apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I'm sure an old-world style mirror such as this is definitely boyfriend friendly as long as he likes a touch of the ornate. I'm actually a little envious you found such a chic mirror!

I was thinking white--just a tad off-white--as I read through. No "antiquing!"

About placement? Center over the couch if you must leave the couch where it is. Could you pull it further into the room, though? Make it line up with that bit of wall between the door and window?

Then, you can center it on the wall and put a nice narrow console table underneath it. You may not have the room though.

Fabulous piece. Good for you.

Hi! Thanks so much for posting this. I agree very much that we need more color. Our future plans for the room are a nice media stand that will balance the room more. I'm also considering an area rug as well. I just have to remember I'm living with another person so I need to take his likes into consideration too as he does mine. We also have to recoup from the moving expenses!

Oh, and the color on the wall is darker than it looks there. It was a weird time of day - pre-storm, evening, and we have a northern exposure. I hope this helps.

p.s. I really like the white enamel idea. I wasn't sure we could pull it off with the dark furniture.

I love the Chinese red suggestion. Or.. what about picking up that dark teal from the throw? I think you could really use a color injection into the room.

I'd go with a high-gloss black - very modern, and will pick up on that black leather chair. And yes - I love it too! Sophisticated and special in a way that you can't get from all-new pieces.

I'd recommend centering it over the sofa, not the wall, and don't hang it too high (make the bottom edge no more than 12 inches above the top of the sofa or thereabouts).

(For what it's worth, I'd also lower that group of framed pictures straight ahead in the photo - or replace them with a single piece that has some color?)

A DC apartment! Why don't we have our own AT yet?

I too love juxtaposing antique stuff with fresh new things, and I am in love with your mirror. I'd keep it as is (or gold leaf it if the current color is really driving you crazy) and instead paint the walls in a bold hue. Your apartment is lovely but it's in dire need of color! When my girlfriend and I move in together I plan on doing something similar, since she's giving me free reign of the decorating.

As a guy, I think it's a bit barouque but if you have an eclectic style (and let him have things he likes ;->), I don't see why not.

Hang it on a wall that has with modern wallpaper for example.

Or if you can't do wallpaper in your place, hang it above a modern table and do a bold paint treatment on the wall.

I agree with Maxwell's suggestion of gold leafing it. The spray paint isn't doing it any favors.

I second the high-gloss black paint!

Ooh, you can do LOTS with this mirror!

Here are a couple of pics of a formerly ugly mirror, which I found in a second-hand store and re-did for my place:

http://tinyurl.com/2krrvv
http://tinyurl.com/32ssuf

Probably not everyone's choice of colours, but it works for me! I painted the entire frame black, then used three different colours of "metallic" craft paint (FolkArt brand, from Michael's) to get a nice, non-flat, non-boring colour on the finish. (I think I used two different turquoise colours, plus pearly white.) I mixed the colours right on the frame with the brush, and then wiped/blotted it off with paper towels to get the black to come through.

I like the suggestions of either refinishing it in gold leaf or painting it a glossy black. Because it is so ornate I'd love to see it over a modern, stream lined credenza.

-k*

i like the high gloss black, or teal color scheme...its a great mirror.

May I suggest that you think about replacing, or finding new covers for those throw pillows? I love the path that this mirror piece will start your decor on, but the flowers will clash and keep your pad in semi-dowdyland, when it clearly belongs in the land of the chic and fabulous. Of course, I could be wrong as the picture doesn't give the full view, and you should absolutely keep them if you like them.

If it were me, I would find bright covers for those throw pillows that you love, paint the mirror frame a complimentary color, and when it's time, add some colorful art up above the tv.

I have a similar issue that I've been sitting on. I FOUND two little (12x14ish) ornate wood mirrors in the FREE pile of my building. (A definite score.) They are gold right now, and I've hung them, but I keep toying with the idea of making them a high gloss black, but I'm not sure if I should compromise the gold... Do you guys think the black is too trendy? If I don't like it, how hard/pricey is it to go back to gold leaf?

