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4/8/10

How to Frugally Antique a Mirror

I found a mirror in the trash that had a pretty frame. The mirror's frame was this color:


(I forgot to take a pic)

I used black spray paint and sprayed it:



For me, it was too flat and plain. It needed to be softened and all the detail on the frame needed to stand out more.

I decided to "antique" it. There are many ways to antique things and just as many products on the market now. I used a technique I used in ceramics years ago using what I already had on hand....Watered down paint.



The most common ratio to use is a 1:1. Half water/half paint. For this project I used a 1:2 ratio, or 1/2 cup water to 1 cup paint. You sponge, rag or brush on your mix and then rub off with a lint free rag.

Easy peasy! And it didn't cost me anything for a glaze. I used white house paint I had on hand.

For other great projects head over to Transformation Thursdays hosted by The Shabby Chic Cottage.

15 comments:

  1. Nice! It really had an antique look! I think I'll do this to my closet. I'll test whether the 1:1 looks better than the 1:2 since I already have an idea what the 1:2 water-paint ratio looks like.

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  2. That turned out really nice!Thanks for sharing.

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  3. What a big difference....I also water down paint rather than buy glazes or antiquing rub on oil...mine doesn't come out as well as your though!! Thanks for visiting Pandora's Box!

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  4. That looks great

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  5. That is really pretty! I love mirror redos! If you are interested, I would love you to post this on my Favorite Things Friday party!

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  6. That is a really nice mirror. Just the right amount detail!

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  7. The mirror turned out wonderfully. I have a mirror out in the garage that this would work well on. Thanks!

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  8. That is gorgeous! You are SO talented!

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  9. Pretty! I love what paint can do!

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  10. Great makeover on the mirror...better than that yellow-gold!

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  11. What a gorgeous mirror! And wow, the color you started with? What were they thinking?

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  12. Thanks so much for posting this on Favorite Things Friday!

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  13. Love it! Great job. I'm going to follow you!

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