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What would you do with these?

heatherisnotaweed

20 years ago

My mom bought me this mirror and I'm not sure if I like it. If it were yours, would you leave it plain or do someting creative with it? Or give it to someone else! lol I think I need to be convinced to keep it.

{{!gwi}}

I also bought two side tables for $11 each at a thrift store. They are sturdy and classic in style. I'd like to do something creative with them. Any ideas? I think they might end up as night tables in my guest room.

{{!gwi}}

Heather

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Comments (10)

wackyweeder
20 years ago
The mirror is just screaming mosiac me, it is very pretty. You could also etch it or paint on it.
The end table is nice also, I would paint it to match your decor, possibly decopage the top. But the mirror is especially pretty and full of possibilities.
gardengal54
20 years ago
we have a store here in winnipeg where 2 sisters recycle all sorts of items. they paint them white and call it shabby chic and they are having a great time. they have all sorts of items like chandeliers and trays and footstools,etc.etc. i have bought a lot of stuff there because i am decorating my home in shabby cottage chic. love it.
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On the plus side, your present layout of kitchen appliances is in a good working order (fridge, sink, prep space range) so you may be able to save $ by not moving any of those items or not moving them much. While I don't mind the older cabinets (I have an older, vintage style myself), there are not that many of them, and it may be within your budget to replace them. Without measurements, my thought would be a peninsula off the wall between the windows to increase counter space or possibly a small, movable island. I have the small island but it just fits and your space looks a tad smaller. There might not be room for a peninsula - why measurements would be helpful. You are correct that the style clash is not helping:) Realistically, a table that is the only eating area and part of the kitchen will probably need to be less formally dressed. If a peninsula wide enough to hold a couple of eating spaces fits, smaller meals and snacks could happen there, and then the dining table can be a bit formal. I think if you change out the cabinets, counters and backsplash to a less country style, you and your husband can find a style that is a better mix of your taste. If this was my space I would also consider at some point putting the same flooring throughout - for me that would be an ordinary solid hardwood.
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seatofmypants99
20 years ago
I'm thinking stenciling for the mirror. Paint it a light color, like white or off white or even beige, then maybe stencil some ivy around it. Stencil a pretty something right at the middle of the top, and have the ivy trailing down from that.

You could paint the tables and faux finish the tops, or paint and crackle them.
kathi_mdgd
20 years ago
I see the mirror painted and stenciled as well.As for the tables,the white/sanded shabby chic sounds good to me.
Kathi
heatherisnotaweed
Original Author
20 years ago
I think I will go with the concensus and do the tables white/sanded/shabby chic. that will be really cute! As for the mirror, I will either stencil or else try this cool embossing thing I saw at Lowes. It makes a raised image, floral, fleur de lis, leaf, what you. then you can paint it any way you want. I'll post pics when I'm done!

Heather
Lara
20 years ago
That mirror would look great with a window sill flower box filled with silk flowers! Of cource, I would paint it a hunter green and sand off the paint in some spots to make it look old and worn.
As for the tables, I see decoupaged colored photo copies of doilies, teacups, old postcards and letters glued and sealed to the tops.
sweets98
20 years ago
The mirror....what type of style do you have in your home? You should do what will work for you. If it's the perfect stain and everything...leave it be. If you want it different, refinish or paint to match you other items.

The tables...do they work with your decor as is? If so, I wouldn't paint them white unless shabby chic is your style. I can see that the top of the one pictured it scratched so maybe do something with the top only. I could see it painted black with the color of stain they are.

Good luck!
anjabee
20 years ago
I was thinking the mirror would look good painted, but turned upside down with some hooks put along the bottom to hang hats or scarves. Anj
Vangy
20 years ago
Tables: cover them w/ table cloths or sheets cut to fit to go w/ the decore of your room and save a lot of time/work.

Vangy does more than play in the dirt.
patty_cakes
20 years ago
What is your style of decorating, Heather? Would painted furniture work into other things you have? I have to agree with the other poster who suggested stenciling, but other than the white/ivory, you could paint the furniture black, and do a gold stenciling~around the mirror frame, and front of drawers. After you've painted the gold, you sand lightly to give a worn look.

I've done painted furniture in ivory for a shabby-chic look, but have also used the black in my MBR for a little more drama. In either case, you can't go wrong!

patty_cakes

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