Thanks for appeasing my neurosis yesterday! Good to know you guys appreciate an organized space as much as I do!
Remember back when I was ‘Iced In’ (oh how I love Texas and our fear of a snow dusting!) and fell down the rabbit hole of online shopping? I posted this Horchow inspired Knot Mirror on sale at Kirkland’s for $80.
I should have known I wouldn’t forget about it easily. Then my friend enabled me further by handing over a Kirkland’s $15 off coupon! So I thought I’d run by on my lunch break and just check it out. No harm, no foul, right?
Well, what happened wuz…I got there and the mirror was an additional 25% off (or it was at their store across town, but after threatening mentioning that I’d drive to the store offering the additional discounts, they decided to honor it as well.)! So that meant the mirror would be $60, right? NOPE! They honored the $15 off coupon as well! (It never hurts to ask, people! That is my motto, much to my family’s horror when it’s not benefiting them.)
So here I stand at the store, staring at this heavy, solid wood mirror, thinking, “How can I not take this $600 look-a-like mirror home for $45?!?!” You’re right, I had to. It was the right thing to do. So I hauled the 40″ wide beast-of-burden home and propped it up on the mantel (without bothering to remove the Winter Mantel decor).
It was jarring, and intimidating….but it was such a steal…I had to like it!!?? I figured Mr. Sugarplum would poo-poo it anyway and put my waffling to rest (he’s unaware of the constant waffling that goes on inside my head). But to my surprise, he liked it. Or he just didn’t want to go down the path of mirror options I was sure to lead him on. So while I’m still waffling, I walk in on this scene a few days later:
Yep, my man drilling the crater necessary to hang the giant (did I mention it’s big and heavy?). So that pretty much put my waffling to rest. If the man goes after a project in his pajamas on a Saturday, we aren’t going back.
And I have to say, I’m liking it more every day! Even though I think it’s hung a bit too high (but don’t have the heart to tell him!)
Do you think it requires me to minimize the decor in the room? I’ve slimmed down the mantel and removed some pictures, but minimizing goes against my nature, so I’m not sure how long it will last. I do love to decorate the mantel (like here, here and here!)
And we’re sold on painting the brick too. I think that will make a huge difference in bringing more cohesion to the room. Speaking of beasts, the armoire has been a thorn in my side for too long (but it’s amazing storage!!), hence the paint swatches taped up!
Update: See the final mantel and mirror here!
ok here are my thoughts… i love the mirror, i love it on the mantel, and i like it with the twiggy branches and a little more accessorized so it doesn't look stark. BUT something about the mirror with the textiles in the room isn't working for me. i don't think i like it with the soft greens. and this is totally my opinion- so feel free to disagree! i justw anted ro be 100% honest!
I like the accessorized look better I think…
I really like it! Its quite a statement and i like it with the more minimal look.
I definitely think it will look good with the fireplace painted and it might be worth bringing in a few more graphic items – I think changing the rug – (possibly bringing in the black and white one from the entrance hall might make a big difference)
Have a lovely day!
Rachie xo
love the mirror and SO impressed with his lunging abilities. I especially liked the tucked pajamas in the sock look!
Paint the brick and the armoire and I think you will love it 🙂
I think it is fantastic! What a great deal! Not sure I'm loving it with the rug but.. that's just me. I like both items just not together! What color are you planning to paint the fireplace? I think it will look great!
Love the mirror, but in a different setting. I think your original assessment (too big and jarring) was spot on.
It's like the old sesame street song, "Which of these things doesn't belong".
Sorry to be a downer but it just isn't working for me in its current location. Love the mirror itself. You have a good eye. Perhaps in a different location in your house?
Oh, I love the mirror. I think it makes the room! I like the accessorized look the best. I really like your idea of painting the bricks on the fireplace a lighter color; that would look great. As someone else commented, I am also impressed by your husband's lunging. 🙂
He has a pant leg tucked for safety!
I love the mirror itself…in the room…I'd paint it.
Love it! I think it is a bit stark on the wall – maybe time for a new wall color? I also like more accessories as opposed to the minimal setting.
Awesome steal!
