Hello amazing friends and welcome back! Today, I’m sharing how to update a Mirror using decorative sheet metal!
I get asked all the time about this old window that I gave a similar treatment to many years ago:
Becky’s Secretary Desk Makeover
It started out like this:
I found it at an estate sale for $2. It’s hard to see, but the shells are attached to chicken wire that was coming off of that one corner.
I thought I would look for some decorative sheet metal on Amazon and try something similar with this set of mirrors I picked up for $12 at the thrift store:
I did locate some and had planned to share this along with the Magnolia Mirror last week, but the piece I received had a bend in it, so I ordered another piece. I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
This is a good size at 24″ X 36″ and you can find it HERE:
It was pretty reasonably priced also.
For this project, I started by removing the mirrors from both frames. Then I gave them a couple of coats of Cotton by Dixie Belle.
Adding the Decorative sheet metal
To add the decorative sheet metal to the frames, I first needed to cut the metal to fit.
I flipped the frames over and then laid the metal sheet over the frame so I could mark where to cut with a sharpie:
Then I used tin snips to cut the sheet metal.
Be careful as the cut edges will be sharp! You may want to wear protective gloves when handling the cut metal.
Once I had the metal cut to fit, I used my cheap staple gun to secure where I could…
And then I had to use my Logan Point driver to secure the long side where I used the edge of the sheet metal without any holes:
You could also use small nails ir trim this edge, so you can use your staple gun to secure that as well.
Finishing off with a distressed look
Once I had the sheet metal installed, I decided I wanted a distressed look for the frame. However, the original blonde wood is not what I wanted to show through, so I decided to use my cheat method of distressing using a distressing block and the color Coffee Bean by Dixie Belle:
At the last minute, I decided to record a video how-to for y’all this time, brace face, second day bedhead hair and all lol!
If you have any trouble viewing, you can see it on YouTube HERE.
I wish it would have been a little closer up in the video, but hopefully you got the idea.
I haven’t sealed these pieces with anything as the flat finish is fine as is, and I’m probably going to keep them.
The result
I just love how the pretty metal gave these two mirrors a completely different look!
What do you think? Do you miss the mirrors?
Here’s a close up of the faux distressed finish…
This would be a great way to update any pretty frame or old window. It makes a great wreath backdrop!
See how simple this greenery wreath was to make for just $7 HERE!
And that’s it!
Another project done!! Can you believe I’m so close to being done with this huge haul??
I’ve only got the yellow trunk and two frames left woohoo!
Visit any of these makeovers at the links below:
How to Paint Galvanized Metal
$5 Thrift Store Mirror
Painted Dressing Table Bench
DIY Fall Frame Wreath
How to turn a Sewing Table into a Dressing Table
$5 Barn Sale Mirror Makeover
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
Painting the Smalls #12
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
Here’s another post you might like… a fantastic way to repurpose an old window:
See what I did with it HERE!
It’s that time of year again, and I’ll be spending the next few days with my spooky friends!
(This is what awaits you if you ever have to run up into the attic the rest of the year ha ha…four bins of them!)
I’ll be back on Thursday with this china cabinet from my archives:
Enjoy your week!!
Update: See the transformation of this pretty cabinet HERE now! You won’t believe what I paid for it!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
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Jackie C says
Love these! Nope, don’t miss the mirrors! You’re so stinkin cute! Love your blunt cut hair! Very stylish and pretty.
xoxoxo
Christy says
Aww thank you SO much, Jackie!!! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
Oh my they are beautiful now! I LOVE how these turned out. You are so creative, I can’t imagine how your mind thinks these ideas up! I am sure that when you take these to your booth they will sell in minutes! The shape is beautiful and when you hang them together and put the wreath on them it is stunning! Have fun playing with all your skinny friends, LOL!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary!! You are the sweetest always! And ha ha my bony friends and I played all day! XOXO
Cara says
Love this! We used this exact sheet metal in our cottage kitchen. Thanks for sharing.
Christy says
Thank you, Cara! I bet this looks amazing in your cabinets! XOXO
Janice Holt says
You took 2 mirrors with odd shapes and made them beautiful. I would certainly hang these in my house. Don’t blame you for keeping them. I wondered the other day if you were going to decorate for Halloween. My granddaughter (11) was telling somebody the other day about your Halloween decorations. Wish I lived close enough to ride by your house to see them. Look forward to them every year.
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! And yay I love that so much!! I just love Halloween and wish you were close enough to see it in person. I was outside working on it all day yesterday and worked on the inside today. It still needs some tweaking but it’s almost done! XOXO
Janice Holt says
You took 2 odd shaped mirrors and made them beautiful. Not surprised. Was wondering if you were going to decorate this Halloween. My granddaughter (11) was telling somebody the other day about your decorations. Look forward to them every year.
Christina says
Gorgeous Christy!! I don’t miss the mirrors at all! 😉 And I love the review of the other windows you have used to create decor and such. Beautiful!!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Christina! I don’t miss those mirrors either lol! XOXO
Virginia says
You are so inspiring! Love the metal mesh over the mirror or window look.❤
Christy says
Thank you so much, Virginia! XOXO
Cecilia says
I like the way those look! Great repurpose for the mirrors.
Can’t wait to see your Halloween decor all set up. So much fun!
