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  1. Lynne Rutter
    June 12, 2013 @ 5:26 pm

    I love these gilt mirrors and curse the distance between me and the mountain of affordable antique gilt mantel and pier mirrors that you clearly live right on top of. As a gilder may I please as that you please take my advice and get the professional help of a qualified experience gilder/restorer before doing anything to “touch up” or clean the gilt frames. You can learn to do this some of this work yourself by taking classes– and what better place to do that than in New Orleans at the Society of Gilders conference in October. Yes, we have a society, because we are gilding geeks and every old mirror frame is our long lost child.

    Reply

    • Victoria Elizabeth Barnes
      June 14, 2013 @ 11:25 am

      I think my brain melted while reading your comment. I will now spend the next hour reading about that society.

      Several people, including Brian (our antique-dealing neighbor) have made suggestions about making casts… and duplicating the missing pieces. And I saw a frame that Brian replaced a corner on and re-gilded (?) and you would NEVER know it wasn’t original. (well, maybe YOU would.)

      This is probably horrifying to you… but for some reason, I have no interest in improving these. If I could afford to pay someone, by all means… but also, I love them just as they are, and I don’t think .02% more love is worth the effort to learn how to restore them myself.

      Reply

    • Tara
      January 21, 2014 @ 7:57 pm

      I have recently acquired a beautiful gilded Victorian style mirror made in Philadelphia in 1941. It is in very good condition but does have a couple of spots that need touching up and a small inside trim section Is missing. I also live in Philly and have no idea if I should repair this or leave it as is. I have no idea of value and really just want to hang and enjoy it. I see that Victoria has painted some of her mirrors. Would you or Victoria be able to tell me who to contact about restoring it ?

      Reply

  2. Eadie
    June 13, 2013 @ 11:22 am

    OH, I’m so happy to have found you. Really enjoying your writing style, sense of humor, and great photos (of the house, and also the fabulous pics of you). Love your layout, too. Now I’m off to read about you, you, you in the ME, ME, ME section. Thank you so much for brightening my day. I will be reading your blog from now on….. xoxo

    Reply

    • Victoria Elizabeth Barnes
      June 14, 2013 @ 1:32 pm

      Thank you, thank you, THANK you, for your comment! It totally made my day!!

      So nice to “meet” you!

      Reply

  3. J-C
    June 15, 2013 @ 11:12 am

    Oh GOD those are f****** gorgeous! I’m super jealous! I actually adore antique mirrors, and I have several, but mostly smaller ones, and none that are this fancy. I find that they can look nice stacked against each other “layered” on a shelf or the top of a cabinet.

    Reply

    • Victoria Elizabeth Barnes
      June 16, 2013 @ 11:07 am

      I KNOW, right?? Incidentally, on another topic– I am surprised I have gone an entire year of blogging without using the f-word. Some things are ONLY described via it, and lately I’ve been feeling like I need to break it out.

      Reply

  4. Robin~All Things Heart and Home
    June 17, 2013 @ 1:10 pm

    I totally understand your mirror-love! Tell Paul you in no way have enough mirrors!!!
    And the post just made me giggle! Thank you xo
    Robin
    All Things Heart and Home

    Reply

  5. Alex
    June 20, 2013 @ 4:43 pm

    You have us all laughing on gardenweb, and practically intoxicated over potential finds! A few of us have found ourselves VE’d by craigslist in the last few days, including me! I found a rug that ignited my inner Jean Harlow and MUST come home with me. I priced getting it cleaned before calling the seller, I was so excited.

    Reply

    • Victoria Elizabeth Barnes
      June 29, 2013 @ 12:56 pm

      Life has been nuts, and I am finally wading into my neglected comments. I cannot tell you how much I LOVE my name being synonymous with CL-hunting.

