Sunday, December 7, 2008

Reflection

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Birthdays and the end of the year seem to be the milestones that prompt us to look back on the year before and set goals and dreams for the year to come. As I get older I do understand that even though losses can become more painful, being grateful for inevitable gifts and lessons of life are so very important.

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Being an artist, a romantic, and a dreamer, I find it very easy to reflect on my life experiences in a storybook setting. I often cut out the yucky parts and leave just the beautiful pieces in my memory. Sometimes this causes for repeat mistakes. But in the end, somehow I do think we all learn what we need to learn. I have been giving much thought to how we frame our lives. And that no matter what we say, or even think, it is our actions that show our authentic selves.

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Our relationships with our friends and families are the true benchmark of our success and happiness. Of course, what we do with our lives is another element that adds to who we are. Much to reflect upon. And for me, it is the authenticity of myself and people that are so vital.

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My thoughts from inner reflection lead me to thinking about the reflection of a mirror, and how the authenticity of the frame and details set off the perfect reflection. A mirror is one of the signature items when I talk about components that I usually include when designing most rooms in a home.

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The size, shape, patina and frame all need to be considered of course. Oversized mirrors, to practical mirrors for bathrooms, to smaller vanity mirrors are always on my list when on my flea market escapades. Funny because I don't love to look into a mirror. In fact, often at the flea markets I will have someone else look in the mirrors to check for distortions. Guys never seem to be bothered with the surprises a mirror can reveal.

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The character of all these mirrors are set by their frames, but often it is the subtle details, the imperfections in the frames, or the peeling silver of the mirror itself that the true character lies.

Kind of like our own character, of how we frame ourselves.

I always buy vintage mirrors, but I also love the very selected collection of reproduction mirrors that we sell at Shabby Chic. To view more of our mirrors, please click here.

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To view the entire Icons of Faith Candle collection, please click here.

I am hoping my last blog was helpful in creating peaceful moments. But there certainly is much about the future that give cause for concern.

During a moment when I needed reassurance of the future, a dear friend quoted
"What lies behind you and what lies ahead of you are tiny matters compared to what lies within you." by Waldo Emerson.

29 comments:

  1. Love all the old mirrors. I have quite a few in my home because I live in a very old (+200year) house.It is a little dark so i use the mirrors to bounce what light does come in around the rooms.

    Pat
    www.patriciarose-apotpourriof.blogspot.com
    www.patriciarose-apotpourri.com

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  2. Mirrors are beautiful and I love them too! All home should have min. 2 or 3, I think. Thank you for show us these charming mirrors!

    Many kind regards
    Sonja

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  3. this post was something that I can relate to. I love old,vintage mirrors. especially with some "ghosting" I have quite a few myself and love to display them around my house. I feel drawn to them when ever I go antique shopping. I need to stop myself :)

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  4. It is so interesting to read your blog.
    I know you are a good business woman. That is evident. I know you are a good designer. Evident, too.
    But, to learn that you are reflective (and I'm not talking about the mirrors) is interesting.
    I like you (yep, the real you that is quietly sneaking into this blog). What a nice and pleasant surprise.
    Enjoy the spirit of this Christmas season, and the best to you and your family.

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  5. Love the mirrors.However it truly is the spirit of the women that you notice most when you enter a room.When a women is truly comfortable with who she is,you can feel it ,see it and hear the beautiful music being made by all the beautiful objects in the room that were carefully chosen by the queen in her castle.I have not been to many of these homes.Unfortunately to many women have not found there true authentic self.I love old chippy painted,scratched,broken anything.I love windows with the original wavy glass.Windows with no curtains that do not take away from the beautiful rose lavender,garden just outside.I love old cupboards instead of closets or kitchen cabinets.Never be afraid.Just be who you are and let it show in your home and you will find true authentic happiness.The sun will shine a little bit brighter down on your nest.

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  6. I love your old vintage mirrors. They are so beautiful. Thanks for the pictures of your kids...they're adorable!

    Have a wonderful holiday season!

    Hugz,
    Michele

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  7. You know, after just reading your most recent blog, I see another book in the future much different from the rest you've. I think sometimes losing a parent or loved one makes us reach down inside a little deeper. I lost my mom, then four days later my first grandchild was born, then my dad died on Valentine's Day five months later. I believe our past experiences give us insight into today. I really enjoy your blog, take care, Sue

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  8. Beautiful reflections...I love old beautiful gesso mirrors, the oval are my favorites. Beautiful post as always. Kimberly

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  9. Forget about all the beautiful mirrors & stuff...I am hearing a beautiful, sensitive and spiritually aware woman behind all the white chips... maybe you have a new message & meaning to the shabby world we live in....
    xooxxo Laura Dellaporta
    P.S. Jamie has my roses I made for you to see.. take a peek...

