So does the entire countertop have to come out to remove the mirror? And does it bother you, this whole speckly patina thing? If you use this mirror as your primary for makeup, is it distracting to you? It would probably bother me.

I guess if you could just remove and replace it without great difficulty, I'd go for it. But if it is going to be a major pita, then I'd reconsider. Generally the glass/mirror companies have a good idea of how to go about this. I like the frame so if you can remove that easily, have someone replace the mirror and put it all back together, then I'd do it.

sorry, a little confused. did the incorrect glueing caused the speckling or did you buy the speckled mirror for an antique-y effect? Not clear on why it needs to be changed if specks are not distracting to you. Would also be concerned about having to pull the countertop to redo mirror. Personally, I like it just the way it is, but I don't live there

Sounds like the mirror has to be replaced anyway and you're only asking if we like the aged mirror look and would spend five times the cost. Well, none of us is you, you like it, and money has been no object in the past. Do it!

Sorry, the mirror has to be replaced no matter what because the glue is showing thru, for lack of a better explanation. The photos you see are what it looked like before that happened. The difficulty of replacing the mirror is not really an issue because it HAS to be done, the question is what to replace it with ... the cheap regular mirror or the antiqued one. (FWIW, there are two separate mirrors and separate molding, so the counter does not need to be moved).

I bought it speckly, the antiquing effect is entirely intentional, and very expensive.

The antiquing does not impact its function because it is primarily on the edges and I can't even detect it per se when I am putting on make up.

Here is what it looks like to day (in several areas) and why it HAS to be replaced by either the same kind of mirror or a "modern" one.

Mayflowers, I was typing while you posted, but you got it. I guess maybe my question should be phrased. Do you think a new regular mirror would be "jarring" or do you think I would not really notice and just notice what it reflects?

thanks

I think you will be unhappy if you settle for the cheaper option. It will be annoying that the GC's screw up resulted in a mirror that is less desirable to you. You chose what you wanted and I'm guessing you can afford to do it again.

Interesting. it looks like there was some kind of wall shifting and adhesive did not allow mirror to go w/the flow. have never seen that before, hmmm. I'd prob b practical and go w/ clear. My vision is flawed, so better not to have speckling that may alter images. that's just me. For mood and character, prob. speckled

I don't think most people would notice the difference, but you did and do so I think by virtue of asking the question you've answered it :)

As an aside, I really like your paint color for the wall and trim. What are they?

I think I'd want the antique and also want it bolted the old fashioned way rather than glued.

I would pick a modern mirror, personally I dont care for the antique look, but I am not the one looking in it everyday.

Antique. Why not spend the money to get what you really want. Every time I've settled for something that was less expensive but not what I actually wanted, I've ended up replacing it later so it cost me more in the long-term (cheap interim + final cost for item I should have bought in the first place).

Now I get it & what's going on. Personally I don't care for the speckly antique look unless it is on a piece of furniture, so I would go with a regular mirror, but if you really are digging that look yourself, go for it.

Beagles, i think you hit the nail on the head. Thanks

Rose, Im not sure if it would feel like a big difference to me or not --- like a dept store.

Pal, hmm bolted ... that was not mentioned.

Butternut, Thanks. The trim is Farrow and Ball White Tie. The walls are American Clay, in a very subtle version (it can look adobe like), tinted to "match" Farrow and Ball's Pointing.

Bossy, I pretty much stand in the center when I use the mirror, and there I do not notice any speckling at all. So it has not had any practical impact on function for me. Initially, I had planned to hang an oval framed wooden antique mirror on top of what you see, because I did think I would need a "real mirror" for function. But in use I found it was fine and so abandoned that (rather bizarre, anyway) idea.

The wall didn't move or settle. The GC had no experience with these types of mirrors; they require a different adhesive. For example, when I had a glass guy come look at the job, I asked if he could glue a new mirror over the old one so that we would not need to remove (and then touch up) the molding. He said we could not because the antiqued mirrors use a special glue and that the glue would not hold unless it bonded with substrate, not another mirror. So it's really all about my GC being an idiot. Gee, have I mentioned that before? I have spoken to this local glass guy before and I am pretty sure he knows what he is doing (he mentioned that he did almost every wall of Tommy Hilfiger's NYC apt in antiqued mirror).

CRL, You are so right! Everytime I look at it, I will think how ordinary it is because of that ^%^$$#(#@. I need to do an exorcism of him/her/them from my home.

Outside, yeah, I really did not explain myself well at all!!

Maybe the GC should pay to replace the mirror since he messed up an expensive item by not doing enough research?

::: sigh :::

We settled legally a long time ago. There was no way that the firm had the financial wherewithal to make good on all the many things they screwed up, sadly. We were lucky that subs got paid (partially).

