Welcome back, amazing friends! I have a fun makeover to share today, and I’m using this one to share how to apply decoupage paper!
It’s this mirror that I’ve been hanging onto for forever:
I believe I paid $6 for it.
I just got my new transfers and decoupage papers in from Dixie Belle, and I was excited to be able to play with one of them for this project!
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
I knew exactly which paper I wanted to use!
How to Apply Decoupage Paper
After removing the mirror from the frame, cleaning the frame with White Lightning, and painting three coats of Cotton, I gathered this gorgeous decoupage paper, my Clear Coat in Satin, and a small brush:
The design on this paper measures 11.81 x 12.6 inches, and each package comes with three sheets. I used almost all of the three sheets for this project.
I started in the bottom left corner of my mirror and cut the paper on a 45 degree angle:
Then I lined it up how I wanted and once I was happy with the fit, I applied a good coat of Clear Coat in satin with a small brush:
I chose to use a brush instead of the sponge for this so I could apply it just a bit more liberally.
Then, I laid the paper over the top and smoothed it down with my fingers. I trimmed the excess with a razor blade…
(I recommend using a razor knife if you aren’t experienced at handling a razor blade. I ran a surf shop for about 10 years in my youth and adding grip tape to skateboards gave me lots of practice…who knew that was a skill that would come in so handy later on?)
I continued to add paper, trying to match up the patterns as much as possible, but not stressing over it.
Once I got to the curved parts, I treated it just like I would fabric. I made several cuts around the curve and folded them over individually…
I did the same for the inside of the curves.
What I Love about Decoupage Paper
The wonderful thing about decoupage paper verses regular paper is that it allows any air bubbles to escape. And it may not look super smooth as it is going on, but it will dry beautifully. It’s almost as though it tightens as it dries and the result is a super smooth finish.
Once I had the frame completely wrapped, I applied another coat of Clear Coat on the top:
Be sure to paint the back, inside edge that will be reflected in the mirror also. Or, you can wrap paper around that inside edge, so that would be reflected in the mirror. That would probably look even better than just paint.
I gave the mirror a good cleaning before reinserting it into the frame. A layer of gunk had formed around the edge over the years. I used a razor blade to scrape it away…
I reassembled my mirror using the same backing and nail heads it had on it to begin with.
The After
Here is my brand new decoupaged mirror:
I am SO happy with the result!
I really love how this paper gave this thrift store mirror a fresh new look!
I kept the thingys on the side that once helped tighten it to the harp of the dresser it came off. They’re part of the story of this mirror.
And can you see how smooth the final finish is??
I hope y’all enjoyed this fun project today!
I enjoyed getting one project closer to completing this huge haul!
See any of these makeovers so far at the links below:
$5 Thrift Store Chair Makeover
$5 Child’s Coastal Chair Makeover
$8 Thrift Store Box Makeover & How to Apply Decoupage Tissue Paper
How to Properly Paint a Mirror
Painted Thrift Store Lamps & How to Cover a Lampshade
$20 Thrift Store Desk Makeover
$5 Thrift Store Chair Makeover & How to Use Silk All-in-One Mineral Paint
Unfinished Wood Cabinet Makeover
Painting the Smalls, Holiday Edition (Five of these pieces are in this post!)
Repurposed Headboard and Footboard
Vintage Secretary Desk Makeover
$3 Thrift Store Headboard Repurposed
Drop Leaf Table and Chairs Makeover
There are several more patterns of decoupage paper available in my shop. I’ve also listed the new transfers!
I’ve ordered limited quantities of each so I can see what y’all like, and then I’ll order more.
I’ll be playing with one of the transfers on my next project, this bench:
I hope to see y’all then!
UPDATE: I had some issues with this one but was able to turn it around! See it HERE now!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Christina says
Christy, I am SO glad your back is feeling so much better!!! AND that you were gentle with yourself.
Surf shop eh? 🙂 You have a very intriguing background!
I love how the mirror turned out. Beautiful! Thanks for all the details on using the gorgeous decoupage paper. Sooo smooth! This one won’t last long in your booth!!
Be well and have a wonderful week!!
xoxo
Christy says
Thank you, Christina! Yes, I’m almost as good as new lol. I’m so glad you enjoyed this one! Have a great week too! XOXO
Denise says
Beautiful
Christy says
Thank you, Denise! XOXO
Mary Kasier says
Oh my that mirror is beautiful now! I am so glad your back is better. I love what you have done with it, the blue and white florals are so beautiful! I can’t wait until Thursday to see what do do with the transfers on the sweet bench!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! I love the blue and white florals too! See ya Thursday, my friend! XOXO
Maryellen Webber says
This mirror is so beautiful! I love the decoupage paper you chose!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Maryellen! XOXO
ColleenB.~Tx. says
Great mirror and I absolutely love the final result.
