Thursday, February 27, 2014

Spring Dining Room and a Mirror Makeover - Show and Tell Friday

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Welcome to Show and Tell Friday!  It's felt like Spring here in Northern California until today when a big rainstorm came through and erased our sunny 70-something degree weather that we've been enjoying!  We really need the rain though so I'm not complaining!


 
Last weekend I was trying to figure out what to put on the wall in my dining room.  My dining room, if you can even call it that, it's more like an area right off the kitchen and pretty much the entry way into my apartment is really small. Before I moved in here I really didn't think my dining room table and chairs would fit but they do...barely!  I had many ideas for this area, first I was going to hang plates, then I actually put up a shelf but didn't like the way it looked so I took it down.  I finally decided that since there are no windows on this side of the apartment that a mirror would be best.  Then I remembered that I had this huge mirror that I bought years ago at a thrift store for $29.99!  It was gold and ugly but I knew it had potential.  I think I've had this mirror for at least five years and I almost got rid of it before I moved but I'm thankful now I didn't.

(in the photo above the door to the right is the pantry for our kitchen and the door to the left is to my bedroom.  The front entry it directly to my right as I was taking this photo and my kitchen is behind me. The living room is to my left...just so you get an idea of the layout of my new apartment)


"Before"
I've decided that I'm going to go for more aqua and robin's egg blue in my new apartment so I decided to paint it last weekend.  I painted it and then white washed it and I'm really happy with how it turned out.  It sort of opens up the space! I love that about mirrors!
 
I took these photos in the evening so it's hard to get a good idea of the color.  Actually my apartment faces North so it's kind of dark in here most of the time.  That's probably one of the things I like least about this place.  I'm sure I'll appreciate it on those hot summer days though.
"After"

 
My dining room would look so much better if I could hang a crystal chandelier that would reflect through this mirror but they don't allow it here! I have to live with a ceiling fan/light above my dining room table now. I'm thankful that at least it's white...I see a lot of brown ones in the other units around here. I guess I should be thankful!
 
Slowly I will be adding more aqua and robin's egg blue in my apartment!  I'm really excited for that little change! A new place and a new color scheme. It will be a slow process though because I can't afford to go out and buy all new things now that my rent is so much higher here.  Little by little...and I think sometimes that makes us appreciate things so much more when we do get them.
 
 
Some of you may be seeing the links only in one row below if you are using an old browser. I was having that problem too but it seems normal if you update.
 
 
Thanks to all of you that join in on Show and Tell Friday every week and thanks to all of you who leave such nice comments! 
 
If you are joining in on Show and Tell Friday, please remember that your Show and Tell needs to be something from your home or garden. If you would like to join in, please enter your name and leave your exact Show and Tell blog post link, not just your blog link and as a common courtesy link back to my blog. 
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45 comments:

Unknown said...

Your mirror turned out gorgeous Cindy - love the aqua!
Thanks so much for the party - and I put a link I shouldn't have - number 4 - the Breakfast at Tiffany's townhouse tour - please delete it for me? ( but check it out first - it's soooo cool lol )
Thanks so much for the party - hope you have a great weekend - wish I were in California - sick to death of the white stuff here in Montreal.
Hugs,

Beth said...

Hang the crystal chandelier, we won't tell ! Your new home is looking great

The Vintage Chateau said...

The mirror makeover is great, but what what really caught my eye is your tiered centerpiece with the nests and eggs. Adorable! Things are looking good!
Karee

Unknown said...

Whew! It's a good thing that you did save it. It looks great. Perfect for that wall. :)

Thanks for hosting!
~Liz

Scribbler said...

Your new place will be beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Hi Cindy! Oh, the mirror is so lovely and I love how you redid her. Good thing you didn't get rid of her! It's exciting going along with your move into your new place.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Dream Mom said...

It's looking so pretty! Maybe you could go on the apartment website and download the floor plan and post it so we can see the layout. I'd like to see some more pictures of the other side of the room. It looked really pretty in the above photo. Change is good...it's going to look amazing!

Zuni, Chickadee Home Nest said...

So good to see your progress, Cindy! Never in a million years would I have thought to buy, let alone how to paint that mirror, and being a fan of teal, I think it looks awesome! Wow! Thanks for hosting! ~Zuni

Unknown said...

Lovely Lovely! Love seeing how the apartment is being decorated :) Thanks for hosting as well!

ND said...

I love the addition of the robin's egg blue in your place. It looks gorgeous. You are settling in beautifully. xo Diana

Gina @ VictorianWannaBe said...

Hi Cindy,
Thanks so much for hosting and have a great weekend,
Gina

Doreen said...

Hi Cindy,
Love your painted mirror! What a difference. It's great when you can see the hidden potential in a thrift store find.
I'm linking up a flea market find that I took from drab to fab.

Doreen
http://altered-artworks.blogspot.com

Something Nice and Pretty said...

Love the mirror Cindy! Thanks for hosting every week, have a great weekend.

Poppy said...

Such lovely transformations, Cindy! Love the pastel palette of new touches; everything has such a subtle softness to it. Can't wait to see what you show us next!

