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Foyer mirror

13 years ago

This is kind of long so bear with me. Most of you have seen my foyer mirror. I've had it for quite a few years now and, at the time, I was into more ornate stuff. I'm over this mirror to the point where I'm starting not to like it. It fights with the chandelier (which I do love and plan to keep). Classic example of I rushed to get the space decorated. Oh well, live and hopefully learn.

{{!gwi}}

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I really like this mirror. It would get a fresh coat of paint because the seafoam green doesn't work for me. Whatever mirror I end up with, I'd like to hang some vintage, black forest roe deer antlers for along the sides with maybe even some transferware. If not BESIDE the mirror, I'm determined to get me some roe deer. :)

{{!gwi}}

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It was originally priced at $149.00 but has been lowered to $129.00. I'm assuming it's an older mirror but it's not beveled. What do you think of the price? I don't have the exact measurements because there was so much stuff around it I didn't want to break anything. It was about 35" wide when I held my tape out in front of me. The buffet is 50" wide and my current mirror is 48" wide. Hmm.. actually based off that measurement it looks like it's still too wide.

I wasn't planning on buying a new mirror but I ran into this one and started to look at the foyer again. DH thinks it's silly to replace it since I HAD to have the existing mirror and it functions just fine.

What do you think of the potential mirror for the foyer? Oh, please notice the shelf and how it slants a little bit. It doesn't show that very well in the pics. I'd be looking at the side view of the mirror a lot so that's something to keep in mind. If not this mirror, any suggestions? Maybe I should look for something round instead.

Thanks!

Comments (33)

  • 13 years ago

    Sorry Sheesh, personally I wouldn't pay that much for it. Then I could most likely make one very similar for less, which is what it looks like someone did using old materials. Possibly an old window frame. Does the mirror look aged?
    I have that exact same lamp in our back entryway. I changed the shade though.

  • 13 years ago

    Justgotabeme - Maybe that's what they did (made the frame using old materials). The mirror may be old but I was questioning it. I know mirrors in general aren't cheap but I was having a hard time with the price too.

    Yay, we have the same lamps! The original shade that came with mine was smaller and burgundy. What did you change your shade out to?

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  • 13 years ago

    Shee, I am sorry, but that mirror is a bad DIY project. I wouldn't want anything like that with the dresser and chandy you have.

    I don't see why you think the mirror and the chandy don't work together. I think they compliment each other well - both a bit ornate and formalm, great with the dresser, too.

    Honestly, the one thing that struck me as off in the foyer is the rug, which is too small and runs the wrong way, imo.

  • 13 years ago

    I agree with you, I too, dont like the mirror with the chandy. I think you have too many shapes going in a small space. The focal point in your foyer imo should be the door with the beautiful glass insert and your chandy. I would keep the rest simple with clean lines. I would not get the mirror you have in mind, does look too wide. I would look for a square shaped mirror to mirror the shape of the picture on the other wall. A round mirror would fight with the oval glass in the door imo. Just a thought, have you considered replacing your dresser with a console type table. I feel the dresser is too heavy looking and a tad too deep for that wall.

  • 13 years ago

    So far, it's unanimous, because I'm not seeing it either. To me, the mirror has a bathroom vibe to it, with the shelf and the two hooks on the sides. I keep thinking towels should hang from them.

    Frankly, I"m not seeing deer antlers either. Your foyer has an elegant formal feel to it, and antlers just don't make it, IMHO.

    I'd keep the mirror you have for now, and use the $129 to buy some crown molding and put that up.

  • 13 years ago

    If you had a mud room, perhaps it would work there.
    I agree about the antlers in that room, too.

    Unless you're changing everything out to a far more casual and perhaps woodsy feel, neither fit the dignified and formal air you've already created.

    Crown would be a good idea. :)

    But when it's all said and done, what do YOU want?

  • 13 years ago

    I'd see a rectangular mirror above your dresser, such as the above, ornate enough but tame enough to play nicely with your dresser and chandelier.
    Hung the other way of course.

    You seem to be gravitating towards a shabby chic look with the window mirror you posted, I feel it would look out of place in your entrance.

    As for your carpet, would a runner fit from the door and not hit the dresser, it's hard for me to see that.

    I know your entrance was done a few years ago and we all change horses in midstream, such as the other thread suggests, perfectly normal, specially with a younger house like yours, you've already done a lot and I can see you are starting to feel you've really defined what you really like. Hence, that ornate mirror is starting to bother you. I find it suits the entrance though.

  • 13 years ago

    I agree with Les. IMO, all you need is a rug the same color but get a runner instead. Providing this isn't the main entry for you all, but if it is, get a waterhog for the outside.

    I love the mirror you have now! If you got crown molding I think there would be way too much white wood in that area so I vote no on it.