Christy says
Thanks so much, Colleen!! XOXO
Petra says
Now that’s a great idea instead of paint :). It’s a real character/statement piece now. Well done.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Petra! It really is! XOXO
Dorothy says
Love what you did with this mirror. I couldn’t image what you were going to come up with other than paint. Wow the decoupage pattern is absolutely beautiful! Thanks for sharing this transformation. You have such a creative mind for turning bland to beautiful.
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Dorothy! I appreciate that! XOXO
Denise - Salvaged Inspirations says
LOVE this blue floral decoupage paper and it looks amazing on your mirror! Take care of that back my friend. Glad you’re feeling better.💕
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend!! These papers are awesome! And yes, I am being very careful lol! XOXO
Denise Cox says
Love it!!!!
Christy says
Thank you, Denise!! XOXO
gwen says
SO cute Christy! and not too difficult, or at least you make it look easy! the most difficult part for me would be finding a mirror like that for $6! always fun to wake up on Tuesday mornings (4AM was a little too early) knowing you’ll probably have something for me to enjoy! THANKS!
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Gwen! No, not too difficult at all! And ha ha..I can’t help you find the deals, but even the simplest of mirrors would look fabulous with this treatment! Have a great day! XOXO
Janice Holt says
How beautiful this mirror turned out. Love the paper and the mirror looks so good with the dresser you staged it with. Of course it would go with any white dresser as long as the size was right.
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! Yes, absolutely…it could even hang on the wall! XOXO
Geri Davis says
I just love seeing your projects and it has inspired my daughter and I into trying out new ideas of our own! I look forward to your emails every week! Thank you
Christy says
Oh I love that SO much, Geri!! Thank you!! Happy creating! XOXO
Ann Williams says
LOve it!! And thanks for explaining how to decoupage! Can’t wait for the Thursday project!
Christy says
Thank you, Ann! My pleasure! See you Thursday! XOXO
Diana Cosgrove says
Christy … you have such beautiful taste and vision for an old item… Your mirror came out perfectly! So happy to receive your projects each week! Now to find a mirror!!! Will be thrifting this Friday!
Diana, Massachusetts
Christy says
I appreciate that so much, Diana! Thank you! Good luck thrifting…hope you find lots of goodies! XOXO
Celia says
Love this mirror, love decoupage, can’t wait to see the new papers. One question-did you have any trouble covering the little swirl deco at the top?
Christy says
Thank you, Celia! I laid the paper over that area while it was dry and cut with my razor blade. It wasn’t too bad at all, and if you don’t get it perfect, you can patch any imperfections pretty easily! XOXO
Karen Thompson says
Thats beautiful – I would have never thought of decoupaging a mirror frame. Glad your back is feeling better, be careful with that!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Karen! And yes, I am being very cautious with my back for sure! XOXO
Meg Habasevich says
That is beautiful and I love the new paper. It looks like it would take a lot of patience and if I’m seeing it correctly there is no overlap in the papers. You must be great at puzzles 😆!
Christy says
Thank you, Meg! It did take a little time, but not too hard at all, and a busy pattern like this is very forgiving! And how did you know I love puzzles!! XOXO
Sandy Long says
This mirror is just beautiful. I love it !!! It’s on my list of all time favorites. I can’t wait to see all the things you’ll be doing with these new papers and transfers.
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Sandy! I really enjoyed bringing this one to life! XOXO
Ruth says
So pretty!
Christy says
Thank you, Ruth! XOXO
Janina says
You have such great vision of how to redo furniture. I really like the way you do things.
Christy says
I appreciate that so much, Janina! Thank you! XOXO
Lazy K says
That is now my favorite of all your projects. I love it!
Christy says
Aww yay! I’m so glad you like this one! Thank you! XOXO
Charleen says
Christy,that is beatiful!!! The paper looks like fabric.I love blue and white anyway. Lovely. Looks like you are seeing light at the end of the haul .Have a blessed Easter week end.
Christy says
Thank you, Charleen! Yes…finally get to the end of this huge haul! I hope you have lovely Easter too! XOXO
Char says
Really lovely! I would never have thought to do that but now I’ll keep my eyes open for just the right mirror for my house.
Christy says
Thank you, Char! Good luck in your search! XOXO
Jeanne Siwik says
Beautiful job on the mirror!
Christy says
Thank you, Jeanne! XOXO
Sandi Allen says
I Love it! This is Beautiful!
