Whenever we’re out searching for antique treasure for our shop, I’m also keeping an eye out for pieces that would work for our home, so I wanted to show you my latest French finds!
Sometimes I’m lucky enough to find something that’s in my frugal budget, which is what happened a few weeks ago.
Last month, we were at my favorite monthly estate sale in Mobile, Alabama where I spied this beautiful antique Louis Philippe mirror hanging on the wall.
I have searched for one of these mirrors for quite a few years, but I’ve never found one at a price that I was comfortable paying.
This one was a decent price, but still several hundred dollars, so I was still a bit hesitant.
I kept going back to it a couple of times, and drooling over it, debating on whether I should buy it or not.
Hubby saw me looking at it, and asked me what was so special about it. I explained to him that a Louis Philippe mirror had been on my “bucket list” for several years, and that the price on this one wasn’t as high as I had seen in other places, but it was still hard for me to spend several hundred dollars on it.
Louis Philippe was the King of France in the mid 19th century, and this simple style was a reflection of the time in which it was developed. Louis Philippe mirrors typically have square corners at the base and characteristic rounded corners at the top, relying little on decoration.
After all, we were there buying for our shop, not for ourselves, and I hated to make a big purchase for myself.
We talked about it, and hubby encouraged me to get it, but I still hesitated.
I ended up walking away once again, telling hubby that I would think about it.
If someone else snatched it up while I was thinking about it, then it wasn’t meant to be mine.
I wandered around the large estate sale and eventually wound my way back around to where the mirror hung, and of course…..the tag had been pulled, and a sold tag was on it.
Oh well….he who hesitates……but still, I was disappointed, and mentally berating myself for not just grabbing it in the first place, and thinking to myself, “How long would it be before I ever found another one at a decent price?”
Little did I know, until we checked out, that my sweet hubby had gone back when I wasn’t looking and pulled the tag on the mirror.
He said, “When you find something on your bucket list, at a decent price, you shouldn’t hesitate. I want you to have it”.
He probably also knew that if I didn’t buy it, then that’s all he would hear about for days!
I’m so glad he took the initiative and bought it for me because I absolutely love it!
I hung it over the fireplace in the living room, and usually at some point during the day, I will take a little peek at it!
The living room is still in transition, as I move things around, take some pieces out, bring others in, trying to find what works…..but this treasured find has definitely found a home above the fireplace!
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The week that we returned from Alabama, we visited a local antique market and found a Louis XV style plat desk.
It’s what I call a fauxtique, because it’s a reproduction, probably made in the late 1950’s – early 1960’s.
It’s not in great shape but it has the perfect frenchy look with lots of gilded ormolu.
I’ve been looking for a new desk for my office so I thought this might work with a little bit of a makeover, but for now, I placed it in the living room underneath the trumeau mirror, moving the white buffet that was there back into the dining room where it originally came from.
The old veneer is peeling in a few places and one of the drawers is completely warped, so I may actually end up painting it gray or white.
I love the way our little storied French chest turned out when I painted it, and it has similar lines, and the veneer was in much worse shape.
It will be a bit tedious to paint it because I will have to use a small artist’s brush to work in and around all that ormolu. Being a reproduction, most of it is glued on and won’t come off. Even the drawer pulls are glued on. Painting it would also tone down some of the “fancy”.
What do you think? Any suggestions?
Our last find may or may not be french, but you know how I love antique religious artifacts.
When I saw this salvaged piece of an old gothic church altar, I had to have it.
It’s been painted and has gilding on the fretwork, and tiny gold fleur de lis inside the quatrefoil…….love!
It’s old and chippy and of course the colors call my name!
I love all of the imperfections, and can only imagine where it came from and the stories it could tell…..if only it could talk!
I’m still not sure where it will end up, but for the time being, I’ve placed it on top of the little french chest in my office and I’m using the niche area to display a few of my antique french crowns, and crucifixes.
I’m sure it will get moved around until I find just the right spot, but it’s one of those pieces that I adore, and I couldn’t leave it behind!
Have you found any wonderful treasure lately?
Cheers,
Cindy
On another note: We are doing a little refresh on the blog and you may have noticed our new logo! We are getting ready to implement a new design soon, and with that may come some glitches along the way, until we get everything ironed out. So please bear with us as we update our site!
Such a lovely altar piece, Cindy! I am enjoying reading a number of your posts and it’s funny how certain things do seem to “find us,” as you say. Perhaps it’s a God thing… He knows you’ll take good care of these treasures which were meant to honor him. <3 I just found some religious statues while visiting my son and DIL in South Dakota but he talked me out of buying the one I was really interested in… I'm kind of bummed now and think I may call and see if it is still available. 😉 Though my heart is still loving garden statues, angels and lady busts.
