Mirrors in BHG

Better Homes and Gardens asked me for a handful of ideas on how to spruce up a home with not a lot of cash (which is one of my favorite things to do!). It was so fun to see my name in this month's issue. Thanks, BHG!


My suggestion was to use mirrors for an easy room update. I think there should be at least one mirror in every room, if only for the sparkle factor. If there's a way you can put the mirror opposite a window, you can really brighten up your space.


Domino


Mirrors can be really (REALLY) expensive, but they can also be surprisingly reasonable if you're shopping at the right places.


Whenever I'm looking for a high-impact mirror, I check my local antiques markets - you know, those huge stores where dealers can rent out spaces. I can usually find a great vintage mirror for $40 or $50. Remember you're looking for something with an interesting shape - don't get too caught up on the frame's finish or even the condition of the glass. Those things are all easy to change.


Thrift stores are a little more hit or miss with mirrors I've found, but when you score, you score big! Housing Works here in Manhattan has been extra good to me. As always, Craigslist is a great resource. EBay gets tricky if you're trying to source a large mirror on a budget. Shipping costs can be outrageous with the heavier pieces.




I love how strategically placed mirrors can look like windows. So pretty and bright!



on

50 comments:

  1. Gabrielle - Design MomFebruary 18, 2011 at 6:15 AM

    Terrific article, Jenny! Love it. Yay for Better Homes & Gardens too! I think they do a wonderful job of working with bloggers.

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  2. RenéFebruary 18, 2011 at 7:10 AM

    Such a great post and congrats on your BHG article Jenny! I recently listed a large leaning mirror on Craigs, but I'm re-thinking it now. Maybe some yellow paint will do the trick.

    -Rene

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  3. LaurenFebruary 18, 2011 at 7:31 AM

    I just bought a gigantic mirror at homegoods to put over a console in our living room. One question about leaning it- have you ever had one slide down and break? And do you know a way to affix it so it looks like it's leaning but still secured to the wall?

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  4. HeatherFebruary 18, 2011 at 7:31 AM

    That's great about your article! Congrats!
    I've made mirrors before by going to a frame shop and layering multiple frames on top of each other. They can cut the mirrors for you and "frame" it, just like a picture!

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  5. meenal @ maison marigoldFebruary 18, 2011 at 7:41 AM

    I love this post...mirrors are my favourite go-to accessory when decorating a room...I have atleast one in every room in my own house...and that's the way I like it!! Many congratulations on your BHG article!!

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  6. laxsupermomFebruary 18, 2011 at 7:56 AM

    Congrats on the BHG feature! I love decorating with mirrors! Some great looks in those pics. Thanks for sharing.

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  7. AndreaFebruary 18, 2011 at 7:57 AM

    Way to go! Love the carnation idea. You rock!

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  8. ElizabethFebruary 18, 2011 at 8:05 AM

    So great! Congrats!!

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  9. Shera OFebruary 18, 2011 at 8:14 AM

    I was talking about how mirrors light up a room over on my blog today...we must all have the winter blues. :) Love those mirrors and congrats on the BHG feature!

    www.23designcompany.blogspot.com

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  10. Laurie from Laurie Jones HomeFebruary 18, 2011 at 8:47 AM

    Yea!!! Congrats on the BH&G shout out, how exciting!! I was so happy to see your advice on a mirror in every room, because I found myself buying mirrors because I'm drawn to them and end up having 1-2 mirrors in each room! Have a great weekend!

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  11. AnonymousFebruary 18, 2011 at 8:48 AM

    Jenny, how exciting to be in BH&G! I have some mirrors that I've needed to do something with...thanks for the beautiful ideas!

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  12. ChristyFebruary 18, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    Congratulations on getting asked to contribute to Better Homes and Gardens! I think you should actually try to get a regular column in one/many home design mags - I'm sure it would be a big hit. I love the image you chose, and your tips, and these inspiration pieces are really making me think about where I could put up a new mirror and/or paint one of my existing ones!

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  13. PetertammensonFebruary 18, 2011 at 9:01 AM

    Jenny, congrats on the great press!!!

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  14. Kim@ChattafabulousFebruary 18, 2011 at 9:09 AM

    Mirrors are my favorite wall art. They go with everything and are so impactful!

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  15. Free Art PrintablesFebruary 18, 2011 at 9:21 AM

    I just saw it the other day and thought they were some great ideas.

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  16. UnknownFebruary 18, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    Genius Article...congrats! Love your mirror tips! And carnations WOW!

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  17. Brandi@ Flights of WhimsyFebruary 18, 2011 at 9:35 AM

    Congrats on the article! I love mirrors but sometimes I have more than I have art and I worry it's too many!

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  18. JenFebruary 18, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    Saw it and loved it! How fun to be in a magazine! Loved the pictures you chose!

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  19. life, in small chunksFebruary 18, 2011 at 9:43 AM

    I saw this in my latest issue last night and I thought "hay, I know her!" hahaha I do love the mirror tip, though!
    Karin

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  20. JenFebruary 18, 2011 at 9:47 AM

    I DO have a mirror in every room, love what they can do for a space. My husband however, jokes that I must really like to look at myself!

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  21. Jordan@the2seasonsFebruary 18, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    All the photos with the mirrors are beautiful. I will have to check out your article.

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  22. AshleyFebruary 18, 2011 at 10:03 AM

    Congratulations on the BHG article! I hope that means there is more of you to come in the magazine's future issues!

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  23. Danielle Sigwalt InteriorsFebruary 18, 2011 at 10:29 AM

    Totally delicious images! And yes I adore mirrors...have an obsession on finding unique ones on Craigslist!