Christy says
Thank you, Sandi! XOXO
Rhonda Storey says
WOW!!! That is so pretty! You just amaze me how you can look at an object and come up with a new way to update it. The blue and white looks lovely on that vintage mirror. As usual you did a fantastic job! ❤️❤️
Christy says
Thank you, Rhonda! I appreciate that so much! It is hard to come with new ideas all the time, but these new products help for sure! XOXO
Sue Mellette says
Stunning makeover. I don’t think I would have thought to use decoupage paper for a mirror frame! But – just like all your work, this turned out beautifully! Naturally, I am very fond of blue and white and this is no exception. This mirror could be used just about anywhere and would add a touch of whimsy to the room. Thanks for sharing. Have a great week!
Christy says
Thank you, Sue!! I’m so glad the paper worked so well on this piece, and it sure could go just about anywhere! XOXO
Deanna says
Good morning! Glad your back is feeling better. Don’t overdo too soon. The mirror is stunning. The decoupage paper is intriguing. Will head over to your shop to check it out. You are so inspiring!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Deanna! I am definitely being careful with my back! XOXO
heather mcmurtry says
So glad you are feeling better. This mirror looks fantastic! Super idea! Stay well!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Heather! XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
It looks great! I love it! I would never attempt it. Clolrs are perfect.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Rose! It’s not too difficult at all! XOXO
Sandra says
Two questions…is the clear coat you use the same thing as poly seal…and can you use printed napkins instead of what you used.
Christy says
Hi Sandra! Some polys can yellow over white, but the Clear Coat will not. Napkins can absolutely be used, but you will have wrinkles that may not come out. The decoupage papers are porous and so they allow the air to escape for a smooth application. If you use a busy pattern, you won’t see those imperfections as easily though. XOXO
Cecilia from Georgia says
This mirror is a real show stopper! I loved the mirror you did with the bird transfer but this is outstanding! Now that your back is feeling better, don’t overdo!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Cecilia! I am being really careful with my back for sure! XOXO
Kathy W F says
I’m so glad you’re feeling better and that you waited to experiment with your new purchase. How fun and exciting to create sonething beautiful. I can just see all the new creations. I’m looking forward to trying this out on something bit I think I’ll let you go first! LOL🙈 Happy Easter.🐇
Christy says
Thank you, Kathy! I’m so glad that it worked out that I was able to test out this pretty paper on this piece. Happy Easter to you as well! XOXO
Shell says
Christy, I have to let you know how uplifting your posts are, with your fabulously finessed finds! My 12 year old daughter has dreams of becoming a furniture flipper one day and she’s been begging me to start sourcing items to makeover. I sympathize with your back injury as I’ve been dealing with life-altering chronic pain for the past 3+ years that has kept me from doing all the things I used to love (decor DIYs being high on my list). I have been living vicariously through your posts. Thank you so much for sharing!
Christy says
Aww I am SO glad that I can offer you your DIY fix! I know it must be hard to not be able to do the things you love. How awesome that your daughter is excited about creating!! Thank you, Shell! XOXO
Regina says
Just Gorgeous! The blue and white is so pretty. Love all your transformations.
Did you need to use more than 3 sheets to complete the mirror?
Christy says
Thank you, Regina! I used just about all of the three sheets included on this piece. XOXO
Imelda says
Simply stunning Christy! Just curious, are you keeping or selling? 😁 Looking forward to your next project!
Imelda
Christy says
Thanks so much, Imelda! I will be letting go of this one! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
This is so beautiful, Christy, worth the wait! I thought you were going to decoupage sections, was surprised you covered the whole thing. Now I have to see what you’ve got in the shop. I’m sure I’ll want one of everything.
Christy says
Thank you, Marcie!! I was very pleased with how this went on and dried so nicely! There are some really cute patterns available! XOXO
Robin says
So refreshingly pretty! A wonderful accent piece.
Christy says
Thank you, Robin!! XOXO
susan says
Sooo pretty! I know you’ll have a ton more ideas to use the papers on! Can’t wait to see what you do with the nautical transfer! So glad you’re up and around 🤗
Christy says
Thank you, Susan! It’s so fun to have new toys to play with! XOXO
Becky says
WOW! That is beautiful!!!
Christy says
Thank you, my friend! XOXO
Shirley says
Christy…I want to buy the mirror! Seriously! Is it still for sale???
Shirley
Christy says
Hi Shirley! I just dropped it off at my booth yesterday if you’re local! XO
Michele M. says
Oh my word =- how on earth did I miss this fabulous post?
Never in a trillion years would I have thought to ever decoupage a mirror.
You are brilliant and it is gorgeous, Christy!!!!! Very well done!
Christy says
Well I have no idea ha ha! Glad you like it!! Thank you! XOXO