COTE DE TEXAS: An Addiction To Mirrors & How To Make A Trumeau

An Addiction To Mirrors & How To Make A Trumeau

 

 

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Versailles, The Hall of Mirrors

I have a chair fetish – more chairs in this house than anyone would ever need.  Once my friend went around and counted every single one of them just to see how many there were.   There are also too many sconces.  I know this.  I’ve stopped buying them.  For a while my electricians thought it was all so funny and wondered when I would run out of space for them.  I have.  Lately I’m thinking I might need to cull my mirrors.  But where to start?   I bought the mirrors because I would rather have them than art work.    All the canvases that were once on the walls are now in the garage hoping that one day I’ll change back to them.  Not sure that will ever happen!  But truthfully, I think a beautiful mirror really makes the room, just like a large piece of art can. 

 

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The Louis Philippe in the living room was one of the first big antique purchases Ben and I made in our marriage.  We needed something tall in this room and I saw this at a French antique store in Austin one game weekend.  Ben went for football and I came home with a mirror.   The mirror is really large and was a great price because some of the gilding had been painted black.  I’ve thought about restoring it all back to gold, but the black is a nice accent.  The glass is really old and hard to see out of – the best kind.

 

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This French Louis XVI mirror is really my mother’s that I somehow now have.  It’s very simple and plain but elegant at the same time.  The sunburst is probably 60s vintage (if even that.)

 

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The convex mirror over my mantel was a real steal.  It came from an antique store in the French Quarter.  My friend owned it but when she changed from English to Swedish decor, she sold it to me for practically nothing.   I don’t plan on repeating that exchange!!! 

 

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This small French mirror came home with me when I had some spending change and was looking for anything I could afford at Neal & Co. one afternoon.   I probably should have just waited and accumulated my change, but well, this is what addiction looks like, folks.  The sunburst is another 60s vintage, maybe.   Ben bought that big dog on the floor himself – no comments, please.  He means well.

 

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I can’t even remember where I bought this – probably the antique mall.  It’s a copy, old, but not an antique, though it does look like one.  I won’t even show you my powder room mirror.  It’s too embarrassing.  It really needs to be replaced.  Enough said about that.

 

 

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Upstairs, my sister in law loaned me the black chinoiserie standing mirror that she really wants back and mentions every time she sees it.   Hmmmm.   The sunburst is, guess – 60s vintage, maybe.  Let’s see, that makes 3 sunburst mirrors.  Enough?  snort.

 

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Over my desk is a trumeau, new, that was marked old, but of course it’s not.   It was one of those must-haves when I saw it because of the green paint and gilt frame.  For a while, these types of mirrors were in a lot of Houston antique stores – at the same time – which always means they aren’t old. 

 

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Elisabeth’s small mirror is the same kind of faux old trumeau, the glass was “aged.”  It’s small, but it fits the space perfectly and I love its gray paint and gilt trim.

 

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The large mirror over her desk reminds me of the antique Louis XVI one downstairs, but it comes from Tara Shaw’s new furniture line.  This mirror is large and is a good price if you need one like this.  The finish is really beautiful, too. 

 

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And finally, the guest room has another faux trumeau with green paint and gilded frame.   I must really like this style – that’s 3 of these.   I never thought about this before – but all the antique mirrors are downstairs, while the faux ones are upstairs in the private areas.   I probably should think about one day going from faux to real, but really, why spend the money?   I did take a look at 1st Dibs to see what was available and whoa, there are some gorgeous mirrors out there.  I set the criteria to 18th century and before only – here were a few that caught my eye.

 

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17th Century French.  The glass is totally gone which makes it a true work of art.  It reminds me of a story my aunt used to tell about coming home with an antique mirror years and years ago when she was young and first furnishing her house.  The glass was totally clouded and my uncle said “why would you buy a mirror  you can’t even see yourself in?”   Only a husband would ask that!

 

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I love this almost square gilt framed mirror.  So simple and elegant.

 

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A true trumeau, not a faux one like mine! 

