Awesome friends, I’m so happy you stopped by today! It’s Trash-to-Treasure Tuesday and my friends and I have five trashy makeovers in all to share with you! Be on the lookout for their makeovers at the bottom!
My project piece for today is this oak mirror that I scored for only $5 at a barn sale a couple of months back:
The lady who was having the sale had lots of misfit parts, including table legs, lonely mirrors like this one here, and even this mirror harp that cost me a whole dollar! I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
I could have spent an hour looking through all that she was trying to purge!
The Prep
I started by removing the mirror from the harp. It got a good cleaning with White Lightning, and then I gave it a coat of white BOSS just to prevent any possible issues with bleed-through. Sometimes, antique oak can cause bleed through issues.
Paint
I had originally started to paint this white and gave it a coat of Cotton:
Then I decided to switch gears and go with Vintage Duck Egg Blue instead.
I painted both the mirror harp and a piece of primed 1×6 in the Vintage Duck Egg.
Can you see where this is going??
It’s going to be a shelf! (I’ve made a lot of shelves lately!!)
To attach the new shelf (the 1×6). I drilled a shallow hole a bit wider than my wood screws:
Then I swapped out my drill bit for a smaller bit to drill a pilot hole for the screw. That makes it easier to drive the screw in and prevents the wood from splitting.
I then drilled the screw in place:
Once I had attached the new shelf on either side, I filled the hole with white Dixie Mud:
I brought my shelf inside the house to allow it to completely dry overnight since rain prolongs dry time, and this is what was going on outside while I was working!
The next morning, I sanded the Mud smooth with 220 grit sandpaper and hit the whole shelf while I was at it, getting the raised parts a bit harder. I touched up the paint where I had filled the holes and painted the back, and it was ready to be sealed!
Seal and Protect
I used my Best Dang Wax in clear to seal and protect this pretty shelf, applying it with my Best Dang Brush:
Then I buffed it off with a clean, soft cloth.
D-ring hanging hardware was added to the back and this shelf was complete!
The Mirror
But wait! I actually redid the mirror this time too!!
Look what I found when I started to remove the backing:
Cool, no? I thought it might be super old, but it was from 1980…still over 40 years old!
How about this headline:
And check out those mortgage rates! Wha??
Interesting!
Once I removed the mirror, the frame got prepped with BOSS in white and then got a coat of Vintage Duck Egg Blue also:
I decided to ditch the mirror that was in it. It was super heavy and quite discolored in places as well, so I replaced with a chalkboard that I made from hardboard that I purchased at the Home Depot.
I just traced around the mirror and cut along the lines with my Ryobi Jigsaw:
Check out more details on how I make my chalkboards HERE.
Ready to get to the after of this project??
The After
Here is how this abandoned oak mirror looks now!
Now it makes a sweet set that can totally stand on its own without the need of a dresser!
Those gorgeous details on older pieces get me every time…
And I like the white peeking through!
How about that pretty detail I added to the top of the chalkbaord? Adding that piece to the top of the frame gave it a pretty decorative detail of its own:
I created it using this decor mould and Amazing Casting Resin:
You can see how truly simple they are to make HERE.
I attached it to the mirror using E6000 glue.
Don’t forget to see what my friends are sharing today as well!
I hope you enjoyed this makeover! It’s the fourth shelf I’ve created from this haul ha ha! Hey…they’re functional!
See any you might have missed at the links below:
How to Paint Nicotine Stained Furniture (Trestle Table)
80’s Country Cabinet Makeover
Four Thrifty Basket Makeovers
Farmhouse Hutch Makeover
How to Repurpose small lamps
How to Repurpose an Old Swivel Mirror
Coastal Dresser Makeover
$5 Bulletin Board Makeover
$3 Thrift Store Basket and Lid Repurposed
Summer Basket Wreath from a $3 Thrift Store Find
$7 Thrift Store Mirror Makeover
Vintage Cane Club Chairs Updated
$6 Thrift Store Shelf Makeover with Transfer
Pub Table Makeover
Becky’s Secretary Desk Makeover
Update a Thrift Store Box with Fabric
$5 Buffet Lamps Updated with Decoupage Paper
Mirror Harp Repurposed
We’re taking Jack back to college next weekend, and he has an apartment this time, so we have some shopping to do and precious moments to enjoy before then.
