Fly, I thought the same thing about the juxtaposition of the beautiful mirror and horrible other stuff. (I have an SUV, and a severe stubborn streak as far as "I can go ahead and get it myself now, or have to wait for help later"!)

Thanks for the good wishes about my kiddo. It's not immediately life-threatening, but a lot has already been confirmed, and it's just more than I can even really think about right now.

Having a sense of humor is truly, truly one of the only things keeping me going right now. After fishing the rat out of the pool, the carpet cleaner, property manager, and plumber and I all started joking that the outfit I was wearing would now be referred to as my "ratty clothes". ::snicker::

Reno, you have such a good eye for the details and the mirror is simply perfect on that wall.

Hang in there, things have got to turn around real soon.

Reno sorry to hear about all the bad new as of late. Hopefully things will start to look up soon!

That mirror is awesome. Looks great and like it was meant to be there! And what a price!

WOW - just beautiful Reno (but sorry about such a bad day!)

(((reno))) I totally get it. Working on projects, thrift shopping, enjoying my finds, is my healthy escape too.

being a mirror lover I just gotta share mine..

I acquired this after an old hermit lady died and mysister inherited her estate..the lamp was a flea market find..the mirror has a date on it, Dec 08, 1900 (excuse the reflection of the back of our new dishwasher sitting there waiting to be installed)
I left the glass in its original condition, so it is kinda rough, all i did was clean it carefully

::::Swoon:::: Ronbre, that's killer. 1900???? Amazing.

I'm a huge sucker for lamps, mirrors, and chairs, and those are the first 3 things my eyes gravitate toward when I enter any store. (Even though I don't need any more of any of them!) I LOVE your mirror and lamp combo!

Reno_Fan, mirror so much! I also love your crown molding and your walls.

Ronbre, that is a great mirror also. I love mirrors.

Reno,

How did you do those walls? Did you do them by hand? What a beautiful job! I hope your year gets better soon.

Pam, yes, I did the walls by hand.

For the diamond pattern I just cut out some posterboard-type material into a square and traced it onto the wall very lightly with a pencil. I used a very thin craft painting brush and some gold paint and went over the lines with paint, then made a stamp for the fleur de lis pattern.

I later went back over the fleur de lis and shaded them to keep them from looking so cartoonish.

The wall lettering was done using my computer to print out what I wanted, and then carbon paper. I went over the letters with a pencil to transfer to the walls, then traced over it in paint pen. (It sounds much harder than it was when it's all written out!)

Beautiful mirror -- so glad you found something to brighten your day.

LOve that mirror~Hope your Valentines Day is sweet!

Too many disastrous days here to count. Have to give you credit for still having a sense of humor. From the ridiculous to the sublime...

I'll keep you and your child in my prayers.

reno, sorry to hear all the bad news, what a bummer.

I think the mirror is too ornate to have all the other decor around it, i.e., the blue plates and pitcher, and the red potted decor. I think just simple items would do now that the mirror is the star and makes such a bold statement.

I agree with brutuses, such a beautiful mirror should be the main point of focus. I'd remove all the blue items, have just the plant on the left, the low dish in the middle and the lamp on the right. I think that would look very elegant.

I too am very sorry for your situation and send you my very warmest wishes for a resolution to what must be an extremely worrying situation.

My worst week cannot compare to your one day.

The mirror is amazing. What a deal. And you are like me. I don't wait--I go get it and explain later.

Red

reno, so sorry about your news and your day. Congrats on the mirror, and lots of good wishes that the news improves.

Ronbre, I forgot to add that I laughed when I read your comment about the math of the project.

I didn't measure anything. All I did was hold up a big ol' piece of posterboard, and cut it to where it just sort of looked right, then traced it onto the wall. I did double check to make sure I'd get at least 3 full diamonds, but I didn't measure anything. How's that for forethought? LOL!

It's beautiful, Reno . . . how nice to have a bright spot in such a difficult day. Hugs and prayers for you and your kiddo . . .

As usual, another beautiful setting from you....you are amazing in what you find and what you do with what you find.
I always enjoy seeing your treasures.
Susan

Reno- gorgeous mirror- I'm very jealous of your thrift store- they don't have anything like that at those kind of prices out here in NJ.
Sending you some positive thoughts and hugs- I know first hand when you have a bad day or bad streak of luck, it helps keeping your sense of humor and staying positive. I hope your kiddo is ok.

Fabulous find Reno. So sorry about your crappy news. Hugs to you and positive thoughts for your kiddo!

