Antique Mirror Makeover!

 I know I shouldn't be wishing summer away.

After all, I live in Minnesota, and it will be sub-zero temps here

before we know it.

But, with summer comes mold, pollen, and yes, that

spawn of the devil (for me anyway)-RAGWEED!

It's a good thing I work from home-and even

better that hubby has been away at training all

week-because my nose seriously

look's like Rudolph the red nose reindeer!

I'm not kidding folks!

It's bad!

Funny then-that I would do a post about

something I've tried hard not to look in all week!

A MIRROR!

But that's exactly why all of the photo's
are taken from an angle.

Trust me-my big, red beak is a scary sight indeed!

Be afraid-be VERY afraid!

Anyway-back to that mirror.  If you've been following along for awhile

you might remember how I turned an antique vanity into a desk

for my home office.

Well, that vanity also came with a mirror.

I'll be honest-I really had no idea what I was going

to do with this worn out old girl!  (Yes, I know it's weird,

that I assign genders to my treasures.  That's me! Weird!)

Anyhoo....

While I was busy putting away some of our summer decor the other

night(and praying for the first frost), I thought of that

old mirror, and wondered what she would look like

on the now empty fireplace mantel.

Well, she fit perfectly-but unfortunately, the dark

stain had to go!

*****WARNING-you may be scarred for life and maybe even blinded
 after

viewing this horrible gold sheet!  

I apologize-it was getting late-and it was all I could find in the pile
of paint cloths in the garage.
At least I remembered to cover the kitchen island!
Hubby will be so proud!

Sadly (or maybe it's a good thing), I got so involved in my painting-that I didn't

take many photo's of the painting process! I know- my bad!

As for the process

Let's just say-it took WAY longer than I thought to 

achieve the look I was going for.

The first step was to sand the entire frame down and wipe

it clean.  Next, I painted on two coats of white paint. (I used what I had

on hand, which was Behr Ultra White).  Once that

dried, I sanded everything down, and put a coat of

Rust-O-leum -Aged Gray that I had leftover from the island makeover.

By this time-my decongestant was kicking in-and my eyeballs

were getting pretty heavy, so I decided to call it a night.

The next day all I wanted was to get the mirror completed and off
my island-so I totally forgot to take photo's of the remaining steps 
in the painting process.(Aren't you thrilled you don't have to look
at that gold sheet anymore?)

But I did take a few close-ups to show the end result of all

my hard work.  Basically-I distressed all the curves and places

where the frame would naturally age.

And then I dry brushed a light coat of Metallic silver over

the entire frame.  Once that dried-I gave it a light sanding.  I wanted

it to appear as if it had been guilded, and with age

had worn off a bit.

Since I wanted the frame to look as if it had once been
guilded-but had worn with age,
I painted on a light coat of Metallic Silver next-and then after it dried-
gently sanded it(again in areas it would age naturally).  I really didn't
want the frame to appear shiny-so I applied some antiquing gel
and wiped it off before it dried. (Unfortunately, the photo's don't do it justice-but I was
able to pull it off!) 

 I love how the mirror itself has aged over time-and now I think

with a little paint and distressing the frame brings out

even more of her beauty!

 I found some vintage plates at a local flea market recently, so I hung one
on either side of the mirror, along with some Pee Gee's from my garden.
The mantel will change-just like the seasons I suppose-all in good time.

 Are you starting to transition into Fall?  I'd love to hear how you do it!

I'll be sharing at these amazing parties-so stop on over and be inspired!

Monday:

I should be mopping the floor,The Dedicated House,Dwelling the Heart of  your Home

Lou Lou Girls,My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia,Show and Tell
Inspire me Monday's,Motivational Monday,Project Inspired
Between Naps on the Porch

Tuesday:

Coastal Charm,A Stroll Thru Life,Kammy's Corner,Cozy Little House

Vintage Inspiration Party ,Create and Share DIY ,Live Randomly Simple 
Be Inspired Link Party,Turn it up Tuesday,The Scoop

Wednesday:

DIY by design,Ducks n' Row,The Craftiest Allie,Wow us Wednesday 

Happy Housie ,The Dedicated House ,Moonlight and Mason Jars 
Cook it-Craft it-Share it 

Thursday:

From my Front porch to yours,Home and Garden Thursday,

Inspiring Grace,Jann Olson,The Handmade Hangout

Katherine's Corner,My Flagstaff Home ,The Creative Exchange Link Party
Weekend Retreat

Friday:

French Country Cottage, Friday Features, Rooted in Thyme

Shabby Nest ,Romantic Home,DIY-Vintage Chic

Best of the Weekend,The Charm of Home ,DIY Inspired 
Made from Pinterest,Pinworthy Projects Link up Party

Saturday:

Funky Junk,Pierced Past Times,What to do Weekends

Reasons to skip the Housework

Sundays:

 Nifty Thrifty Sunday

Under the Table and Dreaming

See you back here on Sunday-for Sensational Sunday Love Links!

Until then...

Blessings and hugs,