Sunday, March 28, 2010

At Long Last, A Looking Glass!

In the many years that Boy and I have owned Darlington House, we had not found something to hang over the fireplace in our drawing room.  Although I have enjoyed the asperity of the bare wall, I also looked forward to the day when we would find the proper adornment for the empty space.  In biding our time we debated the merits of hanging a painting or a mirror, and agreed that we preferred the latter.  As I have written in earlier posts, Darlington was built in the Federal era, and its drawing room is the most fully-realized neoclassical interior in the house, fitted out with moldings and carvings copied from pattern books of the day.  The ideal mirror to hang over the drawing room's fireplace requires a lightness and delicacy appropriate for the room, but not such a dainty-ness as to not be able to stand up to the classical orders employed.  While we found numerous candidates over the years, they were either the wrong size or too expensive, often carrying five figure price tags.  But we've never given up our search, hoping that we would find the perfect mirror to hang at a price we were willing to pay.

The mirror in the shop we found it, photographed by Boy on his BlackBerry

Yesterday, Boy and I spent several hours in the nearby town trolling through the antiques shops.  While doing so I found this mirror in a shop owned by pickers.  We always stop in to see what they have, as we've been successful in finding wallet-friendly things there.  When I saw the mirror I turned to Boy and said "What do you think about this for our drawing room?" and he agreed that it looked promising.  We examined it and determined that it still had its original gilding and ornaments, but likely had later (but still old) glass.  We also agreed that it required only a modest amount of restoration in order to bring it up to the snuff of the other, far more expensive mirrors we have passed on over the years.  Once we learned what they were asking for it our hearts raced, and we put it on "hold" so that we could go to our house and measure to see if it would fit.

The mirror in the back of Isaiah Cornini's truck
Photo by Reggie Darling

We sped back to Darlington and were excited to find that the mirror was, in fact, well-scaled for the space above our drawing room fireplace.  We telephoned Isaiah Cornini, the architectural historian we work with at Darlington and whose opinion we rely on in such matters, and asked him to come over to look at the mirror to see if it met with his approval.  Not only was he free to stop by Darlington that afternoon, but he agreed to pick up the mirror from the dealers and bring it to our house in the back of his pickup truck.  Huzzah!

The mirror, propped up in our front hall, awaiting hanging
Photo by Reggie Darling

As it turned out, Isaiah not only approved of the mirror but he agreed to help us hang it then and there.  Here is a photograph of our drawing room chimney breast in its unadorned state.  This is the "before" picture.

The unadorned chimney breast
Photo by Boy Fenwick

And here is the "after" picture, showing the mirror in place. We've lighted the candles in the chandelier that hangs in the room to show its reflection in the glass.

The chimney breast, with mirror
Photo by Boy Fenwick

Here is another photograph of the drawing room, taken this evening, with the candles lighted and a fire in the fireplace.  Oh, and look -- there's Pompey, too!

Photo by Boy Fenwick

So, is the mirror the perfect size for the space?  Boy and I agree that it could be better if it were slightly wider, but we also agree that we are very happy to have it at the price we paid for it.  Yes, we'll need to put some money into it, and restore it.  But even so, we will still have a mirror that we would have had to pay much more for had we found it in a shop in Manhattan, or at one of the bigger antiques shows.  In other words, after it had swum well-upstream from where we feel very fortunate to have found it.

37 comments:

  1. Devastatingly beautiful. And I look forward to your comments when I finally get around to posting photos of a not too dissimilar mirror I have from my grandmother's house. Should I ever miraculously restore my family fortune I hope Boy will be willing to come to California frequently and help me decorate the new pad that would surely ensue.

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  2. Perfect!!!!!! In fact the whole room is perfect. Good hunting!

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  3. Reggie --

    I like it -- not least because I bought something similar for a music room several months ago.

    If the width business nags at you, think about punching up what you have on the mantle-piece. You could put sconces or pictures or silhouettes on either side and thereby make the vases in front of the windows part of a bigger, more integrated event. The austere glass that you had previously might look better elsewhere. (The counter-argument, which is just as good, is that the two of you like austerity, so it's just a matter of fussing over the details. I parked a pair of 18th century jade narcissus "plants" in front of my new mirror and was delighted at the effect.)

    BTW, I also like the green you put on the doors of that outbuilding.

    Best, etc.

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  4. LA: Thanks, my feelings exactly!

    LPC: Boy would be happy to assist you, LPC, whenever you would like.

    Kevin: Thank you.

    Ancient: Good points, indeed; we think, perhaps, a pair of period Sheffield argands on either side might balance it out, but the only ones we've seen are either in the collection at Winterthur (i.e., NFS) or prohibitively expensive (like $18k)...must keep my mind open as to options!

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  5. Well done, as you stated a little larger would have been perfect but this is great.

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  6. I think it looks fantastic! A great mirror! And I love the reflection of the chandelier. That's the best part!

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  7. Hi, Reggie -
    Your mirror looks wonderful. You two did well. Even though as you say, it could be slightly wider, the (marginal) narrowness contributes additional, and refreshing, lightness to the overall effect sought when invoking the Federal style. You mentioned restoration, but unless there are definite flaws that need to be corrected, a little patina can contribute to the atmosphere of age presumed in an antique house, without detracting from the faithful rendering you have thus far produced. All that aside, there sure is nothing like finally finding "just the thing" :)
    Best -
    Mike in SC

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  8. What a fabulous find, it looks great it it's new home and goes so well with that stunning chandelier.

    Leeann x

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  9. I'm sorry...is there a picture of a mirror in this post? I only see precious Pompey, beautifully lit. Did I mention I'm obsessed with your pup?

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  10. Perfect. Any wider and there wouldn't be any room for the rosemary topiaries in moss covered clay pots.

