?
jjam
16 years ago
Oh dear, I hate to be the lone dissenter here. It's a great mirror...somewhere else. I also love black, but it looks like too much black to me; just too heavy. (Your DH's comments sound just like something my DH would say!) Your buffet needs a mirror, but I think something just a little smaller with a narrower frame, lighter in feel, with a finish that complements with buffet; like an antiqued bronze or gold, would be gorgeous. I also wonder if a contrasting shape would be more interesting; like something with an arched top, just to throw in a curve, LOL. Also, LOVE your round rug. I tried the same one in my foyer but it was too large for my space. Lucky you.
teacats
16 years ago
Brillant virtuals Squirrel!! Well done!!

Still voting for vertical ........! :)
jant
16 years ago
Is it possible (a little hard to see) to cut the legs off to give more room for the mirror? It could still look very nice.......and less dusting lol.
annzgw
16 years ago
I agree with Les..........it needs a different frame and if you use this mirror I'd put it horizontal. Vertical works, but I find myself noticing that it's higher than your front door and IMO, overpowering it.
tangerine_z6
16 years ago
Love it hung horizontally.