With that, I will be back resharing this dated kitchen table I got for a steal:
Update: See how I transformed this one HERE now! It might just be one of my favorites!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Petra says
Another great make-over :). Such a pretty duck egg blue. In the early 1980’s in Australia, our home loan interest rates were at 17% 😮 Enjoy your wee break 😀
Christy says
Thank you, Petra! Oh wow…those rates are insane!! And I will enjoy the break, my friend! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
Wow the two pieces you created from one turned out so beautiful! I bet they sell together in your shop. What a great job! Its so hard to believe that Jack is going to be starting his 2nd year of college, CRAZY!!! Tell him to have a good year and to study hard!!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Mary! It would be awesome if they sold as a set! And I know…I was a sappy mess last year after he left. Hopefully, I’ll be better this time lol. I’ll be sure to pass along your message! XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
I love this! Perfect colors.
Christy says
Thank you, Rose! XOXO
Denise Cox says
I LOVE IT!!! Like you, always fond of the vintage details!! Great job, Christy!! Enjoy decorating Jack’s apt. (as I know you will… 😝😉).
Christy says
Thank you, Denise!! Yes, those details get me every time! And I sure will ha ha! XOXO
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
So fun! That sale had to be a blast. Love your reincarnation of the mirror and all the tips. And Jack? He’s in college…wow. Time flies!
Christy says
Thank you, my friend! It was…I could have stayed there all day lol. And yep, he is on his second year! Waaaaah! XOXO
Cara says
Another beautiful creation! You never disappoint. I love this one very much. 💕 The Duck Egg Blue is also a nice touch.
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Cara!! This is such a pretty color! XOXO
Laurie says
OK, I gotta ask where you bought the mirror. The newspaper is my local newspaper. The Pasadena and Riviera Beach edition specifically. Things like this always show what a small world it really can be! loved the project. I have an old mirror that I want to paint to suit my style and my husband might be on board after he sees this.
Christy says
Oh wow! I bought it from a gal here locally in Virginia Beach, so not too far away! Thank you, Laurie! Have fun with yours! XOXO
Janice Holt says
You never cease to amaze me with your vision. This is beautiful and so creative. Love it. Good luck on getting Jack back to school.
Christy says
Aww I appreciate that so much, my friend, thank you! And yes, hopefully there won’t be any ugly crying involved this year! XOXO
Christina says
Such a wonderful transformation Christy! I totally expected you to add white wax on the details. 🙂 The shelves are FUN-ctional! 🙂
Sweet that Jack has an apartment this time. 🙂 Have a great time shopping and getting that all set up.
Christy says
Thank you, Christina! White wax would have been so pretty! And yes, Jack is not disappointed at all that he has more than 10 square feet this time ha ha! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Hi Christy! This is a beautiful makeover. I’m so glad you made it into a chalkboard. I have an old mirror like this and you just gave a great idea. Thank n.v you !!
Christy says
Thank you, Cheryl! Glad I could give you an idea for yours! XOXO
Ashley says
Hi Christy! Once again, you make something look so easy! Beautiful end result! 👏🏻
Christy says
Thank you so much, Ashley! XOXO
Cecilia says
So pretty! I love how you were able to repurpose both pieces. Now the lonely mirror gets to live on as two very useful and beautiful things!
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! I’m happy I redid them both this time too! XOXO
Karolyn Love says
This is adorable!! The piece you added to the top of the chalk board looks like it has always been there and I love that you turned the other piece upside down and made it into a shelf….so very clever and they just look beautiful together!! Of course, I love the duck egg blue!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Karolyn! They were fun to play with for sure! And duck will save most anything ha ha! XOXO
Jayne says
Hi ~ I check out your projects all the time. You are very talented and always have a great creative idea for the result. This project was my favorite so far. It was so simple but changing the mirror out and it looks like a shelf was added to the bottom frame just makes it look that was meant to be two separate pieces from the beginning.
Christy says
I really appreciate that, Jayne! Thank you! I’m so glad you liked this one! It really does look like it was always meant to be! XOXO
Vicki says
What a great repurpose! Love this one.
