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May 4, 2012

Mirror, Mirror

The main floor powder room is slowly coming together. I've already shared the new paint colour (and new toilet!) with you. As well as how the light fixture & other (accessories? Is that what the toilet paper & towle rack are called?) were given a coat of Oil Rubbed Bronze.

Last weekend we framed in the mirror. It wasn't until the whole thing was hung that I realized - this is one huge mirror! I wanted a substantial frame for it and I guess I got one.


I never remember to take "before" photos but here is the best I could find:


For the frame, I had Tom cut down some 1x3 pine boards and router out a groove in the back of each one for the mirror to fit into. I wanted the frame to have an old barn-board, weathered feel so I took a hammer and several screwdrivers to the boards, adding dents and scratches until I was satisfied.



While I didn't get any shots of the routered edge (or much else of the building process) Tom did snap a few of me beating on the boards. I'm thinking of making this one my new profile photo.  Serious renovator...or serious serial killer? :-p


We then glued and stapled the mitered edges together and left it to dry. I planned to use a combination of steel wool and apple cider vinegar to "weather" the boards to a grey colour. This method is all over the internet so I won't give a step-by-step here. Also, it didn't turn out this time so I am definitely not one to mimic. However the wood on the worktable beneath did turn a gorgeous grey colour. What the heck? I had practiced this before and the colour came out perfectly so I don't know what went wrong. The wood ended up an interesting purpley-brown colour that I don't hate, so I waxed it and called it a day.

This is the most accurate picture of the final colour.


Tom then glued the mirror into the frame. Yep, glued. He said he didn't want the mirror to slip out if the dogs slammed into the wall. 'Cause they do that (no they don't). So that mirror isn't going anywhere. Ever.

We hung the mirror in the bathroom and I really do love it. With the frame added we had to move the mirror up a couple of inches and it's now too close to the light above, but I want to change that light anyway for something smaller so it won't always be so crowded.


I might wax the frame again to make it even darker. The base of the vanity is going to be a dark espresso brown and I don't want too many different shades in there. I also might have to take it out and bang it around some more as the marks aren't as noticeable as I was hoping they'd be.




This week I painted the vanity and hung some artwork.  Once the vanity doors are back on I think the room might be done! Can't wait to show you a complete before and after!

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I'm linking to these parties this week!

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** Don't forget - there is still time to enter the Fashion to Figure Giveaway!  I'll be announcing the winner on Monday - get your entry in and it could be you! **

18 comments:

  1. It looks very craftsman-y - I like it!

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  2. The mirror looks amazing! It really adds to the room. My mom is thinking about doing this in her washroom. Thanks for sharing how you did it! 

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  3. That mirror looks fantastic! You are on a project roll! Great job. Megan

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  4. Thanks! Didn't plan it but I do love that style.

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  5. CookiecrumbsandsawdustMay 7, 2012 at 1:56 PM

    Barb,

    It looks good! I love the photo of you in your safety glasses. My husband and I have an inside joke, "safety 3rd!"

    I'm visiting from the Made by You linky party. I would love if you stopped by my blog.

    Thanks for sharing,
    Laura 

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  6. Great job on framing out the mirror..it looks great!

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  7. Looks great. Mitered corners are your thing. :D Thanks for sharing on BeColorful this week. You make me almost want to grab a saw. :D
    pam

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  8. Well, I get my husband to do them. I'm still a little afraid of the saw.

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  9. If you only saw my shoes! Do they make steel-toe ballet flats?

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  10. I'm so happy I came across your site.  This is what I plan to do with my guest bath mirror (possibly mine too), but I wasn't sure how it would turn out...it looks great so now I can stop procrastinating and get to it.  I'm now a follower!

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  11. Thanks! Hope you're happy with yours too!

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  12. Looks great. Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!! I hope you are having a wonderful week!

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  13. What a difference it made! I love it! Thanks for sharing at A Pinteresting Party.

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  14. Thank you - you too!

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  15. VerymerryvintagesytleMay 15, 2012 at 9:28 PM

    Gorgeous! It looks so elegant. Thank you for linking to Share the Love Wednesday at Very Merry Vintage Style!
    Mary

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  16. Thank you for hosting!

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