I like big mirrors and I cannot lie.

OK, so the title might be a bit misleading since this is actually a project where I will be making a big mirror into two smaller mirrors...because you know, bigger isn't always better.  This project has been in my head for a very very long time.  With some of the works I do, I can usually guess how the outcome is going to be.  This one...I really wasn't sure. So it stayed on my to do list until this weekend.  My parents left on Sunday and I found myself very sad.  As usual I dealt with emotions the only way I know how...I create.  The moment their car left my driveway, I immersed myself in this project.  Like most homes, I have this plain builder's grade vanity mirror.  I really really dislike it but taking it out and replacing it with two different mirrors seem like too much work...mostly the taking it out part.  I could have frame it with moldings like most people do but that's no fun for me.  So here is the before.

Plain.  Misplaced.  The fact that the mirror isn't perfectly lined up with the sinks drove me crazy but OK, I can work around it.   I sketched out the shape of the frames on the mirror.  I knew those little washable crayons would come in handy.  Then I painted the outer edges with white paint.  By this point, I know there is no turning back.

Before you start thinking that I actually work for Efex company, let me assure you that I don't.  It has become a favorite medium of mine to work with.  Just like I use clay to sculpt, these appliques allowed me to be creative.  I ordered a bunch of Efex appliques from Maison Decor.  I was hoping I could get three projects out of them but I am not really known for less is more.  First I painted the appliques.  I wish I have pictures of every process but I usually work after 11 o'clock at night and by then my brain is half fried and I am not thinking straight.  The next part is putting the appliques on the mirror.  This is always the hardest part for me.  I can spend days and weeks just trying to figure out how I want things to look like.  It is kind of pointless since I always end up changing it last minute anyway.  I use contact cement to glue the appliques onto the mirror.

Right about now was when I realized why I kept skipping this project.  Even my crazy brain knew this was one of those projects that sound really good in my head but it wasn't going to translate well in real life.  I stared at it.  I stared at it some more.  I hated it.  I wanted to cry.  I lost some sleep trying to figure out how to fix it.  As usual my solutions came around 3 in the morning.  Trumeau Mirror!  It was the perfect fix to hide the mirror edges.  Now if I were a good blogger, I would have taken the time to take pictures of the process and all that.  I am the worst.  I get an idea and I run with it like a mad woman.  So I added moldings on the top and the sides then painted it Chalk Paint® in Paris Grey.  Then gilding wax and dark wax to antique the frame....and....DONE!

What do you think?  So much better than before.  I am really happy with it.

I think it is a good balance to my shabby distressed cabinets.

I do have crazy amount of mirrors.  You can never have enough pretty mirrors.

The important thing with appliques is to think beyond what it looks like.  I cut up almost every piece of appliques to create different style combinations.  There are so many possibilities.  My antique French cabinet now resides in the bathroom.

Along with all the other little pretty things...

 Can we please take one last look at my builder's grade mirror turned gorgeous French trumeau mirror?  Love.

Now I can finally get some sleep.  I will be over at Pamela's From my front porch to yours for How I found my Style Sundays.  I hope you can stop by.  Here is a little sneak peek.

See you soon!


Love,
Victoria


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