Marvelous Maple Mirror Makeover
- By Joan
- May 20, 2018
- 6 Comments
To tell you the truth, I had no plans to work on a mirror project today. I’m currently halfway thru a set of matching side tables made from a couple of old house vents. The tables are actually going rather well but I got bored , it was going too slow and they required me to actually think about what my next step would be.
If you want to see the vents I’m working with you can find them here. You’ll just have to imagine what they look like as side tables for a little while longer.
Remember this cute little maple buffet I got at an online auction? What I failed to mention was that it came with a matching mirror.
The folks running the auction had to remind me to pick up the mirror because I really only had eyes for the buffet.
The buffet was transformed into this built-in…
…and now the matching mirror is ready for a makeover.
It’s actually a rather heavy and large mirror measuring 36″x 28″.
This is a closeup of the frame. The idea is to paint and add upholstery tacks around the outer edge for a little interest.
Everybody has seen the traditional upholstery tack on the left, but did you know they also come in 3/4″ (center) and 1″ (right). The middle tacks were perfect for this project.
I got my 3/4″ tacks locally but this is a link at Amazon:
Measure and mark where you want your tacks.
I’m predrilling my holes with a tiny drill bit. If your wood is soft you can probably skip the drilling step. You’ll know as soon as you start hammering whether you’ll need to drill or not.
First coat of my mirror is a coat of black chalk paint.
The black was followed with a coat of red chalk paint. I’m using the same chippy paint brush as I did with the black paint above, not loading up with much of the red . I didn’t want a paint brush that held a lot of paint that’s why the shabby paintbrush is perfect for this project. If the black showed thru, all the better.
Final coat of paint is an even lighter coat of teal. Loading up the same paintbrush with just a few drops of the paint and lightly, lightly skimming over the surface.
Once the paint is dry finish off all the layers of paint with antique wax, painting on and buffing off.
That was a fun and fast makeover but I guess I’ll have to return to my side tables. That is, unless I get sidetracked again. 😉
Look for all my mirror makeovers here.
Stay inspired.
Shared at Metamorphosis Monday,
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It’s ALL beautiful, wish it were mine!
O really love the built in,but the mirror would go perfectly in my living room. I know where I can get one. Thank you for the idea.
I look forward to seeing your mail in my inbox and I am never disappointed!
You make such amazing things! Beautiful out of what others would see as garbage! Thank you for sharing and making my day a bit brighter each time!
Your comment makes me smile. Thank you
I get bored, too, on projects and move from one to the other all the time. Your mirror project turned out great! The tacks gave the plain frame a lovely look.
This too is quite georgeous! I actually tried this once with the tacks and at the time never thought about drilling the holes first. Now that I know things have changed…lol! Your a true crafter!