How to Hang a Heavy Mirror {and Office Updates}

I mentioned back in October that I was planning on using my dining room for an office. And so when I built my new farmhouse table, it became my new desk! (Except for the month of December when we were hosting several parties and used it as a dining room. A versatile room to suit the needs to my family? Me likey!)

So, this is what it has looked like as my office.

I love having such a large space to spread out all of my ideas and project plans. (I tried to clean up a little bit for the photo. It doesn't normally look like this, to be honest. :) )

While my miter saw is not working, I thought I should tackle some projects that I already have on hand. First off, I found this huge mirrored table top on the side of the road last summer. As soon as I saw it, I knew it would make a perfect mirror, hung on my dining room wall. But, where has it been all of this time? Sitting in my garage, of course. I think I put it off so long because I was scared to hang such  heavy piece. But it wasn't bad at all.

I have recently discovered these great self-drilling wall anchors (at Lowe's). I have been using them everywhere I need a little extra hold {and there's not a stud available, besides my hubby :) }.

I screwed the D-rings into the back of the table top turned wall mirror and used my level to hang it on the wall. I was a little nervous about hanging such a large piece to the wall, but two d-rings and self-drilling wall anchors are doing the trick! I weighed the mirror and it only weighed 30 pounds, so the 65 lbs. anchors will hold it.

Secondly, I changed out the old chandelier with one I bought for our old house. We took it down when we put the old house on the market. I've been wanting to hang it in the dining room since we moved in. This is the chandelier that came with the house:

It's not terrible, but it wasn't my favorite. And three years ago (while still in our old house) I really loved the Hampton Bay Alta Loma chandelier from Home Depot, so we bought it and hung it in our old dining room. I loved it because it was a knock-off of Pottery Barn's Veranda Round Chandelier. We took it down when we put the old house on the market and brought it with us to the new house.

Pottery Barn version

And I still really like it today, much better than what was there previously. If I were to go out and buy something brand new it would probably be something different. Styles change somewhat in 3 years, but I do still like it and I have it, so I might as well use it. Working with what I got here, people!

The hubby and I took down the old light and installed this one ourselves. I recommend getting an electrician ... for the sake of your marriage at least. Me, my hubby and hanging light fixtures is not a good combo. We'll just say that. :) But it's up and we're good. So, all's well that ends well, right?? Thanks babe!!

Here's my update office with new lighting and a mirror. You can see there's streaking on the mirror. It is definitely not flawless; but for a free piece that makes a big impact, I'm pretty pleased!

I hope to someday either buy or build a huge console to go below the mirror and have two huge lamps flanking it. It's my vision and I'm sticking to it.

Something kind of like this, a different style buffet, but large lamps in front of a round mirror. What do you think?

Emily A. Clark

And I'm still on my quest for chairs. I have in my mind exactly what I want and either haven't found them yet, or haven't found them at the right price. But I'm in no hurry (well maybe a little anxious). So, here's to the hunt, which is the best part of decorating anyway. {Or the most frustrating. I can't remember.}

Happy Weekend. I hope you stay warm. It's supposed to be a cold one here.

I'm planning a giveaway on Monday, so don't miss it!!

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