Wreaths for Your Door and More

SPRING IS HERE –at least in some parts of the country. Here in Rochester we had snow yesterday but we are always hopeful for Easter and all that spring brings.

At Tuesday Morning we have an amazing variety of spring wreaths in the store right now. They are so colorful and bright, made of geraniums, hydrangeas, apple blossoms and a wonderful mix of spring flowers.

Wreaths can be showcased in so many places. As a designer, I once had a client with twin daughters and we had a pair of wreaths made to go above their twin beds. The little girls loved them and thought of them as “crowns.” These tiny girls are grown now and their mom says they took the wreaths with them to college to hang above their beds as a little “smile from home.”

Of course your front door is the perfect place for a welcoming wreath but I have seen them all over the house. They can hang on the armoire door, in a powder room, a laundry room, a kitchen or on the side door into the garage that no one ever “decorates.” At the holidays, I have a matching pair of berry wreaths flocked with snow I hang side by side on my twin bookcases.

A wreath can hang over an entry mirror (suspend it from fishing line from a tiny nail midway into the mirror) or perfectly over a fireplace. Light it with tiny lights, to give you a happy glow no matter the season. Check out your local Tuesday Morning store to find the perfect wreath.

Remember, if you have wreath on your front door and a bird family tries to nest there, just put an artificial bird on the wreath and the live birds will think another one lives there. This is a BECKY KNOWS EVERYTHING SUPER TIP JUST FOR YOU.

Mirror Mirror on the Wall (or Floor or Door or Anywhere)

Mirrors are wonderful. They can be used to enlarge a space, add a decorative accent, or be used to customize a bath or bedroom. They are available in an unbelievable array of sizes and finishes as well as styles and prices.

Historically, mirrors have been very popular. If you have ever had the fortunate experience of going through Versailles in France, you will know what I mean. There are reproductions today of mirrors used in every decade of history. And the reproductions are available now for all of us to enjoy.

Venetian mirrors are very “in” right now. It surprises me a bit, since economically we are in a tough time and they are probably the most opulent of mirrors. They are made with hand-etched beveled glass and often have very ornate rosettes, ribbons and gold leaf accents. At Tuesday Morning, we occasionally get them in and they are sold as quickly as we can unpack them.

Tuscan style carved wood mirrors are also very popular right now. They are ornately carved and often have unusual shapes. When hung above a sideboard or a dining room buffet they add interest and reflection and can enlarge the size of the space.

Think about grouping mirrors as you would artwork. Purchase a multitude of small mirrors in different shapes but similar finishes and hang them above the sofa. Check out http://www.bejane.com/ - this is a good website that tells you step-by-step how to hang mirrors properly.
Cheval style mirrors (really just a mirror on its own stand) are wonderful in guest rooms or bedrooms. Take down the dated mirror in your powder room and hang a new decorative one. Check our Tuesday Morning or HomeGoods - they both stock mirrors and their stock changes often.

Another idea is to go to a picture framer and have them make you a custom mirror if you have a difficult space. Or, take the unframed mirror from your bathroom and choose a new molding at the framers and they will assemble it for you. Customize instantly!

I also love the giant wall mirrors that are not hung, but lean against the wall. They serve to enlarge the space and look cool while doing so. My daughter Adrienne has one she purchased on sale from Crate and Barrel. It looks great and I know she will be able to use it for years.

So, mirror mirror on the wall, we all know the fairest of them all and it is YOU, the great Becky Knows Everything reader!

*Becky Knows Everything: Don’t forget, all mirrors do one thing, they REFLECT so be sure you want to see what they will reflect. In other words, be wary of hanging a mirror above a fireplace since it is mostly going to reflect the ceiling or the ceiling fan!

Photos from Elle Decor and Crate and Barrel