It took some work to get this beast of a mirror hangable. (PS I wasn’t sure if this mirror was really “vintage” like the listing stated, but that tape on the back was definitely decades old. Nasty stuff.)
I ended up reusing the hardware that was already installed on the mirror. It was installed for the mirror to hang horizontally, so I unscrewed and moved the D-rings so the wire could run the opposite way.
I wanted to hang the new mirror on the screws that were already in our wall for the scrolly mirror (in the studs from when we filled in the giant H wall above the fireplace), so I installed the D-rings and strung the wire so the mirror would hang right where I wanted it on the wall.
When you’re stringing the wire for a large mirror or piece of art, make sure your wire is a heavy enough gauge to support the weight (it will tell you on the package), and also that the wire is long enough to tightly thread through the D-rings at least three times. You want the weight of the mirror to be supported at the rings and not dependent on your wire-twisting capabilities (which are not that great in my case).
We needed three adults to hang the mirror and we were all a little wiped out by the whole undertaking. It was intense! But I was so happy with how the mirror looks on that wall. It’s one of my favorite things to hang something up, walk away a few steps and then turn around and, Ta-dah! The big reveal in the context of the space! (come on, tell me you know what I mean here) This was a fun one to turn around to. :)
I am on the fence about changing the finish of the frame though. Part of me likes it as is, but I sort of also feel like it’s too heavy and dark.
If I do change it, I’m thinking I would lime or whitewash the carved part and then gold leaf the very inside lip.
What do you think? That could be good, right?
(Man, I need to finish that skirted sofa table so I can hide that little sliver of fireplace that peeks out from behind the sofa!)
Most of the time I'd say paint it, but this mirror is incredible as is. Just my two cents. I totally know what you mean about the big reveal. So fun!
There are so many ways that you could go with this mirror….I think the wood adds a rustic or warmth to your room but I would also know that I would love what you do if you paint it.
pve
I love the mirror just how it is. The brown wood fits perfect
Dimensions are perfect and the colour of the wood is superb. These were big in the early to 90s I think. You are totally going to start a revival.
Hi Jenny, I love the mirror! I love the size and texture but I also like the dark wood because I'm not seeing any other "dark" in the room. This grounds the room, in my opinion. BUT…. I know if you do change it – it will look amazing ;)
First of all, the entire room is gorge! That velvet sofa, the chesterfield…
I really love the mirror, can't believe it took 3 people to hang though, whoa! Looks great as it, really a great piece!
Beth
http://www.chicandglamorous.com
That is gorgeous! Perfect size for that space. Swoon! xo Kristin
I loved the scrolly mirror too… but the outcome of the large mirror is awesome!
laura
I am obsessed with your blog!!!! Found it three days ago and have already re done 3 of my rooms!!! I would be amazed if you left the mirror frame as is… I know you could make it look even better with a lime wash and gold leaf… I feel it is too dark for your space .. Perhaps leave for a while until you get bored?? Thank you for sharing your incredible inspiration!!!! Luuurrrvvvee it <3 xxoo
We have a bit of an unfinished wood/whitewash addiction in our house. Once you start you will look at all of your stained wood furniture and think it needs a bit of Citristrip (fair warning). Just taking the stain off and getting to the natural wood underneath can be so cool – even before liming/whitewash. Sometimes the old stain lives deep in the grain and won't come up, but that gives the piece awesome definition.
Just wondering why you are covering up the fireplace. Love your blog BTW!
I love the mirror
I think it's beautiful but would love to learn your whitewash/liming method. Love a great mirror!
I love it!! Much better than the other mirror; good call. And it is gorgeous as is and doesn't need to change unless you're itching to play with paint. If that's the case, go at it! I'm sure whatever you do would look awesome. :)
LOVE that mirror! I would definitely leave it as is. I like how the darker wood stands out against the lighter walls. A whitewashed frame might blend in too much. Plus the current stain is just so gorgeous. I recently hung a massive Craig's List mirror over my sofa as well, and I still find myself experiencing the "big reveal" when I walk into the room. Your den looks amazing – good work!
You find the most amazing things on craigslist! The caring on that mirror is incredible. I think the gold leaf would be really pretty…I don't know – I think this is one where you won't go wrong no matter what you decide.
I love the frame how it is, but when you first said you were thinking about changing it I picture it white as well. The gold would also add a nice touch!
looks great!!
I think the wood adds a lovely layer of depth to the room. I vote you leave it. It is beautiful!!!!
The mirror is perfect! At first I was thinking "no – leave it as is. The dark brown just makes such a statement" but when you described what you wanted to do with it, I don't know. It could look really good. I also love how the mirror reflects your art on the opposite wall.
Well done all around!
I love the carved mirror as is but I'd probably do the same thing live with it like that and then for a fun change give it a makeover when I wanted a change. The whole room looks beautiful and the mirror size is perfect. Oh and I totally get the ta da moment whenever I do something to my house I'll leave that room and then enter the room one or maybe 12 times to look at it like I'm looking at it the first time!!! Glad I'm not the only one!!!