Thanks for hosting and have a wonderful weekend!

Poppy

Rachel Uchizono said...

Your mirror came out great! Perfect color!
Thank you for hosting!
Rachel

Heirloom treasures said...

Cindy,it's looking good,love the mirror. You must have a steady hand to paint the filigree on it without getting it on the mirror. Your dining suite looks lovely,seems plenty of room.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for hosting all the inspiration Cindy! Have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

Cindy, your mirror is gorgeous. You did a great job painting it. Thanks so much for hosting this link party. Have a great weekend. Ann Marie @ Iris Abbey

Curtains in My Tree said...

darn so sorry you can't hang a chandelier in your new apartment !
How can a gal live without a chandelier?? LOL
I am sure it will be over the top beautiful when you are done rearranging and decorating
Love the mirror

Katherines Corner said...

lovely spring decor! The mirror is gorgeous I ♥ the color. Thank you for the party. Hugs!

Kathleen said...

Cindy, your new home already has the cozy factor and the new mirror transformation certainly adds to the charm! Enjoy your weekend!

This N That said...

I like that it's subtle..Good job..My "cottage" has become aqua ish..My couch is aqua microfiber..Looks good with my HW floors and oriental rugs..So I carried it in to my grey/white bathroom as an accent..

Teddee Grace said...

Love the mirror...and best of luck recovering and redecorating after your move. It took me months after my last move into a one-bedroom apartment to get things even close to the way I wanted and my bedroom is presenting a challenge...but we feather nesters enjoy decorating challenges.

Cathy harrell said...

Beautiful, I wonder where else you could hang a chandelier ?

Victoria said...

Wow, the mirror turned out beautifully! Your little dining area is darling:) I'm wondering if you could just hang the chandy anyway? Or probably too risky. You could hang a candle chandelier over in the corner! Because we apartment dwell also, I've never been able to hang any real chandy's so I make do with lots of candle chandy's:)

Abby said...

Looks like you are settling in nicely! Thank you for hosting Show and Tell Friday.

Anonymous said...

Thank you soo much for hosting! I love the way the mirror turned out, oh a crystal chandy would be awesome!

Kathryn Bechen said...

I love what you did to your mirror and your new color scheme is lovely!

Deborah Montgomery said...

Love the mirror. Your new colors will be gorgeous. thanks for hosting Cindy.

The Swede said...

Looks so lovely. Nip off the plastic pulls on the fan and put chandelier crystals. I did and when the candles are lighted on the table there will be at least a little sparkle. The rest we pretend.

pogonip said...

Soft pink tulips and robin's egg blue--springtime even if it IS raining outside! I'm enjoying sharing your journey as you make the new place your Home .

Shabby chic Sandy said...

It is so fun to see you decorating again! Sorry about your rent being higher--that part sucks. Your other place was so nice. Do you have an outside area for your flowers? I wish you the best in your new place. Thanks for hosting the party!

Sinderbella said...

Hi. There is a virtual tour link on the apt. website that rotates and shows the whole apartment.

Sinderbella said...

Nice touch on the new mirror. I can't wait to see where all your other mirrors go!

Moggie said...

Hi Cindy,
The apartment looks great - I can't wait to see the rest, and how you'll do it up!

About your chandelier...you can have it wired to plug in, put 2 plant hangers in the ceiling (cover up when you move out) and swag in a corner, so you can still have the look. I have 2 small chandeliers hung like that, 1 in my living room and 1 in the bedroom. You can never have too many chandeliers!

Jen said...

I absolutely love that mirror and what you've done with it! Perfect for that spot.

summerland cottage said...

I love the carved aqua detail on your mirror Cindy!
Beautifully done!
I am curious why can't you hang the chandelier of your choice and replace it with the owners when you move out? The quote “It’s better to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission.” comes to mind.

Ev said...

Looking good! Can't wait to see more.

Parlor Room Ponderings said...

Beautiful colour for the mirror! Looks great on the wall there! Thanks for hosting!
Blessings, Diane

Carousel222 said...

Love the mirror. I will never look at one of those ugly gold mirrors the same. So happy to see you adding your own special touch and style to your new apartment.

Devonshire1212 said...

Hi Cindy...checking in to see how you are doing. This new place is definitely presenting some challenges for you. How smart to put a mirror (gorgeous) in that spot. I so wish you didn't have to contend with these regulations in the new place, but I love all the creative ideas suggested by friends. You know, a girl just wants what she wants and will find some way to get it or do it. Thank you so much for sharing this new chapter with us. Hugs...Fay

Unknown said...

Well, one of the exquisite dining rooms I have ever seen so far, and seems like I’m falling in love with your plates! I am not really a good commentary for carving and designs, yet I found the mirror more amazing!

Sebastian of
Factory Direct Gazebo

Gayla said...

You worked your usual magic on that mirror! I am loving the experience of moving in! Your classy decorating adds a really neat touch. I'm envious of your heated pools and pretty weather! It only snows in Missouri right now! Lol...

Jacqueline said...

That is unbelievable - the change in that mirror! It is really a statement piece now.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for hosting the party Cindy! Have a great weekend!