      Made my day.
      xo Victoria

      Reply

  6. Barb
    June 25, 2013 @ 12:00 am

    Hello Victoria! Glad that I found you on Romantic Homes web-FB site! Love, love your mirrors!!! When I went to England over Easter break in 2005 to visit my brother and his wife and family (they were stationed at RAF Molesworth, about 2 hours north of London for four years with an USAF/RAF posting), Linnea, my sister-in-law and I would go thriftshopping. I found two of my favorite mirrors while at a shop not far from their farm house, both of which flew home with me after 17 days across the Pond. 🙂

    The mirror I missed that should have been mine was at an antique faire on a weekend, though… The one-that-got-away-and-was-snatched-up-by-that-snobby-man-who-didn’t-want-to-even-discuss-his-find was a lovely, carved marble with cherubs inside an oval top-piece over a mirror! It sold for 150 pounds… I went into a tent to the right first (after carting some things back to Linnea’s car) then went into the left tent. I ALMOST went into the left-hand tent, something told me to go there. I missed my one big destined mirror by less than five minutes… :(((

    Reply

  7. ThrashWaltz
    June 25, 2013 @ 12:43 pm

    Woman if you lived anywhere near me I have an antique mirror that I would legit give you for a steal. EG: I would let you steal it because A) it doesn’t go with my house at all and B) I am an enabler.

    Reply

  8. CateS
    June 26, 2013 @ 10:40 am

    Ok, so my mother’s parents had a lovely tall pier [?] mirror that ended up with my parents after the grands downsized in the 1960’s. It ended up on the front staircase landing in our 1800’s home. When Mom downsized from the 2 story with full basement [which was full of grandparents stuff] to her ranch over walkout basement in the late 1970’s, she planned for the mirror. Builder was amazed/appalled to have to plan on 12 foot ceiling height in front part of home for mirror. My sister now has it in Florida –

    Reply

  9. Sandi
    June 28, 2013 @ 8:31 am

    Loving your posts! I found you via facebook and have just read and drooled over your mirror posts! What beauty you have found…looking forward to seeing what else you unearth on Craigs list. 🙂
    Blessings~

    Reply

  10. Xenia
    June 28, 2013 @ 10:54 am

    I absolutely LOVE this post. It was so funny and I enjoyed looking at the wonderful photos. Your husband is very lucky to have such a wife as you. Two things he can say for sure is that you will NEVER bore him and that you will always provide him with a BEAUTIFUL home.

    Reply

  11. Meridith
    June 28, 2013 @ 4:46 pm

    I just found your blog via Momastery and am howling with laughter at the way you write and also, how I can relate….we own an 1893 Queen Anne and oh, boy, where do I start? The way I am now trying to see cracks in the plaster as “interesting” textures as I find new ways to arrange framed art? No, how about the way our back deck stairs are rotting and I refuse to use them but somehow that’s not number 1, that’s number 23,309 on the list because who needs a back porch when it’s the size of a postage stamp anyway? Anyhow, looking forward to following your blog! 🙂

    Reply

  12. Maggie
    June 28, 2013 @ 6:34 pm

    A friend forwarded me your post about the ginormo mirror because they thought maybe I had a secret second life. HA! I laughed the whole way though the post because I think, at some point, I may have said and/or done everything in that post. I needed more! I read another. Ridiculously amazeballs wardrobe that can transport you to both Downton Abby AND Narnia! I was bouncing and squealing with excitement for you! Holy CRACK, it’s like I have a twin ….I haven’t stopped reading!

    My friends tell me I have an illness…my addiction to finding magical things on Craiglist. HA! FOOLS! They just don’t understand……I am required to own these items. No final destination required. No actual NEED. Doesn’t have to serve a purpose. Just must be mine. Period. The end. And then…….we add sparkles! I emit sparkles…it’s true. I leave a trail of magical shininess in my wake.

    I decided I had to share you with all. I posted your blog on The Facebook with this comment: ***Fair warning to all who know me… this is what you are getting into with me. ***

    Thanks for taking the time to share with us, and may the magical Elders of Craigslist continue to bless you!

    Reply

  13. kelly@mysoulfulhome
    June 28, 2013 @ 8:03 pm

    I like you and your growing mirror collection!

