Monday, July 14, 2014

weekend fun and wall decorating dilemma


Remember my friend that moved away a couple of weekends ago? We met up for
breakfast on Saturday morning. These zinnias in front of the restaurant caught my
attention. They're one of my favorite flowers.To me, they are the epitome of cheer 
 and summer and I smile whenever I see them.


On Sunday, me and my aunt spent the day in the city of Elgin, which is about 35 miles
northwest of Chicago, on the Fox River. We walked around the downtown area, going
into different shops (spent a lot of time in a bookstore!) and having lunch in one of
those American pub-type restaurants.


 One of the shops we went into was Retro A Go-Go, which carries cool things from the 
1940's - 1970's. It was a lot of fun to look around.




The only thing I bought was this Snoopy jelly glass for Brian ~ he loves the
Peanuts, especially Snoopy.


Moving on to household stuff...I had showed you all how I put a shadow box on
the wall space beside the front door. I decided after I hung the shadow box
up, that I didn't like it in that space after all.


So, I played around and here's the new look I decided on. I'm not 100% satisfied
with this arrangement either, but it'll do for now. I at least like it better than the shadow
box. My "Big Plan" for this area anyway is to get rid of the console table and utilize
a storage bench instead - the kind you can sit on to take your shoes on and off.
 Then, I'd like to hang a long piece of reclaimed wood on the wall and add different 
kinds of hooks and knobs on it to make a coat rack.


All items were things I had on-hand and all were thrifted.


The fireplace wall is driving me crazy. I've had two black and white pictures hanging
there for over a year. I never did like them. They're not my taste. My cousin had 
purchased them for me, thinking I'd like them and that they'd be perfect for the
fireplace wall. Well, I guess they are in regards to size and fit. But they're too stark
and modern for my taste and decor; plus the photos don't mean anything to me.
I don't have any connection to New York.


In my last post, I had showed you the picture of the mirror that I thought might look
nice over the fireplace, but I wasn't sure if it'd be big enough. I had Brian hold it
up while I took a couple of pictures.


Poor guy, lol.
 

Whaddya think? Too small, isn't it?


But I don't want to hang those black and white pictures back up! And Brian
wants to keep the mirror because he really likes it. He said, "Surely we can
use it somewhere!" Ever feel like ripping an entire room apart and starting
all over again?!

31 comments:

  1. Frustrating, isn't it? To have something you really like that doesn't fit and then have something you don't really like and it fits!! Crazy. I think the mirror looks good up there. That's a really darling mirror. Good luck!!

    Judy

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  2. I think the mirror looks fine! Good, actually! You might see a little extra space on each side right now, but the proportions between the mirror and the ceiling and the mirror to the fireplace are really good. think in this case, a little white space on the sides is fine--you're eyes are drawn to the mirror. I'd hang it and leave it up for a while and see what you think--let it grow on you. Maybe you're just used to the larger prints taking up more space. (But if you decide to get rid of the mirror, I WANT IT!) ;)

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    Replies
    1. Still haven't decided where we're going to put the mirror - but we're keeping it! ;-)

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  3. I really like the mirror, but agree that it's too small for that space. You could go a bit retro and put some long candle sconces on either side and that would work...

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  4. I really like the mirror there but you are the one who has to live with it. :-)



    Debbi

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  5. I had candle sconces in mind too. I love the mirror there.

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  6. Your entry area is much like mine although yours is actually deeper. I don't have room for a bench but I love having my hooks there for bags and whatnot! That retro shop looked very tempting. I would have had a hard time with that.

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    1. Yes! Not only coats, but hooks for bags and purses. It will all come together soon...

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  7. I like the clock, too! I don't mind the size either, but agree you could use some sort of sconce or artwork to fill in some of the space, if it bothers you. Zinnias are my favorite flowers!

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    1. My neighbors down the street have a lot of tall, beautiful zinnias in their front yard. They make me smile whenever I pass by their house.