The mirror is fab!! And at 45 you can't really go wrong!
hahahha that lunge has me laughing out loud. and the tucked in pajama pants. oh my, thank you for sharing that picture. ps. your mirror is so fab : )
I want that mirror SO badly- I've been lusting after it forever but when I went to the store, it was sold out- will check again. Yours looks amazing on your fireplace and I would definitely do the less accessorized version- the mirror makes such a statement and doesn't need other things diverting the eye away etc. I like it best with one of the crystal candelabras on either side. I would also definitely paint the brick and the armoir- the mirror is really graphic and I think it needs some stonger elements in the room to balance- does that make sense?
Oh I love thisirror. It looks great in the space and the price…wow!
Amazing deal! It looks awesome and it was so worth it!
The mirror looks fab!!! I like it with the accessorized mantel, but without the gallery wall (and maybe with a different fabric on the chair?) I actually kind of like the texture the brick adds with the mirror, but it would look great painted, too. Great find, and I can't wait to see how the space ends up looking! (Oooh, now I'm reading the other comments and I'm thinking of the natural fireplace with a navy wall, or something like that. Okay, enough rambling!)
I'm with a few others who've already posted… The accessorized mantle looks fab with the mirror, but the gallery wall should go. And I LOVE the idea of painting the brick! What a steal on a lovely piece~ you go, girl!
I like the height of the mirror! it's not too high, and not too low! Perfect! Looks great too!
great score!
Great score! I love how it looks and like it accessorized but without the gallery art wall. I actually like your fireplace as is. My thought might be switching out the rug to something solid or a simple graphic like a chevron or stripe which might work better with the mirror (the current one is pretty but maybe a bit too cute to go with the chic-ness of the mirror).
Kudos to your man for sporting his plaid so well. 🙂
I was just thinking about you and this mirror yesterday! That is so funny. I was wondering if you had bought it. It's such a great mirror. Are you going to paint the armoire dark like the mirror?
I don't know what I love more, the bargain or the mirror itself…either way, it's a win-win situation! Cheers!
I can't believe you got that for $45. If I lived in the same city, I would totally come steal it. I like the modern twist it adds ro your room. You have to keep it, its too fabulous (and cheap) to return!
Love the mirror but not crazy about the rug now. I think painting out the armoire may help with it as well. The mirror definitely has a more modern/edgy feel than the rest of the room. My arm chair diagnosis would be
1) switch out the rug
2) paint the armoire a grey or soft green
3) ditch the rug for something more neutral
Oh how I've missed you! Playing catch-up. That mirror is perfection in your room. And that photo of your husband is fabulous too 🙂 It is a great lunge haha.
I love the mirror and the fireplace as is, but what jumped out at me was the rug. I was replace it with someone more neutral.
Cassie, love the mirror. I know you are thinking of painting the brick, but if you are looking to go white or light, I think the mantle will get lost and the mirror will stand out even more. I'd paint the mantle black, it would help anchor the mirror. I'd also paint the armoire a dark color. If you were to change out the rug, I'd go neutral,so you can change things around whenever you feel like it without it competing with your accessories. I like the mantle with the accessories, but prefer no gallery wall below the pass through. My two cents!
DO NOT return that mirror!!! It is fabulous! Can't stop giggling at the lunge photo!!! My husband would kill me if I posted that!!!
Hi there, I'm your newest follower. Love all your decorations and crafts. Cheers
l.o.v.e. the mirror, great find! i think i like the minimal mantel better. but i do think that if you paint the brick and the armoire (and maybe get a less graphic rug?), the mantel/mirror could handle more accessories.
I am so obsessed with that mirror!!! i just looked online and they dont have it anymore!!! AHHH! and i dont think i have a kirklands anywhere nearby…so i guess Im saying I super jealous! LOVE IT! and love the pic of your hubby hanging it!
I really like the mirror but I think it would look better in my house so maybe you could just send it 🙂 I also don't think it's too high – you can handle height because of the high ceilings… draw your eye up and all of that mumbo jumbo?
Okay, Cassie, here is my opinion, which is worth what you pay for it, as are all of the others:
I think the mirror looks great. The charm of a room is due to the mix of things – new, old, sentimental, dark and somber, whimsical and light etc and especially things whose only reason for being there is that YOU LOVE THEM. Please back away from the sameness that will lead you down the road to chevron rugs, chevron painted furniture, trellis-y fabrics and all the other "unique" things that you'll currently encounter on literally thousands of blogs…torn up paperbacks wrapped in string???!! Words (Faith, Dream. Eat, Love,! etc etc) on walls??! Really? To scroll through a lot of blogs, you'd think everyone had joined a decorating cult! Don't drink the kool-aid and join in these trends that will, down the road, label your house as early 2000's as surely as bargello in the '80's and toile in the '90's….trust your taste. Trust your eye. Ali
First off, people are hilarious, I just love reading other peeps' comments…second, that mirror is absolutely fabulous! I'm still laughing at the pic you posted of Mr. Sugarplum…pretty sure I would have the kabosh put on *all* blogging if I posted a pic like that, he is such a good sport!
