Tuesday, June 24, 2008

My Favorite Mirror Makeover yet!

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This is the latest mirror I painted white and "antiqued".

All the brown you see is the Rub n Buff that I rubbed on with my finger. I could have used a rag but it much easier to control the amount when you apply it with your fingertip. It really brought out all the great texture in this mirror which really didn't show up when it was dark.

This is the "before" picture below. The other mirror turned out great too but I forgot to take an "after" photo of that one. I found the large mirror at the Salvation Army for $15 and the small one at the Flea Market for $5. They are now hanging at the top my stairway wall with the other mirrors in my collection. I'll share an updated picture of that soon! I just need a couple more really small mirrors and this project will be finished! Finally! I think it's been over a year since I started seeking out inexpensive mirrors at thrift stores and flea markets to fill my whole stairway. Patience pays off!
Edited to to answer some questions left in the comments section: Both of these frames are plastic. I remove the mirror from the frame and spray paint it with flat white canned spray paint. Rub n Buff can be found in craft stores and comes in a small tube. It's usually packed on a piece of cardboard backing with hard plastic over the tube and is hanging on a rack.
The color I used is "Autumn Gold" Click here to see all the colors.
No, I didn't add a crackling finish, it's just the texture on the plastic that made it look crackled....I just lucked out!

51 comments:

Elzie said...

Lovely mirrors. And it sounds so easy to make the shabby when you write about it LOL.
Hope your day is good.
Love Elzie

Anonymous said...

I really enjoy your blog. I guess you would call me a stalker... May I ask if both your mirrors have plastic frames or are they wood?

Anonymous said...

I agree, this one is the best yet. Patience certainly paid off, your stairway will be knock out gorgeous. You must have a great sense of satisfaction knowing you did it yourself!!!ksarra

Joanne said...

That large mirror is just beautiful!! What a find. The dark color just didn't do it justice. Joanne - glamourgirljoanne@yahoo.com

Joy Jones said...

Hi Miss Cindy! I LOVE LOVE LOVE that mirror!!! It has a real Victorian look about it. Beautiful paint job too. It really does look much better in white. ~ Hugs ~ Joy

KimmyJ said...

Can't wait to see the updated mirror hallway pics. Great one to add to your collection.

Anonymous said...

Omigosh Cindy! Those mirrors turned out gorgeous ~ I'll never pass up an outdated brass mirror or cherub again! What a gift to be able to see the potential in an item rather than its present condition.
I always find it amazing on some of the shows on HGTV, when potential homebuyers can't envision their own belongings in a space because they're focusing on the way it looks before the makeover.

Thank-you, as always for inspiring me,
Karin
dirndl_919@yahoo.com

said...

Sooo pretty...love the detail and the finish!

Anonymous said...

Hi Cindy! One word - GORGEOUS!!! I too am beginning to feel like a stalker checking your space everyday. You always have something great to look at though! I appreciate all the effort you put into your blog! Have a great day - Jeannette

Melanie said...

How did you paint the mirror - did you use spray paint or a brush? And how do you protect the mirror itself while painting the frame?

Blessings,
Melanie

Anonymous said...

Just gorgeous Cindy! Good job! You just seem to make the most of your time. That truly is the prettiest one yet I think. Have a great day! From Christine from P.I.

Anonymous said...

Love the new mirrors....what a
difference after you put your
special touch on it. Another great
purchase !!!~~~Mimi~~~

Amber said...

Ooohhhh....I love the large mirror! I love all of the detailing and the unique shape! It turned out wonderfully! :)

Sara said...

I love what you did with the mirror, you have totally inspired me! I have a couple of ugly plastic gold (!) mirrors laying about, I had planned to get rid of them but I think I'll paint them and see how they turn out.

Jackie said...

Love both mirrors~ Can't wait to see the finished stairway of mirrors. Wonderful as usual!
Blessings,
Jackie

Anonymous said...

your mirror is beautiful and i love your blog!

Anonymous said...

I love the mirror and I can't wait to see the smaller mirror as that one is my favorite. Good job as always!

Thanks for all your helpful tips. You have inspired me to try to make my own frame with vintage buttons!

Debbie V.

Sharon~heartsongs said...

That mirror looks great! I bought one several months ago--just because of you. Of course, I haven't done anything with mine yet. Your energy amazes me! I hope to take my long weekend for the 4th and get a few things done.
Thanks again,
Sharon

Anonymous said...

I love how the mirror turned out. Can you tell us what color of Rub 'n Buff you used?

~elaine~

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

Hello Cindy,
I love the mirror it is so pretty. I have been so busy I have not had to much time to comment but I do make the time to look at your beautiful blog daily. I can't wait to see the mirror on the wall.
Take care,
ginger

Glenda said...

Cindy

Great job with the mirror remake. I bet your heart rate increased when you saw that big mirror. It reminds me of the one I saw in Petaluma that time and thought of you when I saw it.

Ciao
Glenda

The Feathered Nest said...

I love it Cindy!!! It's amazing what just a little time and spray paint can do to transform something, isn't it!! Hope you're having a wonderful week ~ xxoo, Dawn

Momto5 RachelJoy Photography said...

hey :) IM a new visitor to your blog :) pleasantly surprised :)

jusdealem said...

$15?? Wow, great find! Love how it turned out! :)

Jenn Thorson said...

The white really does a marvelous job on them. While I don't white up everything, some items just really look better with a good coat of white paint. It helps you see all the nice details.