 

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Simply gorgeous – this antique Swedish mirror has the candlestick holders on it.  In Sweden, most mirrors had candles mounted in front to double the light in this mostly dark country.  Small, but hugely expensive.  Totally out of my price range, ever, unless we discover oil.

 

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Gorgeous vanity mirror for a powder room or a desk or a console.   This was surprisingly cheap.  I was shocked. 

 

 

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I love these mirrors with the heavy carving over the frame.  This would be gorgeous behind a sofa with just a few creamware plates surrounding it.

 

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18th Century?  At this price?  I doubt it.  Why would 1st Dibs let this stand?  I still love ssunburst mirrors and am going to hate when they go out of style, yet again.

 

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Jane Moore in Houston has this paneling with a small mirror attached.  I love these types of mirrors for behind a console or buffet.

 

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A pair from Spain – Chateau Domingue.  The possibilities of these two are endless. Plus I love how dull the gilding it.

 

 

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An important trumeau- with green paint.  This would be gorgeous in a room with all white linen and not much else. 

 

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I used to want a true antique trumeau exactly like this so, so badly – but today, I’m not sure.  It would be pretty in a wallpapered bedroom or a woman’s library.  It’s beautiful, but maybe too fussy for a living room.  Funny how taste changes through the years. 

 

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The real deal – or is it?   This trumeau certainly looks much older than mine and much more authentic.  This one is a beauty, no doubt.   Worth changing out my faux one for this one?  Hmm, probably not at its price.

 

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A great mirror can truly “make” a room beautiful.  Here are a few of my favorite images of mirrors.  A  Houston house by Eleanor Cummings – this mirror is beautiful in this bedroom and is certainly the focal point. 

 

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I love this small mirror over the mantel in one of Vicki Archer’s Provençal bedrooms.  Her blog French Essence is filled with her beautiful photos.

 

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I love double sized rooms with matching fireplaces and over mirrors at each end – like this one at Oscar de la Renta’s beach house.

 

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I love small pairs of mirrors like these by Gerrie Bremermann.

 

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In France, a true antique trumeau.  Everything in this picture is sublime.  That lantern, the molding over the door, the lamps, the gilt chairs, the table, the mantel – sigh.

 

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My favorite pair of mirrors in a bedroom.  Everything is gorgeous – the curtains, the chandelier, the chest.  Stunning!

 

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I’ve always loved this trumeau by the Tone on Tone owners!  It perfectly illustrates how a mirror can make the room.

 

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A favorite image of a simple breakfast room made special because of the mirror.

 

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Too gorgeous – design by Carol Glasser.

 

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I love this room in France– rustic architecture, simple upholstery and a dressy pair of console with mirrors.

 

 

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I think this beach house by Babs Watkins, done many years ago, started a craze in Houston for painted trumeaus like this.  I know I wanted one just like this. The house had several different mirrors in it, but this one, over the mantel, was the one everyone wanted.  I wish the image wasn’t cut off!

 

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I took this picture of Sally Wheat’s house during a photoshoot.   It’s all different today, not even sure if she still has her trumeau.  But it caught the eye of a friend and blogger, Artie, from Color Outside the Lines.

 

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Artie is redoing his living room and wanted a trumeau for over his mantel.  He lives in upstate New York, right by Niagara Falls.  He didn’t want to spend thousands on a mirror and after studying Sally’s he decided he could make one himself.   Here’s what Artie had to say:

ARTIE:  when you posted about Sally Wheat’s house in Houston, I fell in love with her style and it gave me the incentive that I needed to make some serious changes around our house. I love the mantel that she created in her family room, with all of the beautiful books and that fabulous trumeau mirror  ... but I knew that finding an antique one would be completely out of my budget.

So taking inspiration from her and with the very limited skills I have when it comes to construction, I made a mirror to mimic Sally’s.   Here is how I did it:   using stock pieces of molding from Lowes, a standard beveled bathroom mirror, and 20 coats of paint  ... I ended up with this.