Talk about getting crackhead prices you definitely made out pretty good. Maybe I should stop by Kirklands more often I tend to stay away because their decor is mo' on the traditional side. I like minimal better.
nice mirror u got lucky with the price….but looks very modern in that room.
So funny I just used this Kirkland's mirror above my mantel in the DC Magazine shoot which I will share on the blog later this week. It's a fantastic mirror for an amazing price!! I like it hung higher and I like it softened with fun branches on your mantel, forget minimalism!! Bring in you next to it.
I'm going to use mine in my new office but while we were waiting for the mirror I ordered it worked perfect. KEEP IT!!!
Everything, down to the last word that Danielle O said is my comment too! oh, and its not too high…its PERFECT!:) (literally!)
A girl can never have too many accessories! I say go for the extras and skip the minimal look. Great find and great post! 🙂
After getting a close gander at your handyman's pajamas, I'm not surprised how your room turned out. Cleopatra's Gruncle
That picture is so funny. I'm in a tea shop studying for finals, well..taking a break now…and I started laughing out loud! My parents and friends run from cameras now, too. Love the mirror…and I actually think it's at a great height!
You HAD to buy it! It would have been a crime not to at that great price! I think it looks great!
What a great deal! You can't pass up on amazing items like that, especially as a world renown blogger. It would be absurd.
Mr. Goodwill Hunting
I totally bookmarked this mirror when you originally posted it! Just love it and think it looks stunning on your mantel! I actually like more accessories…I think it balances it out! 🙂
PS…I would love for you to enter my giveaway: http://schuelove.blogspot.com/2011/03/my-first-giveaway-emily-inspired.html
ahhh, okay, i'll leave my two cents!
keep the mirror. but to balance better, paint your mantel black and leave the brick as is. paint the armoire a dark color, as well. change the carpet out – too cutesy for this "statement mirror". painting the walls a bit deeper color would help. it will be interesting to see what you decide. do remember, however, it's just opinions; do what you love.
That mirror is awesome! I think it looks amazing there! I like it with some accessories — I don't think you have to scale back much, if at all.
And seriously, what a sweet hubby to hang the mirror without even asking! Love the pants leg tucked into the sock!
Love the mirror. Was your sweet husband posing for that picture or did you catch him by surprise? ha ha.
Woowho! Love this mirror and so glad you found it at a great price! I think it looks fantastic accessorized. It's big and bold enough to stand up to the accents.
Your room is so light and airy that I think the black weights it down a bit. Here's a totally whack-a-doo idea…what about a paint job? Say light blue and white? It would be so crisp and clean and look fantastic with your sofa and run!
i am going to kirklands..i never go there and they just opened one.
I love that mirror and actually think it looks like the perfect height! I also love that shot of your hubs with his pj's tucked into his sock! haha, love it!
Actually have that mirror, but the brown version (not quite as striking, so I painted it grey). Love the black version you scored! So I like your mix of styles in the room, but the rug + mirror just isn't doing it for me. I don't mind blending styles, but it's all a bit schizophrenic now with the addition of the mirror. Like I said, I dig the mirror and a new rug (+ another armoire makeover might be good). Just my opinion– love the blog!
Oh how I love that mirror- do not return! Nice arse Mr. Sugarplum! ha!
Love the mirror! The photo of your hubs hanging the mirror had me cracking up! That totally could have been my husband. I had to show him so he knew there were other husbands asked to hang heavy mirrors first thing on a weekend morning, pj's and all and has a wife that has to take pictures of the process. He's not alone.
Love the mirror, what a steal, and I think less is more. Love the idea of painting the brick, these two elements don't compliment each other that well right now.
But best, the picture of your husband, oh my goodness, that is too funny. pj's and all…my family runs as well.
Janell
Love that mirror, and I like the whole way you've styled the room altogether. It just fits together so well.