  • 13 years ago

    I can't say if it would look good, but I would think about painting the current mirror frame black. It is such an ornate shape to begin with and it has a lot of variation of color on the finish which just adds more detail. I think it would simplify it with just one color. Just an idea I thought I would put it out there.

  • 13 years ago

    i agree, i don't think that mirror would look right in your foyer... and not for that price!. sounds like you're going for a more 'rustic' look-- i think 'distressed' unpainted wood would look much nicer with your chandy than shabby painted... but, then i think you would have to change out your dresser.

    i do think what you currently have there can work nicely in a bedroom, so i would suggest if you're unhappy with the style, place both the dresser and the mirror to a bedroom so they work together(they do look nice together!)...if you definitely want to keep the dresser in your foyer i would choose a mirror something like what mitchdesj shows.

  • 13 years ago

    Shee, if you do not like the foyer mirror, then by all means replace it. The longer you look at it, the more you are going to hate it LOL. I have to say though, I don't see the painted mirror working in your foyer. I think you still need something a bit formal but perhaps not so ornate. I actually like the chest in your foyer and would not change that. I'm not sure a runner would work with the chest though, as someone else mentioned.

    Crown molding would add a nice touch - are you going to continue it into the rooms?

    tina

  • 13 years ago

    I think something in me knew the painted mirror wouldn't work.

    I want to keep the buffet because it was my Grammy's. It also holds a good bit of stuff. ;)

    I remember when I was looking for a foyer rug I think I considered a runner but the width ended up being too close to the buffet. I also have carpet throughout the LR, hall, and bedrooms so I think that's also why I went with a smaller rug. I'll reconsider that too.

    We do plan on adding crown. We still need to have the base moulding installed in the basement and we're going to have it all done at the same time.

    I am trying to get rid of a lot of the more formal stuff in my house and I really like antlers, pheasants, and anything RL. DH just had a coworker at the house for the first time the other day and he made the comment,"It looks like one of those granny houses that you don't want to touch anything." I keep telling myself he's a middle aged GUY but still. I don't want my house to look uncomfortable. Although there's a difference between good casual decorating and casual. Do you know what I'm trying to say? I think also think of houses I adore like Scoobyruby's or Savvy Southern Style's blog and wonder if that guy would feel uncomfortable there?

    Anyhow, I did think to move the mirror in the bedroom but I don't really want a mirror in there. I was thinking of doing a set of 6 or so family pics. (You don't see that wall unless you're actually in the room).

    I could paint it. I think I need to change the stuff on top also.

    Going to pass on that painted mirror!

  • 13 years ago

    I can't believe that guy! Who would say that, and who asked him? I think what you've done (I remember your LR and BR) is so, so pretty and nice and so do many, many people here!

    So I would take what he said with a grain of salt. Keep letting your home evolve into what YOU love- you're doing great!

  • 13 years ago

    Someone actually said that? As a guest in your home? That's just tacky.

    You can send that mirror to my house when you've replaced it, because I have just the spot for it. We also have a similar chandy in our dining room.

    Speaking of pheasants and rustic decor...have I got a pair of lamps for you! I keep meaning to take some pics of them and post for advice or wisdom about how to best proceed, but haven't had the time.

    Long story, but I have a pair of old (1960's-70's) MASSIVE glass lamps, that are filled with taxidermied quail and dried flowers. DH has decided that he likes them, and wants them in the living room. Thinking he had lost his mind from the heat, I asked some guests that we had over recently, and they also declared them "cool, interesting," etc. *sigh*

    Anyway, back to the mirror, I vote no as well. I also agree that a long runner would look nice and maybe lengthen the "feel" of the foyer.

  • 13 years ago

    When you see a shabby chic room, doesn't it usually have mixture of dark woods and painted woods? I admit I'm not the best with styles, but I like the painted mirror more than your current one. I also used to go for the more ornate styles and now I find myself drawn to a simpler one.

  • 13 years ago

    I don't see anything in your foyer that couldn't be touched. Just saying....

    But if you want to "modernize" it a bit and bring down the formality a notch, one way I have discovered to do that is with art. My DR is quite formal with picture framing wainscoting, formal curtains, and an antique dining table that was my great grandmothers.

    I hung a fairly large piece of modern art on the wall.

    I have found that it brings the room into the present time, instead of looking like George Washington is about to sit down to dinner

    I can't see in the pic what you have hung on the wall opposite the chest. But if you want to go more modern, you could hang a modern print, framed in a simple metal frame. And it could be quite large if you wanted.

    That would tone down the formality of the foyer and modernize it in a way that still fits with the elegance you have going on.

    Just an idea.

  • 13 years ago

    Granny looking? GMAB. Unless you have orange and red crocheted afghans in your room!