I even made the sconces  ... using very inexpensive wood appliques, heavy gauge wire that was easy to bend, and unfinished candle pieces from the craft section at Joanns.

 

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Here’s the “Sally Wheat” trumeau Artie made.  I think it looks almost the same!

 

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A close up of the mantel showing the attached candlesticks and books and flowers – just like Sally’s was styled.  

   

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  A last look.   By the way – Artie made that slip cover on the chair.  He is really handy.   Have you ever made something like a trumeau or a copy of an antique before?  I can’t even imagine doing that, but Artie’s looks really good and he claims it was easy.

 

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Here’s a picture of sweet Artie.   He’s really from Texas and how he ended up at the frozen Canadian border, I’ll never understand.  We’re blogging friends and he cracks me up.  If I don’t answer his emails within a day, he sends one titled “Are you mad at me?” 

 

Is there anything you collect that isn’t really a collectable, like chairs, or sconces or mirrors?  I ended up with a house full of “smalls” because I could never wait and save up money to buy something big, like a console or a breakfront.  I usually went for the little things that I could afford at the time – like plates, old biscuit tins, glassware.   To do it all over again, I would wait, accumulate, and make one big purchase instead of a lot of little ones.   Funny how you learn these things so late…  

 

78 comments :

  1. I used to collect antique chairs had them all over the house until the husbands had a fit. You see antique chairs are to small and short for a tall man and they aren't comfortable but they're so pretty! I used to collect everything under the sun but I got tired of dusting so I got rid of the clutter. But somehow the stuff always creeps back in this time in the form of antique lamps. Hey we need to see! Loved this post!

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  2. I also love mirrors and trumeaus. I have several of each in my home. One very special French Trumeau is installed above my fireplace in our upstairs bedroom.
    I have posted a Trumeau Tutorial, dated February 5, 2010, on my blog, Art and Alfalfa, ginaceramics.blogspot.com. It is made with architectural fragments and dry wall compound. I made two to fit an empty space above windows in our Library. They are a slightly different version of a trumeau design, lacking the mirror within.
    Your home is very beautiful and so are the rest of the images you have chosen.

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  3. I am totally impatient too. I end up with adorable little things that I have run out of space for. I have always had athing for chairs. I recently got a family piece reupholstered and "new" antique dining chairs to satify that itch. I have also started buying original art and can't seem to stop!

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  4. Oh. Oh. Oh. Can't think of a better way to spend a while on the sofa. Such beautiful trumeaus, and Joni, you home is more beautiful by the day. Your wallpaper is stunning. He did such a great job.
    Well.. I am going to try this. I made a piece in a sculpture class for the top, so I need to get busy, and will try to make one similar to yours at the same time.
    Thanks for entertaining me for a while.
    Teresa
    xoxo

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  5. So I know my comment should be related to mirrors but I just have to make 2 comments on your house. I am in LOVE with the scalloped edges on your white slip covered sofa and the tie backs on the slip covered chairs in your living room. Okay, with that being said... your entry to this article cracked me up with your admission of too many sconces and mirrors. I have wanted to blog about an article for some time and call it "Enough Already." We all do this as do all of our clients and its comical almost how we hone in on just one or two design elements we love and go crazy. I know what mine is... topiaries and dark brown candleholders. I swear I don't have too many, but I think I'm in denial. Loved your article. Loved Artie's trumeau. Drueling.

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  6. Chairs, mirrors, you are right, those are not your usual collectibles. I understand you though. How about plaster models of famous buildings? That's the corky thing I collect. You can read it in my blog.

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  7. Alright, I see changes in your living room. When are you going to show us?
    BTW, love the dog Ben purchased. :)
    xoxo Dianne

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  8. Alright, I see changes in your living room. When are you going to show us?
    BTW, love the dog Ben purchased. :)
    xoxo Dianne

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  9. Joni, you're so good to me! And I have to tell you that I'm in love with this post (not only because you were gracious enough to include me) but because I get to see some of those changes you've been working on at Maison Webb. I absolutely LOVE tke living room! LOVE IT! I'm off to look back through the pictures, then send you an email with the header: "I know you're not mad at me, but ..."