(I like the high gloss Chinese red idea too...)

I like the suggestion of teal from the throw-or do you have any other color you can pull from that may not be in the picture? Changing out the pillows/covers is a great idea, as is pulling the couch forward more. Since you are open to painting, consider some of the other pieces you have-coffee table, bookcase, other frames. If you can paint one of them teal or some other color and the mirror, too, you'll start to see what color can really bring to your room.

And if it's not working, try an different color-coral could be excellent with the couch and the walls.

I second the suggestion from Moxie the Maven for new pillows. If you check the 'Sale' page at www.pillowsandthrows.com, you'll see some fabulous pillows at a considerable markdown. I ordered a pillow from them, and I was very pleased with the service I got.
And I'd love to see that mirror in either black or Chinese red (really love the red!).

Good luck!

You might consider a matte black which will make it look more like wrought iron (and more masculine). My sister's boyfriend (a contractor) has a matte black mirror similar to this in his bathroom and it looks fantastic.

What about silver leaf, instead of gold?

The mirror is ornate but it was your Grandmother's. I agree that painting it white or another light color, say that of the wall, would lessen the frilliness and make it seem more modern.

Gilding something like that is not as easy as you might imagine and if not done well looks awful. I also agree that if you do choose to apply metal, use silver leaf instead of gold. Leafing would be much more expensive than paint.

The best solution would be to use this over your bed or in your bathroom, or even in the kitchen. That might appease your boyfriend.

The living room could definitely use some color. A bromeliad on the coffee table might give some color and introduce plant life without the expense or trouble of fresh flowers.

Since your money is tight and you have wall-to-wall carpet, a rug might not be your priority right now. The most important piece of furniture is a comfortable mattress that allows you to get a good night's sleep. Lighting is also important.

If it were me I'd do Chinese red but then I don't have a boyfriend to worry about and I like bold color. I like the gold/silver leaf idea too.

I agree with the earlier suggestions of high-gloss black. I also like the previously mentioned idea of placing it above a nice modern credenza, perhaps with matching lamps on either side in a bold color, and a delicate floral arrangement in front of the mirror or collection of small vases or pottery. (Hello flea market!)

I think the room could benefit from a furniture-rearrange. Maybe utilizing your bright windows and patio door as a focal point (although this may be difficult since it is in the corner of the room) as opposed to the TV. I dislike rooms centered around a TV!

And my last comment will be: Since the apartment lacks architectural elements (as so many apartments do!), you could mimic molding by framing the walls with contrasting paint, or even just white paint "molding" with a slightly darker neutral shade for the rest of the walls (like a mushroom grey or putty)

Just a few thoughts! hope I didn't type too much!

These are all such great ideas! Thank you so much. Adding color to the apt has been a bit of a battle of who's more stubborn, haha. I was able to sneak a throw, light paint color, and some placemats in, so we're getting somewhere.

Right now I'm definitely leaning towards the black or white. We'll see about the black as I don't want it to look like something from Hot Topic.

I was also considering maybe putting it over the bed as MrGreen suggested. We have a print there right now that is just kinda there to have something there. The walls are the same blue-grey as the wall behind the couch. It really looks darker in person, I swear! The duvet is white and we have dark brown curtains and headboard. We rent, so we'll have to repaint at the end or be charged a lot (hence not going too dark). The carpet here is also lighter than any other apartment I've lived in, which drives me nuts. Our fabulous view makes up for it!

We're kinda stuck with how the furniture is in the living room b/c we really only have one useable wall (one goes to the balcony, one has to be for the tv and one faces an awkward kitchen bar thing which is too high to be usable). Someday I'd love that credenza or sofa table though that you guys suggested. Right now I'll just aim for a non-ikea tv stand from college.

I'd LOVE to have plants as well, but they have to be up high b/c we have two inquisitive cats who will eat anything. All the outdoor posts make me want a flowerbox, so I'm going to hit up the nursery this weekend.

