mirrors....

mir•ror / mir r/[mir-er]noun 

1. a reflecting surface, originally of polished metal 

but now usually of glass with a silvery, metallic, 

or amalgam backing. 

2. such a surface set into a frame, attached to a

handle, etc., for use in viewing oneself or as an
ornament.

Mirrors are truly ornaments in

our homes. Their reflective surfaces

can make a room look 

larger, pick up natural light and 

disperse it through a room or, 

when grouped together, they 

can complete a room by becoming 

a collective piece of art.

I have thought for as long as I 

can remember that there should 

always be a mirror in every room.

But my new view on mirrors is the 

power they possess when

grouped together.

With most groupings on a wall, 

there has to be some cohesive element in the design,
such as the same color or finish,
the same shape, or the same subject.
However, with mirrors,
the cohesive element is the mirror itself.
Because of this, 

you can mix and match every color,
 metal, shape and size and

they still look and feel like a planned out design.

Mirrors translate into every design style.
If you’re into a funky,vintage vibe,
the old ornate mirrors that your grandmother once 

proudly hung can get a face lift with a vibrant coat of orange, 

turquoise, or red. And if you’re really

brave you can paint each mirror a 

different color, but still hang as a group.

If your style is more modern and sleek,
you can focus on square or 

rectangle frames with simple lines and
 hang them very close together.
 They will begin to look like one large 

but simple piece of art.

Once you have established what style you 

are and the type of frame to use,
you then have to decide where
 the group of mirrors will go in 

your home.
Try to remember the areas that 

might not be considered the “prime real estate.” 

The wall space in a hall or a stairway can 

become highlights of your home when 

given the opportunity to shine with mirrors.

The “prime real estate” like the mantel or wall 

behind the sofa will always make a brilliant display 

when given the reflective treatment.
 There is really no place in your home that a mirror can’t affect,
 and a group of mirrors makes that
effect shine just a little brighter.

Your home is a reflection of you. So, don’t

just let your little light shine — REFLECT it!

{all pictures via pinterest}

mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the most clever consignor of all?

Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who is the most clever consignor of all?

Got some mirrors, pillows, prints and purses laying around that aren't being used? Consider consigning. It is the most popular way to sell items you no longer need, but are still of value. Buying and selling through consignment is also the ultimate form of going green, it's recycling. Now, to become the most clever consigner of all follow these few simple guidelines.

Clean your items & repair any damage. Something with cobwebs or dust sends a message to the potential buyer that the item was kept in a garage or attic because it wasn't valuable enough to be on display in their home. No one wants to feel like they are buying broken cast-offs. They want to feel like they have found a treasure.

Don't hold onto items until they are outdated. The rule of thumb for your clothes, if you haven't worn it in a year it's time to get rid of it, goes for your home items as well. If you have had a lamp or necklace buried away in a closet for over a year, chances are, you are never going to use it again. It is just creating clutter in your home. You'll get more bang for your buck if you part with an item when it is still current then you would if you held onto an item until no one wanted it anymore (including yourself).

Don't expect unrealistic prices for your items. With furniture and home accessories you can expect to get about 50% of the original store bought price. With clothing you can expect to get about 25% of what you paid for an outfit new. The lure of the consignment shopping experience is the incredible savings that you can expect. Without that, potential buyers of your item will just go buy new. Shops will reduce prices after an item has been in the store too long to help an item sell. However, when this happens, you usually get less out of your item then you would have gotten had it been priced accurately to begin with.

Get to know the employees. You know the old saying, you can catch more bees with honey... Well, that works with shop keepers as well. A smile and a soft hello will go a whole lot further than a grumpy old bear. Want your items to be located in the "prime real estate" of the shop, or the employees to be on the look out for that special something for you? Be nice, not demanding. The shop wants your item to sell as much as you do. They don't make money if you don't make money. So, know that they are on your side. You're a team.

Knowing some of the tricks of the trade to consigning will help your experience be more profitable and enjoyable. So, rummage around in your closets, attics, and garages for all those hidden treasures and take them to your favorite consignment shop. Then sit back and watch the dollars roll in. As they say, one man's trash...



mirror, mirror...

My new, old mirror...

I adore it,

had to share it!

 it graces my dining room

 for the time being...