Monday, February 14, 2011

Better Than Pottery Barn

I love mirror windows.  I have had my eye on this mirror from Pottery Barn since I first spotted it.
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The $699 price tag put this baby out of reach.  So I set my sights on something more attainable.  I figured if I could find an old window I could make it my own.  While my hubby and I were antiquing for a chandelier  I kept my eye out for a cheap old window.

I don't know how many of you have tried antiquing in New York but it is tough.  Everything is expensive.  Even old windows.  I could not find one for less than $150. That cost, on top of getting the mirrors for the window pains, cutting them to size, and painting the frame and we're looking at quite an expense.  

Just when I had given up my hubby's aunt offered us this WINDOW MIRROR she had not sold at a yard sale.  What luck!
I jumped at the offer.  I'm not sure if you can tell in this picture, but it had gold speckles.  I was not crazy about the speckles but knew a coat of paint would fix that right up. I don't think she realized I had been looking for one all summer.  The price tag said $5.00 and I offered to pay it, but she gave it to us for free (and some blankets so we wouldn't break it on the way home).  Even Jeff thought I was crazy and did not realize my obsession with the right window mirror.


Fast forward three months...



My mirror is done and I love it.  It's better than Pottery Barn (as the title suggests) because it's white, free, and a real window.  I'm so happy. I put it up in my stairwell.  The idea is that it will reflect the light from a big skylight over the stairs (you can see it in the first shot) and down into my living room and dining room (I have a very open floor plan)
I painted it white and added a touch of distressing with the highly recommended Distress Ink (I love that name)

Here is one more before and after so you can see how good it looks.
Before
 After
Now I can't wait to get a big painting on the other wall to balance the area out (I have my eye on one of my sister's paintings, it is nice to have a gifted artist as a sister).

The DIY Show Off


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6 comments:

  1. It's beautiful! I love that PB mirror too but definitely not the price. I can't believe even old windows cost that much in NY. For that, you can drive to PA, grab one for $1 and drive back up and still have money left over. ;)

    It's all linked up. Thanks so much for sharing your creativity in the DIY Project Parade! It's nice to "meet" you!

    Roeshel

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  2. Thanks for the sweet comment on my blog! I love that PB mirror too! I have a window frame that I have been thinking about putting a mirror in, but I just can't decide! I'm your newest follower!

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  3. Hi Chandeen, Thanks for becoming a follower on my blog! I'm hosting a great giveaway--all you have to do to enter is stop by & leave a comment on the giveaway post. My fingers are crossed for you.

    Warmly, Michelle

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  4. I have a thing for mirrors and love this one! I also love the price tag!!

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  5. I loved that same Pottery barn mirror so we made a similar one and it still ended up costing $80. I can't believe you got one for FREE!! It turned out gorgeous! I love projects that I got a steal on!

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  6. This is gorgeous & free on top of that!

    -caroline
    http://cwfrosting.blogspot.com

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