    The reason I think a runner would work is it would cover the "coldness" of the ceramic floor in the entryway and add a lot more jewel toned color in there which equals "cozy." All you have to do is set front legs of the dresser on the runner.

  • 13 years ago

    I can't believe this guy said that about your home; he must live under a rock.

  • 13 years ago

    There were two guys that came and the one that said that isn't someone he hangs out with. More of a coworker acquaintance. I wasn't here so it may have been in ribbing fun but yeah. I shouldn't give a rats rump what anyone thinks and the granny thing doesn't bother me as much as the "don't touch anything". For a while now I've been trying to make the house feel cozier and not so stiff so his comment was on my mind yesterday.

    Nancy - Thank you!

    Franksmom - I'd love to see your lamps. Get to postin'. :)

    Msrose - There is a mix of painted. I don't really know what to call the style I'm aiming for. The mirror is also resin so I keep thinking plastic piece of junk that I overpaid for! I was picturing that painted mirror in a different color and maybe a fun hat hanging off the one hook.

    Barb - That large picture is pretty formal too so that doesn't help. I've been searching for art at thrift stores and flea markets and I did find a few nice oil paintings but they wouldn't work right there. Something will turn up.

    Oakley - Ha, I do have a white and black one (gift) but it's in the bottom of the blanket basket. ;)
    I think when I measured for a runner, putting it under the buffet a little threw it off center with the door.

    I'll look at rug options again and I'll continue to look for a mirror. I'm not going to rush it this time.

    Well I'm off to iron curtains. The bedroom will finally be done today! Can't wait to show you guys pics.

  • 13 years ago

    "I really like...anything RL"

    If that is the case, shee, then you should be happy with the formal mirror and the overall formal feel of the entry. Take a look at his furniture - lots of formal, ornate pieces.

    As for the pheasants and antlers, is that a new look that you like, in part because we are seeing so much of that right now? Or is it something you have always loved? The reason I ask is that there is nothing wrong with liking them, but I wonder if you won't want to change that look soon because it isn't you as much as it is 'of the moment'.

    As for the foyer rug, I could see you going two ways. If you want to keep the rug small, and not near the cabinet, you could move the cabinet left a bit (it doesn't have to be centered on the wall, if that is the concern). Then get a demilune shape, or an oval running sideways to mimic the glass on the door.

    Or, get a rectangular rug large enough to cover most of the entry, leaving a border of maybe one tile width around the rug. As someone wisely noted, the floor is very 'cool' compared to the warm look you have created, and covering most of it will both enlarge the space and warm it up.

    Finally, as to the very 'funny' guy who made the comment, besides being kind of rude, it was so far off the mark. I see nothing in your home that 'can't be touched'. Just because you don't have a beat-up sectional done in brown and a dented table on which people can put their feet, doesn't mean it isn't warm or welcoming.

  • 13 years ago

    Les - After I read your comment about RL I went back to my RL inspiration file and you're right. In general, find it interesting that I can love a picture so much but when I start really looking at everything in the room, some of the elements I wouldn't look at twice in a store but all that together makes the room work.

    About the antlers, (hoping nobody gets fired up) my Dad is a hunter and so is my DH. I remember playing with sheds as a kid and always like antlers. My Dad actually gave me a few sheds not that long ago. I don't want a full deer head on my wall though. I was in awe the first time I found a picture that combined hunt type stuff with feminine things since I only ever saw it done in hunt cabin/camo style - which I don't like. I like the vintage roe deer mounts with the dark acorn plaques. That said, DH doesn't seem very excited about my buying deer mounts that had meaning to someone else.

    And the pheasants. I'm drawn to the feathers, pictures, and dishes/plates. I seem to be drawn to birds in general. I feel in love with that Wilderness Royal pheasant fabric I have in my bathroom but I first saw that in Scooby's house, which I love. That may have have influenced me.

    I actually didn't think they were really in right now but I try not to read a lot of decorating magazines and books. When I think of in my mind goes immediately to the shells, coral, and baskets, baskets everywhere! I love baskets but I wonder if there will come a day when that was so 2000s.

    The antler/pheasant thing was a good question to bring up though. I really like the mix of masculine and feminine things.

    It doesn't look like it in the pictures but the buffet is actually off center because there wasn't enough room to comfortable get through the door if you had bags, etc. in your hands. There's enough room now but there's also enough room to pull it away from the door more.

    The demilune rug, when you say run sideways do you mean in front of the buffet? Not the door? Same with the oval? I do have an oval rug but it's about the same size as the one there now.

    Looking at my foyer again, I guess it does look cold. Something is definitely off to me but I just assumed it was the mirror. I'll bust out the tape measure and painters tape tomorrow and check it out. Off the top of my head, I think with a larger rug there was issues with it covering part of the floor vent.

