Tuesday, May 25, 2010

~SHABBY COTTAGE CHIC MIRROR...Romance for Pennies~

~Vintage 1940's Frame~

Shopping Estate and Tag Sales are one of the highlights of both spring and summertime living for me here in Oklahoma.  I'm not afraid to venture anywhere in our gorgeous Red Earth State if it means I just MIGHT find a deal that is too good to pass up!  Even so, there are times when I find myself slinking, slithering my way into what are often Grand Estate Auctions hoping against hope that I'll be able to come away with maybe ONE tiny little treasure.  Most times the merchandise goes sky high making it impossible for me to purchase a single solitary thing.  And so...I have a tendency to favor Sales that might not seem at first glance to be as grandiose.  I almost ALWAYS come away with something fantabulous! :)

Take the mirror you see above.  I found it last year at a neighborhood, family-run estate sale.  Back then it wasn't a mirror at all, but the picture you see below.
~Old Landscape Print~

Now...I love landscape artwork.  I do.  It's just I favor flowers and mirrors more.  Besides, this picture was way too dark for my home and besides it appeared to be faded and discolored...probably from smoke.

However....

The WOODEN FRAME with its bits of detailed plaster and corner accents was LOVELY!  Ticketed price was $10.  Originally the Frame was gold.  Flat, ugly, discolored Greyish-GOLD!!!  :(  Still, her lines were beautiful and I knew immediately I wanted to make her into a mirror.
 ~Gorgeous Details~

 ~New Mirror Cut for $35~

Originally I had plans to hang the fabulous aging piece in my bedroom, but~once our dining room makeover was underway because of her overall size I opted to hang her in our beautifully redesigned space
~Final Price...About $50~

Now...here are some tips when refashioning old framed prints or even mirrors.

If you don't like the outside color of your frame you can easily change it with paint.  I opted NOT to spray paint this frame because sometimes it can cause the decorative plaster and/or resin to chemically melt!  Instead I used a sponge brush (those cheap 2" wide ones at Home Depot and Lowe's) and lightly covered it with my Favorite Zinsser Primer.  I gave it too good coats (front, back and edges) opting to leave bits of the original color in place.  After allowing the frame to dry I then coated it with my FAV PAINT, Behr's Cottage White Satin from Home Depot.  Again, I purposefully left areas of the original color in place.

After curing for a couple of days I then went back and gently distressed areas of the frame that were raised.  Next, the new mirror was added (I found that going to a small independent glass shop is WAY less expensive than having a mirror cut at the big chain stores!).

Now...you can't see the entire room in this shot because I'm quite sure I'll end up moving some things around before I'm completely satisfied.  I've given you a few peeks here and there but now that the French Doors are painted I'll be sharing more with you soon!

I'm sooo happy you visited today!  Blessings for a wonderful Tuesday! 

Love to you~

29 comments:

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Rebecca...you are so amazing. I don't think there is anything you can't do. Your mirror is just lovely. Thank you for taking time to give us all the details. I love it.
Thank you so much for you sweet and kind AND FUNNY comments. I get such a kick out of you...there are reminders of you ALL over my home..and have been for years. My love and hugs to you!
Mona

Connie Eyberg Originals said...

That is a beautiful frame. Great price also. I love what you have done with it! Connie

Prairiemaid said...

Lovely! You find the neatest buys and do the most marvelous things with them. I always enjoy coming by and seeing what you're up to!

Have a blessed week!

Anonymous said...

Ohhhh...That frame made my heart skip a beat!! It is so pretty!!
Have a Wonderful Day!!
Love,
Marilyn
xxoo

Unknown said...

That is just gorgeous! The whole vignette where it is came out perfect. Can't wait to see the final pics of your dining room with the new doors! Question...does Zinnser primer work on glass? I have a vintage window sash I want to paint and I'm not sure what to prime the glass with!
Fondly,
Roselle

Brenda ~ The Heminger Farmhouse said...

Wow Rebecca! What a fabulous find and an even more fabulous make-over! Just stunning :) Can't wait to see you Dining room with your french doors in place!

Have a lovely day my friend, warmest Always, Brenda

Tristan Robin said...

really lovely frame, which you have cleverly improved upon!

and the price! ooh la la! trés bonne!

Stacey said...

Gorgeous! You definitely have a gift!

Marlene said...

