Hello lovelies!! I’m so glad y’all enjoyed seeing the unveiling of my brand new Summer 2021 Haul of treasures! I have a lot in this one too! I haven’t counted them, but maybe even more than the last if that’s possible!
I’m starting this haul of makeovers off with a piece that was the perfect Trash-to-Treasure candidate, this mirror harp I paid a whole dollar for:
On the final day of treasure hunting for this haul, I came upon a barn sale at the end of a dirt road that had loads of furniture pieces and parts, and this mirror harp was one of the several things I picked up. And for only a dollar…yes, please! Had I not had three pallets of tile supplies in our garage for the kitchen tile install next week, I surely would have come home with more from that sale!
This is the piece that sits atop a dresser or dressing table and holds a mirror that swivels up and down. As soon as I spied it against a pile of what really looked like garbage, I knew what I could do with it.
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
**Be on the lookout for my friends’ trash-to-treasure makeovers at the bottom of this post! **
a good cleaning
I started this makeover with a good cleaning since this piece was pretty dirty. I mixed up a tiny batch of White Lightning to clean it.
I used a TBSP scooper ( I include one with each White Lightning purchase) to measure. The instructions say to mix two TBSP with a gallon of warm water, but I rarely need that much. I usually mix one TBSP with a half gallon of warm water for furniture pieces, but for this I halved that, so half a TBSP mixed with a quart of warm water…using my tub that is already marked to help with the measuring!
Then, wearing gloves, I cleaned the harp with a sponge. I changed out my water for clean water and gave it another wipe down to rinse.
Turning this mirror harp into a shelf
I knew that if I flipped the harp upside-down, it would make for a fantastic base for a shelf.
I had a piece of primed wood in the garage in my scraps stash that I cut to the length I wanted, just a couple of inches longer than the harp on either side:
I attached the top to the harp by first marking where I wanted to attach the top. Then, I drilled a very shallow hole that was just a hair larger than the heads of the screws I planned to use:
Then I laid the shelf against the harp and pre-drilled holes just a tad smaller than the screws to prevent splitting and to make it easier to drive the screws in.
I attached the top with wood screws:
They countersunk just slightly thanks to the first shallow holes I drilled. I filled in the holes on top with White Dixie Mud:
It does a fantastic job. The key is to overfill and then giving it ample dry time before sanding. I usually use brown Dixie Mud for all my projects, but if you’re painting over it anyway, it doesn’t really matter.
Adding embellishments
I decided that I wanted to add some embellishments to the harp and pulled out a new decor mould and some Amazing Casting Resin:
I don’t carry this one in my shop, but I do have several HERE.
It is really user friendly! You just mix equal parts of the two bottles included in the kit, and then pour it into your mould right away:
It takes about 15 minutes or so to solidify, and then you can pull it right out of the mold. It will be warm and pliable at first, but will harden quickly. To soften again to fit around curved areas, place it on a paper towel in the microwave for about 15 seconds.
I made a few and added them using wood glue…
The center flower mould came from this pack of moulds.
Paint
I decided to use the last of my custom mix of 1/3 Hurricane Gray to 2/3 Cotton for this piece:
It makes a lovely, soft gray!
I gave it two coats and then painted the decorative pieces with a small brush using Cotton.
I sanded lightly all over using 220 grit sandpaper wrapped around an old sanding sponge.
Seal
I sealed with Clear Coat in Satin using the blue sponge to apply:
For hanging, I added D-ring hardware to the back, and this simple trash-to-treasure project was complete!
The After
Not too shabby for a $1 harp, eh?
It could almost pass for a mini mantle and would be fun to decorate for the holidays!
This wall is in my office and it is stone veneer. You can see more on it HERE.
I love the little bit of embellishment…
I hope you enjoyed seeing what this piece that would probably have been headed for the trash could become!
My talented girls still have four more fun makeovers for you today!
See all my Trash-to-Treasure Tuesday makeovers in one place HERE!
And that is piece number one done!!
I’ll be back on Thursday with this set of lamps I found at the same barn sale!
Stay tuned!
UPDATE: These lamps are done and look so much more sophisticated now! See them HERE!
XOXO,
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Mary Kaiser says
Wow it turned out so great! You are so creative to see that as a shelf and your right, it could be like a mantel. Just amazing!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Mary! Have a fantastic day! XOXO
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
Just gorgeous, Christy! I get so excited when I find a misfit mirror harp. eep! 😍
Christy says
Thank you, Larissa!! XOXO
Petra says
You never cease to amaze me at how you “see” your items 🙂 You saw a pretty “bracket” when you spied this piece and turned it into a fabulous shelf, with the cutest detailing from your moulds. You continue to inspire me 🙂
Christy says
Aww thank you, Petra! I’m glad it turned out! XOXO
Janice Holt says
Who else but you would take this piece and make something beautiful with it. Love how it turned out.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Janice!! XOXO
lisa anderson says
That piece is stunning.