Christy says
Thank you, Vicki! XOXO
Denise Zdziennicki says
Beautiful set Christy, you outdid yourself again! Enjoy your break my friend! XOXO
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! I certainly will! XOXO
Judy says
That is so flippin’ brilliant! Makes the curves in the shelf kinda negative-mirror image the curves of the chalkboard. SO cool. I think those poor mirror bases get trashed sometimes. Your vision is amazing!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Judy!! I never looked at it that way, but you’re right! And yes, I’m afraid they probably do get trashed sometimes. Give them to me…I will take them all ha ha! XOXO
Kathy says
Hi Christy!
This might be one of my favorite mirror makeovers!
I have a similar one sitting in the garage that might end up like this!
Christy says
Oh yay! Thank you, Kathy! Have fun with yours! XOXO
Kathy says
I was not expecting this! Wow! Absolutely love it!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Kathy!! XOXO
Robin says
A very attractive set, Christy. The additional chalkboard embellishment makes it definitely look like a set. Yes, those were the rates back then, and even higher, at 18%, when we got our first mortgage.
Christy says
Thank you, Robin! And that is just crazy about the mortgage rates back then!! XOXO
CJ says
What plans do you have for the antique bevel mirror? Oh gosh, I hope it won’t be thrown out!
Christy says
Hi CJ! I still have it, but the edges are all very sharp as it looks as though it was broken off bit by bit to make it fit the frame. It is also and very heavy. Had it been in good shape, I never would have replaced it. XOXO
CJ says
Aaaah, yes, I have a couple very heavy mirrors with sorta fragile frames. I was hoping I might get an idea for mine what to do with them. I don’t trust the fragile frames with the weight of the mirrors either.
Christy says
Exactly! I did replace the backing with a new piece of luan that I screwed right into the frame. That did secure the fragile frame much better. 🙂
Jen @ Girl in the Garage says
Love this set, Christy – I bet they will sell together! And enjoy your short break 🙂
Christy says
Thank you, Jen! I sure hope so, and thank you, my friend! XOXO
Sue Mellette says
What a lovely makeover. I love the duck egg blue painted over white with the distressing. The handmade decorative mould looks as if it were a part of the original mirror. Details, Details make such a difference! So true here. I also like the idea of making a shelf to match. This pair really makes a dramatic statement. Love the staging as well. You always know just how to make your makeover piece shine! Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your week.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Sue! I am so happy that this came together so nicely to make a set! And you know I really enjoy the staging part! Enjoy your week too! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
Oooh, Christy, a two-fer! They are perfect together – I didn’t realize you added the applique to the chalkboard, it looks like it was always there. Love how the harp looks almost like a fireplace mantel now.
I don’t get why someone would fill space behind the mirror with newspaper! And, believe it or not, loan rates got even higher. I looked at houses when I graduated from college in 1983 and I’m so glad now I didn’t end up with one of those mortgages!
Christy says
Thanks, Marcie! I’m not sure how the newspaper ended up there either, but it was fun to look through! Crazy how high those loan rates got! XOXO
Robin Simonds says
I absolutely love this. I have an oak dresser inherited from two dear neighbor spouses that passed within two months of each other. They told their children to make sure we got this dresser. I’ve been thinking of how to fix it to make it fit in my husband’s “Harley” room. Thanks again. You are the best. Enjoy your time off and with family. ❤️
Christy says
How sweet of your neighbors to think of you! Enjoy transforming it! And thank you…I sure will! XOXO
Dalila says
Christy, that was a great way to repurpose that mirror. Looks beautiful!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Dalila! XOXO
Wendy Watson says
What a smart idea for a totally different look. Love it!
Christy says
Thank you, Wendy!! XOXO
Kerryanne says
It’s another fabulous project Christy.
Thank you for sharing your mirror makeover DIY at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather this week. I’m delighted to be featuring it at tonight’s party and pinning too.
Hugs,
Kerryanne
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend!! I truly appreciate the feature!! XOXO
Kelly says
How clever! I believe this is one of your best makeovers yet. Who would think to use an old mirror this way? Not many people. You are a truly talented lady.
Christy says
Aww I appreciate that so much, Kelly! Thank you! XOXO