It's just been tough, as I'm sure many of you who moved in with an SO know, getting both to be happy. He's not a huge fan of plants, family pics, color or mirrors. Soon he'll see how great some good design - with great suggestions from people like you - can look. I can't thank you enough!

If you paint it black it's going to stand out way more than if you paint it white. I'd ease your boyfriend into it by painting it white, I also think it would look better white. I also think it would go better in a bedroom or bathroom. I have something similar in our master bathroom.

http://flickr.com/photos/lorie09/119509687/

Even painted black- not a guy thing at all. Craiglist it.

DON'T craiglist it. It's yours, a family piece. Like you said, it's give and take, and the place has to please BOTH of you (not just him!). You get to keep your mirror, and he can keep something he loves that you hate! That's compromise, right?

Hi--I live near DC and am in a similar situation. I like all the suggestions for the mirror. Also--have a suggestion. I printed out alot of vacation shots that I have taken by myself and with my SO, bought cheap frames and colored artist paper for 'picture matting'. looks great and I did an entire living room wall for under $100. plus, it's great memories, conversation starters and incentive to save money so that you can add more pics.

First thing I thought - it belongs in the boudoir, not above the couch. And I almost think it might get lost in the living room since it isn't that that big. It might be a bit too frilly for your man, but get a sense for theparisapartment.com and see if you can't work something out with the mirror, family photos, flowers, etc in a small area of your bedroom.

go with the black

Definitely try introducing a plant or two into the apartment. I have lots of plants as well as a cat that eats everything, and he pretty much leaves the plants alone. I have a two palm tree-type plants that sit on the floor and occasionally he'll bat at them, but he completely ignores the peace lily, jade, Afican violet, and other potted plants that sit on a table or windowsill. I think cats like to play with fringey plants but not ones with wide/thick leaves, if that makes any sense.

I'd love to know the name of your apartment complex; I'm going crazy trying to find a reasonably priced, nice apartment around here. But if you don't want to tell I totally understand.

I'd paint it. Almost any color you like or the same color as the wall to disguise it a bit.

I like the idea of glossy black. OR... if you did something like a gunmetal silver color, that would be nice. There's a color called Smoke in the Modern Masters line of metallic paints that Janovic sells. It's really pretty.

The problem I'm having with that mirror is that is almost not ornate enough.

Paint it any color that works as part of your (future) colors scheme, but definitely go high gloss.

In addition to black, white, and coral, I'd add lime, tangerine, or turquoise to the list of possibilities. Or silver leaf, or silver chrome paint.

Look to Domino for inspiration on this one, too.

my first thought was also teal.

I love the smokey gunmetal idea. And for the bedroom too! Great idea. I think boyfriend will be more amenable to bedroom (it's a mirror! by the bed!) too.

Engineergirl, is there a way to message each other on here? I'd be happy to tell you which complex I'm in. It's not too too pricey - 1710 for an 800 sq ft 1 bedroom. W/D, granite counters. Utilities aren't included. I'd be happy to email you or however this works. I'm obviously new to all of this!

If you paint that mirror teal, with all the black furniture, it will look like 1980-something. What they called "mauve" back then would work well as an accent to the teal, and provide a little authenticity to the look.

I love this question! I have a very similar mirror, even more ornate on the sides, with the original gold finish over plaster mouldings (not wood). And it was $5 at an estate auction in my little hometown in Ohio!

My question is... how the heck do I hang the sucker?? Since mine's plaster and very thick glass, it weighs 25-30 pounds, easily. I'm afraid to have it fall. It's been leaning against the wall on the floor since last August, lol. Any tips?

paint it white! it will look like a gesso mirror... there is an example of one in bunny william's punta cana house in may's issue of town&country and it looks pretty rad. that's what i'd do!

hey jeni-rae! way to go ohio!

ok now that that's out of the way, i think it's best you somehow find a stud (or two), use a drill and mollies/wall anchors and very strong wire. i'm pretty sure a drill is necessary for our mirrors.

also, i really think the white would look nice - over the bed. misty, do you happen to have a link to that punta cana house? i couldn't find it.