Enjoy all your beautiful artifacts ~ they are a lovely collection,
Hugs,
Barb 🙂
I’ve learned that if you don’t buy something and it continues to haunt you, then it’s meant to be yours! Call and see if they still have the statue you wanted!
What a sweet and thoughtful husband you have! And your finds are beautiful! I always anxiously await your latest room reveals. I can’t wait to see your next room! Love everything you do. <3 Dell
Thank you so much, Dell!
~Cindy~
What lovely treasures you found, and your hubby surprising you , what a keeper he is !! I never have such luck at sales, so Keep me in mind if you ever come across any blue and white dishes, vases , etc. and anything old English, (winkwink)
Have a super weekend !!
Blessings,
Paula
IN
I will, Paula! Have a great weekend!
Stunning pieces and what a super hubby. Mine would have done the same. Love the desk. How pretty it would be in your office
Cindy
Thanks, Cindy!
Cindy, you have found some marvelous treasures. Your mirror is gorgeous and I love the old church alter. But, your desk takes my breath away. I know whatever you decide to do to it will be wonderful – but it is stunning just as is. It is lovely against the color of your wall. So special that your hubby made sure the mirror would go home with you. Ah, the little things !
Thank you, Sandra! I’m still on the fence with the desk…..I think I will move it into my office and see how it looks in there.
I’d say that your husband is a real treasure along with that mirror. So thoughtful! -carol
He’s definitely a keeper, Carol!
really look forward to your blog because I know it will always have something unique and interesting to share, and today was no exception! I was fortunate to go to a local estate sale and acquired two wonderful mirrors for my master bedroom and walk in closet, so I can certainly relate to the thrill of the hunt. 😉
I usually side on the “Paint It’ vote, but in this case I like the gold with the current finish. The gold against the wood brings the whole to life in a way that I am not sure the gold against a cool tone like gray, would do. It may be peeling and not be in the best condition, but in a way, that is what it is about-the imperfectly perfect. I will be interested to see how you decide. 🙂
Thank you so much for commenting, Constance!
Love the mirror and you know I love that church altar! I like the plat desk original but I know your painting would make it awesome! I found a few days ago a Mora clock. The case is an antique and original but it is battery. Like you I almost not bought but I knew the price was good. So it came home with me….and glad I got it!
Oh, Nancy, that’s wonderful!! Yes, you definitely should have bought the Mora clock! How exciting!
Hi Cindy, your hubby was soooo sweet to purchase that gorgeous mirror for you….my hubby also does sweet things like that for me…lol…..I love the mirror, its perfect for above your fireplace….also the desk will look gorgeous in a soft white to make the gold trimmings pop…well at least to me it would look great….heehee……I really love your home and anything you do alwaysssssss turns out just beautiful and perfect….i love it all.
Smiles~Mari
Thank you, sweet friend!
What a wonderful home to live in. Everything you choose is perfect. Thank you for sharing.
Françoise, your kind words mean so much to me! Thank you!
Cindy,
I love your blog…I have found so many beautiful and useful ideas here. The ceilings that you have replaced with boards are so appealing and I hope it is what we will install in our upcoming kitchen renovation.
Today it is the beautiful white wood fireplace below your splendid new mirror that I have a question about…the stone or marble insert just inside the wooden fireplace surround. Is it also the piece that the fireplace sits on? Do you have information on the stone or marble insert material? Also, do you know what white you painted the fireplace? Thank you so very much for sharing your passion through wonderful stories, projects and treasures on your blog. Alice
Thank you, Alice! Yes, the marble fireplace surround and the hearth are made of the same marble. It is a pink toned marble, and has been here since the home was built 45 years ago. That’s really all the information I have on it. We painted the fireplace in Sherwin Williams Snowbound. I hope this help!
Cindy,
Your splendid new mirror, the candlesticks, floral arrangement and the beautiful wood fireplace with the marble insert and the marble slab it sits on against the background wall and ceiling color creates an awesome vignette.
Thank you so much for giving me the details!
Alice
Cindy, you know what I love about your house, besides all the gorgeous pieces obviously!!, is that it looks so open and airy and uncluttered. It’s so thoughtfully put together.
Love your new treasures. The desk looks really pretty now, but I know your painting would be great too!!
Thank you for your sweet comment, Kay!
LOVE the mirror!! Absolutely. But the desk.. I think it should stay as it is. Something that old and ornate should not be painted. But that’s just me… Your hubby is a keeper! How sweet of him to do that for you!! Lucky you!
