I was shopping around the thrift store recently, just looking for a few special treasures.
I looked down every aisle, up on the wall and over in the furniture section,
but nothing was catching my eye.
Just as I was getting ready to leave,
I walked past one of those big rolling bins filled with all the stuff
they have yet to set out for sale…
and saw a thick wooden frame quietly mixed in with a stack of pictures.
I love old, crusty frames
especially ones with chunky architectural details and this frame was looking promising, even
before it was all the way uncovered.
After maneuvering several things out of the way,
I pulled out a large, thick and HEAVY
antique wood frame mirror with layers of gesso,
tons of cutwork details
and perfect shabby paint.
Tarnished gold, covered by faded white and then pale aqua blue…
it was worn and weathered and shabby perfect…
It was marked
$20
The mirror looks to have been replaced,
but that didn’t bother me… I love the frame just by itself.
Right now, it is sitting on the mantle in my bedroom just waiting
for me to find the perfect spot for it.
Layered together,
the two mirrors mixed with hydrangeas,
starfish & a petite
stack of books tied with cotton rope
brings a tattered elegance to the room.
Thinking I may remove the mirror…
I think the frame alone would be just gorgeous above the mantle,
or with a twiggy wreath in the center of it or
old shabby painting …
Perfect!
Happy Monday Everyone!!
sharing at
awal.ny says
Both of those frames are beautiful, I love all the details.
Cathy~Mille Fleur says
What a find! Just gorgeous!
Vicki says
Wow that was the best $20 you have ever spent. Just gorgeous!
Debra@CommonGround says
Just perfect, I love it where it is!
Divine Theatre says
Lovely!
AntiqueChase says
Is it the same tone on of blue as your other frame? How perfect it is… I love it with the mirror inside… you can always hang a wreath over the mirror?
Erin says
That is beautiful and so you…I love the proposed changes too!
Heather says
You lucky duck, you! What a great find! I must say, I am rather jealous!
Custom Comforts says
Great find and great price! Isn't it fun when you get lucky and find the perfect piece?!
Cindy
Ann@A Sentimental Life says
What a bargain! Love it!
michelle says
Beautiful!! What a wonderful find and for $20, even better!! Love your display as well, very pretty!
Lisa ~Suburban Retreat~ says
I ask … is there anything better than "Tattered Elegance"???? NOPE! What a great eye you have Courtney to spot this gem in amongst a bin of 'yet to be displayed' items! Beautiful and you gotta love the price! Happy Monday right back at you! xox
Ricki Treleaven says
Both frames are gorgeous. I like them both together, but let us know where you move the new one!
Amy Kinser says
I agree with you…perfection. So very pretty. Great find!
la maison LaFortune says
Beautiful frame-I'd lose the mirror! Have fun with it.
Patti's Artful Design says
Beautiful….and a bargain!!
Honey at 2805 says
What a great find, and for $20! Fantastic. Looks great just like it is with a nice reflection.
Fishtail Cottage says
absolutely beautiful! Excited for you about your fabulous find! xoox
Tricia says
What a steal! I think it looks great right where it is 🙂
Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door says
Courntey, what a find! Your mirror is gorgeous! One of these days I, too, will luck upon a deal like this! One can only hope!
Bella's Rose Cottage says
Hi Courtney, Wow, lucky you! A perfect find, for a great price! Love your vignette and gorgous reflections too 🙂
Bella
Jacqueline says
Wow, the luck fairy was in your pocket that day. It is stunning. I love where you have it now, but with your great design sense, it will be wonderful anywhere! Wish I could find great bargains like that!
theexperimentalyogi says
Wow I love it when you find somethings that's just perfect!
http://australiennechic.blogspot.com/
Mari says
HELLO COURTNEY 🙂
OHHHH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL TREASURE YOU HAVE UNEARTH MY FRIEND 🙂 JUST A BEAUTIFUL!!
XO~MARI
Deb says
Wow…great find Courtney! I absolutely love the color(s)! ~Deb~
Linda@Coastal Charm says
This is one awesome THRIFTY treasure…congrats on finding it!
Blessings,
Linda
Carol Bennett says
Wow, what a find!!I love big ,old, heavy frames like that and they sell well, too!
