Ever since we moved in, I always thought there was a great opportunity to decorate the area at the top of our stairs. After all, I see it at least 64 (or so) times a day as I run up and down. And, for nearly two years, I’ve cringed every time I see that little spot. Up until last weekend, it looked like this:
And, after some paint, mirrors and accessories:
I bought the chest for our last home and frankly, I was sick of the flowers. It didn’t look like our house anymore, but the piece fit the space perfectly. Spray paint to the rescue.
I gave it two coats of Valspar interior/exterior black paint in gloss/laquer. I also replaced the more traditional knobs with the fun, painted ones I found at HomeGoods last week.
Since the wall was tall but narrow, I stacked two mirrors (found at HomeGoods for $30 each). Mirrors open up this small area and using two smaller mirrors is often a less expensive option than buying one huge one.
I also painted this small brass box that I picked up at Goodwill for $2 in a bright, glossy blue. To quote my husband, “it gives a pop of color.” Yes, he’s been reading my blog–alot apparently.
What a huge difference! It looks great!
Sarah @Sarah Bohl Designs
http://www.sarahbohldesigns.com
Gorgeous! Love the tip about the two mirrors, and they look fabulous stacked here, and the update to the chest really works! Too funny about your husband, once mine starting reading my blog he “got an opinion” about design, which made projects a bit more challenging around here, having to take into account someones opinion apart from my own! Janell
What a transformation! The chest looks great, especially with the new hardware (I hope my HomeGoods starts to carry hardware soon). And, The mirror stacking idea is one I am going to remember…
I’ll bet you don’t cringe any more. That looks amazing. Love the mirrors and the cabinet painted black. It all looks great.
Brooke
same thing? Are you sure? ;) it looks great, makes a huge impact!
Great transformation! I would have never thought of hanging two mirrors but, WOW, what an impact! Love the blue box and the hardware you added. It all looks marvelous!!
Jennifer
I love all things painted black! This is a nice one!
Once again…simply beautiful. I have to complain about my Homegoods. It is so close I can walk to it, but maybe everyone else can also, and that is why there is nothing there. I must venture out to others so I can score some goods like that!!!
It looks wonderful! Great find on those mirrors!
Beautiful! I love that Valspar paint. I used it for the first time last week, and I’m hooked!
Emily, it looks great! I’m feeling inspired :)
Looks great!! Love the way you postioned the mirrors!!
I love it! Awesome transformation.
Fantastic!! You always think outside of the box and it always looks great. Enjoy Your day!
Emily, it looks awesome! I love what a difference spray paint can make. and those mirrors are fabulous!
Love it!
Love the stacking mirrors!
Love the stacked mirrors and the paint job on the chest. Clever!
Love the transformation–everything–glossy black, blue, new hardware, pretty mirrors! Great tip on stacking mirrors too.
Wow!!! That looks great! You have inspired me to paint a similar chest with flowers I’ve grown tired of. Why can’t I find mirrors like that when I visit Home Goods. Beautiful!
Looks like a shot from a catalog! Gotta love spray paint. I really like the mirrors.
Wow! Beautiful! It really pops – especially in that spot. Nice job!
It looks so classy! What a wonderful re-do!
Looks great!! Gotta love spray paint!!
Gorgeous! I am wanting those mirrors in a serious way!
Great Transformation! I love the little box painted blue…nice touch.
I love it! The idea of layering mirrors was great. I will have to try that too!
Looks beautiful Emily! I love those mirrors too. I used 2 mirrors in our entry way, but are side by side. Love them stacked!
Looks great Emily! I love the mirrors.
Cara
http://www.anurbancottageblog.blogspot.com
looks incredible, i love mixture of the black lacquer combined with the gold knows.
I just linked this to my blog for today. I Love what you did and you’ve inspired me to makeover a similar cabinet I have here.:)
Sarah
HandbagsnPigtails.blogspot.com
I love those mirrors!! i need them!
Gorgeous. I love the mirror idea… making me think:)
Love it! And I love that you honestly mentioned that it has not been like that since you moved in. I think a lot of us bloggers and those who read blogs start to envy one another thinking “man their house must be awesome, why does mine not look like that.” It’s nice to know that all of our homes have areas we think are eye sores and things we want to change, and we can admit to that!
Emily, that really looks great! The whole thing is just complete now.
Bravo! You should submit this to Design*Sponge :) Gorgeous!
Love the idea to stack the mirrors! Such a pretty spot to walk by all day.
