Hello, lovelies! I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing all the fun projects from the past year HERE, HERE, and HERE. It’s a brand new year, and I am so ready to get back to creating! Today, I have an estate sale mirror makeover from my current haul to share.
This heavy, ornate mirror was pulled from the back of a very dirty barn over the summer:
It was marked $14, but everything was 20% off, so I got a great deal on it.
The mirror was filthy though! Those spots on the actual mirror were mold or mildew…so gross!
Here is a close up of dirt for you:
CLEAN
So after removing the mirror, I of course started with a good cleaning with White Lightning on that frame.
I had to bust out the scrub brush for this one!
You can really see the difference in those two photos!
Once I had scrubbed most of that dirt away, I swapped my water for clean water and gave it a good rinse.
Paint
Once I had it cleaned, it was time for paint! For this pretty piece, I chose one of my favorite darker colors, Antebellum blue, applying it with my Best Dang Brush:
That brush makes light work of large, detailed pieces like this.
I recently sold this gorgeous antique china cabinet I shared in November and this pretty hutch I shared in the fall, but I still have this dresser in my booth:
(See more of this dresser HERE.)
So, I decided to paint this mirror to coordinate with it. This dresser is a bit on the small side, and I thought the larger mirror would give it more presence.
Hopefully, it won’t swallow it up lol. When I take the mirror over, I will take photos of them together to share!
Seal
To seal, I opted for Rust-oleum clear spray sealer in satin. It was the easiest way to get a sealer on this frame with all those details!
Gilding Wax
Once it was good and dry, I highlighted all that pretty detail with gold gilding wax:
So easy!
And that was it!
I know this mirror was so happy to be out of that barn!
This really shows how large it is!
Let’s get in closer…
I rubbed across those details super lightly with my finger and the gold gilding wax so that it would only highlight the raised areas.
And I forgot to mention that I did have to reglue all for corner pieces on as they were all loose…
So pretty!
I get to cross off another piece from this insanely huge haul:
See what I’ve completed so far below…
Update a Thrifted Box for the Holidays
Black Painted Antique China Cabinet
Turn Old Frames into New Holiday Decor
How to Upholster a Louis XVI Armchair
How to Repurpose a Table Top (&bonus…see what I did with the rest HERE.)
Dated Bar Stool Makeover
Update a Yard Sale Tote for the Holidays
Painting the Smalls #31 (the dollar edition)
IKEA Bookcase Makeover
$5 Yard Sale Night Table Makeover
I took it easy for my first makeover of the year, but I’ll make up for it with Tuesday’s Trash to Treasure piece:
UPdate: See why I nicknamed this one “The Faceplant Dresser” HERE now!
It feels so good to be back at it!
Have a fabulous weekend!
XOXO,
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Mary Kaiser says
Wow, that was such a dirty ugly duckling, but it is so beautiful now! You should take a picture of the mittor with the dresser in your booth, I would love to see how they look together! I can’t wait until Thursday to see what you do with the dresser! Love the handles on the drawers! You did a great job on your first piece of 2025, can’t wait to see more!
Christy says
Wasn’t it? I didn’t really even realize how dirty it was until I started cleaning it lol. I will definitely take a picture of them together! Thank you, my friend! XOXO
Pauline Elliott says
I’d enjoy seeing that mirror in antebellum blue with gilding pictured with the dresser. Did that idea work of it complimenting and adding heft to the smaller piece work?
Christy says
I haven’t taken the mirror to my booth yet, but I will definitely take photos to share when I do! XOXO
Jeanne says
It’s pretty. I, too, love that antebellum blue. Did I miss something, tho? I thought you were putting it with the dresser of the same color?
Christy says
Thank you, Jeanne! The dresser is already in my booth. When I take the mirror over I’ll take photos to share how they look together! XOXO
Abbe Kemack says
Happy, Healthy 2025 and beyond Christy!
“So Pretty” it is.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Abbe! Happy 2025 to you too! XOXO
Cecilia says
Goodness, what a difference. I love how you rescue pieces! That mirror now has a chance of a new life. ???? Can’t wait to see the dresser redone. I love the style of it. Here’s to a new year of projects!
Christy says
Thank you, my friend! I am so glad I dragged it out of that barn! I’m so looking forward to a brand new year! XOXO
Cyndi says
Antebellum Blue is one of my favorites and it looks amazing on this mirror with the gold touches! As filthy as the mirror was it was definitely worth the elbow grease to get the end result. Gorgeous!
