Have you ever had one of those amazing moments of sheer brilliance? You know the kind. When you’ve been searching for an answer to a decorating dilemma for months on end and suddenly come across an idea SO brilliant that you can barely restrain yourself from jumping up and down with joy? It may be so exciting that you run upstairs to tell your husband he needs to wake up right now and take a look at what you’ve found on the Internet. It may even be so exciting that you grab his glasses and iPad from the bedside table and place them on top of his slumbering body, then run down the stairs and back up again with a cup of coffee strong enough to help him focus at the crack of dawn.
Of course he will be amazed by your genius and he’ll agree to drop everything he has planned for the day to go thrifting with you . . . because he desires nothing more than that your dream of having the perfect bookcases be realized!
– OR –
He may say something like, “If you help me in the garage this morning, I’ll go thrifting with you this afternoon.”
The negotiations begin.
This is the way my bookcases looked when I first styled them, as seen in my post, Welcome to Our Den.
In that post you may recall my saying that I was enthralled by the word DEN . . .
. . . that it brought to mind thoughts of curling up with a good book or hunkering down for a marathon movie run.
I styled my bookcases with the sorts of things you’d find in the den of my imagining . . . and the mix of old books and treasures collected through the years added to the cozy factor of the space.
I also mentioned that the Screened Porch (my favorite room) sits directly behind the den, making this the darkest room in our home.
So while I’ve been itching to add a little something to the backs of the bookcases . . . wallpaper, a stenciled design, or a different color of paint . . . I didn’t really want to lose the light that’s reflected from the white background of the bookshelves.
Enter THE solution for creating BRILLIANT Bookcases!
Mirrors!
Lots and lots of mirrors.
Mirrors of different design, size, shape, and color.
Newer mirrors . . .
. . . mixed with antique mirrors.
Hand painted icon created through the Farragoz online painting course
Even simple pieces of unframed mirror.
After shopping my own house and lifting mirrors from dressers, bathrooms and side tables, the thrift stores and local antique shops became my hunting grounds.
I became obsessed by the hunt and . . .
. . . though I wanted to find everything all in one day . . .
. . . the hunt was spread over several weeks.
One by one, my bookcase cubbies filled with mirrors . . .
. . . to reflect my collected treasures . . .
. . . and pull in light from the windows across the room.
Brilliant Mirrored Bookcases!
The garage is coming together. Another decorating project has been knocked out. I’m happy. Mr. OTN is happy . . . or at least neutral. That’s just as good as happy for a hubby, right?
For more bee-U-tee-ful bookcase ideas, link to my Bookshelves board on Pinterest and don’t forget to Pin!
As a reminder, Farragoz, the Art of Patina painting course (where I learned to make the lovely icon you saw nestled in my bookcase) is offering one of my readers a FREE online painting course! The course is valued at $150 and consists of six modules (course content pictured on my sidebar) where you will learn Old World painting techniques using homemade paints. You can sign up below. The more boxes you check the more chances you have of winning! By entering this giveaway you are confirming that you are 18 years or over. Void where prohibited. The contest will run through February 20th and the winner will be announced when all of the numbers are tallied!
Blessings,
I’ve been known to link up to the following great parties!!!
VMG206, TuesdaysAtOurHome,
OH!!!!!!!!
It was so awesome to see the idea you had in your head come to life in this post!
It’s all simply gorgeous!
I love your home!
SO full of lovely treasures!
Especially you.
I love those bookcases, Patti! I have tried to get that same look with two bookcases we brought with us when we moved. They started out in my son’s bedroom at our old house and were just great pieces to transition to our sunroom here which kind of works as our den (since we watch television in there).
Your idea of using mirrors looks like it not only dresses up the bookcases but gives you some added light in the room. Seeing the ones you chose reminds me that Home Goods has a bunch in their bathroom accessory aisle in different shapes and finishes that would probably work great for this type of project. They were budget friendly, too. So that’s always an option if people can’t find them at thrift stores.
Love it, love it, love it! Did you already have all those mirrors? Our house is painted a color that is beautiful but darker than I would have chosen if we built the house. I have been adding mirrors anywhere I can to bounce the light around. It really works. 🙂
Hi patti love the mirror idea, looks great. I tried to sign up for the contest the I can never figure out how to do it. Is it just me. I’ve seen this type of entree form on other blogs. And Finally just gave up. Don’t understand it. Is there a more user friendly way to enter?
This is a clever idea. I’ve done one or two here or there, but never had an brainstorm like mirror volume. I’ll be looking at mirrors with new eyes now. Thanks so much.
Genius. I am so going to use this idea. I can’t wait to feature this next week.
I absolutely love the mirrors in the bookcases! That is such a great idea! It does give you more light with the mirrors reflecting the light. Wow!
LOVE!!!!!
So many wonderful things curated on those shelves. Love the mirrors, what a perfect addition to add light and reflection. Thanks for linking up!
Oh, I just love all the mirrors in your bookcase. They glimmer and shimmer!
That is so brilliant! I’ve never seen anyone use mirrors on a bookcase! It adds so much character!
Love the addition of the mirrors Patti! You found so many gorgeous ones. Just something about the reflections in a mirror that are kind of magical. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Well I just love mirrors anyway but you’ve used them in such a great way… it was pure genius!
Tania
I was pleasantly surprised when I saw your framed mirrors strategically placed in your bookcases and loved it. I thought you’d used mirrored tiles. This is so much more interesting! Great job.
Your bookcases are beautiful and I love, love the mirrors! What a great way to add light and interest to a dark room. I’m sure your hubby loves you very much to go thrifting with you! Thank you for sharing it at What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Have a great weekend!
Blessings,Deborah
I absolutely love this! I like so much better than paint, cut-to-fit mirrors or wallpaper…it adds so much character. Brilliant!
great idea! love the mix of mirrors you used. adds so much interest to your collections. & you’re right it’s a great way to reflect the light. now i’ll give every small mirror a 2nd look keeping this in mind. tfs! mj
It looks great, Patti! Your collection of goodies is AMAZING!
What a great idea to use mirrors in the bookcases! I love the way they reflect light. I’m visiting from the Fugal Crafty Home Blog Hop and your cookies have been pinned! I would love it if you’d share it at Totally Terrific Tuesday Link Party. It starts tonight at 10pm. I hope to see you there!
that truly was a great idea………it looks fantastic and bet it does help bring a lot more light to the room
You did a great job accessorizing them before and after.
Good job!!
blessings, Nellie
and Happy Valentines day a bit early…………lol
You are brilliant!
Your shelves looked nice before, but the mirrors take them to a whole new level. Enjoy your den!
I love the way you used mirrors and old books. Looks fantastic!
Truly brilliant idea, Patti – Love your den and your collections on your bookshelf. I will be featuring your post in this week’s Home and Garden Thursday,
Kathy
Those mirrors look great. Would never have of thought of this. So clever! I should add, also love that golden bowl on some sort of malachite pedestal or stand (?) Malachite . . . what’s not to love?
Jdy
I love mirrors and you’ve used yours so well. I found you on Shabby Nest. Thanks for the inspiration!
So clever and truly looks amazing!
Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
Blessings,
Cindy
I love the mirrors! You are so clever! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the features today at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link to this week’s bash. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2015/02/make-it-pretty-monday-week-129.html Have a fabulous week. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse