So here we are! The first day of the antique sale!!!
I want to just take a
second to tell all of you thank you for all of the support and well wishes that
you gave me this week. I feel like I have a whole army of you guys behind me rooting
me on. So, thank you.
Okay, so for the first day of the sale, I thought I would
come out with guns blazing.
Today, I am offering something that honestly every household
should have.
19th-century
giltwood mirrors of course!
On our buying trips to France, mirrors were always our first
priority. You know how with decorating a house you start with the sofa, the
rug, the coffee table… The basics. A mirror is one of the basics but one of the
most important basics. It’s your focal point of the whole room. It’s the first
place that your eye goes to so it better be freaking amazing.
First things first, let’s get some inspiration via Pinterest, shall we?
See? Now don’t you see how you cannot live another day without
a giltwood mirror?
Good news. You don’t have to live another day without one
because I have not one, but two available today for the sale!
Let’s start with the first one that I am offering for sale…
Fine French Rococo Giltwood Mirror
French Louis XV Rococo Style mirror with arched top frame mounted by a
pierced and carved acanthus shaped cartouche.
This is the mirror in my mother's breakfast room.
Little blemish on the scroll. You can have this professionally fixed or, in all honesty, I would just paint it with a little gold leaf paint with a tiny brush.
Second little blemish. No biggie.
Price: $3600
Place of Origin: France
In the Style of: Rococo
Materials: Giltwood, Gesso
Period: 19th century
Condition: Good
Wear: Wear Consistent with Age and Use. Needs minor repair to the left
scroll and minor 1 inch repair to base.
Height: 5 feet 3 ¾ inches
Width: 3 feet 1 7/8 inch
Depth: 2 inches
Number of Items: 1
Location of Item: Los Angeles, California USA
And the second mirror that I am offering for sale…
French Louis XVI style Gilded Mirror
French Louis XVI style gilded mirror with acanthus cartouche, floral
motif with roses, indented interior corners with rosettes and egg and dart
molding.
The Louis XVI mirror over my mother's fireplace. Sorry for the crooked candles on the sconces... that's probably my sister's fault.
Little blemish. I would just gold leaf paint this as well.
Little blemish. No biggie.
Price: $4200
Place of Origin: France
In the Style of: Louis XVI
Materials: Gilt, wood, gesso
Period: 19th century
Condition: Good
Wear: Wear consistent with age and use. Top right needs 1 inch repair.
Left of frame needs 1.5 inch repair
Height: 4 feet 9 inches
Width: 3 feet ¼ inch
Depth: 2 inches
Number of items: 1
Location of Item: Los Angeles, California USA
These types of mirrors can be used in any type of house in
any room. The most obvious place is over the fireplace but what about using it
over your bathroom sink, what about using it leaning against a wall in your
dressing room, what about using it over a great entry table. What about using
it in the kitchen! I have three of these mirrors in my Paris apartment (relax, it
came with the apartment). The first one in the living room I keep simple…
My living room mirror.
The second mirror in my dining room is where I decided to
have a little fun. I like to tape up little souvenirs of my life on the mirror…
Pictures of my friends and family, postcards of my travels, little cards from
my friends, little cherished memories.
My dining room mirror.
My dining room mirror with my souvenirs.
The third mirror is in the guestroom over another marble
fireplace. I usually place a vase of welcoming flowers for my friends when they
come to visit. They use the fireplace mantel and the mirror as a dressing
table… A 5 foot mirror is exactly what my friends like/need. :-)
My mother is always reminding me that the placement of a mirror
is superduper important. You need to watch what it reflects. Make sure it is
reflecting something beautiful.… A view of the garden, a beautiful painting, or
it can even reflect another mirror which is super chic and gives a room major
depth. Whenever the holidays roll around, our mirrors are the first thing my
mother and I decorate.
David and I decorating the mantle and mirror for Christmas. Yes, I always decorate in a dress and leopard heels. Just kidding, I just wanted you to see that I actually could walk at one point. :)
Don’t be afraid of these mirrors just because they are
hoity-toity. These mirrors can swing both ways… Fancy and uptown or Bohemian
and downtown. A beach shack or a villa.
There are a few things to remember about mirrors… First of
all, mirrors give space… They don’t take away space. So, even if you have a
small room, a big mirror will only make the room look larger. Secondly, antique
mirrors will always have little blemishes. I like to refer to these as beauty
marks. With age comes character (#NoteToSelf). This only adds to the charm.
Antique mirrors are valued for their history, uniqueness, collectibility as
well as for their inherent attractiveness… So say the experts.
For more inspiration, I have put together a great Pinterest
board for Gilt Mirrors. Follow HERE.
So, these two amazing mirrors are the first items for the
sale. If you have any questions, just email me at havesomedecorum@gmail.com. If
you would like to purchase the mirror or mirrors, just email me at the same email
address, havesomedecorum@gmail.com, and put the title of the piece in the
subject line. This is a first come first serve basis and I promise I will not
play favorites (unless it’s Princess Caroline of Monaco… Obviously). You can
pay with either PayPal or Wells Fargo Bank deposit.
These
two mirrors are in Los Angeles California. You can pick them up or arrange
transport for them. If you need to ship them long-distance, I use a company
called Vintage Transport.
I think we are off to a very good start, don’t you?
Stay tuned for the next item up for sale… Hint: Provence.