Christy says
Thank you, Cyndi! I love Antebellum too! I didn’t even realize it was so dirty until I started cleaning it lol. XOXO
Denise - Salvaged Inspirations says
Love the this blue with the gold highlights, its so elegant! I can’t wait to see what you do with the dresser!
Christy says
Thank you, my friend! I have that dresser prepped, but that is as far as I’ve gotten so we’ll see lol! XOXO
Christina says
Wonderful makeover of a huge mirror! I clicked to the link of the white hutch you sold, and then I watched the video of you lining the drawer with fabric. That was very helpful. It made me wonder though how you stay so neat and unstained when you do your projects. Whenever I paint something, I always end up covered in paint somehow. My “painting clothes” selection now outnumbers my regular clothes. How do you protect your clothes?
Christy says
Thanks so much, Christina! I usually wear an apron, but I do have “painting” clothes and shoes for those larger projects! XOXO
Cyndel says
So lovely, as always.
Christy says
Thank you, Cyndel! XOXO
p says
Wow. It really was dirty.
Love the detail in this mirror. You find such great stuff !!!
The gold gilding wax makes it happy.
Beautiful blue. Altho I think so many colors would work on this piece.
It will definitely add some weight / detail to your dresser.
Great 1st project for the new year. Your enthusiasm is inspiring. 🙂
Nice ! A whole new year ahead.
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, P! This was so dirty…it wasn’t until I started cleaning that I realized how dirty it was. It’s a great piece though and could have been gorgeous in many colors, as you said. I’m looking forward to seeing it with the dresser and will share how it looks when I take it in! Have a great weekend! XOXO
Geri Davis says
I can’t believe it was in that good of shape being in back of barn and neglected! What a great find, and you made her look absolutely beautiful again!!
Christy says
Right? That was a fabulous estate sale…but the best stuff was in the barn lol. Thank you, Geri! XOXO
Jackie c says
Beautiful. Bigger than I originally envisioned. Great find. An ornate frame always grabs me. I’m trying to figure out when mirrors got so expensive. I guess when they got popular/trendy.
We are getting bad weather here in Oklahoma today and tomorrow, but nothing like others are. Stay warm, stay safe. Good to have you back ❤️
Christy says
Thank you, Jackie! It is a really large one! I haven’t priced new ones in a while since I always find them at the thrift stores, but it seems just about everything costs more now, right? We have snow headed our way tomorrow night, but I never believe it until I see it lol. You stay warm! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
Eeeew, Christy, I thought it was just a brown mirror! Great detail under all that dirt ????
That is such a beautiful color, I hope someone buys both pieces. And I can’t wait to see how next week’s piece turns out.
Christy says
Right?? Me too! Actually, I thought it was a “patina” effect that was done on purpose, but nope…just filthy lol. I’m hoping it isn’t way to big for the dresser, but we’ll see when I drop it off! Have a great weekend! XOXO
Michele M. says
Wow. What a beautiful transformation! Can’t wait to see how they look together once united! Well done, looks fabulous. Such a luscious color.
Christy says
Thank you, Michele! It is luscious, indeed! XOXO
Nana Diana says
Just the right amount of gold gilding to make it beautiful. Fabulous make over. I can’t believe that dresser didn’t sell yet. Happy 2025 makeovers! xoDiana
Christy says
Thank you, Diana! The dresser is on the small side. I thought the mirror could give it a lift…we’ll see! XOXO
Joanne H. says
Gorgeous! Just gorgeous!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Joanne! XOXO
Kathy W says
Hi Christy – I’m a day late and a dollar short!! Lol. Hit the ground running yesterday. Anyway, love the mirror!!! Doesn’t the gold gilding make everything special?? I think so but especially when you have an ornate piece like your mirror. I love it so much!!! I wish I could find one to paint and keep. Gorgeous!! Sorry ???? I am late with my comment.
Kathy W
oxox
Christy says
Thank you, Kathy! I’m glad you still got the chance to stop by and say hello! Gilding wax is the best for sure! Have a fantastic day! XOXO
Robin says
Wow. That was a filthy monster of a mirror. Well done!
Christy says
Ha ha yes it was! Thank you, Robin! XOXO