Leave it as is. I love the warmth of the wood.
That mirror fits the space so much better! I'm kind of with you about it looking too heavy as-is though…plus I'd love to see another DIY :)
http://www.anna-bird.com
it looks great! i love the scale.
You could just gold leaf the interior lip next to the mirror to brighten it up a bit. Normally I'm all for painting wood, but the frame is in excellent and rich condition and with all the nooks and crannies, it'd be hard to go back to the wood easily should you ever change your mind. It looks great above the sofa. P. S. A lot of people don't like the idea of putting two holes in the wall, but you can put up two picture hooks and hang the D-rings directly on them (avoiding wire altogether). It adds to stability, keeps the mirror level and makes the piece sit pretty flush to the wall.
I wouldn't touch that beautiful mirror. It is perfect just as it is. Why make it look like all the other mirrors out there when it is so unique as is. It fits the space perfectly and I love the images it reflects back. Well done and worth all your work.
I think your color ideas for the mirror are spot on but I love the depth it brings to the room now and how it brings the dark details from the built ins. It looks really worldly and artisinal with the rugs. And I have to focus on keeping resell value on pieces because I can frequently change my mind, and you could likely get a lot more out of it if you ever wanted to sell it if it was the original stain. Just my two cents! Such an inspiring room! Thanks for always sharing your updates!
Oh my gosh, I LOVE that mirror! It's very much my style. It's so unique and cool and perfect just the way it is.
xx
Nicole
Leave it natural! That is a gorgeous frame. Remember your ratio of painted to wood! 1:1 and all I see are painted pieces! The wood warms up the room and grounds it.
as is!! great find!!
NO PAINT! You'll have too many painted pieces in there.
You're living room looks beautiful and welcoming.
Oh I would TOTALLY leave it AS IS. there's a lot going on in the room (in the best way!) and I adore the natural wood simplicity of the mirror in harmony with all of that.
The mirror is fabulous! It actually reminds me of one I saw in a very elegant home in Mexico – extremely heavy and all hand carved. I love it the way it is, but I can also see it having a new and very different look if you decide to paint it in the future. I would paint the sliver of fireplace the same color as the wall so it would visually disappear. Love your blog! It is my favorite read every day.
I was just wondering: do you have any tips for finding treasures on craigslist/ebay/etc? I'm hunting for a sofa to reupholster right now and while we have an old Ikea one to provide seating in the meantime, we'd really like to change it out for something less frumpy.
Love it! I have a wood mirror that's similar and I've been mulling (forever) over whether to paint it or not because I think I have too much dark wood in the room (it's in my bedroom). I'd love to see you whitewash or paint the wood. It just might help me decide what to do with mine!
The mirror looks exquisite as it is.
Nice! I like the dark finish. It kind of balances out with the back that it's attached to a mirror, you know what I mean?
That mirror looks amazing, and I like the dark A LOT. It feels Spanish to me, which I love.
I love the mirror just the way it is. The dark wood anchors it in a way. It looks great in that spot and with your other things. My vote is…don't paint. Great blog with lots of fun ideas and inspirations. So nice that you share how-to-do-it instructions! Thanks.
I love it the way it is now, but I'm totally intrigued by your idea to change it up. Do it! :)
Susan
simplymodernhome.com
I love it as is, please don't paint it! These rosewood mirrors are hand carved in india/pakistan and after you've seen someone actually carve it with a little chisel and hammer you wouldn't want to see it painted :) just my two cents
I love it as is, please don't paint it! These rosewood mirrors are hand carved in india/pakistan and after you've seen someone actually carve it with a little chisel and hammer you wouldn't want to see it painted :) just my two cents
Holy smokes… SA-WEET!!!! Now that's a rewarding reveal.
NOOOOOOOOOOOO paint, for the love of God please no paint.
i agree, the wood and darker color are a nice contrast in your living room. and while it may feel a little heavy or out of place now, once you get that console table behind the velvet sofa with some lamps, etc it will start to feel more like it's apart of that grouping. :) xo
-ashley
ashleyrachelle.com
I'll be the odd one out here and say you should paint it/stain it. I do think it's pretty as is but it does seem a bit dark for the space (maybe it's just the lighting in the photo, though!).
Leave it as is!!! It looks beautiful and adds a lovely organic quality to the space.
The mirror looks great! We totally do the turn around and look move. We call it "cleansing our eye palate"! So silly.
Beautiful mirror – I like the idea of a lime/white-wash and gold near the mirror because it would still keep it's beautiful texture. Love your updated pic and welcome, too!
OH my heavens, I might cry if you change the finish of the mirror!
But, I definitely see what you mean. It's almost fighting with the black trim/edges of the bookcases. What about painting the bookcases so they blend in with the walls? You could always change those a lot easier than the mirror if you hated it.
Im all about low risk decisions HAHA!