Come see me at
http://antiquesanduniques.blogspot.com
Carol in GA
NanaDiana says
Oh-What a great find! I love that old mirror…and it goes nicely with it's companion….even those the silvering may be a bit tatty-I like it even with a "bad" mirror…kind of adds to the charm, I think. Hugs- Diana
Amy Chalmers says
Courtney the frame is yummy, how lucky you are. I love it, I think you have a lot of good ideas of what to do with it.
Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says
Courtney, what a lucky find. I think your ideas sound great.
High Street Cottage says
Courtney it's incredible. Do you know that is one of my favorite things? To find a treasure you don't have to refurbish. You didn't have to do a thing accept figure out where you want to put it. And at $20 it's a steal. Mirrors like that in an antique store would cost a fortune. Well done. xoxo tami
Polly says
It's gorgeous Courtney! Great find!!
Vanessa says
What a gorgeous find Courtney! And the price can't be beat. I love how the 2 mirrors look layered together like that!
Vanessa
Anne says
THIS is why we love thrift shops!!!
Ann says
Yes, you are right…what a steal!! Congratulations!
Fondly,
Ann
@
The Tattered Tassel
Sandi~A Cottage Muse says
Awesome find…I'd love to go treasure hunting with you!
Val says
I wish I could find amazing treasures like this!! Beautiful.
Tootsie says
this was a great find! lucky you!
Passionate for White says
OOOOooo Weeee…. what a FIND… coming across your blog today! I'm now a follower and I so look forward to future posts!
Tallulah's Antique Closet says
Oh waht a beauty! You have an eye for treasures! Have a great week………………Julian
sharon santoni at my french country home says
Great buy Courtney, now I see why you want to come and tour brocantes here in France! Thanks for stopping by
Sharon
My French Country Home
Susan EvelynAndRose says
It pays to keep our eyes open in thrift stores, don't you think? What a find! Lucky you. I'm sure it will look stunning in its' final place, with or without the mirror.
– Susan
Donnie says
Looks like a real find. Just gorgeous.
Heaven's Walk says
Wow! THAT is a great find, Courtney! It's just beautiful!!!! I think I need to go shopping with you…… lol!
xoxo laurie
Stephanie says
Seriously $20 – that is awesome! It's gorgeous! Maybe you could antique the mirror to make it go with the frame better? Looks great on the mantle!
Sarah @ Modern Country Style says
You find such fantastic things at the shops you go to. I'm trying not to be jealous but it's just getting harder and harder. 😉
Sarahx
Pamela says
As always you scored another beauty! Just love it Courtney!
Unknown says
Your frame is just goregous! And what a steal!
Blessings ~ Heidi
Country Livin' says
Very nice, what a find!!
Trish xo
Amanda @ Mamaslittleladybugs.blogspot.com says
So beautiful! I agree, I think the frame on the mantle would look gorgeous even without the mirror.
Unknown says
Oh, it's gorgeous. What a find….It looks fabulous with your cupboard as well!
xo
lynn
Vanessa says
Just coming back by to say thanks for linking up to the party Courtney! 🙂
Vanessa
One Cheap B*tch says
Your photos are so dreamy!
Jeanine
Mary says
This is an awesome post, I would really love it if you linked this up to Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage as well! Have a nice Week! Mary :O)
Simply Bungalow says
These mirrors are beautiful. Absolutely Amazing!
~Heidi
......Michele @ Portlandia Vintage says
Love when something unexpected pops up! Love your find. I have a stack of old frames in the attic, like you, I cannot pass one up!
DIYbyDesign says
The frames are absolutely beautiful. What a great post. Thank you so much for linking up to my party. I really appreciate it.
FRENCH LAUNDRY says
What a fabulous find! Don't you love it when you are about to give up and then VOILA! there it is.
Happy WW,
Judy
Ellen says
Oh my goodness! What a bargain for such a beauty! Just love those old frames, ornate and detailed as you have found. Love how you have it layered with another old mirror. Swoon perfect as only you can make it Girl!
xoxo,
Ellen
Southwest Cottage Designs says
Just beautiful! I LOVE mirrors. Seems like I can never have enough of them. They're all so fascinating.
Amy Kinser says
What a wonderful treasure you found for yourself. It is beautiful.
Patina says
What a great find! It looks wonderful where you have it!
Debbie
Diann says
That mirror is gorgeous Courtney! Definitely worth digging out and the $20.00 price! thank you so much for sharing it with us and for joining my first TTF party! I hope you are having a great weekend!