I love it and thanks for sharing
Lisa
Christy says
I’m so glad you like it, Lisa! thank you!! XOXO
Christina says
Beautiful! Love the embellishments and the color is perfect! Brilliant repurpose for this bargain!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Christina! XOXO
Denise Cox says
Sooo pretty… AND sooo clever! I was excited to see what you would do with this piece. What a surprise, and so simple to do ( at least for you… 😉).
Christy says
Thank you, Denise! It really was quite simple! XOXO
Denise - salvagedinspirations.com says
A $1 WOW! It’s absolutely gorgeous now and I’m sure it will sell in a flash. Love it, my friend! XOXO
Christy says
Thank you, my friend!! Hoping so!! XOXO
Paula@SweetPea says
What a great upcycle project! I have a feeling that this won’t last long in your booth.
Christy says
Thanks so much, Paula! Here’s hoping! XOXO
Sue Mellette says
Hi, Christy! I always love to imagine how you will finish the “before” piece prior to actually seeing the finished piece! This harp was no exception. I sort of figured it would be a shelf, but you really did a remarkable job of re-inventing its purpose! It really is a pretty shelf and could go anywhere you needed a shelf. I love the color and the moulds you chose to use. They add such detail and the contrast really makes the piece pop! You are amazing! Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful week.
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Sue!! It made for a great shelf for sure, and those moulds are so fun to play with! I hope you have a wonderful week too! XOXO
Sharon L Austin says
That turned out amazing; I really wish I had your “vision” for things!!
Christy says
Thank you, Sharon! Sometimes I have a vision for something right away, but not always! Glad this one worked out! XOXO
Mary says
Absolutely beautiful! I love all your finds and makeovers❤️
Christy says
Thanks so much, Mary! XOXO
Ashley says
Is that mirror harp-turned shelf the most adorable thing ever? 👍🏻
Christy says
Thank you, Ashley!! XOXO
susan says
So inventive as usual 😁love it! I’ll be looking for one!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Susan! Good luck in your search! XOXO
Jill says
Whenever I read your blog I try to ‘guess’ what you’ll do with your project. This one I just couldn’t think of anything to do with that harp. As always I loved what you did but this one was really great! I could have looked all day and still wouldn’t have come up with anything. Thank you for your creativity!!
Christy says
Oh I love that, Jill! I’m glad you enjoyed seeing what I did with it! Thank you!! XOXO
Kathy from Jax says
What a great idea and for only a dollar. It was definitely a trash to tresure project. Very cute. Love the extras you put on it and the color is “pUrrfect” which reminds me, I’m surprised your sweet kitty isn’t sitting on top! LOL. See you Thursday.
Christy says
Thank you, Kathy! I know…what a steal! And ha ha…if Lyla could have jumped up there, I’m sure she would have lol! XOXO
Toby Peplow says
I totally knew this was gonna be good!! And of course you didn’t disappoint! SO cool!! Love all your ideas!
Christy says
Aww thanks, my friend!! XOXO
Jackie C says
I swear you’re brilliant.
LOVE it!
Christy says
You are the sweetest, Jackie! Thank you! XOXO
Addie says
Not too shabby indeed!!! LOVE it!!!!!…..xoxo
Christy says
Thank you, Addie!!! XOXO
Lilly says
Wow!! Absolutely gorgeous!!
Love those curves. Reimagination was executed perfectly <3
Christy says
Thank you so much, Lilly! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
Ingenious! Looks like a mantelpiece to me, too.
Christy says
Thank you, Marcie! It really does!! XOXO
Emma says
Hi Christy, I admire your thought process, you are so creative!!! You are the best DIY blogger that I subscribe to!!! Dynamite❤️
Christy says
Aww I appreciate that so much, Emma!! Thank you!! XOXO
Michele M. says
You are so stinkin’ clever, girl. Love the idea of using it as a mini mantle. Looks just like one!
Christy says
Thank you, Michele! Doesn’t it? I imagine it at the holidays with garland swagged across the front! XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
Such a clever idea! I expect nothing less from you!
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! XOXO
Karen H says
Well, Christy, leave it to you to come come up with something so brilliant from a harp! I can honestly say, I never would have thought of that! I just couldn’t imagine what you were going to do with it, but it turned out just gorgeous! And I love the gray color your chose! Nice job!
xo
Christy says
Thank you, Karen! I’m so glad you enjoyed seeing what I came up with for it! XOXO
Cathy Volker says
That turned out so lovely
Christy says
Thank you, Cathy!! XOXO
Jen @ Girl says
Christy, your trash to treasure project is just perfect! Clever idea! xo
Christy says
Thank you so much, Jen!! XOXO
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
That turned out so sweet, Christy!! xo
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! XOXO
p says
Great eye ! Such a great repurpose for this harp.
I especially appreciate your detailed instructions !! Soooo helpful.
Thanks for sharing.
p
Christy says
Thanks again, my friend! It’s always fun to find a purpose for what some consider trash! XOXO