French Caribbean Mirror Makeover
Here’s a sneak peek of my mirror makeover… it kinda got a drybrushed French Caribbean thing going on. It has the French in the scroll work with the colours of the Caribbean Sea. (At least I hope that’s what it looks like). See how I came up with this theme in my Guest Room Makeover confession post here.
This piece started out as a typical gold framed mirror with great detail and scroll work. You can’t really tell in the picture, but it has old mirror glass that has some imperfections and I just love it that way.
We bought the mirror at an auction years ago for $50. It weighs a ton! I’ve always loved the details of the frame, but the whole gold thing has never really worked for me.
I thought it would be easiest to paint it while it was hanging.
Please keep in mind that I have no idea what I’m doing… and I don’t really have to.
Dry brushing is one of the simplest makeover techniques that anyone… and I mean anyone… can do. You just dip your brush in the paint, dab it off on a paper towel or newspaper, and then go to work. Simple as that!!!
I decided that I wanted to do layers of paint to give the mirror a distressed, but colourful look (because I’m all about colour), so I brushed on a layer of very dark blue paint for the base.
You don’t have to be careful here, just paint it on as thick as you like.
Then I dry brushed on a layer of green, and then a layer of a bright Caribbean blue. All of these paints are ones that I had on hand.
Then the final dry brushed layer of white. What could be easier? You just dry brush until you’re happy with it. There’s no right or wrong here. I should mention that I did let each paint colour dry before adding the next colour.
Here’s the before again…
and the after.
Up close you can really see all the colour variations.
I’ll show it hanging when I do my guest room after post, but I have a lot more to do first. Plus, what it was reflecting in the room was sooo not blog worthy… yet.
My mirror now has that French Caribbean look that I’m happy to say I am totally making up as I go along. I love decorating like this… because everything is even a surprise to me. This is when it’s the most fun… when I’m winging it… but going in a direction that I totally love.
My next guest room makeover project will be coming soon.
Thanks so much for reading!
Oh, Tuula! This is so pretty! Love how the colors blend together! And it really does give off a caribbean feeling!
Really pretty Tuula! I am seriously looking forward to this whole room makeover!
I love the finished frame!
You achieved a great depth of color on the frame. Love that color of blue – it seems French and yet a little Caribbean. I am excited to see how all this turns out!
Fantastic job! That mirror is astounding, what great find!!I am now following you…read about you on Danni's blog and just had to come over 🙂
Beautiful job on the mirror. I see where your going with all this and can feel the island breezes.
Beautiful makeover and great tutorial. I love the colors you used!! Coming over from Beyond The Picket Fence link party!
Susan
Oh so much nicer! Love layers of paint in different colours, it makes it look so much more interesting. Great job!!
Don't know how I missed this one Tuula – just beautiful – I'm loving Aqua so much lately – and this is perfect with the white mixed in with it!
Hugs,
Suzan
I saw you featured over at Danni's and came to take a look. This is fabulous! I love that you can really see the color variations like that, it's very unique and pretty.
I love the color combination!! It really added so much to the mirror.
So beautiful!
It's so pretty. wonderful job.
Oh..Such a beautiful job. What a wonderful outcome! Thank you for your EASY steps to this ELEGANT and lovely project. Can't wait to see the rest of the projects for your guest room!
That is beautiful Tuula, Fantastic colour combo.
I love this! Great layers of color to bring out the texture of the scrollwork frame… great job!
What a wonderful transformation! I love all the layers of color.
Stopping by from Mop It Up Monday. Thanks for sharing! http://queenofsavings.com
Looks very cool!!! That kind of blue is my favorite color!!! Visiting from niftythriftythings
The mirror turned out really well! Nice job.
Missy Inspired
http://missyinspired.blogspot.com
This looks so lovely! Good idea to paint it! Thank you for linking this up with Rustic Restorations Weekend!
I am in love!! Your mirror turned out gorgeous. It's such a beautiful color. Thanks so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent. 🙂
Hugs
Kathy
Love how this turned out and thanks for the how-to's. I featured your piece tonight on BeColorful. I always like what you create. 😀
Happy Easter,
p
What a beautiful finish!
Do you add a top coat to make it more durable?