Finding your Authentic Decorating Self

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">This is a post about a mirror redo, but it's also about finding your <b>"Authentic Decorating Self"</b>.   There are so many beautiful blogs out in blogland with wonderful sweeping romantic images that you could just get lost in.  </span></i></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">That's what happened to me.  </span></i></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGi6MQ5SExajCjEb7FRNlXbQBKBC8fxP3iJ-1l-TOA5RkwUXQ-7iK6nBHwIcQxA5XiRBFazfpFMnMtcFgzLjhKd8dVGnA5rs41sKZE0p_yJ0BBgqsYQD8e4Bt4pi_iK45Hzbrk45hQP-4Z/s1600/shabby+chic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGi6MQ5SExajCjEb7FRNlXbQBKBC8fxP3iJ-1l-TOA5RkwUXQ-7iK6nBHwIcQxA5XiRBFazfpFMnMtcFgzLjhKd8dVGnA5rs41sKZE0p_yJ0BBgqsYQD8e4Bt4pi_iK45Hzbrk45hQP-4Z/s640/shabby+chic.jpg" width="425" /></a></span></i></td></tr><tr style="color: red;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Pinterest</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZT7ALnzv4qVnmi_BJp4wiQ0I3_CipsCwksHnNl0pJxVt9u5WYH6zHaquayQyCBSY8w_YdoEDzb5abVEuZg2_jZYTAhl0yUfCCsKRFXn2zYFmppHcYSskfnrm56vV5Oe5pEaq2Lxa_aGc/s1600/1shabby+chic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZT7ALnzv4qVnmi_BJp4wiQ0I3_CipsCwksHnNl0pJxVt9u5WYH6zHaquayQyCBSY8w_YdoEDzb5abVEuZg2_jZYTAhl0yUfCCsKRFXn2zYFmppHcYSskfnrm56vV5Oe5pEaq2Lxa_aGc/s640/1shabby+chic.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></i></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="color: red; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Pinterest</i></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">How could you <b>NOT</b> get caught up in these photos? </span></i></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> They evoke a time and a place that seems unhurried and tranquil.  A place where you might want to spend some time pondering the meaning of life.  OK, well maybe not that deep of a place but you get the idea?</span></i></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Here is my mirror story if you are still with me!  I was looking for <strike>victims</strike> subjects on which to practice my Annie Sloan Chalk Paint experiments.  Hello Mr. Mirror that has been in every corner of every house for the past 15 years.  </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmw8fdQqEKw85P_D7lDRAn8qLLPDHmI9ZHwRt-kvCmBI2EmEJu8kTNXsIj5OldkLzFUZH7I4pho5ekAI7LgmiOny80yVnfPYCim7USRNqsjAApJLxCVQOHDIKeVGjKOTdEMwUxiTXrTq_/s1600/IMG_2972-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmw8fdQqEKw85P_D7lDRAn8qLLPDHmI9ZHwRt-kvCmBI2EmEJu8kTNXsIj5OldkLzFUZH7I4pho5ekAI7LgmiOny80yVnfPYCim7USRNqsjAApJLxCVQOHDIKeVGjKOTdEMwUxiTXrTq_/s640/IMG_2972-001.JPG" width="510" /></a></span></i></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Mr. Mirror was purchased at a consignment shop in California while we were living there about 15 years ago.  It's hard to see, but there is a crack in the wood on the bottom left hand side.  Before I painted it I filled it with wood putty.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88Q15IoQIvNG7RVXJoupG9tYBOdu88EjbLY0Hz8grm1QkTFdbJhf8c6OyrEgQD2_VORN03aQeL3ooQzBArRdLV3qNaU3GdHbjKaw7LKoJRZ904GwZ6YCkNOi9YMijBw2QgTHZLzqTdh1Q/s1600/IMG_2973-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88Q15IoQIvNG7RVXJoupG9tYBOdu88EjbLY0Hz8grm1QkTFdbJhf8c6OyrEgQD2_VORN03aQeL3ooQzBArRdLV3qNaU3GdHbjKaw7LKoJRZ904GwZ6YCkNOi9YMijBw2QgTHZLzqTdh1Q/s640/IMG_2973-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></i></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I've always loved the ornate crown and scrolls on this mirror.  I broke out the Paris Gray ASCP.  </span></i></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I love Paris! </span></i></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> I painted, I waxed, I distressed, I highlighted! (Sounds like a day at the Salon for me). I thought I loved it... </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXZ-V33GfF6evuh9Cxh-9CIf3S_Eo3XE04UQDgNWM3x48mh9XBntcJ-l_yWhXDgjFq1HE2Wplgsa0vq6KCnNQWmPysMa243WvT-qzJpL2PsFO2XripqNgq5IunZtSs4LKt8fVcwsf4LRs/s1600/IMG_3034-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXZ-V33GfF6evuh9Cxh-9CIf3S_Eo3XE04UQDgNWM3x48mh9XBntcJ-l_yWhXDgjFq1HE2Wplgsa0vq6KCnNQWmPysMa243WvT-qzJpL2PsFO2XripqNgq5IunZtSs4LKt8fVcwsf4LRs/s640/IMG_3034-001.JPG" width="418" /></a></span></i></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Hey, I impressed myself with my limited talents!  </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIy0LPUnoHHhgS6WifE2jsOSNpoBIouEGDKhVV-pvTs9FFhp-NG_2LAPPly0tQOWGg9tg5MHHBQX7UVKtVpd6Q8x7ekLH9DIR-QYrmHtFKrtBz4p8UU5MKIcHxQqhCLXjUGyZqcA60MnYr/s1600/IMG_3036-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIy0LPUnoHHhgS6WifE2jsOSNpoBIouEGDKhVV-pvTs9FFhp-NG_2LAPPly0tQOWGg9tg5MHHBQX7UVKtVpd6Q8x7ekLH9DIR-QYrmHtFKrtBz4p8UU5MKIcHxQqhCLXjUGyZqcA60MnYr/s640/IMG_3036-001.JPG" width="586" /></a></span></i></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I did everything right.  The problems came when I tried to find a new home for it in my house!  It didn't <b>GO </b>anywhere.  I tried the Bedroom, the Hallway, The Living Room...  And then it suddenly Struck me!  This Paris Gray isn't <b>ME </b>at all.  These are not the colors in my home.  I love warm neutral colors.  What was I thinking?  I was angry and mad at myself for a little while.  I'm supposed to "know better".  I'm supposed to "plan" better than this.  </span></i></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Sigh, back to the drawing board.