    I do plan on repainting the foyer and hall. It turns a yucky yellow/green at night. I was leaning toward BM Lenox Tan.

    And thanks. "Just because you don't have a beat-up sectional done in brown and a dented table" That's what I'm thinking may be comfortable to him, and that's ok. There's a casual I think looks nice and there's a casual that would be too sloppy for me to be comfortable living in. To each his own I guess.

  • 13 years ago

    Mght sound crazy, but for a different look for your original mirror, could you hang it upside down?

  • 13 years ago

    Katy - I could if I flipped the hardware around on the back. The only thing about that is the circle swag thing at the top I think would look upside down if I flipped it.

    I'm running low on painters tape and I need it for the bathroom. Here' a layout of 3'3" x 5'". I don't think it fits right. I figured the rug should be centered under or with the buffet and it would be touching or close to touching the carpet in the hall.
    {{!gwi}}
    {{!gwi}}

    I really like this rug from Overstock though. It' a little wider (3'11" x 5'3"), which I think is better, than the mock up pics above.

    Doesn't it seem weird that there's nothing right in front of the door? It is rare anyone uses this entrance though.

  • 13 years ago

    I love your inventive spirit! ("Low on painter's tape ... hmmm, just let me lay out these spatulas ...") ;-D

    I think a rug that comes close to filling your foyer space would work much better than the small rug you have in front of the door. I also don't think it would be odd not to have a rug right at the door. Put a mat outside the door for feet-wiping. (Most folks won't wipe their feet on a decorative rug, even if it is right inside the door.)

    Your current mirror is so pretty, but I think it could be made more suitable to the look you're after if you were to paint it and distress it somehow. Knock down the shiny-ness of it and make it look like something that's been around forever. Is that possible?

  • 13 years ago

    I think it would be more RL if you hung a collection of plates or oil paintings around a rectangular mirror.

  • 13 years ago

    I remember when you bought that mirror. There is nothing wrong with an off centered rug. I think a patterned rug will warm the foyer up and add interest.

  • 13 years ago

    I think something like this would be lovely. Still elegant, but more understated than the current mirror.

    Here is a link that might be useful: ballard mirror

  • 13 years ago

    Looks like you need a 5x7. IMO, the rug needs to come closer to the front door, not centered on the buffet, but centered in the whole floor space. Otherwise you are chopping up an already small space.

    Or, do an oval running sideways in front of the door, or a demilune in front of the door.

  • 13 years ago

    Since htnspz mentioned decorative plates, here's two pictures I saved to my inspiration file that I love.

    {{!gwi}}

  • 13 years ago

    Jen - Ha! Yeah, I'm all about visuals. It's much faster than using painters tape too. :)
    I'm pretty sure I could do something to the existing finish to change it up. I guess when it's something large I get all nervous and wonder if I could make it worse! Maybe I could dry brush a little black over the copper/gold to tone it down a bit. I always thought that color was somewhat garish. I liked it but I didn't.

    Mitch - Thanks for the suggestion! I like that mirror and the style is very similar to the one I have in my bathroom.

    Mcps - Thanks for the suggestion! I like the lines of the mirror. I'd love to find something old while out and about.

    Les - Here's a 5x7 mock up. I think the size fits the space much better but am still not sure what I think about it just because I already have so much carpet and it covers part of the vent. ? The vent style is raised but I could easily change it out to a flat one.
    {{!gwi}}

    I have this oval rug for an idea but it's way too small.
    {{!gwi}}

    Msrose - Thanks for posting those photos. I have that top one of Cattknap's saved. I especially love her Christmas ones with all the mercury and crackle glass. Did you see those?
    I like the look of plates around a mirror and have considered it before but wasn't sure how to go about it with the shape of the mirror. I have two different scenes of red and white plates.
    A saucer shown here. I'm open to any layout ideas.
    {{!gwi}}

  • 13 years ago

    I like the idea of a bigger rug, the 5X7 leaves a good border of the ceramic floor and would do a lot to warm the space up and soften it a bit. The mirror OTOH would be a challenge to hang things around without feeling busy or fussy. Not that it would look awful, I am just too OCD for that much visually. Pardon my personal neurosis.

    *pfft* anytime most man see a room that is decorated in any manner other than comfy couch and big TV he automatically thinks "oops don't touch/move/break anything" at least that is what 10 years of being an Army wife has taught me.

  • 13 years ago

    Re: the guy who made the grandma comment - he is probably only comfortable in homes with mismatched recliners and cinderblock and board shelving. Anything "nice" makes him uncomfortable. Remember Frasier's dad's recliner?

  • 13 years ago

    I love your current mirror...I think it's perfect for that spot.
    Sure, get a fun rug! You have great spirit, Shee! :)