Thanks, Mary! The desk really isn’t that old…not an antique. It’s a reproduction. The bottom of the drawers are even thin particle board. It it was antique, I wouldn’t even consider painting it! Thanks for commenting!
I love all of your recent finds. I, too, collect and appreciate religious artifacts. If you do decide to paint your French desk, please think about producing a step-by-step tutorial. Although most of us would still not be able to replicate your gorgeous paint techniques, I would still enjoy viewing the complete process.
Thank you, Sue! Yes, I will try to do better at showing the steps!!
I, too, would love to see the steps because you are such a master at getting those layers just right! I also agree that the desk would look less dressy and ornate if it were painted. I say, paint it!
On a recent trip to New Orleans, I found a French ironstone cafe au lait pot. Two spouts with separate sections for coffee and milk. The shop owner said it belonged to a French family in the early 1800s and had never been on the market. I am thrilled!
Oh wow, Chris, that sounds like an amazing find! I know you will cherish it! Thanks for commenting!
Wow, great finds! I can’t wait to see how the desk turns out!
Thanks, Julie!
I would not paint the desk! Its beautiful even flawed. Flaws are part of its history and left alone it will have a beautiful presence in your office!
Thanks, Donna!
LOVE the new font of the blog-makes me anxious to see what you have planned. We are trying to spruce our place up to sell and downsize with the kids all grown we just don’t need a big house anymore. You beautiful home is my inspiration for our new home-right down to your new desk! I’m in the day dreaming stage until our new home is built…but your beautiful home and furnishings fill my bucket list for our next place!
Aw, that’s so sweet, Shelley! How exciting to be moving into a new home…..oh my, all the possibilities! I know what you mean about downsizing…it’s just hubby and I in this 3800 sq ft home, and sometimes I wonder what in the world were we thinking?!? It’s been fun renovating it and bringing it back to life, but there are days that I realize that we don’t need this large of a house.
I love your house and everything you’re done in such a short period of time. As for the desk, I’d consider keeping the finish it has now as it adds some nice contrast and warmth to the colors you already have. Sometimes the unexpected is just right!
Thanks for commenting, Paige!
Oh Cindy, that sounds exactly like John! I can see the glimmer in his eye, and the half smile as he’s doing it. Well done John! The mirror is perfect in your home. Love love the religious niche!
Thank you, Debbie! After all these years, he still likes to surprise me!
Cindy,
What a sweet hubby. The mirror is so pretty and timeless. Love the alter piece and every time I see that chest I am envious! I am sure if you paint that desk it will be fabulous.
Thank you so much, Diane!
What great finds. I want to go antiquing with you. Hubby is a keeper who knows and loves his wife. Fantastic!
Thank you for your sweet comments, Alice!
Reading your story about you going back and forth about the mirror, letting your practicality take over….then your knight in shining armor comes to the rescue and gives you the opportunity of owning something on your “bucket list” and not having that “one that got away” feeling too! … My hubby has done that in the past too…we surely have “keepers” When you look at that mirror you will always be reminded of his big heart! … and love your new finds…oh that desk..I know you will work your magic on it and looking forward to seeing where you will place that incredible alter piece!!
You’re right, Shirley, we both have keepers!
Love, love your new pieces!!
BTW, can I borrow your husband for my next shopping trip!!!!
D
Of course you can, Deb!
Lovely finds Cindy! I like your idea of painting the Louis XV plat desk gray or white. I think I picture it in a light, dove gray – but you know best. It’s nice of you to let us put our two cents in. It’s fun. Also, I like religious artifacts too. Your blog, and Sue Monk Kidd’s book, Traveling With Pomegranates, helped me feel that it was ok to like and collect them – (I’m not religious 🙂 So thanks again Cindy. I always enjoy your blog, the pictures, and the stories of how you acquire your treasures. And what a nice hubby you have. What a team!
I think you’re right, Patti, a light gray might be the perfect color for the desk! I’m so glad you love collecting religious artifacts, they have such a presence and history to them. I haven’t read the book you mention by Sue Monk Kidd…….I am going to look for it! Thanks so much for commenting!
Ohhhh Cindy,…. that mirror! Absolutely gorgeous and just perfect where you have placed it. How sweet of your Hubby to have surprised you with this treasure.
All of your hard work and patience comes shining through in your beautifully appointed “frenchy” home. Love every bit of it!
Thank you so much, Nancy! I’m so glad that hubby knew I would regret not getting that mirror! Thank you for commenting!