We interrupt our regularly scheduled home posts to bring you an easy detailed tutorial on how to create antique mirrors. Oh, how cute…our first little tute. Aren’t you excited? ????
You’ve seen these “antique mirrors” a few times before in my previous posts, but let’s refresh your memory. Remember this door on our stairway landing?
We installed a real mirror on the opposite side which is in the bathroom and we created an “antique mirror” on the stairway landing side.
And if you follow me on Instagram, you’ve seen this picture.
I often get asked how I got this particular look, therefore I thought I would share. And besides, I have an old door that will be our weekend project, so what better timing.
I heard that Chip on Fixer Upper talked about making an antique mirror a few weeks back, so basically it’s another reason to discuss it. And, if you don’t know who Chip is… we can’t be friends.
Ok now, let’s start the tute.
I made it easy for you so that everything can be bought from Amazon by clicking on the supply list below. How easy is that?
These are the supplies that you will need for this project.
*Krylon-Looking Glass Spray Paint
*Black Spray Paint (This is my absolute favorite brand.)
PROJECT PIECE:
Take a look at this fabulous antique door that will be installed this weekend in the guest bedroom.
Obviously, with it being a guest room, our guests will need privacy. It’s not hard at all to accomplish privacy in a glass door with this antique mirror technique.
So, this technique is actually done on the BACK of your project piece.
BACK side of door
First off, start by cleaning the glass with the glass cleaner. I mean really clean. While you’re at it, you may as well clean the front side, too.
Secondly, scrape off all of the old paint and dried fly poop from your project piece. Yes, there will be dried fly poop. Trust me! After you wipe the glass clean, clean it one more time. I can’t stress this part enough.
In my case, I taped off all of the wood around the glass to avoid overspray, because I am not going to paint the back of the door. I want it to remain wood color. If it doesn’t matter what the back of your project piece looks like, you can skip this part and spray away.
I taped the entire area around the glass and used an old towel to cover the rest.
Shake the can of Krylon Looking-Glass spray paint for 6 hours. Seriously… shake it for a long time. I even shake it in between coats.
Start by spraying several light coats and letting them dry between.
*Only do this next step if you want a mercury glass look with lots of imperfections. If you want a “perfect” looking antique mirror without the mercury glass look, skip this part.
After the fourth or fifth coat is dry, dribble a few drops of your glass cleaner on the project. I don’t know what other word to use than “dribble.” See the pictures to better explain what I mean by “dribble.”
DO NOT WIPE the dribbles…. DAB them. Basically, soak them up with the paper towels. What this does is remove some of the spray paint for that “mercury glass look” we are going for.
And, by the way…. my hand looks like my grandma’s. ????
The picture above is a perfectly dabbed dribble.
You can make your dribbles as big or as small as you like. I prefer all different sizes and there is usually no rhyme or reason to my madness.
And, when all of your dribbles are dabbed, apply a million more light coats of the looking-glass spray paint or basically until the can is empty. I used a whole can on a door this size.
When dry, completely cover the window with black spray paint, spraying several thin coats. I had this Rustoleum Ultra Cover already on hand, therefore, this is what I used.
When the black paint is dry, it’s time to remove your tape.
You now have an opaque black window on the back side for privacy….
And a gorgeous “antique mirror” on the front. This beauty will be hung in the guest room this weekend and don’t worry, you will hear about it. Can you tell I’m pretty excited?
Let me know if you try this antique mirror technique. I would love to see pictures.
Thanks so much for stopping by. As a result, I am pledging my love to you all for being faithful readers. Also, I would love to hear from you by commenting on this post or on Facebook and Instagram.
And, Buh Bye now, said in a really loud old lady’s voice, because how else could you say Buh Bye now.
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View Comments
Been wanting to try this technique!! Just got my really cool barn track from amazon that will be used on my new/old bathroom door. Can't wait to get the door and track up and gain that extra space in my bathroom. Now for the perfect door!!! Thanks for the tips!!
Yay.... send me pics when you get it done. I'm excited for you!
I've done this technique a zillion million million times, uh, translated from kindergarten speak to adult speak.....a lot. And no two ever turn out the same way! I use vinegar for the dabbing part and it also works well, but next up I'll try windex! So thanks for that tip. Love that door and the privacy/vintage mirror combo. You rocked it!
Ha.... thanks so much. Let me know which one works better. The glass cleaner has been consistent every time I've done it.
I’ve used the looking glass paint before....love it. Will definitely try the windex next time! I’ve never done the black on the back though! But then again I’ve never needed any of them for privacy. Great tutorial!!
Thanks so much!
Danelle, if I'm ever in any kind of mood but happy I click on your IG and I'm instantly happy. I love listening and watching you & Deb. You guys shoyld have a tv show. A reality/design inspiration show. You two are a hoot and I love how Deb is always grumpy. I love her. Anyways, I love your style and I wanted your opinion on a mirror that I have can I send you a picture I want to know what you would do to it. like I said I love everything you do. Thank you!
Awwww..thank you. And sure. My email is in my IG profile.
OMG! This is exactly the way I do it. I've done windows and glass vases I get at the Dollar store. With the vases, I put a smaller vase inside to hold the flowers and water if I'm using fresh flowers....(dont want to poison the pretty Peonies-my fav flower-)
Tried to add some pics of my handiwork, but didn’t know how????
Yes.... I've seen that done but have never tried it. Maybe that can be a future project! ????
I’ve been reading your blog for over two hours now. I need to go to bed. Could be the tiredness, but what would happen if you painted silver instead of black? Would it still give privacy?
I love the bathroom. We are rebuilding our house it was a 160 years old and sadly burned down. I am getting some new interesting ideas.
Thank you,
Sharon
Do you think this antique mirroring would work on a door that has a faux glass insert. Plastic instead of glass??
Oh I have absolutely no clue. I've never tried it.
Just found your blog and absolutely love it, getting nothing done for reading reading reading. Thanks for all of the inspiration. BTW have been wanting to do this mirror paint on a door, if I dont put the black paint on the backside will you be able to see through the glass and is it mirrored on both sides?
Thanks and have a wonderful day!
Candy
That is so cool. Looks fairly easy too. Thank you for sharing!!