DIY · été
The moulded vintage-style mirror, using decorative trim
Reference tutorialEstelle Blog ModeSee the tutorial →A gold moulded mirror is pricey at both flea markets and shops. The good news: starting from a plain mirror and a few decorative trims, you can recreate that vintage charm for next to nothing. On each diagram below, the highlighted zone shows the current step.
What you need
- A plain mirror (upcycled or budget)
- Decorative trim / mouldings (wood or polyurethane)
- Mounting glue (no-nails type)
- Paint (gold, white or black) + primer
- Mitre saw or mitre box
- Tape measure, pencil, cloth, masking tape
Step by step
Measure and cut the mouldings
Measure the mirror's sides and cut the trim at 45° at the ends (mitre box) for clean corners. Do a dry fit all around the mirror before gluing: the cuts must meet neatly.
Glue the frame onto the mirror
Apply mounting glue to the back of the trim and position it around the mirror's edge, corners well aligned. Hold for a few minutes, wipe off excess, and leave to dry flat for the time stated on the glue.
Mask and paint the frame
Protect the mirror with masking tape and paper. Apply primer then paint (gold reads 'vintage chic', black reads contemporary). Two thin coats beat one thick coat that would hide the mouldings' relief.
Age it and hang
For a vintage effect, lightly rub a cloth of dark paint into the moulding grooves then wipe: the patina reveals the relief. Remove the masking, fit a hanger on the back and hang it in the entryway or above a console.
The detail that changes everything
It's the 45° mitre cuts that make everything: crisp corners give a pro frame, sloppy ones give away the DIY. Take your time on the cutting, then glue with your eyes closed.
Where does it look best?
In an entryway above a console, in a bedroom, or large-format leaning against a wall. Aged gold warms things up with a 'flea-market find' touch; in matte black, the same mirror turns resolutely contemporary. In several small formats, it makes a lovely mirror wall.
Step-by-step inspired by a decor tutorial spotted on a blog. Mind the mitre saw and handling the mirror.
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