    LOL!
    xo,
    A

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  10. Posts like this one are why we LOVE you, Joni! Love seeing all the small glimpses into your beautiful home, faux or not!

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  11. Wow what a great surprise!!! I'm just reading your blog, looking at all the pretty mirrors and boom! Artie, you're awesome!! I can't believe you made that mirror! And that slipcover!! They're so pretty!
    Thank you both for making my day!
    Sally

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  12. Give her one of the sunbursts.
    Keep the chinoiserie.

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  13. Hi Joni, I so enjoyed this post. I have a penchant for mirrors also, but a little more restraint than you (and crummy stores here, which helps). :)

    I love the Louis mirror of your mother's over the sideboard and that darling sunburst above it. I love the other sunburst in your living room too. I love them dearly and don't think they will ever be out of style in my book. I still want one (three, really). If you ever get rid of yours, I will make you an offer...!

    Lizzie's room is lovely, as is your entire house. So beautifully decorated. I don't even mind that dog. :)

    xo Terri

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  14. I was at Versailles in May... Stunning place. LOVE mirrors too. :)

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  15. My dad and I made a trumeau when I was in college---sadly, it is very ugly. We copied something Martha had done. Of course I love the Swedish mirror the best. I appreciate your addiction-- and you crack me up talking about Ben's dog. Ha.

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  16. Lovely and funny post! You are the perfect blogging combo...great style and confidence with a dash of self-deprecation and humor. My favorite (in people!)

    Artie seems like a a charming and talented, and, dare I dare it, evolved, male AND....if he could bring himself to paint out his fireplace bricks, his home would gain LOADS of charm and sophistication.

    It is my limited experience that all males are adverse to painting bricks and wood.

    Keep on truckin', Joanie. You are a fresh drink of water!

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  17. LOVE all of the mirrors but what I love MOST in this post is Mr Slipper socks next to the bed:) Made me smile:)

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  18. I too love mirrors and I'm ready for a trumeau over my huntboard; faux is just fine with me too. I love the convex mirror over your mantel, and had the opportunity to buy one at a Houston estate auction warehouse a year ago,...... and didn't! For $50! Help me. My obsession for smalls has taken over my house, and I'm needing some serious counseling to curb my addiction to little dog figurines, statues, dog books, paintings.....that appetite is never quenched! Great post.

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  19. LOL! Anon - it's NOT ME! It's Scott. Don't worry though, I've got something up my sleeve! :)

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  20. What a fantastic post! I love the way you show how antiques can be used to make a room something special. Thank you for sharing images of your own rooms, I like the guest bedroom and the living room. Also, that French room with the double mirrors above the consoles...divine! Have a great week, Tammy

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  21. Hi Joni you are a gal after my heart with this post! I adore mirrors and the trumeau is so special!! I have one at the top of my entry stairs.

    I am amazed at Artie's creation of both the mirror and the slipcover. I would probably get very frustrated trying this DIY! He is so great!

    I have stopped collecting so much, mainly because I am in a condo now, not that I am not tempted!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  22. LOVE. THIS. POST.
    And it's right on time too. I am looking for an entryway mirror, and I have the fever for the flavor of a Louis Phillippe. Yet, I love the decor in your daughter's room. To splurge, or not to splurge?...
    Love the images, and appreciate you sharing your home. I tend to accessorize with global/ethnic handicrafts, and I prefer the real deal. I have a thing for masks, and have gathered a few from different corners of the world. My toddlers are scared of them, and convinced that they move. So, I've had to whittle down my stash to those that I personally bought on overseas trips. They have more meaning to me anyway. I also am a candle freak, and I'm jonesing for a pair of antique French gilt candlesticks. Any suggestions or leads? Thanks again for all that you do here. :-)

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  23. I'm mirror-mad too, and have used mirror walls to enhance space. In the renovation of the condo here we will have floor to ceiling mirrors in a thick black frame at opposite ends of the lift lobby corridors on each floor. Originally in one demo mock up the mirrors were angled, (facing slightly upwards). I've changed that so they are flat on the wall. I notice a number of your images are of pictures that are resting against the wall. I much prefer mirrors and pictures to be hung. (Pictures resting on the floor drive me insane!)

