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Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer

Simple DIY tutorials and thrifty furniture and decor makeovers

$7 Thrift Store Mirror Makeover

Hello amazing friends, and welcome back! Today, I’m sharing what I did with this thrift store mirror:

It was marked $15.25, but all yellow tags were 50% off that day, so I got it for half that. I love a sale at the thrift store!

Someone mentioned to me that the top of this mirror looks like it has a mustache, and sure enough, it does! Once I saw that, I knew I had to take care of that! I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.

I started this mirror makeover with a good cleaning using White Lightning. It wasn’t very dirty at all.

Adding embellishments

Then I went searching through my supplies to see what I could find to enhance that top area and de-mustache it.

I had several resin pieces that I made using decor moulds and Amazing Casting Resin and found this pretty piece that was perfect for the top:

You can see more on how I made these pieces in THIS POST. I also found two smaller pieces for the corners that you’ll see in a minute.

I adhered them with E6000 Glue and let them sit overnight. You could probably use something faster drying like Gorilla Glue also.

Paint

Then it was time for paint! I knew this would be perfectly shabby and wonderful in white, but I decided to go a different route and chose Antebellum Blue. I also pulled out some Gemstone Mousse in Golden Gem to use on those details:

I probably could have gotten away with one coat of the Antebellum, but I gave it two:

And you can see the moulds I chose for the bottom corners in that photo too! They just add that extra touch of pretty!

I also flipped it over and painted in the groove that holds the mirror so the blue would be seen in the reflection.

I sealed with Best Dang Wax in Clear, using the Best Dang Brush to apply the wax and a clean soft cloth to buff the wax into the surface:

Then I used my finger to apply some Gemstone Mousse to the resin pieces I added…

Gemstone Mousse on Antebellum

It highlights those details beautifully! The mousse is used similarly to gilding wax, but the gilding wax is oil-based while the mouse is water-based and washes off easily. The gilding wax would be a better option for things like hardware where you need it to hold up to heavy use, but the mousse is perfect for this application.

I knew that I also wanted to add hooks to either side to add more function as I love to do with mirrors. However, I couldn’t find a decent pair in my stash that would work.

Then I remembered this piece I picked up for $2 at a yard sale a few weeks ago:

I knew those hooks would be just perfect! I touched them up with some of the mousse also:

Adding gemstone mousse to hooks

Aren’t they so pretty??

The Big Reveal

This mirror, circa 1982 according to the stamp on the back, looks a whole lot different now!

Mirror painted in Antebellum Blue

Cute, right?

Antebellum is a dark teal color and I just love the drama of it!

It looks a bit darker than it is in these photos since it was just about to pour outside as I was taking these photos, but you can see it better in the in-progress photos. Of course it was nice and sunny then!

Mirror painted in Antebellum Blue

Although this mirror isn’t what I would call full-length, I was able to see myself from head to toe in it. It would work wonderfully in or near the closet to add a bit of dressing area glamour!

The hooks are perfect for hanging necklaces, scarves, or even a few purses perhaps?

Mirror painted in Antebellum Blue

I love how the mousse brightened them right up!

I couldn’t have found hooks any more perfect for this piece if I tried, and definitely for not as cheap!

 

Mirror painted in Antebellum Blue

 

I love this photo of my boys. We were in TJ Maxx a few years ago, and they were keeping themselves occupied while I shopped. I found them laying on two dog beds taking selfies!

These resin pieces are great for embellishing just about anything you can think of..

Amazing casting resin and decor moulds

Do you think I managed to banish the mustache??

Mirror embellished with Prima Decor Moulds

I think so!

Thrift Store Mirror updated with paint and decor moulds

 

Thrift Store Mirror updated with paint and decor moulds

If you’re new around here, I’m an elite Dixie Belle Retailer, and you can find all things Dixie Belle available for purchase in my Etsy shop!

All orders over $50 ship for free, and any order under $50 enjoys $8 flat rate shipping!

That’s another one done!!

See any you might have missed at the links below:

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

If you enjoyed this mirror makeover, you might like this oldie too:

See what I did with it HERE!

I’ll see y’all back here on Tuesday sharing what I did with this basket:

UPDATE: I actually made three things out of this one basket! See the first thing I made HERE!

Have a lovely weekend!!

XOXO,

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Comments

  2. Oh my Lord it is so beautiful!! The mustache is gone!! Yahoo it turned out so beautiful, especially with the hooks–that is some hook perfection!! I LOVE this piece, you knocked it out of the park, well done!!

    • Aww yay! Thank you so much, my friend! Those hooks could not have been more perfect! I was so excited about them! XOXO

  3. Oh my goodness, this mirror is stunning! What a beautiful color!!!💖💖💖💖

  4. Beautiful!!! NMM (No More Moustache)!! I adore the resin embellishments, the color and the hooks are gorgeous!! I may have missed it, but do you have to seal the mousse after applying it?
    If this is going into your booth, it will NOT last! 🙂
    Have a great rest of the week and weekend!!

    • Thank you so much, Christina! I’m so glad I was able to get rid of the mustache ha ha! Nope, there is no need to seal the mousse after if you’re just using it to highlight like this. Enjoy the rest of your week, my friend! XOXO

    • Love the Antebellum Blue! The additional embellishments and hooks give an impact with the gold. You are amazing!

  7. For sure mustache is gone. When you said you were doing the mirror in blue, I though yuk because I’m not a fan of blue but love this color. I should have know I would love it because I always do. Another great job.

