Transform a Mirror with Shutters
- By Joan
- November 7, 2016
- 9 Comments
I was just looking back over my posts from the last several weeks and I counted that of my last 12 posts, 5 of them have been made with vintage shutters. One of them. the shutter valances, was an old project that I had never shared before…but the rest, all brand new.
Believe it or not, I was working on another shutter project this past week but I may have to keep that one to myself for another week so you don’t get sick of them.
I first showed you this mirror trio back in April.
One of the side mirrors became this mirror and shelf combo, but I still had 2 more mirrors from the trio.
And since I had a fresh supply of shutters why not combine the two.
First up was cutting the shutter in half. While the two halves were the perfect length, they didn’t quite match. One side had slats going all the way to the bottom and the other side had an oversized bottom.
I never knew before I started doing all these shutter projects how easy slats are to remove. With a jigsaw, I cut one side of the slats and the other side just pops out.
To complete my match up I cut a couple more pieces of wood to give myself the same thickness as the shutter. These two pieces were glued together.
With a kreg jig and wood glue I attached my wood piece to the shutter.
Before painting, I filled the kreg jig holes with wood putty and sanded.
A perfect match, just a little off on the color.
Back to the mirror…with a jigsaw, I sawed off the decorative top of the mirror.
It had another upper edge which I unscrewed and reattached to just the mirror. You can see that ledge in the previous picture.
Time for painting. Both sides of the shutters and the mirror were painted with linen chalk paint.
Over top of the linen, I dry brushed a coat of gray chalk paint.
With an electric sander, I sanded all the rough edges. Just look at all those beautiful layers of paint.
Finished off with clear wax slightly tinted with some vintage wax and decorative knobs.
I used the piano hinges that originally held the two side mirrors in place, but a couple of T hinges would look great on this piece.
Join me later in the week when I promise to have a non-shutter project I think you’ll like. Until then, stay inspired.
If you need more shutter ideas, check out my gallery of 20 more upcycled shutter projects.
Shared at Metamorphosis Monday, Talk of the Town,
Link Party Palooza, DIY Salvaged Junk Projects,
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Joan, you are consistently creative, an artful wood editor. Nailed (screwed) it again. When looking at your projects, one can’t say “awesome” enough.
So clever and attractive!
Aw doggone, saw mirror like yours at Habitat while back, before I finally found some shutters. Boy shutters are getting harder to find in Grand Junction area and higher priced. The old saying – supply and demand. Wish had had more money as had to leave bigger pair of shutters. Now that I have few shutters just waiting til right project comes along.
Your mirror with shutters is incredible, great vision, smart to cut off top piece of mirror.Have to remember that, look for right size flat mirror. Most times have had better luck finding great possibilities at Habitat, even nicer if it’s a discount day.
I’d love to use 2 sets of shutters on lower part of l/r windows for winter and summer. Just have to convince hubs will work. I’ve sat by one window which faces west in winter, gets pretty darned cold by that window, hot in summer.
You have great eye thinking outside usual use of item, sure have inspired me.
Will be out in shed tomorrow looking at shutters, see what possibilities there are.Have set of jalousie shutters, any suggestions?
Have wonderful Fall week
I’m working on a couple more shutter projects so if I haven’t inspired you yet maybe it’s coming. Love the idea of shutters for the indoors, but then again I love the idea of shutters everywhere.
Oh Joan, I’m in love with the mirror and shutters. Just wow, wow, wow!!! I want one. The different layers of paint also add to the whole look. Shutters are almost impossible to find here in South Africa, but after seeing this I’m on a mission, even if I have to make my own from scratch 😉
I can not imagine making one from scratch. While we still use shutters here, they are now mostly made from plastic. The beautiful wooden ones are definitely getting harder to find. May be able to get the same look with a louvered door? Of course I have no idea if you have those in South Africa either.
Joan, I saw this idea in a store the other day, and thought, ‘that is a genius way to incorporate a non obvious mirror into a room!
Of course it’s genius. They copied YOU. I truly love this, and it’s so do-able for anyone!
I’ve featured you this weekend on DIY Salvaged Junk 354. Thanks for linking up! 🙂
Wow! That looks amazing, and very creative to marry the two completely unrelated parts! I thought maybe you were going to cut out the slats on the top of the mirror and add a solid piece like you did to the bottom of the shutter. Hmmm… Do you think that would have given it a more cottage or beachy feel?
Hmmm, maybe. I’ll have to keep that in mind for my next mirror makeover.