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  24. I love a mirror. I have one in every room in the house, except the kitchen~ no wall space. Maybe, I should use them as a backsplash. My family would CROAK! I love this post!!! Your comments at the end really hit home. I did that for years. Nickeled and dimed my house. Now, I try to wait so I can upgrade, plus the leftovers end up at the children's houses.

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  25. I just can't stop looking at these photos of some of the most beautiful mirrors ever! I'm off to France in a few weeks, and a trumeau is the only thing I want to come home with! [ well, that and maybe my husband, too!!]
    Fabulous blog!!!!!!!!

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  26. I definitely have a fondness for chairs, I rescue them from the curb in order to make them over. However I ended up with too many and not enough time, so they were taking up valuable real estate, so I had to give some back to the curb. Fortunately they got rescued again!

    Now for mirrors. I too am obsessed! Especially small round ones, sunbursts are always good and convex are my all time favourites! I have a small collection that I'm planning to display in the living room in a type of rogues gallery. I would love a trumeau too!!!!

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  27. Absolutely loved the story. Is there a Mirror Anonymous? I'd be a chartered member. I have mirrors everywhere...and I'm going to completely mirror my kitchen. My friends are appalled. They say what about resale? I say I'm too old to worry about that now.

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  28. Joni,

    This post made me really forget about everything else... so interesting. Got 100% of my attention!

    xo


    Luciane at HomeBunch.com

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  29. I have a lot of mirrors in my house too, but not as many or near as pretty as yours. I have taken down all but one or two pieces of art, and replaced with mirrors. now this post makes me want to get another one...I would love a stunner in my living room over the sofa. I will take your advice and "accumulate" for a potentially big $ price tag!
    You house looks beautiful Joni, I love your style, and mr. slippersocks dog looked fine to me.

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  30. I found myself in the same boat as you, paintings in the garage replaced by mirrors. I found I don't tire of mirrors but paintings come and go out of boredom and styles. I think I'll always be partial to sunbursts though.

    Great post and really enjoyed another look at your home.

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  31. OMG!! I LOVE THIS POST! I, too, have mirrors EVERYWHERE....even several leaned against the wall in my never-used formal living room hidden behind the sofa waiting to figure out WHERE they should GO!!!
    Addiction is a sad thing!!!
    And don't be too hard on Ben about the dog statue...as a doggie rescuer up here in Dallas I would HAVE to find a great place for it...I actually like it QUITE a lot! Thanks Joni! Artie's piece looks great...I think he might want to put a dark wax coat over it (see Miss Mustard Seed blog) to age it a bit more but overall he was pretty ingenious!!!

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  32. I love all of your posts, but my favorites are the ones that show your own house. As a "Joni Stalker," I'm always interested in seeing the latest changes and tweaks. When I see a photo taken in your house, I immediately know in which room it is and its exact location. I''m almost embarrassed to admit this, but I have a "Joni File" on your house. Okay, enough said…you get the point that I'm obsessed. That's why I'm curious about the few places that you haven't shown us through the years. We've only seen one or two pics of your downstairs guest bathroom and I'd love to see more. Is there a hall that leads from the garage to your foyer? Is that where the guest bath and the laundry room are? What about the master bath and the guest bath upstairs? I know that your office isn't done to your liking, but I'd love to see that as well. Have you painted the red console behind your desk? So many questions, but please, we want MORE!

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  33. You have done a beautiful job around your home with mirrors...must feel light and bright and bigger! I love mirrors for that. I have a trumeau that was my mother's in our house growing up and it was already in the house when she bought it...I am not sure what makes it authentic? We bought some French pieces when we lived in Paris and the exchange rate was so good--so glad we did! I'd really like more artwork now.

