Decorating My Mantel & A Mirror Makeover

 

I’ve been semi-unhappy with the way our mantel looked ever since I hung the big rectangular mirror several months ago.  (Unfortunately, this is the only “before” picture I could come up with. . .)  I think there were too many straight edges with the door/window on each side.

 

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My parents (on one of their shopping trips—they’re good shoppers) found these mirrors at Pier1 on clearance:

 

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This particular one had several nicks and scratches so they reduced it even further. I think the final price was around $40.

 

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After some matte black spray paint:

 

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I went around the house and accessorized with some things I already had, including greenery from our yard, and some artwork and old bottles I bought at the flea market.

 

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In non-mantel related news, we have our first bloom of ummmm. . . . Spring?    My kids are sad that we haven’t had one flurry of snow yet and now we have Spring flowers.  They’re still holding out hope.

 

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Posted by at 8:32 AM
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46 comments:

  1. The mirror looks great but whats really got my attention is all the cool things on your console table. I love those stars in the glass bowl.

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  2. Your mantel looks wonderful! The weather has been weird here too. We haven't had our "winter" yet. It's usually sweater weather Jan and Feb but we've been in shorts. I hope this doesn't mean a summer full of 110 deg weather!

    Meg

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  3. I love the new mirror and the collection of bottles! There's nothing like changing the whole look of a space by changing just a few things :) Thanks for sharing!

    abodelove.com

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  5. Looks great! So cute that your parents spy "goodies" for you while shoping. You have taught them well!! Hope you are feeling great!
    Maureen

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  6. You are so good, that's exactly what it needed, love the texture, too! Can't imagine life without spray paint! :)

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  7. I loved it before, too! But I know how it goes......if something's bugging you it's time to fix it:) Looks amazing! Still cold here in Chicago, though.

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  9. I love your mirror makeover; what an amazing change. And yay for the daffodils!

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  10. Great post. I love the way you take an object that looks ok maybe chipped or something and redo it by painting it or doing something else to it. You give me so many creative ideas. I just love it. Thanks for everything you do.

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  11. Great post. I love the way you take an object that looks ok maybe chipped or something and redo it by painting it or doing something else to it. You give me so many creative ideas. I just love it. Thanks for everything you do.

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  12. Those blooming daffodils make me happy. Thanks for sharing.

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  13. Love the new mirror, and what a great price. My neighbors daffodils a blooming too, and the cherry and dogwood trees as well! Can't believe how warm it's been!

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  14. Love your mantel and your styling... youve got GREAT taste, Emily!
    Ive had daffodils already here in Virginia, also... Im still wishing for one good snow, but I'll take the warm weather anyday.

    Nancy
    http://www.powellbrower.com/2012/02/powell-brower-home-maiden-giveaway.html

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  15. I love the mirror transformation! Spray painting it black was a great idea. I love the flea market bottles on the mantel, too! And this year's weather has been crazy! I love it, though! :)

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  16. Beautiful! I wall noticing your white upholstered chairs to the sides of your fireplace. Did you upholster those yourself or did you have someone do these for you? I want to upholster my couch but only if it will end up looking nicely done but just not sure which step to take. Thanks for all your inspiring ideas :)

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  17. Yay Mom & Dad! Your mantel looks great and I even liked it before. Flowers are blooming here too.

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  18. Hi Emily! I love your blog! It gives me so many ideas for the house my husband and I just moved in to. The mantel looks great! I'm curious, when you spray paint, how do you decide what type of finish to use (matte vs. glossy, etc.)? I keep going back and forth with a dresser I want to paint.

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  20. I love the mirror and especially that you painted it matte black.
    I'm in Virginia and my daughter (and I) are disappointed as well about no snow this year. I'm still hopeful as well...even for flurries.

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  21. Love the new look! Big kuddos to your parents for finding the new mirror.

