My DIY Vintage Style Leaning Mirror

Oh my goodness, I cannot believe that I haven’t posted on this project yet. It was the one project that I had seen on another site from probably 2019 and pinned to my Pinterest so many times as an INSPO piece. I knew that I would tackle making a similar-looking project in the future. Finally last year in 2021… I did it! I was so happy with the final look, I posted tons of pictures on Facebook, Pinterest, and my Instagram. Apparently, I forgot to write the blog on it to the site where I am actually hoping to be a resource for others and to provide the most DIY inspiration.

I don’t know how exactly to give credit to their post, image, and project. But here you see it above. It is from the blog of @DebandDanelle. They have an amazing home and provide so much inspiration on how to create a beautiful home. Their mirror was made with an old church window. They probably got the window for a good value but I wasn’t sure how pricey all of the other expenses would be to get it to their final look. Plus finding a similar window frame would be a challenge and I thought the price to have a custom mirror cut to fit would make the project out of my small budget goals. Also, I am limited to 8′ ceilings where @DebandDanelle looks like they may be fortunate enough for taller ceiling height.

So it all started with this inspiration piece. It is just gorgeous and every bit the fantastic piece that people look for when wanting a statement piece in their home. I knew I would try to create one like it and then when I was looking in the mirror behind my bedroom door, I thought why not make it from this mirror.

This was a mirror I bought at Home Goods. It has a nice beveled edge, but out of necessity, I hide it behind my bedroom door just to check an outfit before I head out the door. I figured once I amped up the beauty of it, it would be good enough to put in my formal dining/living room. We have a 1970’s brick ranch-style home.

I start almost every project that pops into my head by drawing it out on grid paper first. Then I begin a list of materials I will need. I like to draw it up because it helps me see if the proportions that I have to create will be aesthetically appealing to me before I invest any money. This also allows me to tweak the project and not waste any money. I based my materials on dimensions that I thought an old church window would have. For example, I used 2×3″ boards that I thought a window frame might be constructed with. I thought a 2×4″ might be too heavy of a look since my mirror was not going to be as large as theirs.

I also started to collect architectural interest items at flea markets. I found several options at Canton Trade Days. I didn’t use them all on this project, but when you stumble across an item at a flea market, it is better to just pick it up and not regret it later.

Besides the architectural interest items that I located at flea markets and antique booths, I also purchased the following items for this project:

two 2×3″ multi-purpose studs for about $10.00

one 2×4″ multi-purpose stud for about $7.00

two 1×4″ x 8′ white common boards for about $14.00

one 1×8″ for about $10.00

one 1×6″ for about $7.00

Then just some stain, glue, wax, and other items I had around the house in my MTD supplies.

I sanded and stained all my boards before I started this project. Then I let them thoroughly sunbathe and dry by the pool. I think they enjoyed their spa day!

Once they were dry enough to touch, I started placing them and cutting them to length. I didn’t worry about the sawn edges not having stain because I was going for a rustic and weathered look similar to the inspiration piece.

As you can see from my original grid draw up of my project as well as how I have it laid out here. I used all the 2×3″ boards to be a frame. I utilized the 1×4 boards on each side to cover the existing plastic wood look mirror frame. Then because I wanted the mirror to have more height, I used a 1×8″ board for the bottom and the top. For the top, I had bought a 1×6″ board, but once I laid it out, I knew I needed more height.

I like the stain shade of provincial. I used it a lot for my rustic fire hose crosses. It is just a good medium tone stain color that would match inside most people’s homes whether they opt for dark woods or light woods. I think it meets most home decor right in the middle.

I used my kreg jig to attach all the elements of the frame together. I also created and tweaked the design as I went along. Below, you can see that I added a 1×3″ board to the bottom before the final top and bottom frame were added.

I loved these architectural pieces, but they were a bit too wide for my mirror. Plus I only had 2 which wouldn’t be enough. Cutting them in half proved to be the perfect remedy.

I just had to slip the mirror into the new frame and add some securing metal brackets.

Before I went any further, I put the mirror in the place where I thought it would be displayed. This allows me to decide if I need to deconstruct it a tad and tweak my design. I loved the look so I didn’t have to do a thing but keep moving forward.

My husband always wants to know where his lawn bags go. He thinks that he goes through his supply too quickly. If only he knew where they went and what I use them all for… I think they make the perfect drop cloths for when I want or need to paint inside. My formal living/dining room also end up becoming a project room. It is usually dependent on the weather, but since we live in Texas… May is a pretty good month to paint outside. However, since I am just beginning menopause and don’t sleep well if I bring the project in… I can also paint in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep.

My husband also doesn’t understand the whole messy paint look. He says if I wanted to paint something that badly, why don’t I just get our 3-year-old grandson to help. I typically add my paint in layers so that it looks like the item I am creating has a vintage look and appears to have been well-loved for years versus newly created.

School glue and old candle wax were also utilized to get the chippy and rustic finish.

It was so worth the time and effort to get this finished look. I am hoping that my piece will inspire someone else to try to DIY something similar to the INSPO piece I found on @DebandDanelle’s site.

I still use the mirror to check my outfits, but now it functions as a statement piece too. No longer is it hidden behind my bedroom door. Plus it was so much fun to decorate for the Christmas holiday.

I would say it was ‘Santa Approved’. Hopefully, Deb and Danelle approved too. Imitation is supposed to be the sincerest form of flattery. I think so at least. I hope you’ll stay tuned for other DIY’s I create on a budget!