Welcome back, beautiful friends! Today, I’m sharing how to update a mirror with paint and transfers!
This one started out like this:
It was an absolute steal since it was $4.99 and all green tags were 40% off!! That’s like three bucks! It is so much harder to get a deal at the thrift stores these days.
This mirror wasn’t anything fancy, but I had fun with it! Once I removed the mirror, I gathered these leftover pieces of this Spring Serenade transfer and some hooks…
Clean
Next, the mirror frame got a good cleaning with White Lightning, mixing one TBSP into a half gallon of warm water:
I rinsed it with clean water and it was on to paint!
Paint
I painted the frame and hooks with Cotton white from Dixie Belle:
It took three coats for solid coverage on the frame.
Sand
To smooth out the finish, I sanded lightly all over with 220 grit sandpaper:
Transfer Time
And finally, the fun part! I started placing pieces of the Spring Serenade transfer, adding them until I was satisfied with their placement…
Seal
To seal, I applied Clear Coat in the satin finish with the blue sponge applicator:
Mirror Makeover Reveal
Here is how this $3 steal of a mirror looks now:
So fresh and new now!
I had this piece of transfer left from the Sunlit Serenade transfer I used on this armoire recently:
It was perfect for the top of this frame:
I used another smaller leftover piece on the bottom:
The typography works so well with this gorgeous Spring Serenade transfer,
I do wish we had more typography transfers, but we do have this Vintage Script Mastery one.
Here’s a closer look at the hooks I added:
I love adding hooks to wooden mirrors to add more function. These ones came from Hobby Lobby.
I have it leaning in that photo, but it does have hanging hardware on the back so it can hang.
Simple and sweet!
You can see two more mirrors I updated with paint and transfers HERE and HERE!
That’s another one done!!
See what’s been completed so far below:
Painted Drop Leaf Side Table
Painting the Smalls Yard Sale Edition
Vintage Cane Chair Makeover
Dated Coastal Lamps
Home Interiors Shelf Makeover
How to Change the Bottom of a Dresser
$3 Yard Sale Wall Shelf Makeover
Plant Stand Makeover
Freebie French Chair
Oak Pedestal Table
This was a fun little makeover, and I need projects like this while also working on projects like this:
That is my piece for Thursday! Come see what I did with it and what my Furniture Fixer Upper Friends will have to share as well!
UPDATE: This piece is done, and you won’t believe the transformation! See it HERE now!
XOXO,
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Mary Kaiser says
Oh it is so fresh and beautiful now! I love the transfer on it, and the hooks! This would go perfect in my Blue Room (It is a bedroom I call the blue room)! I can’t beleive that it was only $3.00!!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! This would be perfect in a bedroom and yes, it’s getting harder and harder to find great deal like that these days! XOXO
Jackie C says
Daaaang what a bargain! Turned out beautiful! I love it
Christy says
Thanks so much, Jackie! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
It looks lovely now, Christy. I didn’t think those transfer leftovers would make such a big impact but you definitely made the most of them! A nice, straightforward project is just what you need before taking on a big piece of furniture.
Christy says
Thank you, Marcie! That blue really pops! And yes, I welcome an easy one when I have a bigger one coming lol! XOXO
Rhonda Dunaway says
Thanks for sharing, Christy! You’ve helped me see old mirrors with a new set of eyes. Now when I’m out thrifting or shopping at garage sales, I’ll be sure to give the mirrors a second look.
Christy says
I’m so glad you enjoyed this one one, Rhonda, thank you! I love to add hooks to wooden frames when I find them. Happy shopping! XOXO
Celia says
I love blue/white combo, very pretty. The wood looks like it could be a bleeder though did you use boss?
Christy says
Thank you, Celia! This one was actually not a bleeder, thank goodness, since the original finish was still intact. I was able to go right to painting! XOXO
Cyndi says
Beauuuutiful! (and at that price?! Wow.) But how did you know it didn’t need BOSS first? How can you tell what bleeds and what probably won’t? Thanks!
Christy says
Thank you, Cyndi! I usually start with Bonding BOSS when it’s an older piece…like from before the 70’s and it has red tones like mahogany and cherry. If I have to sand for any reason like sanding mud, etc or if the original finish is flaking/not intact, then I will start with Bonding BOSS. The finish on this one was in great shape so I went right to painting! XOXO
Cyndi says
Thanks for the clarification. I sure thought something this dark would need BOSS, and I guess it wouldn’t hurt to use it if there’s any doubt. I am taking notes on your guidelines and suggestions! 🙂
Christy says
Oh absolutely…when in doubt, use it to be safe. I would be much more likely to do that on a large piece to save me the trouble, but with this smaller piece, it would be easy enough to add a coat after painting if I saw anything come through. Glad you are taking notes! 😀
Ansje says
I am curious, how do you remove a mirror from its frame?
Christy says
Hi Ansje! That is difficult to answer with a short explantation as there are so many ways to secure them in frames. This one had a piece of thin plywood over the mirror that was stapled all the way around, so I used a putty knife to gently lift it off and pulled up the staples. I like to remove the mirror so the edge reflected in the mirror all the way around is not brown. (I paint that area.) Often, they are held in place with small nails, and sometimes even glue if they’re cheap. Those ones I don’t try to remove the mirror. Just be gentle and most are pretty easy to remove. XOXO
Addie says
Yep….thrift stores now think they are Macy’s!!!! I blame it on all the YouTubers that post their finds and sell them on eBay. They should have just kept it to themselves!!! It wreaked all the fun……sometimes you can score but just not as often. Yep…..I was one of those eBayers!!!! lolo
Pretty mirror….now!
Christy says
That is so true…it’s been ever since Covid that prices have really gone up. Luckily, I’m usually after the ugly ducklings that nobody wants lol, so I do get lucky with sales sometimes. And you have to pay the bills somehow ha ha! Thanks, Addie! XOXO
Charleen says
BEAUTIFUL!!! Love the transfers. My favorite color. If I lived closer ,that mirror would be coming home with me. Gorgeous. Looking forward to Thursday.????☺️
Christy says
Thank you so much, Charleen! I wish you were closer lol. See ya Thursday! XOXO
Michele M. says
WOW!!!!
What a transformation! Well done, Christy!
Christy says
Thank you, my friend! XOXO
Cecilia says
Huh, I missed this post. I love how the transfer dresses up the mirror. Turned out nicely!
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! This was my easy one to go with the more involved desk I shared this week lol! XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
I USUALLY AVOID MIRRORS IN MY HOME BUT THIS ONE I WOULD DEFINITLY USE! WELL DONE!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Rose! XOXO
Robin says
You’ve done similar, Christy. They must sell in a flash.
Christy says
I do like when mirrors have enough space to add transfers and the added hooks do help them to sell quickly! XOXO