How to Make a Shabby Chic Frame for a Mirror

Turn an old mirror frame into a shabby chic frame.

Create shabby chic mirror frames to house mirrors of all sizes, such as larger ones for a hallway or smaller frames for a bedroom or bathroom. "Shabby chic" refers to taking old, secondhand or otherwise inexpensive items and creating something stylish out of them. The faux painting technique is often used in the creation of shabby chic items, and can be utilized to make stylish mirror frames. Best of all, creating a shabby chic mirror frame using faux painting techniques does not require any skill as an artist.

Things You'll Need

• Sandpaper or sand sponge
• Primer
• Primer brush
• Light paint colors
• Glaze
• Container
• Old paint brush

Instructions

1. Sand your wooden mirror frame with sandpaper or a sand sponge. Wipe off any excess wood dust with a clean rag.

2. Apply a primer to the frame in even strokes using a primer brush. Allow the primer to dry for about a half hour.

3. Paint the frame with a light paint color, such as pale pink. Use a "dabbing" motion rather than applying the paint in even strokes, as you are going for a faux finish/shabby chic look. Blend the paint somewhat to avoid large pools or globs of paint, though paint can be thicker in some areas than others. Use an old paintbrush with uneven bristles for best results. Allow the paint to dry for about 30 to 40 minutes.

4. Create a mixture of half glaze and half light paint, such as white, to put the finishing touches on the frame. Use the same brush to apply the mixture in a dabbing motion. The glaze turns the white paint into a translucent hue that will help the pink paint show through. Allow the paint to dry for at least 30 minutes before use.

Tips & Warnings

• Use old sponges or old washcloths to apply the paint.

References

• The Online Slang Dictionary: Definition of Shabby Chic

Resources

• Faux Painting Techniques: Home Page