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Vintage Mirror DIY Project

Do you ever look at store catalogs or websites for inspiration?   It’s something that I like to do to see new trends in home decor.  While browsing the home decor on the Anthropologie website, I fell in love with this vintage mirror.   It’s a one-of a-kind, Circa 1880 arched mirror that has been lace etched by artist, Jo Gibbs.  It sells for $5,800!!!  Yikes!!!  So, I decided I would try my hand at making my own!  And, I’m sharing this vintage mirror DIY project with you today!

*This post contains some affiliate links.  Please see my complete disclosure statement.

 
 
 
 

Vintage MIrror DIY Project

The first thing you need for this project is a frame for the mirror.  After searching for quite a while, I finally found this empty frame with a shape similar to the inspiration mirror from Anthropologie!  It probably had been a mirror that went with a dresser.  But, when I found it, the mirror was already gone.  So, I had my local hardware store cut a piece of glass to fit the frame.
 
The next step was to search for some lace.  I gave up on the vintage lace idea since I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on this project.   So, I found some inexpensive lace fabric and lace trims at different local fabric shops.  I forgot to take pictures of this step, but I lined up the lace on the back of the glass frame in rows.   When I got the layered look that I wanted, I used low-tack spray adhesive to attach the rows of lace to the back of the glass.  Then, I applied a few thin coats of off white spray paint overtop the lace.  After the paint had dried, I carefully removed the actual lace.  Here is how the glass frame looked after the lace was spray painted and removed.
 
 
Then I painted and distressed the actual frame.  First, I used Frog Tape to tape off the glass on the front side.
 
  
Then I used Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray to paint the frame.  Once the paint was dry, I lightly distressed the frame with sandpaper.  Here’s a close up of the painted frame, but it was taken after the next step was completed.
 

How to Get the Vintage Mirror Look 

 
 
For the final step, I decided I wanted to go with a mercury glass effect so it would like the vintage mirror original.   I used Krylon’s Looking Glass spray paint.  This was my first time using this paint so I read several other blogs that had used it to achieve the mercury glass effect.  What worked for me was several light coats of the Looking Glass spray paint, drying between each coat (sprayed on the back of the glass over top of the spray painted lace).   
 
 
After the final coat was dry, I mixed up equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle and liberally sprayed it onto the surface of the looking glass paint.  I let the beaded water mixture sit for about five minutes.  Then, I dampened some paper towels with the same water/vinegar mixture and lightly went over the frame dabbing the wet painted surface until some of the paint was removed.   You need to be careful on this step because you don’t want to remove too much.   Removing some of the paint gives the aged mirror, mercury glass effect. 
 
 
Here is the finished piece on my mantel!  I like the subtlety of the lace and the old weathered look!  As I was staging my mantel, my husband walked in after a long day of work.  I was so proud that I finally completed this project and the look achieved.  I asked him what he thought and here’s what he said:  “if you wanted a beat up old mirror, why didn’t you just buy one to start with!”   Sigh .  .  .    
 
 
You could use this mirror technique on an empty frame. And, if you don’t want the lace effect, you can just skip that step. I hope you liked this DIY vintage mirror project and will give it a try!  
&nbs

How to Make a Vintage Mirror with Mercury Glass Effect

Wednesday 18th of July 2018

[…] your own lace detail mirror following Doreen’s tutorial at Hymns and Verses. You can see more photos and the technique she used to distress the mirror border […]

CP

Friday 10th of June 2016

hi! can I ask what size this mirror is? I'd love to find a vintage one very similar in style so I can have the same type of look - just amazing work! Thanks :)

Homework Wednesday Favorites and Link Party

Wednesday 30th of March 2016

[…]  DIY Anthro Lace Mirror from Hymns and Verses […]

Carrie Lyn

Wednesday 25th of September 2013

I so LOVE this! I have a poor mirror I have been packing around in storage that needs this done. Thank you so much. I am so excited to start! Question; You used more than one strip of lace and layered them for the effect?

Karen Marie Kedzuch

Thursday 12th of September 2013

Love it! You did a beautiful job and saved your budget too. Can't wait to see what you do next.