    • Aww yay! I’m so glad you like it, Janice! This blue is just so different and elegant! Have a great weekend! XOXO

  8. Oh Christy, I LOVE IT!!!! I wish I was there to buy it!!! I love the color teal!!! What a wonderful job you did and YOU are ALWAYS so creative with your accent pieces. The idea of hooks and the molds was a fantastic idea!!! It’s no wonder you have your own shop. Goodness, I wish I lived in your neck of the woods so I could visit your shop. I do love the beach and coast. At least I live near OC/Md (though don’t get there often… and CERTAINLY NOT during tourist season… Lol.. 😟🤫😖) .

    • Thank you so much, Denise! I don’t have my own shop although I would absolutely love that if there were only more hours in the day, but I do have a booth. I refer to that as my shop often LOL. And I absolutely love Ocean City! We went there for Fourth of July weekend several years back and did all the touristy things. It was a blast! XOXO

  9. Amazing, as always, and I have a couple of mustache mirrors of my own that you have given me a great idea for!

  10. Great job as usual on this beautiful mirror! The hooks really add something special to the piece. Your photographs are always so good and I wonder how you hang pieces like this for your photos? Do you use Command hooks or something similar to hang things on a temporary basis? If you don’t want to give away your secrets, no problem? Just thought I’d ask!

    • Thank you so much, Debbie! OK, I’ll spill the beans LOL! This is a fake wall and it is covered in holes where I have moved screws countless times. I go in and edit them out after ha ha! XOXO

  13. Hi, Christy! I love this makeover. I think the blue was a great choice. The gold mouse and the hooks really make this mirror pop. I would not have thought of adding the hooks, but these are so charming and add a bit of nostalgia to the entire look. You are so clever adding all the details that you do. I believe that is what makes your makeovers so special. Enjoy your weekend

  15. Mustache no more! Actually, I didn’t notice until you mentioned it and then it WAS impossible to unsee it 😂 That has to be the perfect blue, and what a great deal for those fabulous hooks! So glam now, Christy, it won’t be around long.

    • Right? Ha ha same here…I never saw the mustache until someone mentioned it and then I couldn’t not see it! And I was SO excited to find those hooks in my stash…they were just right! XOXO

  16. Mr Mustache is gone. 🙂
    The moulds are a nice touch, and the hooks add sooo much.
    Very nice !
    p

    • Thank you, P!! Mustache is no more, thankfully lol! The moulds are fun to play with! XOXO

  17. It is such a shame you covered the lovely wood with paint. This trend doesn’t seem to be ending anytime soon. This is also a shame.

    • Paint can always be removed, but there’s a reason this mirror was on clearance at the thrift store. Isn’t it wonderful that we all have different tastes though? What a boring world it would be if that were not the case! XO

  18. I have hardware on an Ethan Allen desk. Could I use the gold mousse on them? Do you recommend putting a sealer on them as they will get a lot of use.?

    • Hi Mary! I haven’t tested the mousse on something like hardware that might be used a lot, but I’m sure it would be fine if you sealed it. I know the gilding wax does very well on hardware. It gives a very similar look but because it is oil based, it is very durable without a sealer! XOXO

  19. Beautiful work! Once the world is almost back to normal, would you ever consider doing a weekend workshop on how to strip and paint wood? I have always wanted to learn! I have a set of solid wood children’s chairs I am holding on to that my kiddos used 10 years ago with the intention of redoing them. I just have no clue what I need and how to even start.

  22. Just beautiful Christy. I love it. i want to try the molds some day. They can really make a piece a show piece.

  23. This is beautiful. I don’t see the mustachioed Bandito any longer! LOL. I love the hooks, what a great idea. As always, you did such a beautiful piece. XOXOXOX

    • Thank you, Mikki! I was so happy to say goodbye to the mustachio lol! And how perfect were those hooks? A match that was meant to be! XOXO

  24. You did a really beautiful job, Christy. This color is such a departure for you. It will stand out in your booth for sure.

    • Thanks so much, Robin! It is fun to step outside my box every once in a while LOL! Have a great weekend! XOXO

  27. Hi Christy, I love your work! You really are creative with the items you refinish and bring back to life. This antebellum blue was not on my radar until I saw this. Am just starting to refinish a dresser and now I know what color I want it to be. Keep up the fabulous work!

    • Thank you so much, Ellen! This really is a stunning color! I love that you are feeling inspired by it! XOXO

  28. Now that’s a makeover 😀 And a steal for $7. I like the blue, it’s a change from the white, but I still love white!!! Do you think hot glue is suitable to stick those resin pieces on with? Have a great weekend 😀 xo

      • Oh and I love hot glue for fabric, but it can sometimes dry bulky on non-fabric items and the moulds may not sit flush. 🙂

  29. That mirror is gorgeous, Christy! The Golden Gemstone Mousse will definitely be on my list of items I need. I think it will be perfect for the mirror that belonged to my parents, don’t you think? I have already used the Clear Coat in Satin on it… will it work ok over that? I can then do another coat of the Clear Coat, if necessary. I’m thinking I need to try some of those resin pieces, too! They sure add pizzazz to a simple piece! Thank you, Christy! xo

    • Thank you so much, Karen! The mousse is so easy to work with for sure. You can add it right over top of the Clear Coat and there is no need to seal it after! XOXO

  30. That was a beautiful mirror before. But you made it stunning with the embellishments, paint color, and gold leaf effects. Fabulous DIY project!

  31. I am ALWAYS so amazed at your vision for thrift store objects! The apple basket blew me away as I would NEVER have thought of cutting it or using it other than a basket! KUDOS!

    • Aww thank you so much, Betsy!! I think I surprised myself with that one and was amazed that it actually worked ha ha! XOXO

  32. Hi Christy! Well I was cleaning g out my inbox and came.across this. I must have missed the first time. What a beautiful mirror. Antebellum blue is a pretty color. Love the hooks on the side. Great idea.

    • Thank you, Cheryl! Antebellum really is so lovely! That’s a color that always sells quickly for me, but I haven’t tried it on furniture yet! XOXO

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