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  24. courteneykayFebruary 18, 2011 at 10:51 AM

    Congrats of the BHG article! and a great job on the article too!

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  25. UnknownFebruary 18, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    This mirror was a great find at IKEA. At only $49.99, the price cant be beat and the size/scale is perfect for above a buffet or sideboard: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80178419

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  26. valFebruary 18, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    i was under the dryer at the salon yesterday and picked up BHG and there you were! i knew exactly who you were as i've been following your blog for sometime. you have great tips and i loved the article. keep it up! way to go.

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  27. Kate CollinsFebruary 18, 2011 at 11:10 AM

    Congrats on your BHG article! What an honor. You deserve it. I really love the mirrors flanking the fireplace. Terrific roundup again.

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  28. Pam @ bibbidi-bobbidi-beautifulFebruary 18, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    Wow, Jenny- how cool!! Congrats! I just finished posting my take on your idea to "leaf" a louis phillipe mirror! It's hung above my sofa and I love it! I just have to find the right pair of vases to go on either side...

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  29. Black ZebraFebruary 18, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    great tips ! thank you so much, have a great weekend!

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  30. IngridFebruary 18, 2011 at 12:03 PM

    Congratulations on being in BHG, I will have to get myself a copy! Great post today! I love mirrors and think that they make such an impact in a room! I have an antique Chippendale mirror that we inherited but can't find a spot for it, it is killing me. We have a 1927 Tudor and have only so much wall space.

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  31. AliFebruary 18, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    Great advice! I'm just getting ready to move and could definitely use tips on how to spruce a place up. I'll be bookmarking this page for sure. Thanks!

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  32. AmberFebruary 18, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    I love Z Gallerie for mirrors. They have really large mirrors for under $300. Also, how do they hang those mirrors over curtained windows?!

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  33. Heidi @ Budget Wise HomeFebruary 18, 2011 at 2:15 PM

    Congrats on the feature Jenny. That is so fantastic! I can't wait to see more of your projects and see how your living space comes together.

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  34. The Vintique ObjectFebruary 18, 2011 at 3:24 PM

    I really enjoyed reading this post. Do you think it's gauche to put more than one mirror in a room? Other than a pair, of course. Now isn't that that the ultimate luxury?

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  35. CinnamonInkFebruary 18, 2011 at 4:20 PM

    This post was awesome... I need mirrors to open up my tiny one bedroom house! Thanks!

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  36. .................February 18, 2011 at 4:20 PM

    How fun and exciting for you to be mentioned in BHG :-) I agree...mirrors instantly make a huge difference.

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  37. Allison {Live Love Small}February 18, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    so exciting..congrats! lots of great mirror inspiration here..

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  38. Nicole @ one half worldFebruary 18, 2011 at 5:41 PM

    Thanks for the mirror roundup! I love how mirrors work regardless of the style of your house or your preferred decorating style. And congrats on the BHG article too!

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  39. LaurenFebruary 18, 2011 at 6:00 PM

    Hey Jenny!
    I love your blog, and congrats on being featured in BHG!
    I wanted to share with you a couple of mirrors that I found at Goodwill and re-finished. Proof that you can do it on a bugdet!
    Take a look if you have some time!

    http://midsouthstagers.blogspot.com/2011/01/mirror-re-vamp.html

    http://midsouthstagers.blogspot.com/2011/02/sunburst-mirror-makeoveryes-another.html

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  40. AnonymousFebruary 18, 2011 at 6:36 PM

    Wow! Congrats on your article! Great advice as usual! I'm a little obsessed with mirrors, some might say I'm vain.
    xx
    Dixie

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  41. BrookeFebruary 18, 2011 at 11:48 PM

    Congratulations!

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  42. JennyFebruary 19, 2011 at 12:55 AM

    Congratulations on the article. Very cool! I love that you give such great advice on making your space beautiful while on a budget.

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  43. JulieFebruary 19, 2011 at 6:32 AM

    I love BHG, and I was so excited to stumble upon this article yesterday on the computer. I'm in the process of revamping our sad living room and thought I might treat a glass fronted bookcase as more of a focal point by pairing it with a large mirror above. I was able to score a 43"x24" beveled edge, framed mirror for $10. It weighs a million pounds but I think it will be lovely, especially when painted.

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  44. AnonymousFebruary 19, 2011 at 8:42 PM

    Congrats Jenny, I just got my issue today....will check YOU out :)

    Kathy :)

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  45. SarahFebruary 19, 2011 at 8:58 PM

    What a great article in BHG!! My roommate and I just got a huge mirror to open up our tiny living room and we love it! You're right as always :)

    ~SW

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  46. Janna McCalleyFebruary 19, 2011 at 10:35 PM

    Just arrived home from vacation to find my BHG mag. waiting for me-loved coming across your article! Congrats on being featured in such a great magazine!

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  47. caitFebruary 20, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    Congratulations- that's awesome!

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  48. InCircle InteriorsFebruary 21, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    congrats! i just found you on page 46 and felt famous just from knowing you :) (through your blog).

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  49. megan @ a life's designFebruary 24, 2011 at 1:20 PM

    This is a perfect post for a friend of mine. I am helping them change around a few things in their home and they do not have one mirror, and I have repeatedly said 'you have to get a mirror, a big one!'. I am sending her your post now!

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  50. megan @ a life's designFebruary 24, 2011 at 1:21 PM

    Oh! And congratulations on the BHG article. I get the magazine, so I will be sure to look for your feature!

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I so appreciate hearing from you. Nice comments make my day! Thanks for keeping things light here, friends! :)