I think the one you show in your link might be fairly heavy. My MIL has a buffet like that. I would try to find one as close a match to your inspiration pick as possible. I'm so happy you are going to try to find one - I love your mock-up pic. It's gonna look sooooo great!

tina

ps - but yes, in answer to your question, if you find a mirror that you like, you can remove it from the chest part and use that elsewhere. On some dressers the mirror will just screw on - so it's an easy fix.

We have a buffet mirror that belonged to my husband's great grandmother. That thing weighs a *ton* - and even though it's hung over a sideboard on doubled hooks rated for 80 lbs each and into a solid wood wall to boot - I still get nervous about it falling.

Although I don't live in earthquake country, I would NEVER hang a mirror over the bed because when my daughter was an infant, a gigantic mirror that my stepmother had professionally hung in her two story stairwell came crashing down shattering everywhere, breaking the antique frame, and completely knocking over the railing of the staircase. It was the scariest thing I have ever seen and it happened without warning. Had anyone been on those stairs they would have surely been killed or at the least horribly injured.

I can appreciate the desire for the look, because it looks great, but I don't think my nerves would take it!

Those old mirrors are very heavy because the glass they are made from and the technique they used is much different than todays glass.

I'd look for just the frame and get a new piece of mirror made and inserted into it.

It seems like it's competing for attention with the headboard ... like having two headboards. And what will it reflect?

What natal said! It really serves no purpose up there.

I agree with Natal, it's adding on to something already high enough and beautiful to stand on it's own.

I also would NEVER hang anything heavy, especially a mirror over a bed.

I hung an old buffet mirror, that was my Grandmother's, over my bed. The room had very high ceilings and the mirror was directly across from the windows and helped reflect the light around the space.

I used three 50 pound picture hooks to hang it. The mirror didn't weigh more than 20 pounds, I'm sure, but the extra hooks helped me to feel safe--if one failed, the other two were more than enough to keep the mirror on the wall.

If you really like the look, go for it. Another way to hang the mirror is with a cleat attached to the wall studs. You add a cleat to the back of the mirror and screw the two cleats together. Google for "french cleat" to see examples.

I don't think it needs to serve a purpose, other than looking good.

I like Carol's idea though about changing out the glass.

tina

I'm not going to buy the ones from the thrift store because I just don't like the style as much. The one similar to Llshobe's pic from RMS (the mirror in the PS above) was 25lbs.

As far as what it's reflecting, it would be whatever I use on the tall dresser across the room. The inspiration photo did the same thing (as far as what it reflected) and I liked how it looked.

I know it can happen but I wasn't worried about it falling. Even if I wouldn't hang a mirror there, I'll hang something.

Hey, what happened to my post? (It could very well be on another thread)...anyway, google 'Mantle Mirror' also!

Shee - Have you decided on a paint color?

Laurie

Hey Laurie!

I believe I'm going to use the SW Dromedary Camel. I think it looks like the picture above and looks good IRL with the fabrics. I did have a thread started a few days ago. It's that sample that's been showing up in my recent photos. I'll probably have to wait until after Christmas to paint though.

Is your painting done yet? Do you like how it looks so far?

Shee, I hope you know you are driving us crazy! I was browing CL and E-bay and found myself shopping for your mirror. How sad! Take a look at this! I know you are not looking for a buffet, but isn't this gorgeous for $350. In your local searches, look for the buffets - you can always take the mirror and re-sell the buffet.

Here is a link that might be useful: Buffet with mirror

This year I changed the mirror in my spare bath to a very old cherry one that used to be above someone's dresser. (CL find.) It's HEAVY. I used Ook cleats on it and I think the house will fall before it does. They have them at home depot.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ook 200 pound french cleat

Shee - I'm very happy with the color. It's just taking me awhile to get it all finished. I asked for a week off from work so I could get it all done at once, but I only got 2 days, so now I'm just doing a little at a time.

Laurie

Shee I think it will look great- just keep shopping those thrift stores or CL and you will find the perfect one whether on an old buffet that you could remove it and then paint and resell the buffet on CL ( if it wasnt right for the nursery).
My stepmother has two antique cast iron gates hanging on her walls- one over her bedroom door and the other is hanging in her family room right over the entrance way( 13-14 foot ceilings in the much of the house.I thought she was nuts but they have been there for about 9 years now.
Since you live in a state near me I think you dont have to worry about earthquakes.

I hung a wooden framed mirror over my bed when I was 19yo. It was a duplex with concrete walls, and my mother said she was afraid she would try to call me one day and they would find me under the mirror. ;D

It was the upper part of a vintage oak washstand - has the two arms that come up to hold the mirror (on either side). I removed the arms/bottom from the cabinet. I still use the cabinet part today. The mirror is in my storage room.

Similar to this, but my mirror was rectangular (and much prettier)

{{!gwi}}

They come in all sizes. If you found one, they are easy to take apart (to move) and maybe you could use the chest somewhere else.

I think if you want a mirror above your bed, it should be something smaller and circular.. a small sunburst. You have have a lot of angles in the room, something circular would soften the look.

i agree with roseabbey...think something smaller and perhaps circular might enhance your beautiful bed rather than compete with it. imo, a large buffet mirror(as in ps above) above the bed would detract from both the bed and the mirror.

Your bedroom is coming out fantastic!! Love the bedding too.
I have a buffet mirror hanging above my bed. Made sure DH used a heavy duty wall anchor. He did hang it a little too high, but I didn't have the heart to make him move it, lol. It doesn't serve any purpose but make me happy. Found it at a antique festival last winter. Keep looking- you will find the right one!

Sorry about the huge pic- haven't posted in a while, and they changed photobucket : /

I don't think anyone else has said it, so I'm just gonna. Mirrors over beds (even if they aren't on the ceiling) always, always make me go, "Bowww-chick-a-BOWWW-WOWWW" when I see them.
;-D

Sorry. That photo wasn't that large when I previewed. :-/