Your mirror and instructions are awesome. I have a similar mirror I bought at an estate sale for $1. It's been sitting in my studio now for a year. Me thinks I'll start working on it. :} lol

Ginger said...

Rebecca I just adore your NEW mirror. Amazing what you did to it. I just love old frames with all the intricate molding on it. They are not easy to find. I found a framed rose picture yesterday in Guthrie that was gold and I painted her last night. The room you put your mirror in is to die for beautiful. I was looking at the drop leaf table you put the mirror over and I have that exact table, painted cream. I can't imagine Guthrie being any better for shopping than it was yesterday, but then we only have one antique store in Enid so I was in antique heaven yesterday. Have a great day.

Ginger

Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings... said...

Such detail Rebecca...
I love that frame/mirror...
I'd be moving it all over the place too!
Isn't that just the fun of it!
xoxo~Kathy @
Sweet Up-North Mornings...

Mari said...

HELLO SWEETIE,
WOW!!! WHAT A GREAT MAKE OVER YOU GAVE TO THAT BEAUTIFUL FRAME, LOVE ALL THE BEAUTIFUL DETAIL ON THE FRAME, JUST STUNNING......
HUGS TO YOU DEAR ONE XO~MARI

Anonymous said...

It's so fun to see your treasures and make overs, Rebecca! Especially when I'm living in an ugly old motel room! :)

stefanie said...

that is a gorgeous find, I have been all over trying to find a large frame...wish me luck. I am really enjoying your peeks!

Denise@alloverroses said...

Oh Rebecca your mirror turned out beautiful. I love your dining room makeover! It's gorgeous! Yes that was your pillow in my tea cup picture. :)

Hugs,
Denise

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Rebecca,
Just love the frame and the repurpose to a gorgeous mirror. I love frames too and what fun redesigning with them. Your room peeks are wonderful. Can't wait to see more and the doors. LOVE IT!!

Have a great creative day sweet friend. We are on a working vacation and trying to get some projects done before the heat is blazin here. You know exactly what I mean don't ya?!!
Love you, Celestina Marie

Unknown said...

Yummy! I love vintage!

Lynn said...

Stunning finish Rebecca :) I bought a similar one last summer with a similar landscape in it and it is still waiting for me to make it beautiful again, but thank you for the tips, I was going to spray paint it.

Victorian1885 said...

Love..love the makeover on the mirror! Your dining room is so elegant! Have a good week..

Hugs,
Wanda

Tanza said...

Oooohhh ~r~,
This is truly beautiful, and the makeover amazing .. Loving all the delicate detail !! How wonderful that it is sooo BiG !! Looks perfect there, I LoVe the reflecions of everything else in the mirror .. Looks so inviting, and calming .. All your whites and creams .. Lovely my sweets !!

You have a happy day creating my friend, and here's hoping you feel sunshine upon you today .. I LoVe my friend .. I DO !!
BiG hugs ~tea~ xo

BailiwickStudio said...

What a gorgeous mirror! Lucky you - those are hard to find! ::Jill

Laura Quaglia (Fun With This and That) said...

The mirror is great I really like the way you dressed you dress form. I'm in to them right now. I will be back. Laura

Dolores said...

Oh my gosh,.... so beautiful!!! You truly have a gift for making anything you touch .... so beautiful!!!

Secondhandrose said...

That is just simply lovely. I love even the little peak of the dining room. You are amazing.

karen

Terri Smith said...

Hi Rebecca. LOVE what you accomplished with the mirror! I've been away from blogging for awhile, and look what all I missed. I read your beautiful post from Monday and it was if it were especially for me. I sure needed to be encouraged to slow down. The days just never seem long enough to get all I have in front of me done. Your gentle reminder gave me pause.

Hugs & Summer Sunshine, Terri

Deanna said...

Rebecca, I think this is a gorgeous mirror and you did a super job on this frame.

God bless,
d

Margie said...

That mirror is gorgeous!!! and I also love landscape art~ my grandma is an artist and I have her artwork all around my house! I'm lucky:) ~ Margie

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Rebecca, you KNOW how I adore mirrors and yours is truly gorgeous. I love the way it reflects your sweet cottage home!

BTW, had to giggle about your trip to the estate sale with Miss K. Sounds like some of the funny (and LOUD) conversations my little Miss A and I have had in public!! :0)

Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

Anonymous said...

The mirror is so beautiful. You did a fantastic job on the frame....Kathy

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