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  11. It looks terrific, just a it is. As one of your anons said, unless it has serious imperfections, (and it is difficult to see any in the photos you provide), it's best left alone. I wouldn't about any width issue, I think it fits perfectly well, and the line between the cornice and the top of the mirror appears to exactly match the line between the window casements and the cornice on either side of the chimney breast. Perfection. The wall paint is exquisite, and brought wonderfully to life by the white of the skirting and woodwork. Well done indeed.

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  12. It's the finishing touch on a charming room. Great find -I love a deal!

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  13. Pompey who? All I see is that wonderful mirror, good thing I'm not there or my reflection would be GREEEEN. Good score, works well, and the space is not a problem.

    As for silver argands, about 18 years ago, I was in a shop in Essex MA, where there was a pair, missing shades, and electrified with lightbulbs. For some silly, silly reason, I didn't buy them---for 350 bucks. Speaking of life regrets. Oh well, at least you know one pair is still outside Mt. Vernon.

    Oh, I wish I'd never thought of them...now I'm pissed at myself all over again...years later.

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  14. Beautiful, just perfect. I wouldn't touch it. If the width bothers you put something tall on each side on the mantel but the width doesnt bother me. I really love it, and the color of the walls is divine! Hello Pompey...make sure you get paid for this appearance!

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  15. Meant to be. I agree with living with imperfection to get the timelessness about it. Agree with Ancient that sconces might add balance. No matter what you to, this mirror will look lovely in your home. I think Pompey is pugalicious and what I envy most about your story is the historian/helper/pick-up truck driver at the ready. I actually am totally Green about that part.

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  16. Or a pair of wedgwood black Basalt ewers or covered urns- large size and some age please, on either side of your fabulous find. They'd look wonderful with that mantle clock too.

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  17. Well, Reggie you have an envious life. The room is a classic. Three cheers for the mirror and special appearance by Pompey!

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  18. A very fine addition to a handsome room. Beautiful.

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  19. The mirror and the room look fabulous. I'm delighted to have found your blog and shall be adding you to my essential reading xx

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  20. Ooops, pardon me I used the wrong word,
    I meant enviable. Best wishes, bg

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  21. Goodness me, Reggie is all astonishment at the many wonderful comments. Thank you!

    Mike in SC and Columnist: There is only very minor restoration to be done where the gilding and part of an ornament has been broken off and needs repair. We wouldn't dream of fussing with the patinated surface, which we love and which excited us when we first saw the mirror.

    HOBAC: I agree topiaries would like wonderful, but of course you realize that Reggie murders them, despite his best efforts otherwise.

    DED: Silver argands for $350? Sorry to stir all that up with this post...

    Magnus: The last pair of large Wedgwood black basalt ewers I saw were listed at, I believe, $20k at the NY Ceramics Fair. Needless to say they had already swum as high up the stream as possible. I shall keep my eyes open for such a pair in the pickers' shops I frequent. Perhaps lightning will strike me twice?

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  22. Reg: I know I'm not telling you something you don't know, but the wonderful thing about Wedgwood is that they produced some of their designs for over a century: While 18th and early 19th century models are beyond the means of most of us, the self same designs, produced in the late 19th, early 20th century can be quite reasonable- even at the end of the food chain. I bought a pair of Black Basalt wine ewers (they were produced as a pair- wine and water, so this perfect match is actually a mismatch from a purest's standpoint)from a well known Madison Avenue dealer a few years ago for a few thousand dollars. Keep your eyes peeled at the auctions as well- Skinners in Boston typically has great Wedgwood. The more I think about Black Basalt, the more convinced I am that it was made for your drawing Room mantle on either side of that fabu mirror.

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  23. Gorgeous!
    How I'd love a Hendricks-on-the-rocks in that room.

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  24. Magnus: I adore black basalt, and have been collecting it for years (surprise!). We have scattered some of it around our dining room, where it looks particularly good.

    Jason: With cucumber, I presume? Drinks are served at 5:30 most weekends, do stop by.

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  25. what a splendid find! It looks gorgeous in your home. :)

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  26. I love that last photo especially. So elegant, and so cosy. Enjoy! David.

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  27. It's just right! That's a beautiful drawing room you have as well.

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  28. It looks gorgeous, congrats!

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  29. Yes, always cucumber.
    5:30. I'll be there.

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  30. Excuse me for a moment while I wipe the drool from my keyboard...beautiful mirror, fireplace, paint color, chairs....THE ROOM!!!

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  31. Mirror looks great--and really peps up your lovely living room. Looks period one too (I'm in the business). It may perhaps be a tad small but as you said, one can't have everything! Another idea is to put a nice pair of giltwood wall brackets (perhaps with some wedgwood basalt?) or wall-lights on each side. It fills out the space and you won't even notice it. Skinner has an annual wedgwood sale in usually june or july but it always pops up at doyles or the christie's interiors sales and can be quite reasonable. I am not sure if you have someone to restore near your house but Colin Stair might be an option if he is still carrying on his father's business (they did all the work for sotheby's). He has sales quite regularly which are online (stair galleries) and may be a good place to look (they also get lots of referrals from Sotheby's and deal with the items that they cannot sell)

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  32. I hate you. I love you. I hate you. I love you.

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  33. what a really terrific looking glass.
    seems to have been made for that exact spot.

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  34. incredible piece and love the pictures of Darlington House, but why Reggie, can we only click to enlarge some pictures and not others.

    I love to study the details and the images are just sometimes too small. Any thoughts?

    Thank you!

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  35. Hello DAM, and welcome to RD it is a pleasure. To answer your question, I have no idea why some of the photos enlarge when clicked and others don't. In fact, it has confounded me! Reggie

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