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WCO_C78H0FljyW3lAS9f8X-2fGBhmZiUH9A0Izuh7-KNPY_BUKineNAHKKMEGBJV8-vkHgaVgpv8JEn5ZUPGKiIOm4tmfzlAqLqR07cR7eAcnQaFwppBqgoGH6Nn4OdzhvIGBkHlR8So/s1600/IMG_3075-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WCO_C78H0FljyW3lAS9f8X-2fGBhmZiUH9A0Izuh7-KNPY_BUKineNAHKKMEGBJV8-vkHgaVgpv8JEn5ZUPGKiIOm4tmfzlAqLqR07cR7eAcnQaFwppBqgoGH6Nn4OdzhvIGBkHlR8So/s640/IMG_3075-001.JPG" width="386" /></a></span></i></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Hello Lover!  </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9e7jqngoV455XObrQyl8-8xwdiCbCeZgUrqBCxkAlbrsOHCfzeoSv-meQKrPHv0xOlcLZ6FRt3KPk9lck-57r2yGRn58Cx-Sp62G7i0tF0NwZw234Uc_NzG7i4zhzeSrA2J4e58-FBY1P/s1600/IMG_3075-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9e7jqngoV455XObrQyl8-8xwdiCbCeZgUrqBCxkAlbrsOHCfzeoSv-meQKrPHv0xOlcLZ6FRt3KPk9lck-57r2yGRn58Cx-Sp62G7i0tF0NwZw234Uc_NzG7i4zhzeSrA2J4e58-FBY1P/s640/IMG_3075-002.JPG" width="614" /></a></span></i></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Much better.  I repainted with ASCP Old White mixed with a small amount of the wall color Benjamin Moore Monroe Bisque.  I waxed with Clear wax and then a bit of Dark wax and then Clear wax again.  You can see some of the Paris Gray showing through in the places where I distressed it.  That's to remind me every time I walk by to be true to my <b>"Authentic Decorating Self"</b>.</span></i></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Beaux R'eves!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">XO Cindy</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Sharing at:</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Mary at </i><a href="http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/"><i>Boogieboard Cottage</i></a><i> for Masterpiece Monday</i></span><br /><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Newbie Party at </span><a href="http://www.debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Debbie Doo’s Blogging & Blabbing</a></span></i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /><i>Susan at</i><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1057618964"><i> </i></a><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/"><i>Between Naps on the Porch</i></a><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2011/12/beautiful-kitchen-renovation-welcome-to.html"><i></i></a><i>for Metamorphosis Monday<br />Marty at </i><a href="http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/"><i>A Stroll Thru Life</i></a><i> for Tabletop Tuesday</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><i>Keeping it Simple</i></a><i> </i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Roeshel  at </i><a href="http://diyshowoff.com/" target="_blank"><i>DIY Showoff</i></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Kristin at</i><a href="http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/" target="_blank"><i> My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</i></a><i> for Tuesday's Treasures</i><i><br />Linda at </i><a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/"><i>Coastal Charm</i></a><i>for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday</i></span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Faded Charm</a> for White Wednesday </i></span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> </i></span><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Someday Crafts</a>: Whatever Goes Wednesday</span></i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /><i>Kim at </i></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/"><i>Savvy Southern Style</i></a><i> for Wow Us Wednesdays<br />Judy at </i><a href="http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/"><i>DIY by Design</i></a><i>for the Winter Blues Party</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><i>The Brambleberry Cottage</i></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/" target="_blank"><i>Finding Fabulous </i></a><br /><i>Gina at </i></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/"><i>The Shabby Creek Cottage</i></a><i> for Transformation Thursdays<br />Sherry at </i><a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/"><i>No Minimalist Here</i></a><i> for the Open House Party on Thursdays<br />Cindy at </i><a href="http://romantichome.blogspot.com/"><i>My Romantic Home</i></a><i>for Show and Tell Friday<br />Courtney at </i><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/"><i>French Country Cottage</i></a><i> for Feathered Nest Friday<br />Honey at</i><a href="http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/"><i> 2805</i></a><i>for Potpourri Friday</i><br /><i>Heather and Vanessa at </i></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/"><i>At the Picket Fence</i></a><i> for Inspiration Friday <br />Diann at </i><a href="http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/"><i>The Thrifty Groove</i></a><i> for Thrifty Things Friday<br />Debra at </i><a href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/"><i>Common Ground</i></a><i> for Vintage Inspiration Friday<br />Sherry at</i><a href="http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/"><i> The Charm of Home</i></a><i> for Home Sweet Home Friday<br />Jen at </i><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/"><i>Tatertots and Jello</i></a><i>for the Weekend Wrap-up Party <br />Donna at </i><a href="http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/"><i>Funky Junk Interiors</i></a><i> for Saturday Nite Special</i></span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="http://missmustardseed.com/" target="_blank">Furniture Feature Friday </a></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>

Finding your Authentic Decorating Self

This is a post about a mirror redo, but it's also about finding your "Authentic Decorating Self" .   There are so many beautif...

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