MIRROR, MIRROR

While they serve a very practical function, vintage mirrors will also add charm and character to your farmhouse.

While they serve a practical function, vintage mirrors will also add charm and character to your farmhouse.

Every picture tells a story, but so does a mirror. For blogger Diana Sullivan of Diana Marie Home, her collection of mirrors has its own story. In her 1800s

New York farmhouse, her vintage mirrors span from more recent pieces to those over 100 years old. “Sometimes the date is printed on the back, so whenever I buy an old mirror, one of the first things I do is remove the back to try to find a date,” she says. Here are some of her tips for finding and displaying your own vintage mirror collection.

SHOPPING

Diana recommends shopping for vintage mirrors on Facebook

Marketplace, Craigslist, flea markets, thrift stores and estate sales. But be patient. “It often takes me several trips before I find an old mirror, and it’s usually when I’m least expecting it,” she says. “Look for a mirror that speaks to you, that evokes positive feelings when you look at it and think about it in your own home,” Diana says.

EVALUATING

You can choose to repair vintage mirrors or leave them in their original states. For Diana, it’s the worn and weathered look of a vintage piece that gives it the most character. “I choose to embrace the imperfections of my antique mirrors,” she says. “I embrace all the cracks and chips in their frames, and discoloration and spots on the mirrors themselves.”

DISPLAYING

Once you’ve brought your vintage treasure home, decide how you’ll display it safely. Due to their heavy weights, Diana suggests taking extra care when hanging mirrors. “Be sure to use hangers that are designed to hold the weight of your mirror,” she says. If you display it on a shelf or mantel, secure it with small nails. If you have multiple mirrors, try grouping them as a gallery, feature one in a prominent place or layer them. “The options are endless,” Diana says.

Creative displays of your vintage mirrors, like Diana’s gallery wall, are a great way to express your own unique style. “I built a collection of mirrors I loved and wanted to display them all together,” she says. “It makes a statement and allows the unique character of each mirror to shine.”

(above,right) This large pier mirror was a Facebook Marketplace find and one of Diana’s favorite mirrors. “I fell in love with the beveled glass mirror, hand-carved detail and bits of organic material at the top that sparkle in the light,” she says. Once she got it home, it fit in her newly restored bedroom. “The way the top curves in with the angle of the original tin ceiling and the way the light from the vintage brass chandelier makes the mirror sparkle add unique character to our bedroom,” she says.

(above, left) Diana’s mirror collection started with an unexpected find while exploring her own home. “In a corner of our old basement I came across an oval mirror covered in layers of dirt, dust and cobwebs,” she says. After giving it a much needed cleanup, she decided to display it on the mantel in the primary bedroom. “I loved the way it reflected the view of the other side of the room too; it magnified all the character of our farmhouse in the best way,” she says.