a mirror of epic proportions...

Now that Brett and I have been living in the house for about 6 months, it seems like it's time to put some decor up on the walls. They have been pretty naked, and I have patched up most of the existing nail holes from the previous owner. A few screws were left secured thoroughly under a few coats of paint, so I have started to hang things on existing hardware.

There was a beautiful mirror by the door in our living room when we toured the house before we bought it. Brett asked if that could stay, but obviously it did not. On each of our junking adventures were continually looked for a frame or mirror that could hang in its place. {I mean, there is even an outline of the old mirror on the paint from where the sun/dust were.}

A certain excursion that resulted in a $50 unnecessary table purchase, frames and a trunk from an estate sale, also yielded the replacement mirror at an antique barn we stopped at later. You could say that we really hit the jackpot that day.

The particular antique barn we visited was in Fennville, MI just West of Crane's Orchard. If you ever have an entire afternoon to waste, this place could keep you scouring every nook and cranny for hours. No kidding, Brett had to practically drag me out. Weaving around stacks of vendors like a maze, I rounded one corner and behold a gorgeous antique mirror was leaning against the wall. Immediately, I fell in love with the cottaged look that someone had added over a once gilded frame.

It didn't take much to convince my better half that this mirror would fit perfectly on the wall by the door. Later, I could relate this being an eyes bigger than my stomach moment, but the foggy and distressed mirror glass was making me all nostalgic.

After digging it out and bringing it to the front, I realized it was much heavier than I anticipated by about 10 pounds. Things used to be made with such quality!

We got it home and after a few weeks restrung the hanging wire with something more durable (100 pound strength hanging wire). After popping the frame on to the existing heavy duty screw, I stepped back in shock thinking that I may have been wrong in estimating the size. The mirror looked so much bigger than I expected in that space! Where is my mini shrink ray when I need it...

Brett was my voice of reason, and instructed me to let it hang and see if we like it after a while. Thanks to his suggestion, the placement has definitely grown on me. Adding white curtains in the dining room and refinishing the table helped as well since the reflection was no longer full of green leaved curtains and a brown table.

Part of me wishes I could pull the stories from what this mirror has seen. If you ever have an opportunity to own an antique piece for your home, do it! They make such great conversation pieces and are truly one of a kind.