Then suck it up, pay what it costs, and never look back. Life's too short NOT to have what you want, if you can possibly get it. :-)

Oh dear. I didn't know the backstory. That sounds stressful!

Lovely space, though. I like the speckled mirror and think you will be happier with the antiqued.

I think you should replace the mirror with a standard one, for reasons that have nothing to do with cost. First, they do not look antique. I have an oval mirror hanging in a hallway with that same style of mirror, and it struck me a few months ago that I needed to change the glass because it did not give off that retro/ antique-y vibe it did (or I thought it did) when I purchased it five years ago. And while that look is out---and now looks very fussy and overdone to my current taste---clean, reflective mirrors in beautiful frames will always be in style as long as people look at themselves. If you want a little extra something, bevel the mirror instead.

When you initially installed the mirror, you weighed the cost and it was worth it to you. It does not sound like you have ever regretted that initial decision. In fact it sounds like a choice you found pleasing You may now regret having to spend it again and that is unfortunate. But it is not a reason to change

The antiqued is what you want and certainly goes with your taste in furnishings. I would also look into bolting possibility.

Would a new, non-antiqued mirror with a large bevel on the edges be an option? It would be somewhat atypical, and perhaps less expensive than the current type of glass?

I'm with kswl...get it plain mirror but beveled...I think it will look really sharp that way. (Frankly, I'm form follows function, and the little speckles would drive me nuts.)

You could do a mixture of both. I have seen an overlay on the edges (framed) with the antique mirror or perhaps you could do something like this.

Sorry, but it reminds me of gold speckled Formica.

Annie, KSWL, I like bevelled glass, but that feels too formal for me. That was what I had in my last home, where it fit and where Venetian glass would have been awful imho. The whole vibe of my house here is kind of old, patina'ed, irregular.

Mydogs, Yes a bevel is a lot less especially when you want the aged effect only on the edges and not randomly all over. But too formal for me.

Cindy, yes, it certainly could look like that. I dearly wanted Formica counters in an aqua linen for my Maine kitchen (or was it here? or maybe both!) but could not get them. They only do faux wood and boomerang!

Cam, That would be a great idea if there were a problem combining the aged look with function, but the mirror kind of naturally segues from patina to plain in the center where I stand. And i want to keep my molding.

Localeater, I think you are right. I should not change just because of the GC's incompetence. Esp as I have had it over 4yrs now and I still really like it. Instead of thinking of it as indulgent I will consider it remedial and move on.

Thanks everyone for your input. It is helpful!

I love gold glitter Formica but the technology no longer exists to fabricate it.

Really, Pal? Was it toxic or something?

No. It was actual glitter sprinkled into the phenolic resin. Now it's all digital reproduction and you can't get a glitter effect.

I'm glad you've chosen to replace. I wonder if when the current mirror is removed, there may be a salvageable piece from it that you may be able to use elsewhere, or pieces to use in a small version of what cam suggested.

If you look on line, you can find ways to antique a modern mirror, but it needs to be done carefully as it includes using muriatic acid....a form of hydrochloric acid.

I have stripped silvering from mirrors with muriatic acid. The acid smokes. It's strong stuff.

I think the "get what you love" advice can be disingenuous but it applies in this case. It's your bathroom and you're the only one looking the mirror. If we were discussing a guest bath or a powder room then my opinion would be different. I think guests would be distracted and perplexed by an antiqued, less functional bathroom mirror in an otherwise updated home.

Annie, OMG no, the top part of the mirror is like 7 ft wide by 4 ft high! No way I am messing around with that. Plus I have come to appreciate that there is a trick to doing almost everything.

Are we talking "antique" mirror or "antiqued" mirror? I probably would get the real stuff, so either a real antique or a real new mirror.

I vote antique.

I like antiqued mirrors. I always think I look better in the mirror over my dresser (antique) than in the bathroom mirror (new). I think it's a softer, prettier reflection, which is a good thing in my book!

Not only am I going to fix this darn mirror, but I am going to go thru my house and fix a few other GC mistakes that have been bugging me but I have inexplicably been unwilling to spend money on. This particular issue helped me see how illogical I have been. I think because I know they were his fault I've been holding my breath and keeping my wallet shut. Odd really.

Anyway, in re the suggestion of a "genuine antique", now that I had never thought of and if i understand you I think it is well nigh impossible. Where would I find a 7 foot by 4 foot antique piece of mirror to fit the custom woodwork? And what are the odds it would match the bottom piece? (which, probably due to weight, has not developed the same issue). And Id also have to find just the right patina pattern so it was not too overwhelming and didn't give me age spots when I brush my teeth, LOL!

Mirror guy will be out in the am to better document the pattern so he can copy it.