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  34. Amazing post, loved it! Artie did a grand job on his trumeau + would adore those bricks on the fireplace painted or washed...just a thought,just a thought.
    The peeks into your home- Joni, is a treat..grand posting. happy wednesday xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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  35. Great article and great photographs!I've always been crazy over mirrors and I can't tell you how many times a customer has fallen for a frame and said " but that old glass has to go!" In so many of the older mirrors the real value is in the original glass that somehow managed to survive a century or two. I've also built many architectural trumeaux from ancient wood covered with layers and layers of paint aged with a heat gun and talc; some have inclued paintings, old colored mirror and platters. One of my favorites was a very large traditional trumeau in blue and green paint with a cubist oil painting installed in the top half. Very edgey!

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  36. Judging from this post, an addiction to mirrors -- especially trumeaus -- and chairs is relatively common. I feel so much better now. Your home is beautiful. I especially love your family room. I reminds me of the warmth and charm exuded by the room you showed in Oscar de la Renta's beach house. Exquisite. I am putting this post in my inspiration folder immediately. It's a keeper. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  37. I, too, ended up with a house full of smalls because I did not have the patience to wait to for larger antiques. I loved the "tour" of all your mirrors and thank you for teaching me about a trumeau and now I am inspired to make my own. I will keep you posted!

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  38. I like Artie's mirror the best. He is so good!
    Would you mind sharing your source for the bamboo blinds shown in your home in your photos? I am trying to find some that are well priced.
    Thanks!

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  39. hello, my name is Joan and I'm an antique-mirroraholic;) In our last house I had someone ask me if we had "any" mirrors that we could actually see in?!! I agree, they are works of art. Except for the kitchen, there's a mirror (or two;) in each room.
    Artie did a great job on his mirror. That Texas boy is such a talent!

    joan

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  40. Joni, your home is beautiful!!! I too love mirrors and chairs. I have quite a collection as well. But I have to say I have way too many pillows!! I just can't help myself! Thank you for keeping it real!

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  41. Oh Yes, Joni I am addicted to lamps,mirrors and pillows. I can't say I have any as lovely as yours but I do have some in rooms and some wrapped up in storage. I love the light that bounces off of a mirror. I think of a mirror like I do a window. It brings light and life to a room!!! ARtie did a great job, he is verrrry clever indeed, Kathysue

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  42. I love your post! May I ask where you got your bamboo window treatments in the windows of your master bedroom? They are wonderful!

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  43. Another great do it yourself inspiration! Have you ever seen the one Susie Harris did?
    http://www.susieharrisblog.com/2010/02/diy-trumeau.html. She's a crafty southern belle from Louisiana and awhile back she did one that is amazing with step by step instructions. I follow her blog and just wanted to share it with you, if that's okay!

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  44. Wow, Joni! Your home is beautiful. Looks like you made some changes in the den (new throw & pillows). I didn't catch the changes in the living room mentioned by another commenter. But, I'm going back to check them out for sure! You don't want to know all the things I collect. Among the many things are tole trays, antique page turners & letter openers, tortoise shell smalls, chairs, mirrors, majolica...well, you get the picture. You're right, Joni. I really should have waited, saved the money, and bought larger antiques. But hey, you live and you learn. I still love my "stuff"; I probably just should not have acquired so much of it. Loved this post.

    P.S.-I'm in line, Joni, for one of those sunburst mirrors if you decide to sell! I'm serious!

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  45. to anon- my blinds in my bedroom i actually bought from my friend who sold me her convex mirror.

    the other blinds - look on my sidebar for Monica with custom creatoins - she could tell you. she ordered them for me.