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  8. Ugh, sorry. I know how frustrated you must be. I think the mirror could work well there if you put something on either side, maybe some kind of sconces to fill up the space? I'm sure you'll come up with something. The retro shop looks like a lot of fun, I would have liked it. The glass you bought is really cute.

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    Replies
    1. Yep, the frustration continues, lol. We definitely need a mantel or some kind of shelf.

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  9. Melanie, your mirror is lovely, but I agree, it is too small for the space. Could it be relocated somewhere else, where it would 'shine' more brightly and do justice to its surroudnings? I always like a big painting or print above a fireplace and love the way the accessories on a mantel softly add texture in front of it. I'm sure you could hunt down a shelf on one of your thrifting expeditions, to place just above the brick work, and I know you could track down your own home for a great array of accessories to place there. Whaddaya think??:))

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    1. You are absolutely right, Poppy! We are either going to use the mirror over the fireplace only if we have a mantel built or find a shelf, or else we're going to use the mirror elsewhere in the living room or even in our bedroom.

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  10. It is so annoying when you can't get things how you want them isn't it, especially if you are not really sure what it is you want, you just know that you don't like what you are faced with at the time! I really like the mirror, but like you think that it could do with being bigger, I wondered though if you could add some other things to the wall that would give a bigger arrangement but allow you to keep and use the nice mirror? The New York pictures are nice, but I agree that you need to have a connection with things in your home. I am sure that in time you will get it all just how you want it! xx

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    1. Thank you for chiming in, Amy - I appreciate everyone's opinion!

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  11. I really like that mirror as I think the round offsets the square fireplace and wall so well. I would keep it because it is beautiful no matter where it ends up. Could you make it look bigger by painting a complimentary color around it (in a circle) that would give the illusion that it is bigger? As you can see I really love the mirror you found would make it work...lol.

    Hugs from Holland,
    Heidi

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    Replies
    1. Thank is a fantastic, creative idea about painting the circle around the mirror, but I'm afraid that's way beyond my talents, lol. We'll figure something out...

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  12. I can relate, about 1/4 of the things I buy don't fit? I like the mirror, you need a mantel girl, then you could put something taller on each side and "balance it out". Work it girl, you can do it'll come together! See you soon!

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    Replies
    1. We definitely need a mantel...but that's going to require custom carpentry and we just can't afford that right now. Looking forward to seeing you soon!

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  13. That retro shop looks fun indeed! i spotted that twister game..we played that as kids and there's a white lamp just like one that my mom used to have.

    I think the mirror would work if you place some other pictures or little shelves with knick knacks or sconces or what-have-you up there along with it? Surrounding or offsetting it?

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  14. Hi Melanie, I love the mirror and think that it is just right :) Have you thought of a mantel? Then you could either off set the mirror or center it and place taller items on the mantel to bring it into a pleasing composition. Maybe something like a couple topiaries, the same size if the mirror is centered and if the mirror is not centered maybe two, tall and shorter on one side and a medium size on the other side. Just an idea :) But most defiantly keep the mirror it's marvelous.
    When you ask for our opinions in a post . . . watch out, because we all have them, LOL.
    Have a lovely day.
    Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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    1. I don't mind other blogger's opinions at all! I think it helps in making a decision. And yes, we definitely need some sort of mantel. I think that will have to be first and foremost.

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  15. I really like the mirror over your fireplace and I don't think it looks too small. If you installed a shelf over your fireplace, you could place large items on either side of the mirror. It would give you a nice spot to place vases of fresh cut flowers from your garden, too!

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    1. You got it, Vickie! I don't know if we'll go with a custom mantel (depends on $$) or just a long shelf above the tile work.

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  16. My first thought was a sconce on each side of it, like others have mentioned. But I agree, it's a little outdated look. I did think of something though. What if you painted a square about the fireplace, then put the mirror in the square? Maybe even something with moldings? You'd get the illusion of a larger mirror, without taking away from it's cool look.

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  17. Thanks for the idea Robin, but I'm not that clever/artistic/handy!

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Thank you for taking the time to leave a kind comment - I read and appreciate each one!