Inspiration in the Bathroom


Horizontal Wood Mirror and Display Shelf diy

Inspiration can strike anyone, anywhere.  It’s easy to be inspired on Pinterest with the thousands, if not millions of projects floating around the webosphere. Walking into an antique store gets my mind racing with the possibilities.  As does, browsing online catalogs like Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel,  and Magnolia Market. You never know when you will receive the motivation for that next project.

Horizontal shabby chic display shelf

The motivation for this project?  Why, that came in my sister’s bathroom which always seems to be my first stop whenever I have a chance to visit. How cute is this little shabby chic wall shelf? I did tell my sister that her bathroom was giving me inspiration.

The hunt was on for a medium sized rectangle mirror.  I do like when I have something to look for while shopping the thrift stores instead of just wandering around aimlessly.

Horizontal Wood Mirror and Display Shelf diy

After a couple of weeks searching, I finally spy a likely candidate.  The side mirrors are perfect for my project, measuring 34×8 inches.

The mirrors had a nice beveled edge and the wood was beautiful even though the style was somewhat dated.

The price for the 3 piece mirror was $30 which isn’t too bad for 3 mirrors, so don’t be surprised if you see 2 more mirror makeovers in my future.

Horizontal Wood Mirror and Display Shelf diy

Unscrewed the piano hinges that held the three piece mirror together and was left with this kind of misshapen frame.

Horizontal Wood Mirror and Display Shelf diy

Sawed the excess frame off and sanded the edge smooth.

Horizontal Wood Mirror and Display Shelf diy

In my pile of lumber scraps I found this nice trim piece to use as a shelf, though a  1×5 would work just as well.

Horizontal Wood Mirror and Display Shelf diy

I used a round paint can to mark a rounded corner then cut with a jigsaw and sanded. I also sanded all the other rough edges of my shelf.

 

Horizontal Wood Mirror and Display Shelf diy

For the sides, I still have a ton of spindles left over from when my brother who donated them to my future project stockpile.  This spindle was cut, then sawed in half to fit flat against the side of the mirror.

My other spindle projects include a bench , legs for a bed tray, dresser drawer side tables,  a bathroom shelf and part of a spindle is even used as a head for my junk angels.

Horizontal Wood Mirror and Display Shelf diy

The shelf piece was first treated with a dark walnut stain.

Horizontal Wood Mirror and Display Shelf diy

You can see how different the finishes on the 3 pieces of wood are.  At this point I was sooooooo tempted to just paint white over all three and distress a bit like my bathroom inspiration piece.

I fought the urge to cover the beautiful wood of the mirror frame (though I have 2 more mirrors I might just have to paint) and ended up painting them all with a couple of coats of a dark walnut varathane…the kind of finish with the stain and poly in one step.

Wood glue and finishing nails attach the shelf and the spindle to the mirror.

Horizontal Wood Mirror and Display Shelf diy

Before attaching the spindle it was trimmed and sanded to have a nice rounded appearance.

Horizontal Wood Mirror and Display Shelf diy

Like my inspiration, here I have the display shelf on the bottom.Horizontal Wood Mirror and Display Shelf diy

But there is no reason the shelf couldn’t be flipped over and the display would be on top.

Horizontal Wood Mirror and Display Shelf diy

Horizontal Wood Mirror and Display Shelf diy

Horizontal Wood Mirror and Display Shelf diy

Next time you use someone’s bathroom you may want to take your camera, you never know when inspiration will strike.

Have a wonderful weekend.  Stay inspired.

Shared at Handmade Hangout Party, Thoughts of Home on Thursday,

Link Party Palooza, DIY Salvaged Junk Projects,

DIY Sunday Showcase, That DIY Party, Amaze me Monday,

Metamorphosis Monday, Inspire me Tuesday, Be Inspired,

Wow us Wednesdays, Talk of the Town,

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