Gold Rush

I have been scouting the market for months in search of a triptych mirror to place on my vanity. Not only does this classic three-way mirror evoke feminine elegance, it also allows you to view yourself from various angles, making it a fantastic addition to any dressing table. Yet it has been exceptionally difficult to find many decent selections – most options were too small, too ornate, poorly made, sold as sets with tables, or just insanely expensive.

The Chelsea Vanity mirror from Pottery Barn Teen (PBT, who would’ve thought??) was the closest match to what I had in mind in terms of style and dimensions, but it was only available in white or green. The fact that the mirror would require a paint job in order to compliment my black vanity table made the $350 price tag impossible to justify. Nevertheless, I stalked this mirror for about half a year and nearly choked on my kombucha last week when I saw that the “Heirloom Green” had gone on sale for $87. I gladly bit the $50 delivery surcharge bullet and clicked Add to Basket.

My green mirror arrived a few days later. The delivery guy seemed a bit perplexed when I declined his offer to help with assembly, but I wanted to paint each section individually prior to joining the three panels together. I started by carefully lining the mirrors with painter’s tape and paper. After going over the frame with a fine grain sanding block and cleaning off the dust, I was ready to paint.

Spray painting is really fun and easy – just be sure to use multiple thin coats in order to achieve a smooth and even finish. Using sweeping motions, begin and end spraying away from the item in order to avoid spatters. Give each coat a few minutes to dry before applying an additional layer, and make sure you have plenty of ventilation! We were blessed with gorgeously un-humid weather this past weekend (a total rarity in NYC lately), and the paint dried within an hour. The final steps involved installing hinging hardware, removing the tape and paper, and giving the mirrors a quick wipe.

Initially, I was pretty nervous about going gold, but I’m so glad I took the risk! Its surprisingly subtle sheen completely lights up the corner of our bedroom. Here’s a peek at the final product and as well as a some of the goodies I’ve got stashed away in my glamorous new nook :)

{Shades of Light, Laura Ashley, Architectural Digest, Restoration Hardware}

Mirror, Mirror On My Wall

The Honeycomb mirror featured in Southern Living magazine

Remember that peacock mirror I was raving about two weeks ago? Almost immediately after posting, I started receiving tips about a very similar mirror that Pier 1 was offering at a much lower price point. It's called the Honeycomb mirror, and it has been featured in numerous blogs and magazines over the past year. The very next day, I started calling every Pier 1 in the Tri-state area to locate a Honeycomb (which was not available for purchase online), only to learn that they were sold out across the entire Northeast. Boooo.

After listening to my sob story that evening, Chris came up with the brilliant idea of calling Pier 1 stores in Indiana, where my parents live. Turns out these mirrors have also been flying off the shelves throughout the Midwest. We managed to snag the very last Honeycomb in Fort Wayne, which my parents graciously picked up and drove to New York last weekend. My dad helped me hang it over our dining table, and here it is!

 

What an exceptional find! It sparkles, it dazzles, and its price tag ($250, on sale for $120!) was just as easy on the eyes. I'm a firm believer in mixing substantial investment pieces with unique bargain finds to complete and personalize a home. I can't help but smile every time I look up and think of my loved ones who constantly indulge my crazy whims and worked together to get that fantastic mirror on my wall.

Pretty as a Peacock

Peacocks signify wisdom, grace, beauty, and nobility. They were my main source of styling inspiration for our wedding, and will always remind me of that special day. These bad boys are dressed to impress, and will go to great lengths to catch a pretty lady's attention!

I've been ogling this magnificent peacock mirror for years. At first, I wasn't sure if it was a bit too ostentatious for my taste. Over time, however, I found myself increasingly mesmerized every time I laid eyes on its organic lines and saw the spray of light it sends glittering around a room. This is an exotic variation of a sunburst mirror that would bring a heavy dose of glamour to any traditional or modern space. It is devastatingly beautiful.

Alas, the mirror comes with an equally devastating price tag. Its $2,399 - $4,400 tickets have kept me strictly admiring from afar. I actually gasped out loud the other night while flipping through Restoration Hardware's spring catalog. RH is offering a peacock mirror for a mere $895! ~Insert Chris' rolling eyes here~  Still an absurd amount to be paying for a mirror, but quite a steal compared to Mecox Gardens and Wisteria's prices. Hey, a girl can dream :)

{Image Credits: Wisteria, Domino, Kishani Perera, Ellen Hanson, Restoration Hardware, Kristen Hutchins}