Wow, beautiful!!
love it! i am definitely going to have to find some knobs at homegoods. i have a perfect piece for a re-hab! thanks!
Absolutely lovely. :) I always enjoy reading your blog SO much.
Those mirrors are fantastic! I have serious mirror envy!
Stunning! I big fat puffy heart love those mirrors.
love it! I would have never thought to put both mirrors like that.
Beautiful. Love the mirrors and those knobs! Perfect spot for them. The mirrors look perfect there.
Mirror inspiration- and painting miracle!
I’m taking a break from clearing 6 yr old dusty ‘decor’ and greenery from above my high kitchen cabinets…yuk.
It’s a decor fix day!
Love it !!!
Kathy :)
I haven’t tried the black laquer spray paint yet…but I can’t wait now!
I LOVE the mirrors!!
LOVE. IT! the stacked mirrors are awesome (great find!), and love that navy box.
This is stunning! I love it! You did a fantastic job!
I love your stack mirror idea… great tip! everything looks beautiful there… perfect!
I have a space I cringe at too.. it’s in the kids bonus room that I walk by everyday and nothing seems to work there… Someday I will figure it out !
Kudos! It looks fantastic
Oh those mirrors are simply fabulous!! What a great Homegoods find. I have many a naked space in my home, but slowly remedying that:)
Big difference! I laughed out loud when I read the comment from your husband!
What a difference. I love the mirrors, orchids and that you painted the chest.. It looks great all black.. Well done lady!
You did a beautiful job! I may have to run out to HG *this minute* to find a mirror like that!
This is absolutely beautiful! I love those mirrors! Actually, I love everything about this set up.
Looks fantastic, Emily! Love how the black high-gloss turned out.
Wow! That looks great! Those mirrors are fabulous! I would have never thought of stacking them.
So CUTE!
Hey, speaking of eyes (ok, not really, but since you mentioned it) I love your eye makeup. Your eyes are beautiful anyway, but your makeup is gorgeous! I think you should do an eye makeup tutorial. Just sayin’…
I love the stacked mirrors! I am a bit obsessed with gold at the moment.
It doesn’t even look like the same piece. What a difference. I’m going to have to keep my eyes peeled for a brass box now that I see how great yours turned out with a little paint.
How puuurty! I love it!
Such an amazing difference for little time and money! My favorite kind of update!!!
Love it! Looks great!
I absolutely love the mirrors– great idea to use two smaller ones!!
Emily, YOu did an inspiring job! I love the look of the black dresser with its jaunty fun drawer pulls.
You have quite a knack for putting things together. I love that you put 2 mirrors on top of eachother. What a stroke of brilliance!
I bet there is a hop in your step and a lightness in your heart when you go up the stairs now and see your wonderful new decor!
Kudos to you!
Yvonne
Emily, looks great and I especially like the two mirrors stacked – a great design solution especially when you like a mirror but the size doesn’t fit the space!
Huge improvement!
WOW Emily! Looks amazing! Love the “pop” of color. Good observation “Mr. Clark!”
Looks beautiful! I’d never have guessed it was the same piece without looking closely and the mirrors totally make it.
I love the transformation! Are those silk flowers on the tabletop?
Ir looks beautiful! I also love when the husbands get in on the decorating! My husband is totally the same, before I was married to him he had lawn chairs in his living room now all of a sudden he’s the expert!
Those mirrors really made the whole look, IMHO. Great job! It would take me years to probably figure do an empty space in our home like that.
Looks outstanding…lovin those $30 mirrors!!!
Blessings,
Linda
Great Job! I love it!
Looks awesome! I totally thought that it was one large mirror instead of two – what a cool trick!
Looks great Emily.My favorite idea was that you stacked the mirrors. I had to go back and look to see that it was actually two instead of one big mirror! YOu are sooo smart! Looks great.
The knobs look great! I actually saw them at my Home Goods here in town…they are just as cute in person! :)
http://www.madebygirl.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com
LOVE those mirrors and a little paint goes such a LONG way!! You’re sooo good! Congrats on the new gig too! You are blowing up ;)
Emily! I love the mirrors!
Great job! Beautimous! :)
Great job! Beautimous! :)
Great job! Beautimous! :)
Great job! Beautimous! :)
Great job! Beautimous! :)
You’ve inspired me to do a paint up a rooster decorated umbrella stand (think dark wooden frame with a rooster scene painted within molding) I have. Love the stand, am so beyond roosters I can’t even tell you. :)