    Reply

  14. Pj
    June 28, 2013 @ 8:46 pm

    I don’t recall having given birth to a child before I was married, but you may be my own flesh and blood. In 2009 my husband & I started restoring a 5400 sf Antebellum home (refer to FB page) where we plan to operate a B&B. He has learned to smile & help me drag home “finds”–including 2 cast iron mantels that match our home’s other 6 original mantels, which we drove a total of 5 hrs. to pick up. Also a few armoires, buffets, dining tables, mirrors, etc. etc. Also a nearly new tufted leather Chesterfield sofa/bed that nearly us loading & unloading in the truck. And an antique 4′ cast iron double basin sink I bought online & had shipped to a dock 50 miles from our home. Tomorrow marks a milestone anniversary, so if he has plans to kill me in my sleep he’s doing a pretty good job of acting like an adoring husband. He does as much as humanly possible to make my dreams become reality, & I’m happy to know that you found his clone for your own projects. I’m looking forward to reading more of your blog! 🙂

    Reply

  15. Pj
    June 28, 2013 @ 8:48 pm

    (sofa nearly “KILLED” us loading & unloading

    Reply

  16. Vivian Mandala
    June 29, 2013 @ 6:33 am

    Oh my god, I’m hiding in the kitchen, because it’s so early, only me and the baby are awake. I’m trying really hard not to laugh OUT LOUD *I have a really loud laugh* from your post.

    When something is your destiny, it’s your destiny…you’re better off not denying it, just go for it, right?

    Really enjoyed this and looking forward to stalking you all day.

    Reply

  17. Chervelle Camille
    June 29, 2013 @ 1:38 pm

    Okay, you are hilarious!! I want to keep you in my pocket and pull you out when I need a good laugh therapy. Your Craigslist aficionado is pure enlightenment. Thank you!

    Reply

  18. Victoria
    June 30, 2013 @ 7:58 pm

    Just thought I’d say how much I’ve enjoyed your posts -probably cause they remind me so much of myself. (I’m not excluding the idea that we are somehow distantly related or the exact same person residing in two bodies).

    We bought our house cause I loved the stairs, so it seems fine to buy one for hinges. My husband would probably get along great with Paul, his one great frustration is me halting his progress, especially when I have no idea what exactly is involved in the task at hand.

    Anyway, loved your posts that I’ve read so far. Your house looks absolutely amazing -it was clearly destiny to have all those treasures in that house together!

    Can’t wait to read your other posts, although I fear reading this is only going to enable my love for antique treasures that won’t fit in my house.

    (These are some of those posts that are particularly me….

    “We walked in… and I was like OOOOOOOOOOh. Did you see the hinges? Paul? Did you see the hinges? Paul? Did you see the hinges?”

    “It was the look that said—you have failed, on all fronts, to prepare me for this job, and I cannot believe I relied on you to accurately gauge the situation, and now I am in an unheated building with no tools or skilled assistants… I am surrounded by idiots.”

    After an entire hour—all we had done was remove the doors.”

    “They are essentially GIVING AWAY my destiny on a street corner, and you’re going to let some homeless dude put it in his shopping cart and wheel it away.”

    “And I was like—look at me. Look me in the eye. Do you really believe I am leaving here without this? Because I’m not.”

    Thank you for writing them )

    Reply

    • Victoria
      June 30, 2013 @ 8:00 pm

      oh, and loved this …..

      “When we were bringing the cabinet pieces in, Paul said—where do you want to put the mirror? And I was like, I don’t know… let’s move it around and see where it looks best!!

      Paul said—how about you just pick a spot?”

      I can’t count how many times we’ve had that conversation!

      Reply

  19. Betsy
    July 1, 2013 @ 5:34 am

    Here I am….crying AGAIN!!!! laughing so hard….I have GOT to go to sleep! you are sooo funny….I love youir attitude…. “$150 ….practically FREE!!!!!! All or nothing and all FOR NOTHING is even better!
    Betsy

    Reply

  20. Betsy
    July 1, 2013 @ 5:35 am

    Your attiude…..AND your mirrors, they are gorgeous…I’ll have to tell you about the mirror I hid in our closet for three months….shhhhhh!!!!….I didn’t want HIM to know about it!
    Betsy

    Reply

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