    I love the star in the bowl!!!
    abby

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  22. The mantel looks great! I love that you sprayed the mirrors black but I love even more that your parents scouted them out for you. So cute!

    http://leeanderin.blogspot.com/

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  23. It has been the warmest winter in years! Love you new mirror. Looks great in flat black!

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  24. I love the black on the mirror, huge improvement! Plus I think you were right too many straight vertical lines before the new mirror breaks that up nicely.

    I'm glad I'm not the only one with bulbs springing up. I
    'm in central Indiana having the same crazy weather. It's downright weird and freaky!

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  27. I love the mirror but I am also smitten with the glass jars! Great touch!

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  28. Love the mirror and what a deal! The mantel looks great and yes, flowers are popping up in KY too. We had a touch of snow yesterday, but not enough to get out the boots.

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  29. Love the green glass bottles... and the mirror!!

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  30. i actually thought about your dad this morning. our ceiling fan light bulbs burned out and i had to change them... to the *new* kind that your dad does not like. and do you know that i could not re-attach the bowl cover because the bulbs were longer than the cute round ones. i kept thinking that if i kept pushing the bowl tighter they would break. guess i need to stock up on some older bulbs.

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  31. The mantel looks great...my mom "shops" for me too! Sounds like everyone is having a California winter this year...yea for daffodils - I love them!

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  32. Are we ever going to get a tour of your new home? I'm so nosy. I just loved what you did in your last home and would love to see what you are working with now.

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  33. Love the use of matte black instead of glossy. So fresh!

    Would also love to see a more wide shot to see how the round shape works with the rectangular doors, even if you aren't ready for a full room shot.

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  34. Your parents choice was spot on. Fantastic price too.

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  35. *** It looks sooo GREAT, Em!!! I've never DONE things like that, (altho I think about it alot! Grins!), but shall I ASSUME you had to spray or paint a bunch of PRIMER on so paint would stick???

    I really like how you arranged things so artfully on the mantel...simple, clean, understated annnnd "UBER NICE"!!!

    My GOLD SUNBURST MIRROR from WISTERIA, that I've "thought about getting for ages", arrived yesterday, ALONG with 4 OTHER big boxes from them (I had a BIIIIG "SHOPPING THERAPY SESSION" on line and with their catalogue, and just said "What the heck!")... ANYHOOOO, I had "just the place where a SUNBURST would look FAB, & can't wait for Jim to put it up... hopefully by Thanksgiving (!!!)... chuckles...

    Gonna go back now to all those boxes in the foyer and "HAVE ME SOME FUUUUN!!!!!!!"...

    Hugs,
    Linda (in AZ *)
    bellesmom1234@comcast.net

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  36. Love the mirror, and the whole room is so restful and pretty.

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  37. Emily,

    Oh how pretty the mirror looks...what a deal! I wish you would've take a photo of it further back. You're right that the mantel needed a round mirror and the sunburst in black looks great.

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  40. Yup! My very first thought when I saw the photo was..."Use something round up there". You nailed it with the new mirror and painting it black. Thumbs up!

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  41. You are so right! Too many right angles and now the mirror looks perfect. Great scale and dimension! What would we do without spray paint! Hope you are feeling well!

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  42. I love the art work and the mirror on your mantel--it looks great!

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  43. Love your choice -- there's just something about a round mirror!

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  44. I have always loved a round mirror over a FP......you are right there are just too many squares. So of course your parents were definitely onto something when they bought that Pier One beauty!!!! A little black paint and BAM...perfection. Looks great Emily.

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  45. I love this Emily and the mirror is so pretty. I would love to share this on my Fireplace Decorating & Decor blog and link back to your website. This is just gorgeous and you have great taste. http://fireplacedecorating.blogspot.com/

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  46. That's how our weather is now too... I'm trying to embrace the warm, but I'm worried it's going to mean a loooong summer for us! I really like the round mirror on the mantel, and the dark paint really grounds the space. Great job!

    Jenna

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Your comments make my day! If you have a question, I'll try to answer in the comment section by the end of the day. Or, you can email me at emily@emilyaclark.com.

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