One of the biggest problems I have run into while re-doing our home is that I like nice things, but don’t always have the budget for them. A lot of my DIY skills have developed because I want to do the project for a reasonable amount, but also want it to be a quality item that will actually last.
The details in the girls room have been the most rewarding and fun part of the whole remodel. Now that we are in the home stretch of things, the hard work has paid off, and the really fun parts are here. I am still making desks/ vanity areas for each side of their room, and will be sure to share that once they are finished. I honestly am a little intimidated to start those projects because once again I have a big plan and dream for them, and have not actually ever built furniture before…. So ya… am I the only one that does this?
I know I can do it. I KNOW I can learn it, but there is also a large learning curve involved and that planted a little seed of hesitation. I am slowly checking off the projects I am more comfortable with first. I feel like this kind of process should have a term for it, but I don’t know it. If you do… educate me haha.
Anyways one of those smaller projects is the Anthropologie inspired mirror flip. Each girl will have a mirror above their vanity area. I have been collecting mirrors for a little bit in hopes of making a few of these, but I am just now getting around to it. I was terrified to try and cut my own glass, but I did it, and it wasn’t so bad. There were definitely some fails along the way…. like this.
I was really frustrated when I broke my first mirror, but I honestly believe it broke because once I got part of it done, I thought it was easy, and rushed the rest. I learned that nice and slow is the best option. (Luckily, I am thrifty and found this mirror for $3 at a thrift store, so I wasn’t out a lot of money.)
Here is the inspiration for this mirror flip. Behold, the Anthropologie Evening Primrose Mirror. The mother of all mirrors right now. It is not a cheap mirror. But it is a beautiful one.
Here are the supplies I used:
- A thrifted mirror Mine measured:
- Glass cutting tool. I used THIS one.
- MDF- For frame. I used 1/4in thick
- Brass furniture tacks- I got mine on amazon HERE
- Wooden scroll TOP
- Wooden scroll applique BOTTOMS
- Wooden scroll appliques SIDES
- Old Lamp cord- any color
- Wood Glue
- Hammered Gold Spray paint
- Metallic Gold Spray paint
- Antique gold- Rub n. Buff
Tools needed:
- Hammer
- Pliers
- Picture hanging wire
- Handheld staple gun
- Jigsaw
- Sandpaper 100 grit
Lets get started!
Here was my initial plan. drawing. I always draw out my ideas first to just get them out of my head and make them physical. Here are the initial measurements etc.
Step 1: Get a mirror!
I got a rectangle mirror, and my plan was to just round the corners on the both on both sides. I removed the frame and backing, and cleaned up the mirror. When choosing a mirror make sure that it is easy to remove from the frame or backing it may have. If you found a plain mirror even better!
Step 2: Cutting the Mirror
Next is cutting the mirror, which I was TERRIFIED to do actually. I broke one, and then tried again. I used THIS mirror cutting tool. I used a large charger plate to draw the curves I wanted on each top corner. I used a dry erase marker, and then measured to make sure it was actually the same on both sides.
Step 3: Scoring the glass
Next using the small end of the glass cutting too, with the little razor wheel, I scored the glass. This part needs to be precise. I held the plate with one hand and then pushed against it while I traced the lines that I already drew on there. The score ended up looking like this.
Step 4: Breaking the glass
Next is breaking the glass. This is the part I was so scared of. I hung the mirror over the edge of my table so the scored line was on the edge. I placed the balled end of the cutting tool under the mirror directly beneath the scored line. Then using the handle end of a screw driver I gently tapped on the glass on the overhang part. I started out pretty soft, and then had to step it up after a few taps. Then it broke. ON THE SCORED LINE! I was shocked. I didn’t think it would, but I was also relieved that it did! It came on in a few smaller pieces, but all along the line. I used pliers to get some of the smaller shards off.I taped the back of the mirror hoping to prevent additional cracking. Not sure if it is why it worked but…. Here is a video of the breaking part:
The edges were a little bit rough and not perfect, but since I was making a new frame for it, and the edges would be covered, I wasn’t worried. I did sand them down just a little though to make sure I didn’t have any loose or really sharp edges.
Step 5: The new frame
So… I used my Longmill CNC machine* to cut the frame for this mirror, but it can also be done with a jig/ scroll saw and a router. By just cutting the shape you want, and after doing a little math to measure the mirror you have and making it a little bigger than that you should be good. I planned on cutting a small lip in the back (a rabbet with a router) but after it finished cutting I decided that I like it on the front better. I designed the frame in photoshop, and then converted the file to be an SVG file, so it could be read by the program that cuts things. I cut out the frame from 1/4 inch MDF board, and sanded smooth any edges that needed it… which was VERY minimal.
*This post is not sponsored, I just legit love my Longmill CNC machine from Sienci Labs. I have the 30″ by 30″ one, and there are soooo many cool projects I have done on it so far, and I have soooo many more planned. If you are looking for an affordable CNC machine, and are willing to assemble it yourself ( with directions of course) This is the one for you. You won’t be disappointed. You can check them out HERE.
Here is my CNC machine doing it’s thang.
So here is the cut wood frame. It is much bigger on each edge than the anthropologie mirror is. I love the skinny frame look, but as far as I can tell most of the Anthropologie mirrors are leaning against the wall mirrors. Since this mirror is a kids room I knew that a mirror leaning against the wall on top of a vanity was bound to get broken. SOOO I needed to have enough width on the frame to add some hanging hardware to hang it on the wall.
Step 6: Embellishment
Next is the really fun and creative part. I painted the wood appliques black, so when I used the rub N buff they would have more depth. I glued on the applique wood pieces I got off amazon. One in each corner, and the bigger scroll at the top. I then glued the long skinny ones down the sides of the frame to give it a little more 3D look.
I went back and forth on how to achieve the small beaded molding look on the anthro frame. I knew I needed it to be flexible to go around the curved edges. I looked into flexible PVC molding, and solid wood pieces alike, and I just couldn’t find anything that seemed in my budget. There was one that would have worked, but it was a little more expensive. So I opted to used tacks. I could buy them in bulk, they are durable, and I could put them in a line and a curve. I should preface this with the fact that I AM NOT A PERFECTIONIST. If you are, this method will probably make you insane, because lines might move… I tried I really did, but my lines are not perfectly straight, and I am ok with that. I put down a line of wood glue, and hammered the tacks into the wood glue to make sure they would be staying put for a long time.
Step 7: Paint it
I used hammered gold spray paint to give the MDF a little more texture than it had. I loved the look it gave.
Then I used the Rub N Buff, and a cloth. It doesn’t take much, a little goes a LONG way. I rubbed it over all of the textured pieces making sure to really hit the highlights.
Step 7 2.0: More embellishment
This part was not inspired by the anthro mirror, but once I got all of the tacks on, it just felt not quite right. It needed more texture and depth, so I got creative. I had some old lamp cord. I painted it with the metallic gold spray paint. Then I glued it on with super glue and held it in place with some painters tape until it dried.
Step 8: Attach the mirror
I used liquid nails and attached the mirror on the back side along with some hanging hardware to hang it on the wall.
A little more rub N buff……and BOOOOM! I can’t believe I did it. I made a mirror, and I love it.
And thats it!
Let me know if you have any questions! Thanks for being here and happy creating!
-Amanda