This week of cold weather, with another week ahead at least, has gotten me feeling very domestic; I even made springrolls for dinner tonight, which I usually only make when I have friends over. A couple of days ago I did a badly needed DEEP cleaning of the north side of the Gay Trailer Trash on Acid livingroom, re-connected the many trippy light sources that had gotten unplugged over the last year, then began to tackle a LONG delayed, needed project....pulling up small and/or cracked pieces of mirror that have been on the floor for about six years, and laid down the first of several large pieces of mirror I've scavenged and stored over the last few years. I've always wanted to see far fewer seams vs. the jig saw puzzle effect of smaller pieces fitted together. That one slab replaced four small ones.
I've wanted a mirror floor since I was an art major in the 70s, thought I'd have to be rich to do it, then not long after moving into my then new home I stumbled on a mirror cutting firm that threw out VAST amounts. I asked the owner if he could rest them up against his building vs. tossing them into the dumpster where they smashed if I gave him some cool plants.....he agreed readily. Soon I had a LOT of mirror stashed here! A long time mirror installation company in north Tampa, when I asked how they suggest I lay these down on the floor, they told me to just cover the back of each mirror slab with cheap contact paper as it adds tensile strength to the glass and thus GREATLY delays breakage since I have a 50s era slab and linoleum floor. Plus once it DOES crack, the paper holds it together. So wouldn't you know it....some months back I dumpster dived a large roll of shelf contact paper! Friction and the weight of each piece has resulted in a very steady floor that I was not commited to as if I had glued them down....one friend feared a mirror floor would be slippery.....not....not even when wet. And I pictured it quickly getting scratched from Tampa sand getting tracked in. Again, not a problem.
It was a joy to finally take this big slab of mirror I'd stored in the office for at least 3 years, clean it up, lay it face down on my bedroom floor tapestry, and cover the back with contact paper. On the floor it front of my front door it instantly became what I've long imagined there.....a mirror "doormat".
Next I will remove the old mirrors along the east wall and in front of the TV and stereo and replace them with two BIG slabs. Next will come the kitchen door entrance, for which I've reserved a HUGE piece of mirror my friend Chuck gave me over a year ago. My goal is to increase the square footage of mirror, get a new smaller tapestry for the center of the room, and. eventually, a 100% mirror floor.But as that old Chinese saying goes, 'Journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step'. This long longed-for mirror "doormat" IS that first step as I travel clockwise around the livingroom, replacing old mirror as I go.
Today I used a paddle bit to drill two big holes in the top of my wonderful transparent mannequin base I bought years ago at the Burdines Spring Props Sale, tied a heavy fishing weight to the ends of both 6 foot LED "globe Christmas" lights I bought at Big Lots for $2.50 each as a closeout, and lowered one into each leg. It looks even better and trippier than I had imagined!
Here are several pics of the newly redone corner and mirror doormat in both ambient light and with a flash.....totally "koo koo ka CHOO!"
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