Hi everyone! I have done some research on behalf of us all, and I just had to share. First of all, let's revisit a photo of my humble little rental house in California, right after we moved in:
Ah, the green outdoor carpet. The abandoned flower beds. Lovely. This spring, I've been trying to clean things up out there, on a very limited budget. I don't need Buckingham Palace here, folks. I'm just going for inhabited. So here's the look today, with some flowers, hanging baskets, and updated accessories:
And speaking of accessories, here's my new discovery: how to age a mirror (specifically the one now hanging in my outdoor entryway). I bought the frame below, complete with six individual mirrors, at a local thrift store for $12. And I love it when the original price is still on there. ($99.99 at Cost Plus World Market!) Please excuse the glass cleaner spray on the mirrors. I was impatient...you get the idea!
I took it apart (unscrewed the backing and took out the mirrors) and painted the frame with some off-white paint (Krylon Gloss Ivory), followed by rubbing on some stain (Minwax Dark Walnut) to age it. So then I had a situation where the frame looked all cute and vintage, but those mirrors were winking at me, all shiny and new. Can't have that!
So I looked up a tutorial of how to age a mirror (this one), and came up with this process. It works! I started with some paint stripper (Ace Extra Strength Stripper) to scrape off all the paint on the back of the mirrors. Then I switched to paint thinner and scrubbed the backs with a steel wool pad. Then I washed them all off with some water. The last step was splattering liquid bleach on the mirror backs to get that spotted appearance, then blotting it off after a few minutes. (For more detailed instructions, follow my link on how to distress a mirror.)
Can you see how the individual mirrors look all beat up and old now, slightly foggy and age-spotted? Not bad for $12! I already had the rest of the materials on hand, but even if I hadn't, this project is much less expensive than all the other adorable-but-out-of-my-price-range antique mirrors I have seen out there! Give it a try if you want the antique look without the price tag!
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7 comments:
I have been wanting to try this...:) I will have to keep my eye out for a mirror to try...:)Good to see you posting...Meme
BTW...If you get the chance stop by and sign up for my Slipcover giveaway. I am having a series of giveaways...a new item each week...
You are so ridiculously clever! I just adore this! I might need to try it, I have the perfect spot for it!!
www.iheartmygluegun.com
Love the postcards!!
What a lovely way to add light into a realatively dark space.
Love that mirror there it really adds to the porch area!
That mirror is so beautiful. It is such a beautiful outdoor living furniture is designed with classic style wicker furniture is wearing a traditional style.
What a great looking piece, My furniture 's Old White is almost gone so I think I will mix it with various colurs and make it more attractive. Will be best looking with combo of white and lavender.
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