Last week I picked up a vintage gilded mirror that is in almost perfect condition. It was extremely dusty when I bought it and I didn't realise exactly how good it was until I brought it home and cleaned it. I don't know why sellers don't put a little extra effort in and present their goods nicely. They would be able to demand a much higher price. Anyway let's just say I scored a good deal on this one.
On Saturday when the kids and Phil were out at basketball, I did a little house cleaning and faffing with pretty things. We are all a bit over living through the renovation and the dust and mess so it was nice to have it clean and pretty for a while anyway. Not long till it's all finished so we are trying to hold it together and not get too fed up. Anyway I decided to hang the mirror to get it off the floor. It can sit here behind the front door till I decide what to do with it.
Now the decisions are keep or sell, paint or leave as it. To tell you the truth I kind of love it in its gilded gaudiness. It's so OTT that I may just keep it as is for a while. Although I know it would look fabulous painted a more muted colour.
Like this one I have in my hallway...
or this lovely one by Leslie Stoker
Decisions, decisions. I think there is no wrong. I will just see what happens when the house is finished and if there's a good spot for it. At the moment, I feel like I'm on hold until the plywood wall comes down between the part of the house we are living and the new part.
Someone asked me about the painting reflected in the mirror. It's a watercolour I did many years ago of the buildings in Prague. I saw a t-shirt in the markets of Prague in similar colours and I wanted to capture it as I love the city very much. Nice fun backpacking memories. Although from the photo I can see that the glass needs a good clean - like most of our house at the moment.
What do you think of the mirror?
Fiona
OMG, keep it as it is, there are so many worse mirrors out there that need your help repainting (but not this one)
ReplyDeleteI agree Kim, I just love it gold! Shiny shiny
DeleteKeep this one gold, Fiona, it's perfect, and I love it against your wall color:)
ReplyDeletehi Leslie, I have another one that needs some work so I am going to work on that instead. Hope all is well. Wish we could paint together sometime....
DeleteI think you should keep it Fiona. It's a special one. I would live with the gold for a while and not rush into painting it. Although the other mirrors do look beautiful. Hmmm. That's a tricky decision to make.
ReplyDeleteKind regards
Cassandra
Thanks Cassandra
DeleteI think this one can stay gold, and I've got another one that definitely needs painting that I can turn my attention to. So much painted beauty as inspiration isn't there.
cheers Fiona
I love each mirror you posted. If I had a wall for this I tend to agree with the others this time. It is a beauty for the right space. I have always loved all the items you redo and update...and I liked the post you did a while back on why you do it !!! Bad condition, choice of owners, decor etc. I downsized when I remarried and at my age I could downsize again, but my little brain has so many ideas, and love so many styles I miss my playing around. I use to change walls, seasonally but kind of quit the extra work. I did just what you did last week. DUSTED and CLEANED seemed so refreshing..thank goodness for company coming !!! Thanks for your fun posts Enjoy the week.
ReplyDeleteYou want to come here and help me clean! Gosh it does make all the difference.
DeleteThanks Sylvia, have a lovely day
Fiona
I would keep it the way it is. It's not damaged and we have been selling this look very well. It's gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI think that’s the decision Debbie, pretty lovely isn’t it
DeleteThanks Fiona x
I think gold is coming back and I love this piece! Since it is in such good condition, leave it as it is. If it were on the cusp, then you might repaint, but...
ReplyDeleteThere's one tiny spot where the gold has rubbed off but it's not noticeable so I think it can stay gold, thanks (and yes gold is making a comeback isn't it)
DeleteYou could always leave it the golden for a while and down the road, several months, a year...change it up! No hurry!
ReplyDeleteabsolutely I think this might be gold for a while. So pretty
Deletethanks Rose, have a lovely day
Fiona x
Hi Fiona,
ReplyDeleteLove the mirror... :-) !
Have paint...must paint it :-) just like the one you already have.
Linda x
but so many other things to paint Linda - like my stair case! Wondering why I've chosen a two toned staircase when it's me doing the painting!
DeleteIt's gorgeous, I think you should keep it until you're sick of it then paint it :)
ReplyDeletegreat idea - i can always change later!
DeleteDear Fiona,
ReplyDelete"When in doubt, do nowt", as our grandmothers used to say.What (little) I know of real art gilding is that it uses gold leaf. There's a guy in Sydney who teaches it, can't remember his name but you might enjoy his classes - another string to your bow?
I confess that when I look at the mirror I have this overwhelming desire to remove the curly things on the corners and just leave the nice shell motif at the top. But that's just me, and they may not be removable anyway.
Love your Prague painting, btw. And that French Linen colour.
Rxxx
I think the same Roseanna, if I don't desperately want it painted I will just leave as is. I actually have really fallen in love with it gold so am keeping it and leaving as is. (I like the scrolls!!)
DeleteI have heard about that guy before, can't remember who told me.
Hope you are well xx
Its gorgeous and I do love it as is, could you hang it on your stairwell wall? It would still look great painted, but I suggest you keep it like it is and see how you feel later.
ReplyDeleteLeave the mirror just as it is. It is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteLeave it GOLD. The way it is.....
ReplyDeleteYes Linda I left it gold and sold it a few years ago
Delete