Did you know there’s a little bit of amazing in every day?
Even when the dark clouds hover.
Even when the skies are gloomy and all the experts predict rain.
Even when the mountain ahead looks unclimbable and you can’t find a foothold.
Even then.
There is a little bit of amazing just around the corner.
Truth?
It’s there. Sometimes you just have to look a little harder to uncover it.
It shows up in a single cloud floating across in a majestic blue sky. Or in the first whiff of spring after a rainstorm. Or the tiny marshmallow you forgot about in the bottom of your hot chocolate. Or the giggles that escape when you share a private joke with a friend. Or a moment on the bleachers when your heart almost shouts.
Or the simple gift of today.
And sometimes on those rare, wonderful, incredible days?
Amazing just shows up on your front porch.
Just like this.
Here’s my little bit of amazing.
It just showed up on my doorstep when I least expected it.
Can you even believe it?
A sweet friend heard about my mirror dilemma and knew I needed this.
This set of vintage mirrors that needed a home.
“Could she give them to me?” she asked.
Ummm.
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
YES. Yes, please with extra sprinkles on top.
“But you can’t give them to me,” I said. “Let me pay you for them. These mirrors are beveled and vintage and beautiful and one-of-a-kind. I’ll happily pay you for them.”
“They are my gift,” she said. “And of course you can accept them. Wait until you hear their story.”
And so it was that on Saturday, I stood in my doorway as she and her husband came to the house and walked in the doors with this little bit of amazing.
They were so beautiful, but they needed just a little bit of TLC.
Just a little.
The mirrors are constructed with a back velvet panel that sits above the frame.
Somewhere along the way the velvet became tattered and torn and faded.
It needed to be replaced.
So we took the mirror out of the frame and tried to remove the velvet.
It had been glued into place and pieces of it came off and pieces of it remained.
The pieces that remained left behind a kind of awkward surface that was half-velvet, half wood. We contemplated sanding it off, but we were worried that it might damage the frame. We could rebuild the frame, but that would take away from the vintage look of the mirror. The frame needed to remain intact because it held the mirror.
So in the end?
We spray-painted it and let it dry and put the mirror back in place and hung the mirrors on the wall with all of their mirrored friends.
And now?
It looks like this.
And this.
And this.
The spray-painted half velvet, half wood part of the mirror looks like a faux finish from 1920.
It just accentuates the beveled part of the mirror now.
Here’s a close-up of the frame so you can see it.
And the mirrors?
They fit perfectly on the wall with all their friends.
But remember their story?
Remember the tale that was their’s alone to tell?
You see, years ago my friend used to live in University Park.
And every weekend, all the houses would discard things they no longer wanted and leave them in the alleyway for whoever wanted them.
One day my friend turned the corner and this set of vintage mirrors was sitting on the curb.
Just waiting.
She knew they were meant to be and she rescued them and brought them home with her and they hung in her home for years.
They traveled with her to her new home just down the highway from me. Except they didn’t really fit in her new home and so they sat in storage just waiting for a new home.
And when she finished her tale, I literally clapped and let out a little yell.
Because her story made me love them more.
I am honored to be the new keeper of the mirrors.
And years from now I’ll pass them on to someone else and tell the tale of the day I heard a knock at the door…
…and a little bit of amazing showed up.
PS Just in case you don’t have friends dropping mirrors off at your door? One of my sponsors, Lamps Plus has the most amazing brass mirrors—some of which I used for this wall.
You can see all their gold mirrors here.
I love this one and this one and this one and this one (it’s on sale right now).
And this one?
You are loved so much by so many. Beautiful
Why did I get a chill when hearing they were discarded and now meant for greatness on your blog with their worldwide debut?! I can't even believe the kindness our God has for us. He always provides in every way.
That is so sweet. They are just beautiful Sweet Friend! Have a wonderful weekend!
What a sweet story!!! I love it when amazing things like that fall into place!!! You will enjoy that amazingness ever time you look at those vintage mirrors, KariAnne!!! 😘
I love those stories where someone lets go of some possession, and that thing goes on to make someone else smile, or even changes a life. A few years ago, I found a metal table and chairs dining set, on the side of the road, It asked me to please take it home, so I did- cleaned it up and gave it a fresh coat of spray paint. It lived on my patio for awhile, but I was moving, and it didn't really fit in my new home. Out of the blue, a co-worker mentioned that she was working with a family that had no place to sit for meals. They sat in a circle on the kitchen floor to eat. My friend found a sofa for them, and they had beds, but...they really needed that table and chair set! So off it went to live with them. My friend said they loved it and the kids said they felt like a normal family now. You never know how some little item that cost you a can of spray paint will change someone else's life.
Beautiful, Sue! ❤
Sue, what a wonderful story. It gave me goosebumps!
KariAnne, of course your gift came with a story! You can make magic happen with whatever comes your way. Love the new look, way to go!
All what a simply wonderful story you ad your mirrors have....it is the little things that make us smile...really big!! Karen
You are loved. ❤️❤️❤️
Serendipity! Perfect story and perfect result -- the mirror looks wonderful!
Perfect! They were waiting for you! What a sweet friend! I love mirrors for their reflection of light.
They truly are amazing and something like this couldn't happen to a nicer person!
And so, if I remember correctly, you had some other "items" on the wall before? Was it the drawings of the typewriter? Anyway, the mirrors look great, it seems to be a trend for gallery walls on the stairs to do the mirrors. Curious - what do you do with the things you take down and don't have a place to put them? Are you organized and have them stored so that you can "see" what you have when you want to make changes? Inquiring minds want to know????