Reno--

So sorry to hear that you had such a horrendous day. But the mirror is beautiful and I hope it will lift your spirits to see it every day!

Reno, I love the mirror! I have to start checking out my local Goodwill and CL more often because you have scored some great things and I am in awe of your energy. I'm glad that it gave you some joy on such a crappy day and hope things improve quickly!

With that being said, I must be honest and say that I am a bit bothered with the unsolicited critiquing. I know that this subject has come up periodically. Usually, when someone wants an opinion, it is in the post title and this thread's title had no such request. Comments like "I don't mind the..." come off sounding a bit condescending and have more of a critical tone than one of a suggestion although I doubt that was the intention of the writer.

Ok, I'll step down off my soapbox and go back to admiring everyone's hard work and beautiful rooms.....

Nancy

Have any of you gone to the JUNKMARKET site, they have some really interesting way to use their flea market finds..i have their most recent paperback book, Junk Market Beautiful, a new one for outdoors coming out soon

My heart goes out to you for your son/daughter. It puts everything into perspective. A grain of sand is most of our problems when something so serious threatens the well being or life of our children.
The mirror is a fabulous find. I love it. I like the gold & the detail. I like how it matches your wall too. I'm going to start going to Goodwill more often. I usually come back with a "YAH" attitude after getting good deals. It puts the fun in shopping & a giggle in my smile.
Your previous post gave me the idea to break out my Cricket & create a saying for my entryway. Thank you for that.
Sorry about the housing disaster. Sounds like a big mess. I hope your homeowners can give you some help.

Reno, I'm glad that you found such a pretty bargain, and that it made your week brighter! It's very lovely and looks perfect in its new home.

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

(I've never really understood the *unsolicited* "tweaking" that occurs here almost daily, either).

Reno, I am so sorry to hear you've been having a rough time lately. My prayers go out to you and your family, and I especially hope the matter with your child is resolved quickly and happily.

Wow! You've done it again! The mirror looks just perfect there and it was an incredible bargain. You have a wonderful eye for what will work, and I love what you've done with the wall, which makes it uniquely yours.

I think I asked you before, and for the life of me I never saw an answer (I hope that's not my fault), but how did you do the measuring for the diamonds on the wall? That seems to me to be a daunting task. Did you draw vertical and horizontal lines all over the walls first?

What a fabulous find Reno!

Sorry about the awful day. I'll keep your family in my prayers.

I hope you will continue to post because I LOVE everything you do and get all excited when I see you've posted. You rock girlfriend!

Hang in there, reno. Bret and Jemaine are coming :)

I just remembered what my other question was... but I feel like I'm interrupting something unhappy here. :( If I may be so bold, not just the math you did, but also how did you make the thin lines so perfectly?

Reno, I want to know more about the mirror, is it a vintage piece? or newer. So far I have scored a couple of vintage mirrors that I love but I am still on the hunt for a mirror like yours or shesharees which if I recall correctly is similar.
I had to go goodwill hunting yesterday, one of my happy places. Hang in there, I know its tough, man I know how tough it can be, but take one moment, one hour, one day at a time whatever works for you.

Whoops! I just read your explanation above for how you did the wall. Sorry I'd missed it before. You didn't tape the lines off? You must have a very steady hand. Thanks for sharing how you did it. It looks fabulous!

OMG. Reno, take a deep breath, go look into your lovely mirror and smile. (((hugs)))

(((((Reno))))) -- I'm so very sorry about your terrible day, and want you to know you're in my thoughts and prayers.

I love the mirror, and am so glad it was there, just waiting for you to take it home. It's almost as if the universe was giving you a sign that you should hold your head up and think positive thoughts. Wishing you all the best.

I took a break to watch the new episode of my favorite show and *obviously* missed something. What on earth??

Ha oh my... I kept scrolling back and forth searching. Started to think I was loosing it.

I noticed it too, maybe it's better, not sure though.
Hey reno- "too many bleeps on the dancefloor", dh and I couldn't stop laughing.

Reno .. I'm so sorry to hear of the distressing news about your child, your family will be in my thoughts! Your day sounded very trying to say the least. Your mirror is beautiful though and it compliments your room and the piece below it wonderfully.

Hmmm, has this thread changed?

I've got Goodwill on my to list this week. Hopefully I will be able to spot a treasure!

Nancy

Reno,

I am truly sorry to hear about your son. Isn't nice to have an outlet for all the lousy energy life throws our way sometimes.

The chest/bureau looks like the bedside tables in my guest room that I inherited from my Mom and painted black. The mirror is perfect. Great find.

Oh polly, we were *rolling* on the floor. I thought "The Cup" was the funniest episode, but this one may have bumped it out of line!

As far as this thread, I think the Twilight Zone has sent out a search party looking for the missing elements.

I can't figure out why the omitted certain posts and not others. There were several here that were totally harmless, and yet they're gone, including some of mine where I'm explaining why we did or didn't do certain things with the decor.

I've come to conclude that it may just be in my best interest not to post photos, or at least to only show elements of finished things, rather than a shot of a whole room. Maybe all of this could have been avoided if I'd just posted a picture of only the mirror, and not the mirror hung in my room. I'll definitely be thinking twice before posting any pictures.

WOW, Reno, I will not say what I think of my post being deleted as I do not want to add to your stress level.
Again, I hope this week will bring you lots of good news :)

I'm joining in late on this one, so I'm not sure what happened, but I wanted to congratulate reno on her wonderful find. What a way to finish the day! We have rental property as well. I always cringe when one of the renters call and hope it's not bad news.

Fab find, Reno!

For those of you who don't have steady hands...

Here is a link that might be useful: Stencil

Reno, I think what some people don't 'get' is that different styles are to be decorated, well...differently. Sounds simple, doesn't it? European county is one of them and the simple 'rules of three' don't, necessarily, apply to such decor.

A few weeks ago, I was at an Italian country home. The owners are people who have a city flat, an estate in Tuscany (with vineyards and olive groves) and this home, which is their primary residence.

The owner knew I was interested in decorating and gave me a tour. Their floors were tile like yours. The dining room had an old color wash on the walls (oh, horror!). Rugs were strewn everywhere and all of their favorite tchotchkes were displayed with abandon. The furniture was old (I almost cried when I saw their DR set) and mismatched. Very eclectic and very 'cluttered'. I loved everything about it!

Sometimes, people watch a few shows on HGTV and think they have it all figured out, when in fact, they've barely scratched the surface. Not all 'rules' fit all styles.

Toughen up a bit and realize that you've created something special, something that isn't the norm but is unique and deserves to be seen. Some will always offer critiques, trying to fit a square peg in a round hole, but if FC isn't an area of expertise, you have nothing to fear from their misguided attempts.

BTW, my Italian (and French) friends find it amusing that we count our accessories.

I don't know where my post went but I'll try again. I love the mirror. Please, please don't stop posting photos. I always love to see your newest find or completed project. Hope your week gets better.
Joanie

I'm late getting in on this, but have to say you sure were a lucky duck finding such a gorgeous mirror, even though other 'events' weren't so lucky~funny how that works. The wall painting is so *perfect* with the black piece of furniture, too. YOU are SO talented miss reno-fan! ;o)

Thanks to all.

Greenthumbfish, I saw that stencil at Hobby Lobby. I ended up passing on it because the repeat on the pattern was so small. I was afraid it might end up too busy. I wish they would have made a bigger stencil!

Parma, I agree with you 100%. I think that day, my stiff upper lip was already starting to quiver b/c of the rest of the chaos I was having to be so strong about. Handling critique and suggestions (albeit harmless and trying to be helpful) that I had not solicited was just more than I could stand, especially when I thought I was pretty clear on the nature of the post. Again, it had nothing to do with the comments, and everything to do with the timing. Sometimes you just can't hear how you can be "better", especially when as you explained, "better" is so subjective to personal style. I will remember your words, though, and will make sure to laugh at myself as I count my accessories!

Puna, I have to say I'm pretty dismayed as well. For the life of me, I can't figure out how removing those comments was necessary or helpful. (Yours and several others, including some of mine!) Ugh.

LaFonda, yes, my stomach went into knots when the property manager called and said I needed to get over there immediately because water was "everywhere". I thought he was exaggerating. He wasn't. Ugh again.

Joanie, I don't think I'll stop, but I think I may definitely change how I post photos. This post has served as very clear reminder of how some people think, and knowing I can't change that, all I can do is change how much of it I set myself up for.

Patty, you got the whole point of the post; I was delighted to find something so pretty when I was going through something so horrid. Thanks for "getting it."

I have no idea what the "bleeps" are, nor do I have the slightest notion what the "cups" is about, but I'm very sorry to hear about your child being ill.

(Nice mirror, it fits the space well.)

Littledog, thanks. "The Cup" and the "bleeps" are from the funniest show ever. It's "Flight of the Conchords" on HBO. Roll-on-the-floor hysterical, but in a very subtle, dry way.