    Joni

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  46. looked for your email but couldn't find it..wanted to die when you stopped in to my blog today and it was a piddly example of 3 images from the web. gah!! i really am more original usually. i swear! anyhow it was fun to see your comment because I grabbed my laptop last night to tweet during Million Dpllar Decorators. I was on a different hashtag apparently...did tweet with Linda M. And then Mary McDonald retweeted my comment about advising Kathryn to strangle Shannon, the nightmare, Factor. so fun that show! I loved the office she decorated~just fantastic! See you next Tuesday...(*hmm, that used to be not a nice thing to say!)

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  47. Joni,
    There is a saying here in Australia "You are so up yourself" alluding to ones potential narcissistic tendencies. Its exactly what my dear old Dad said when touring my home recently and discovering that I had more than 1 mirror (which is all one needs to slick down an errant hair or two before rushing out the door, isn't it?) Um...yeah right.
    And this is for your Ben......I love your dog it can stay, and my hubby thinks you are a total rock star Slipper Socks Man...He also said he "feels your pain" Whatever that supposed to mean? xx Lyn (The Tassie Devil)

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  48. Thank you Joni! You are a sweetheart to tell me about the shades!

    Susan

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  49. Armoires. My name is Cris and I am an armoire-aholic. Mirrors? Sconces? You can fit them into many (I know, too many) places around the house before running out of room. But armoires? They are a little hard to hide from the husband.

    To make matters worse, we live in a small house. Not House Beautiful small, where the idea of small is completely twisted and 'small' closets are the size of bedrooms, but actually small. Tiny. Where I am seriously considering putting an armoire in our bedroom - in which two sides of the queen bed are up against a wall and you have to crawl in from the other side, and the end of the bed is within two feet of the closet (from which the doors are removed so that you can access it). But see - I could move out the tall dresser on the forth side of the room - there has to be a whole 4 1/2 feet on that side of the room between the wall and the bed. And wouldn't that be a better and more beautiful use of space? Really quite practical. And I don't mind that I'd be perched on the bed off the floor in order to open the doors. Not at all.

    Armoire-aholic.

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  50. Thanks Joni.....I am a mirror junkie too.....xv

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  51. Joni, You have such a gift with words. I enjoyed this post very much but was disappointed that I couldn't view all your pictures! I am in the mountains today and alas, it's beautiful but connectivity is intermittent. I'm at joy of nesting if you would like to stop by for a visit. Shiree

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  52. Joni, You have such a gift with words. I enjoyed this post very much but was disappointed that I couldn't view all your pictures! I am in the mountains today and alas, it's beautiful but connectivity is intermittent. I'm at joy of nesting if you would like to stop by for a visit. Shiree

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  53. Lovely pictures! I just love the furniture and the material used were lovely! Nice post, check out also 3D Rendering

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  54. I don't think I've ever met a mirror I didn't like (except perhaps those 10X magnifying handhelds- but even THEY serve a purpose now :) )
    I love old mirror so much I mirrored the entire fireplace wall of my living room. I also put mirrors outside; on the porch, by the pool... Now that I think about it, the kitchen is probably the only room in the house that doesn't hold a mirror... perhaps mirroring the front of the fridge might be the best dieting aid of all!

    As always, a great post!!
    xx
    SP

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  55. Joni....I love the lantern on the round table in your family room.....hopefully it's not one of a kind and was found here in Houston...care to share your source? Also, is it electrified or is that a candle? Really would love to have one; not sure where it would go though!

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  56. angeldog - it's a lantern, electrified, with a light bulb. i got it at 2620 an antique store, but they only had one!

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  57. Thank you! Love that store :) Will keep my eye out for one similar......

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  58. Joni: Great to see more of your home! I love mirrors too. The scuzzier, the better!

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  59. Gosh!Breathtaking Images and stunning Stuff!very Inspirational post!i adore the photography!

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  60. I, too have an obsession with mirrors! My poor husband says he feels like he lives in a "fun house" at the carnival. I have taken to doing something very different with mirrors as of late. Would love to send you some pics and get your opinion.

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  61. Jackie (Urban Market) and I were talking about our chair fetish and telling each other we didn't need ANY more chairs...as I was eying yet another chair at Urban Market!