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  10. I loved what you did with Jennifer's Restaurant and the mirrors add such a beautiful reflection with the lights and all.

    Happy Birthday Lily.

    Ciao

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  11. Aged mirrors with peeling paint and even the dark furry spots on the glass itself find a home in every corner of my home. Beautiful post as usual :)

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  12. Wow! Alot of nice things here. I love the whole shabby shic thing and the mirrors. I think mirrors can help make a room.

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  13. Hi rachel. I am Anna from sweden, i first saw you on a Dubai channel in LIBYA! and i fell i love from the first moment.
    i never knew what my personal style is, but you really helped me with that : )

    i have a question though, its easy for me to picture sofas, all kinds of furnishing and beddings in my head, but i cant figure out what to put in my windows...
    any suggestions . p.s my windows are not beautiful : )


    all my regards anna.

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  14. Rachel, I am just dumb founded at how you have had a blog since August and I didn't know it! I've been to your website and never know you had a blog! Needless to say, I'm excited and subscribing to your feed NOW!

    You are such a great inspiration to me and Jaime (my bus. partner). We've been faux finisher's for years and two years ago launched our own line of frames and such with our finishes on them. Our studio is filled with your books. Your a sure dose of creative inspiration!!!!

    Can't wait for more post!

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  15. Your post is so beautiful. I enjoyed seeing all the different mirrors and ways to use them.
    Blessings, Debbie

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  16. Just the prettiest things, Happy Birthday to your Lily, I also have a Lily of my own~

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  17. I love mirrors, especially the worn, chipped ones!! And I think it is so interesting that you associated the mirror reflections with the introspective ones!! Thanks!
    Isabel

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  18. Some beautiful mirrors.

    I love that you have decided to include a "Faith" line... nothing is more sacred or important than our belief and faith.

    Many blessings to you...this first Christmas without mum...

    Amanda

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  19. I read with great interest your post here on mirrors. I collect antique mirrors & also sell them to my clients & on eBay. I've never seen a vintage mirror that I didn't love on at least some level!
    They each have their own charm & dignity, don't they?

    Stephanie
    Angelic Accents

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  20. Dear Rachel,



    I love your sensibility, and your sense of esthetics.
    However, I am very concerned with the presence of the lead in the old paint. How do you address this issue?



    Sincerely, Ines K.

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  21. Ms Ashwell, I enjoyed this post very much...Thanks!...Katie

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  22. Beautiful reflections...I love old beautiful mirrors. Happy Birthday to your Lily.
    Many blessings to you this Christmas.
    Kisses from Chile,
    Titi

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  23. I love mirrors, and love having old and new mirrors in our home, I tend to want mirrors before any other accessory in a room. I find they bring so much life to a room and seem so magical.
    Such a lovely post Rachel.
    Love
    Alison
    x

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  24. Hello.
    I've just find your blog and love all your pictures. I'll coming back soon.

    Hugs Monica from Sweden

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  25. Hello!!! I didn't know you had a blog!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm soooooo happy! I'm such a HUGE fan of yours! and your style!!!!!

    Just beautiful!!

    *~Merry Christmas~*

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  26. Dear Rachel, I agree with Helen. We all love you as the designer & business woman. But to see you through your words in this blog, is a special surprise for us. I am new to blogging and I must admit that I had mentioned you in my second post because I used to sell at LaDeeDa at the Agoura Antique Mall. I am now in Texas and read your post awhile back about the gypsy girls in south Texas..I love their website and put a link on my blog. If you get a chance, stop by and say hello....there are so many women bloggers that I have listed on my "inspirations" list....and I know that for many of them, you were the original inspiration of years ago! Merry Christmas.....looking forward to your next post. ~Cheryl

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  27. We too have a yearning to go to Texas to meet all the wonderful dealers and bloggers, but for now we are frozen to the Iowa corn fields here in the frozen North and must wait for the many dealers to travel our way to Sister's Garden, but you'll see much of our inventory down there.

    Your style has been a huge ramp up for us in the Midwest, getting people to see the beauty of a chipped and cracked, faded and worn pieces of a past long forgotten, except in our eyes.

    Thanks Rachel for making the world see that we aren't nuts!

    Sharon @ Sister's Garden

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  28. Thank you for your ideas and designs over the years, they are treasures to be cherished. You have inspired many to enjoy and surround themselves with what they love most. At this time of year, we do reflect on what we hold dear. Like you, I lost my mother, and miss her greatly. Memories of her are there in the smell of jasmine that she loved, in my daughter's smile, and even the silly rocking horse ornament that she nicknamed "Hopeful."
    I truly believe that our mums are still surrounding us with their love.

    Wishing you love, peace, and joy.
    Nanette

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  29. Your beautiful post got me thinking:

    Life is like a blank canvas, it's up to each one of us to decide what and how we choose to paint on it....

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