Mirrors, Mirrors on the Wall

I hope you had an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend.  I know my family and I sure enjoyed a little down time.  The long weekend also gave me the opportunity to hang the mirror collage I posted about last time ~ read about it here.  Unlike the Anthropologie inspiration piece, my mirrors are not connected to form one large mirror.  Instead, I simply hung them individually by snugging them up close to each other on the wall.  I think it gives the same effect.

*Tip ~ as a follow up to the directions on my last post, I decided sawtooth picture hangers were the best option to hang the mirrors from.  They gave me the ability to place the mirrors very close to one another and help the mirrors lay flat on the wall.  Also, after I determined the layout of the mirrors, I learned it's much easier if you hang the mirrors from the bottom up. 

It's short and sweet today ~ I'm off to work on another project.  Hoping you stop by Tattered Style again soon!  :)

P.S.  Please contact me if you have any questions on this DIY project and I'll be happy to help out if I can.  

Anthropologie Mirror Collage / DIY

Image via Anthropologie

Today I am excited to be sharing my latest project with you.  For quite some time, I've been drooling over this mirror collage from Anthropologie.  I love the character and charm of this mirror arrangement but found the price to be a little more than I wanted to pay.  So, I set out to collect some old framed mirrors of my own hoping I could reproduce this lovely idea.  Gradually, I was able to locate several beautifully framed and mottled mirrors.  However, they weren't quite as abundant and available as I hoped.  I decided the most practical solution was to amass a collection of old frames and then have them fitted with mirrors. 

I collected the frames pictured above and finally was happy with the assortment of sizes and types that I had accumulated.   

I took them to a local glass and mirror store and had mirrors cut to fit the sizes.  They were pretty reasonable in cost ~ I only had to pay $20 to have four mirrors cut to fit the empty frames.

The glass store suggested I affix the mirrors in the frames with clear silicone. 

I placed the mirror in position and ran a bead of clear acrylic silicone around the backside of the mirror and the frame.  The silicone is a little messy to work with and is a bit stinky so be sure to work in a well ventilated area.  After attaching all the mirrors to the frames with the silicone, I left them outside to dry for several hours.

I wanted to finish off the mirrors with a protective backing.  To do so, I measured each frame to determine the different sizes of backing I would need to mark and cut.  I penciled off each of the dimensions on foam core ~ the backing I chose to use.  Then, I placed the foam core on the cutting board and using a straight edge as a guide, I cut through the foam core.  
 


Lastly, I placed the foam core behind the mirror and duct taped it in place.  I realize this likely isn't the way a frame shop would back a mirror but I'm content with my method and  know I can rest assured the backing will stay in place. 

I've laid the mirrors out on the floor and I'm playing around with varied arrangements before I attach them to the wall.  I'm all out of time today ~ so please drop by soon as I'll be posting pics of how and where I decide to install my mock Anthropologie mirror collage.

Today's post is lovingly dedicated to my friend and neighbor, Sally.  She was a remarkable woman whose beauty was reflected from the inside out.  She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Keepsakes & Thrift Store Finds

Thrift store shopping is always an adventure for me.  Some of my favorite things have been rescued from CCA, a local stop.  I pop in as frequently as possible to see what goodies might lie in wait of rescuing.  I usually find something that has great potential if just given a second chance.

I lucked into this antique door on one of my excursions ~ it's off an old wardrobe.  I was attracted to its handle and the keyhole hardware and, after further inspection, I also discovered a mirrored door on the flip-side.  It cost a mere $18.00 ~ so there was no debate about it coming home with me.     

It leans against the wall in a corner of my bedroom ~  adorned with several sentimental family heirlooms.

The gown was Nathanael's when he was a baby ~ hand-stitched by Nana before he was born.  Nat's sister, Datha, told me their mom was bed fast due to to complications during her pregnancy and she spent weeks constructing this delicate little garment for Nat.  Datha recalled coming in from play and pouncing on the bed to chat ~ Nana would tell her to be careful so she wouldn't soil the little gown that she was making for their new baby.

I love the intricacy of all the little tucks and pleats.  There's no way you can put a price tag on something like this that Nana so lovingly created.

~ Vintage chains and necklaces ~

The cameo belonged to Nat's Aunt Jewel ~ it's one of my favorites ~ I wear it often ~ layering it with  other vintage necklaces.

Aunt Jewel's husband ~ Uncle Doyle ~ a black and white photo of him as a young man remains intact inside the cameo.

A vintage skeleton key strung on an antique chain.

The glass lamp ~ yet another CCA find ~ scooped up for a couple of bucks.  I dressed it up with a new linen shade.  A cozy little corner of my bedroom ~ made special with family keepsakes and some humble thrift store finds = instant gratification. :)

Happy Tuesday to you ~ be sure to "Like" Tattered Style's page on Facebook ~ thank you.

Estate Sale ~ Slip Slidin' Away

A couple of weekends ago, I cautiously ventured out to an estate sale with Rachael, my junking sidekick. I say ventured, because the week prior was when the big ice storm hit North Texas. We had been cooped up for awhile and were feeling the itch to get out and scavenge. The roads were still pretty treacherous (for Texans that is) and consequently it took us over an hour to drive what ordinarily would take about 25 minutes. By this time our tummies were rumbling, and for Rachael and I, rumbling means grumbling. So, we made a quick detour by the grocery store, grabbed a snack and were on our way. Thankfully, our blood sugars leveled out pretty quickly and we were back on task. We continued to pass by many a stalled vehicle on the side of the road, and many others that were "slip slidin' away." Our main concern, aside from arriving at our destination safely, was to get there in time to stake our claim on some undiscovered treasures. I must say, it was well worth the the effort it took to get there. We came across as number of finds that we were happy to bring home, some for projects we are working on as well as a few treasures to keep for ourselves. Here are some of the goodies:

Vintage Mirror

A beautifully mottled mirror, detailed wood carvings and lots of character ~ what more could you ask for? I leaned this one up against the wall on a bedside table in my guest room. A nice addition for guests that might like to sneak a peak on the way out the door.

Conveyor Belt Strap Section

This strap from a section of an old conveyor belt was quite the find. When I saw it, I envisioned it as an interesting piece of wall art. I think it contrasts beautifully against the slate colored wall.

Oversized Apothecary Bottle

This jumbo vintage apothecary jar is unusual and rich in color. I positioned it on a night table to complete this cozy vignette.

Small Milk Bottles

These glass milk bottles are so basic, but I still have a fondness for them. Lined up together across a table or window sill, they make lovely vases for single stemmed flowers. I filled them with wooden lettered beads and perched them on a shelf.

Charcoal Drawing

I would love to know the story behind this unfinished drawing. It is amateurish and incomplete yet I find it so intriguing. I casually mentioned to my son, Gavin, that I might have an artist finish it up and he quickly reminded me, "You can't do that...another artist can't finish someone else's art." I so love that he gets it. :)

Vintage Linen Table Scarf

Black and cream ~ my color scheme ~ perfect in every way. Vintage linens with this color combo are difficult to find. I used this one as a table runner on an antique farmhouse table in our breakfast nook. The beautifully dried hydrangeas (my favorite flower) are from our flower bed.

I'm so glad Rachael and I braved the elements that Saturday morning, "slip slidin' our way" to an estate sale. It made for good memories with a dear friend and also landed us a bounty of wonderful undiscovered treasures.