    But mirrors...don't get me started. I have a serious mirror fetish, though only one of mine is a genuine antique. Amazing that your friend MADE one!

    I did the same exact thing you did...bought way too many smalls because it's what I could afford. I've felt guilty getting rid of them, but have been doing that little by little. Too many smalls make things look cluttered...and hard for the eye to find a focal point. Though of course I'll always have some little things here and there!

    xo,
    Linsey

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  62. Somehow I missed this post...but what fun.

    I can't believe how great Artie's project turned out.

    Perhaps my favorite photo however is the one of your living room...it is soooo pretty!

    xo kelley

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  63. I love mirrors too - especially if I need more light. I used to find great frames and have my local glass company put in a mirror. My current home lacks a lot of wall space, so I've had to edit all my mirrors, so I could place my artwork on the walls instead.

    Have a great weekend Joni!

    Sue

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  64. I'm a mirror-a-holic too. Love Artie's mirror.

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  65. Love this post because I love every kind of mirror imaginable as well.Love your ending. You should do a post on the value of waiting. As women, most of us just keep buying little things because we can. Unfortunately then,we never end up with the important stuff. This is what we pretty much end up dealing with all the time. A lot of little stuff and no decent furniture. It's just a trap that most people never realize they are setting for themselves. Please do a post on this. Readers really listen to you.

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  66. Joni, I loved the pictures of all the mirrors and think you are a wonderful decorator. Your home looks so comfortable and warm. I love your daughter's room. It looks so serene, and I love the
    Angel in the room. Through your writing it seems as though you could be the friend next door. So down to earth. We really appreciate your time and effort that it takes to make this blog so wonderful. I kind of agree with you about magazines now. Seldom is there a good one that I enjoy. I feel as though I am looking and reading a magazine when I read your blog I think decorating blogs are the new magazines because you give us what we want, not the totally modern look. I think you are fair and balanced in your blogs.
    Thanks,
    Judy

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  67. fabulous, fabulous. lovely mirrors.


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  68. Bonjour!
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  73. Charlotte Des FleursApril 22, 2012 at 8:50 PM

    Thank you for all the beautiful eye candy. However, if I had to wait until I could afford a "real" antique, my home would be very sparseley furnished. I have two mottos: "Just because it's old, doesn't mean it's worth the gold." "Just because it's shabby, doesn't mean it's chic." Every one of today's antiques was once new. The patina of age may or may not be beautiful. I haunt antique shops to train my eye, then buy the closest thing to the "real" thing that I can afford. I don't need to pay 10 times too much just because some famous person may have touched a piece of furniture a hundred years ago.

    And, by the way, now that I have honed my skills at reupholstering fauteuilles, refurbishing old chandeliers, and repairing antique laces, I am looking forward to making a Trumeau or two or maybe even three. Kudos to the young Texas dude who has already done so!

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  74. Hall of mirrors has always been amazing.

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  75. wow! I'm really surprised,,how could you properly use mirror in everywhere our living places? You use mirrors in everywhere like bedroom,drawing room, living room ..really you are creative enough to utilize mirrors every sectors of our house.I'm really inspired by you.and planning to use mirror to some places of my house...thanks for sharing
    Thanks
    Anna
    French bedroom furniture

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  76. Joni,

    Reading your past posts, and the subject of mirrors has been on mind lately. I too have a love for antique mirrors, and have too many. I am an interior designer and have alway advised clients to have one major mirror in a room, unless a matching pair etc.3 A sunburst or smaller mirrors on bookcases like your photos in your living room I don't feel compete at all . I struggle in the new homes with open floor plans, I have one myself, that have entry, living room and dining that are all open to each other. I have a Brittany, France carved large mirror over my fireplace with souring beamed ceilings. The mirror is stunning. I feel it should stand on its own, and not compete with maybe another one in the entryway of similar shape. Do you agree? Have you ever posed the question to readers of how many is too many mirrors?

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