DIY: Mirror Mirror on the Wall
For the past few years I've wanted a large leaner wall mirror, but they were, and still are, quite expensive. As a budget shopper, I just couldn't reconcile spending so much money on ...a mirror! The $15 versions that hang on the back of closet or bathroom doors allowed me to examine my head-to-toe reflection perfectly fine. It got the job done, so why spend hundreds more?
My opinion has evolved, of course, with the rationalization that those large leaner mirrors serve various functions. In addition to being a massive decor item, they also provide the illusion of making a smaller space appear larger. There's a practicality to them beyond the "pretty" aesthetics.
As a fashion blogger, having a larger mirror also makes capturing those outfit-of-the-day shots a whole lot easier. I've tried taking shots using the everyday variety and found myself having to decide whether to cut off my feet or my head in order to make the shot fit on Instagram. A larger mirror would allow me to get full-body shots that translate well into Instagram's format without having to sacrifice my shoes or head.
So, when I finally moved into my own place, I decided to splurge and get myself a leaner mirror that not only made things "pretty", but was also a piece of furniture...a showpiece that also provided amazing full-body shots of my outfits. If it cost a couple hundred dollars, I resolved to spend it. The problem was finding the mirror I wanted; gold framed, but not ornate; simple, but classic; shimmery, but not gaudy. I didn't want the yellow-gold sort, but something more understated. It was hard to find, not to mention super expensive when I got close to my ideal. My splurge budget maxed out at $200 and I refused to go over that amount, shipping included! There's splurging and then there's being just plum crazy.
Lo and behold, I stumbled onto the perfect size in Wal-mart during the Christmas holidays. They had large leaner mirrors (Home & Garden brand) on sale for $45!! The downside was they only came with a black or espresso frame and they were HEAVY! I decided I could paint the frame, but coordinating assistance to get it up to my apartment if I purchased it wasn't easy. Wal-mart made it harder, by insisting the mirrors had to be purchased in-store; couldn't order one online and have it shipped. So, I went back to my splurge budget with the idea that if I couldn't find what I was looking for, I would create it. All I needed was a plain old mirror to start with.
I still had a jar of Martha Stewart Living's gold metallic paint in my possession from a few years back. It was the perfect muted tone of gold I was going for and it was satin in its finish. You can't find this paint in Home Depot anymore. Apparently, this line has been discontinued, which is unfortunate since it's THE best metallic paint I've ever used. I will be holding on to this jar until I've scraped the last smudge of paint from inside its plastic walls!
The mirror that fit the style and size I aiming for was found on Ebay from the vendor hayneedle for just $109.88 (free shipping included), BUT it only came in espresso, rose gold and copper. Not sure why I thought copper would be easier to paint over, but that's what I chose. A week later, the coveted mirror was here.
It was definitely larger than the Wal-mart one and significantly heavier (2 very frustrated delivery men carried it to my door). It was well packed and gorgeous! I almost hated to paint over it, but the copper finish just wouldn't work with my color scheme. I dug out my Martha Stewart paint early one weekend morning and got to work. After two coats of gray primer, I thought about leaving it gray and going for a rustic vibe with gold highlights...
...but I didn't like it. So, the quest to go full-on gold continued. Two golden coats later, my vision came to life. When I woke up the next morning and saw the finished effect, with fresh eyes, and after the paint had dried, there was definitely a sense of pride in having undertaken this project. It was exactly what I wanted. That I created it and didn't spend an obscene amount of money on it was icing on the cake. Sure, I would've been more chuffed if I'd gotten it from Wal-mart for $45 (a steal!), but this was just as satisfying.
The moral of every DIY story is if you can't find or afford what you're looking for, find a way to compromise and create it yourself. The sweat equity you put into it also makes you more appreciative of what you have. Three weeks later, and I still smile to myself every time I look at that beautiful gold frame.
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