What beautiful old mirrors and what a great story, so glad they picked them up years ago and then brought them to you when they didn't want them anymore. Now people can see these and you have a story to share, love your stories.Thanks for sharing.
What a great friend! The painted mirror is beautiful and that WIDE beveled edge.......wow! So fitting with your collection! Happy weekend to you and your mirrors!
What a lovely story of friendship and resourcefulness! You staircase looks magnificent.
Oops! Your, not you.
What an amazing gift! They are loverly!! (And, yes, I am channeling Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady!). Love all those mirrors...are you adding more and I missed them? Keep it going....it all looks fantastic! ;)
Where can I find a friend like that? Tell her I love old stuff too and that my new name is Charity and not Cindy. Your old new mirror looks perfect hanging up on the wall-o-mirrors! Just beautiful!
What an amazing friend...you deserve it! So happy for you!
These are just beautiful! The leaf design adds such wonderful texture. I can't imagine throwing these away, but I guess it is true that one man's trash is another man's treasure. :)
So beautiful! A lovely story and a lovely gift from a friend! It's fun to pass things on to others who appreciate them!
The mirrors are wonderful and so is their story, but better yet, is the telling! You definitely have a way with words.
Love the mirrors but love the story even more. Isn’t it so much more fun than just finding them at a store?!
Oh, how I love your stories! Such heart and soul. God has gifts for us all along the way as we walk with Him. He places our name on certain things and they are waiting for us...just around the corner! Provided we take the right corner. Your mirrors were there...just waiting for you. And such a sweet friend. The mirrors are beautiful. They've found their home-niche! Awesome! ❤
I knew with all the connections you have, that one day soon, vintage mirrors would be coming your way! They are perfect and make your stairway look complete. So happy for you.
They are gorgeous and I'm glad to know you can paint over the velvet in old frames such as these and have it turn out so beautifully.
They are lovely. Can you tell me the paint you used? It looks like a cross between cream & metalic---almost opalescent . Not sure if that is the paint, or the lighting. Thanks
Just the sweetest story in every way!
I love this story! There is still so much goodness in this world. What a sweet person to bless you with these mirrors! The wall of mirrors is brilliant and stunning!
Wonderful story!! Love what you did, it is amazing just like you!! Have a great weekend!!
What a lovely story...❤The amazing part of the story is that is it never ending..The gracious lady gave the mirrors with her story..now you have the mirrors with your story..and when you pass them on to whoever's..it will be their story. Just a absolutely lovely story❤
I have serious mirror envy! What a wonderful story that these treasures were rescued.
Oh my gosh, KariAnne, God has blessed you! They look just made for the spots they cover. It's like Someone said, "These mirrors are the perfect shape and size to fit in the perfect farmhouse where an amazing woman lives and will cherish them." What a pleasure to share your joy.
Hi Karianne, The mirrors are stunning! The vintage look of the wood and velvet after your brilliant spray paint technique looks as authentic and genuine as the day those mirrors were made. Several years ago, I went to work for a woman who quickly became my kindred spirit. I must confess when I first took the job, I thought she was a bit quirky but the job was too creative and intriguing for me to let it pass and as time went on, I realized what I had mistaken for quirkiness were her beliefs in the nature of things, all things. Over and over again she would say to me, "Nothing happens by accident. Whether by Divine Providence or things unknown, nothing happens by accident." As amazing and incredible as the gift of those precious mirrors to you from an equally amazing woman seems, "nothing happens by accident". They were made to be in your care even before you came to be. You are a special, creative and compassionate woman, it's no accident something so special was delivered into your care. Enjoy and appreciate the incredible beauty of the mirrors and their journey, take notice of your reflection in them as often as possible to remind you of the reason they now decorate your home with love and purpose.
What wonderful generosity and peace your friend has in that one gift! God blessed her, you, and her husband! Mine often wonders how long I'll hang on to something just because I can't end the story by discarding the prize!
What a thoughtful and kind bit of amazing my friend. A beautiful addition to your mirror gallery. Every time you look at it you can see the reflection of her kindness as well as your lovely red lipstick xo
Such a lovely story but envision a wall of mirrors in their original condition! Not for your white home but for an moody old place! Love the patina on those old ones.
What a blessing to have been given something not wanted, needed, or used. You are the recipient of pieces that are wanted, needed, and used. You also will love them and take precious care of them! You and your mirrors are real TREASURERS!❤️
A little bit of amazing is exactly what I needed today. I have to say I'm just a tad envious 😅. Just joking I am screaming and dancing around with you. You go girl! Whoop! Keep smiling amazing!
Love, love, love your stories! And your enthusiasm, and your spunk! How creative to spray paint that awkward part. Paint fixes everything! 😊
Thanks for sharing such a sweet story! I love when God gives us the little desires of our hearts. He truly is a loving Father and delights in us, so sweet when we can clearly see it!❤️
Aren’t friends amazing?
LOVE that mirror with the leaves. It would never occur to me to paint that and it looks tremendous. Pretty brilliant. More gold stars for you!!!!!
Another great story❤️ And like someone else said, you are so loved by so many! xo Pat
Oh, Karianne! Sometimes YOU and your stories are my amazing😭♥️♥️
What a beautiful story to pass down and it made my day. Your wall of mirrors looks amazing.
Sigh. Love, love the mirrors and the story!
Don’t you just love when something is meant to be, like this? They look amazing in your collection of stunning mirrors in your gorgeous stairwell! How’s that for adjectives! I think they’ve found their forever home!
What a great reminder that strangers are impacted by our words and projects. Beautiful story. Happy Monday, friend!
I love your staircase!