Boring To Beautiful: Designer Dupe Mirror Transformation
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As an interior designer, I love when I find the perfect piece for a client. The piece that changes a space and gives its inhabitants a fresh, welcome into a room. Sometimes though, that specific piece that I am particularly looking for is hard to come by. Normally, when addressing my own home, this dilemma sends me looking for a DIY solution. That is exactly the case when it came to addressing our powder bathroom mirror. When we first bought our house, this powder bath was quite a sight with a dingy medicine cabinet mirror, dirty flooring, popcorn ceilings etc. While the room is no bigger than a 3’ x 7’ space, it is a Jack and Jill powder bath between our office and guest room and is used quite frequently. Truly it is so small; it was not even shown in our home listing pictures! Despite our best efforts at researching ways to transform it into a full bath, we unfortunately just didn’t have the space to expand it. Seeing this, we removed the medicine cabinet, laid hardwood flooring, got a new vanity/ countertop, etc. to update the space. This certainly helped the room feel refreshed and alive again, however it still has been missing some charm. While I have not decided whether to cheer it up with paneling, paint or wallpaper, I did know that I would LOVE to change the mirror. The mirror we hung when first moving in was on sale from Michaels and after a bit of quick painting, became a neutral option for over the vanity. It certainly has served its purpose, but after determining the look I wanted to go for, the mirror presented the perfect opportunity for a mirror transformation and designer dupe. Using only materials around the house, this mirror has gone from boring to beautiful. I am thrilled for the way that it turned out! I hope that this transformation might encourage you too to take the plunge and find a DIY solution for that perfect piece in your space.
Design Direction & Inspiration
When starting a project, whether for myself or clients, I find it helpful to first see what I (or the client) am drawn to. To give a little behind the scenes, my design process looks a bit like this… I start with research that typically sends me scouring websites, magazines, Pinterest and Instagram. I pull a variety of looks and design directions that I am drawn too. Following this research gathering phase, I sit back and look at what they might have in common. In this particular instance of mirror options, I found that for this project, I was drawn to mirrors with corner interest (geometric or circular) and a high level of texture or detail.
Mirror Transformation
While I have not found a mirror option similar to these available within my price range, it spurred me on to think about how I might be able to create my own. I loved the idea of the mirror being a color, but since I haven’t decided on the paint or wallpaper color direction, I decided to keep it neutral. With lots of texture and interesting form, the mirror will still pop and later on, will compliment the walls, while letting them do the talking.
Materials
- Mirror
- Styrofoam – I used leftover packing materials that came from unwrapping a desk from Target!
- Hot Glue
- Painters Tape
- Modge Podge (or Flour, Salt & Water for Traditional Paper Mache)
- Newspaper or Packing Newsprint Paper – I used leftover newspapers and newsprint from packaging / when stores wrap fragile items
- Spackle Tool / Putty Knife
- Bowl
- 5 Minute Drywall Mud
- Paint (Spray Paint or Brush On – Color of Choice)
- Modge Podge Spray Sealer
- Caulk
- Razor Scraper
- Paper Towels
Mirror Transformation: Form Construction
Step 1 – When first beginning the mirror transformation, decide on the form that you hope it to take. While working on this form, use the painters tape to tape off the mirror portion. Leave just the frame exposed.
Step 2 – Next, cut your Styrofoam pieces. My mirror was approximately a 24” x 30” framed mirror and I decided to have 6” geometric corners. Ensure that the depth of the Styrofoam is about the same depth as your mirror for a more flush connection. Then, cut 6” x 6” square blocks from the Styrofoam.
Step 3 – Once your blocks are finished, cut a 4.5” x 4.5” square out of one corner. This will leave a 6” x 1.5” L shaped Styrofoam piece which will fit perfectly against the outside corner of your frame.
Step 4 – After all your Styrofoam pieces are complete, use the hot glue to attach them to each corner. Try to fill in any gaps you may have to ensure they are thoroughly attached and that they have a strong hold.
Mirror Transformation: Paper Mache
Step 5 – Yay! You have attached your corners. Next, cut your newspaper into 1” to 3” strips.
Step 6 – If you are using a traditional Paper Mache recipe, mix your water, flour and salt and cook if desired. Once it has cooled enough to be handled, dip your newspaper strips into the mixture. Smooth each piece onto your frame form to create a single surface of Paper Mache. If you would rather use Modge Podge, pour a little into a cup to prevent the bottle from drying out and repeat the same steps with the newspaper.
Step 7 – To create a smooth form, strive to add 3 to 4 layers of Paper Mache. Be sure to allow each layer to dry completely between steps. A traditional Paper Mache layer takes about 12 to 18 hours to dry, while a Modge Podge Paper Mache layer takes about 30 minutes to an hour. I started with the traditional recipe for my first layer, but switched to the Modge Podge option for layers 2 and 3 to speed up the Paper Mache process.
Mirror Transformation: Texture
Step 8 – After your Paper Mache layers are completely dry, mix a little of the drywall powder and water. This paste should be about the texture of peanut butter. Be sure not to make too much in a single batch because it tends to dry quickly. If your drywall compound is premixed, you can disregard the mixing instructions.
Step 9 – Apply the compound to the Paper Mache frame form to add a little texture with the spackle. Be sure to also spackle the edges. Smooth to your desired texture amount.
Frame Transformation: Finish
Step 10 – Once your compound has been applied to your liking and is completely dry, paint with your preferred color (I used our leftover trim paint).
Step 11 – Let paint dry completely before proceeding. Next, spray on the Modge Podge sealer to totally seal the paint, drywall compound and Paper Mache layers.
Step 12 – Finally, once the sealer is dry, cut around the edges with a knife to loosen the tape. Remove the painters tape to reveal the mirror.
Step 13 – Use the razor scraper and paper towels to clean up any paint or Paper Mache that might have leaked under the tape.
Step 14 – Once your edges are clean, use the caulk to seal the mirror and frame joint. Again, use the razor scraper to provide smooth caulk edges and clean up any over smoothed areas.
Step 15 – Let the caulk dry and viola! Your custom mirror is finished!
Before
After
Final Thoughts
While this process has many steps due to the layers and drying times, I am so thrilled for the ways that the finished product turned out! Repurposing packaging products helps not only reduce waste, but also allows me to totally transform this mirror without spending a penny! Yes, this powder room is not finished, but it already has so much more charm and drama with the transformed mirror.
Don’t ever let the thought that unique designer pieces are only for those who can hire a designer and buy their products. Find a vision and go after it with whatever methods you can! If you need a little vision or want help knowing how your existing pieces could be repurposed to accomplish said vision, I would be happy to help, so please don’t hesitate to contact me and check out our E Design packages. I am here for YOU and would love to help make your space the very best for you to live life in and love people well.
If you have attempted a transformation project such as this one, I would love to know how it turned out in the comment section below!
Happy transforming!