Mary said...

Wow, that is just beautiful, and to think it is actually plastic! Can't wait to see the entire collection of mirrors in place...
xoxo,
Mary

Unknown said...

OH Cindy, that is fabulous!! I would love to find a picture frame like that but never have any luck. Hopefully soon!

Hugs,
Amy

Rosemary said...

I love that mirror Cindy. It looks so good. You always do great work.
Thanks for visiting me.
Rosemary

Anonymous said...

Did you crackle lit before using Rub N Buff? It is crackled in the close up picture.

Anonymous said...

It looks great. I am definitely going to try that Rub n Buff. Thanks for sharing.

Hugs,
LeAnn:)

Unknown said...

very lovely! can't wait to see the finished product!

pammiejo said...

I love them! You do a great job of turning trash to TREASURE! Your blog is really fun to read!

Jackie said...

Hi Again Cindy,
I just saw that you left 2 comments and wanted to Thank You. It is like getting email from a celebrity..lol.
Oh geez, If I even got to meet Angelo through a video conference, I would have melted too! Bald men can be sexy, especially when they are a designer who practices furniture redo's...(did I spell that right?) Anyway, thanks again for stopping by. It's storming here really badly so I need to get off the computer and wait for it to blow over....and work on my blog. I have so many posts to do!
Jackie

Rosie's Whimsy said...

Girl, you are a marvel!

Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie said...

Love the mirrors Cindy, can't wait to see them all hanging together. When are going to open up a shop? You are so creative.
Thanks for sharing,
Bonnie

Beneath the Eaves said...

Just beautiful!!! Your work is always stunning. Just LOVE the Mirrors.

Trixi said...

Cindy,
First, I love your site. You are so creative and a wealth of inspiration. I love the mirror. I will be looking for one now.
Blessings,
Trixi

Bo said...

Oh, pardon me while I wipe the "drool" from my mouth...who would have guessed this was a plastic framed mirror? I will have a little more appreciation for this type frame in the future thanks to you dear lady!
:-) Brown-Eyes

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to see a picture of your upstairs hall with your mirrors! I have just discovered your site and I love it...I look forward to checking every day to see what you've been up to. I love decorating too...pink is my signature color (I love the french cottage look with lots of white distressed furniture and florals, etc.)I also love flea markets and thrift stores...nothing makes me happier than finding a treasure. I love seeing the pictures you take around California...(I live in Connecticut.) Thanks for doing what you do!!! P.S. I'm going to try your painting technique - your furniture looks so great. One question - do you really have to strip it, or is it okay just to completely cover with primer? (which is what I've done in the past) Take care!!Your home is gorgeous!!! Wendy

Michele said...

YOu did a GREAT job on the mirror! I can't wait to see how your hallway looks when you get all the mirrors up the way you want them. I'm sure it will be gorgeous!!

Hugs,
Michele
luvkittysmeowmail@gmail.com

Angie said...

i have a mirror addiction...so i was, of course, drooling at your mirrors. i love the detail in the larger one..and white makes it all pop! i have a whole wall of mirrors in my living room and when you group them together..they look so important..can't wait to see your stairwell!

~Angie

"Maggie & Kevin" said...

The before and after, what a nice change. Love the color!

Judy said...

That big white mirror is to die for....great job as usual!

Hugs,
Judy

Shaun said...

Gorgeous! You are simply amazing!
Shaun
www.roomswithaview.typepad.com

MimiG said...

Fabulous job Cindy. The larger one - you really made something out of nothing!
As always, thanks for your tutorials...
MimiG

Kelly said...

Girl~ Girl,
You are so "up my alley"! Ha! I have been wanting to do this very thing with some tabletop/frame mirrors I have.
I was going to do the ol' paint brush technique, but like the spray paint idea better!(smiles)
I know you have been told this 1000's times, but you are truly an inspiration to many! What an awesome following you have! Everybody loves your blog!
Beautiful Blessings!
Kelly Maria
os Belle Ame

Ann Marie said...

Hi! New here-- from good old SLC Utah...
I am so glad I found your blog.
I actually have both of those mirrors, and this weekend I think I shall try what you've done.
I love your blog.. I decorate, and prefer the shabby chic romantic style, and havent found too many blogs that cater just to that style. I hope you don't mind if I put a link your blog on mine. I don't want to lose your site now that I've found you!
Thanks for the inspiration to get to those mirrors!
~ Ann Marie

Anonymous said...

Hi Cindy. Thanks for coming by to see me and yes, I'm from RMS and have met so many wonderful people there. You are mainly the reason for my blogging. I didn't know anything about blogs until you posted a room on RMS and said you had a blog. Well, of course I went to see what it was about and saw all the other bloggers you had listed and I was hooked! So just so you'll know - you were my inspiration! Thank you, Cindy!
Blessings,
Shelia :)

Life on the Edge said...

It's really great to see how you can transform things on a budget and make them look so wonderful. I appreciate the link too in case I ever get around to doing something like that. Your boundless energy just blows me away! You always have a wonderful project going on.

Kady

Lisa said...

Plastic? No way! These are such beautiful pieces no one would ever know. You are such a talented gal!

Lu Lu's Fluffy Ruffles said...

Love the mirror!!
thanks for sharing because im redoing my bathroom and now I have this gorgeous gold mirror above my sink but im doing the room more shabby and cottage so the gold wont look right. Ive decided to paint it.
keep your toes crossed for me.
smiles,
sandy