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! I worked on it for two days and I’m almost done! I love Halloween season! XOXO
Elizabeth Stevens says
Love all your old window redos! Will be doing the shadow box idea with old window from my father’s barn. Special memento.
Christy says
Thank you, Elizabeth! Have fun with your shadowbox… It is such a great way to showcase treasured items, and even better when the window is a treasure item also! XOXO
Patricia says
Hi there Christy,
I love your site, and saw the latest diy you did with the curved mirrors, so cute. That reminded me of a pair of swinging shutters I have been hanging on to for years and just not sure what to do with them. It’s the kind homes had to go into the kitchen at one time sort saloon style. Any ideas posted would be helpful. Thanks and keep up the great work.
Christy says
Thank you, Patricia! You could paint those shutters and hang them side-by-side on an empty wall, finish them off with a wreath in the center. That would be gorgeous! XOXO
🤍Peggy says
Again, soooooooo very creative! Love it!
Christy says
Thank you, Peggy! XOXO
Lane Harkey says
Oh wow! What a great idea! I love this almost as much as real distressing. Wish I could go back to previously distressed pieces I’ve done where the light color came through. I’d sure use your method on them. Thanks so much.
Christy says
Thank you, Lane! This really does work so well! You’ll have to give it a go! XOXO
Toni D. says
Fantastic conversion of those mirrors. They were so dated and now look really cool! Well done!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Toni! XOXO
Denise - Salvaged Inspirations says
Hey my friend, your mirrors looks amazing! And so does your hair!!! Love the vid. 🙂 XOXO
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Denise! My hair was a flat mess in the video, but it is cute when I fix it. I chopped it all off last year and no regrets! XOXO
Cynthia says
Your talent and visions continue to amaze me.
Another great remake
Cynthia
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Cynthia!! XOXO
Cathy M. says
Good morning Christy!
Love what you did with the old mirrors and thank you sooooo much for the fake distressing video! ; )
Now I see what I was doing wrong. Clearly I was using too much paint!
You’re beautiful with or without braces!! Got myself some as well, but not nearly close to being done!
Have fun decorating for Halloween!!
~Cathy XO
Christy says
Thank you, Cathy! I’m so glad the video was helpful! It’s such an easy way to get that distressed look. And you are so sweet… I appreciate that! Braces aren’t super fun as you know, but luckily they are only temporary! XOXO
Cecilia from Georgia says
Love this look on the window frames! Looking forward to seeing your Halloween decorations this year!
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! I’m excited to share my display this year…I’m almost done!! XOXO
Sharon L Austin says
Great idea! I was just looking at decorative arches in the store and this would be so much cheaper–and better! On the hunt now for something similar.
Christy says
Thank you, Sharon! Good luck in your search, my friend! XOXO
edith says
that is gorgeous!
Christy says
Thank you, Edith! XOXO
Nanette says
Christy! Where did you get the super cute top you are wearing in the video??
Love, love this project and can’t blame you for keeping them!
So looking forward to your Spooktacular this year, as always… 🙂
Christy says
Thank you, Nanette! I found the top on Amazon! You can see it here: https://amzn.to/3iFyXt7 I’ve been working on our Halloween display, and it’s almost done! XOXO
Leslie says
Hi Christy, I was at Home Depot on Sunday and saw the very same sheet metal. I wondered how I could use it and now I know. Thanks again for another fabulous project! All the best ….. /leslie
Christy says
Oh awesome!! Glad I could offer an idea! XOXO
Sue Mellette says
Love what you did with the mirrors! The sheet metal adds a unique touch to the two mirrors. Placed side by side these are awesome. The color and the distressing add to its personality. This pair would be so versatile in any decor! Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your week.
Christy says
Thanks so much, Sue! They are very versatile for sure! Enjoy your week! XOXO
Ellen Shook says
Lovely! It also struck me that these panels would make stupendous doors on a cabinet if you happened to have one!
Christy says
Thank you, Ellen! They sure would! XOXO
Connie says
I love love love the two mirrors that now look like shutters with the addition of the metal mesh. Just amazing. Another triumph! Thank you for sharing!
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Connie!! XOXO
Carroll Xavier says
Fabulous change! I can see using them in so many ways to decorate for everyday and holidays 🙂 What did you use to hang them?
Christy says
Thank you, Carroll! Yes…you could easily dress them up for each holiday! I added d-ring hanging hardware on either side of each frame to hang them. XOXO
Stacey says
Love the updated mirrors but wanted to comment more on that last photo which made me laugh out loud! It’s like the Halloween installment of Cool Runnings! Thanks for a happy start to a rainy day. Best
Christy says
Ha ha yes! Thank you, Stacey! XOXO
Deanna Shanti says
You look great and I didn’t notice any issues with your speaking with your braces. Love your haircut as well. This was a super fun update! I loved it so much I’m making plans to make a trip to the Thrift Store to see if I can find some amazing mirrors to update like this. I have just the place in my house to put them up.
Thank you so much for sharing this. As always, love your videos/posts.
Christy says
Aww I appreciate that, Deanna! Thank you! I hope you find something good today!! XOXO
Becky says
That’s lovely! Pure genius!!!
Christy says
Thank you, Becky!! XOXO
Shirley says
Beautiful, just gorgeous! I’m very much in love with this idea!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Shirley! XOXO