Friday, October 19, 2012

Painted White French Provincial Mirror

I've been doing a lot of painting this week, amongst other things. A good part of running a business from home is it makes it easier to fit everything in. I've been recruiting for one of my clients and in between reviewing resumes, conducting phone interviews and culling people I've been whipping out the paint brush and slowly getting through the huge amount of furniture I have to paint at the moment.


This is the mirror from the bedroom suite I painted a few weeks ago. The bed, console and bedsides have all sold a while ago to different people and I was yet to get around to painting the mirror. I finally completed it this week. Initially I was painting it out on the BBQ table, but the sun was blinding me so I finished it off inside. I think next time I paint a mirror, I will cover the reflective part in newspaper.


The mirror is a lovely shape with ornate scrolly mouldings that I have lightly distressed to bring out the detail.  It's a very big mirror with a very solid mounting wire so can hang on the wall or be mounted above a sideboard or dressing table.  I think it would look fabulous over a fireplace or in a hallway. 


Whenever I paint mirrors or glass doors etc, I never tape but instead use a trick that was taught to me by a professional painter of just jumping right in and painting, being reasonably neat but not worrying if paint gets on the glass or mirror and then when the paint is all dry, I clean off the paint by using a razor blade very carefully but firmly to scrape off the paint but not scratch the glass. Every time though, when I do this scraping I kick myself for not using the tape method. One method is a hassle up front and one is a hassle at the end. Which way do you do?

This mirror sold last minute on Instagram within minutes of me posting a photo. How instant is our life now with social media? I have lots of other furniture coming up for sale so please keep checking back if you are in the market for anything.

Fiona xx



8 comments:

  1. No wonder it sold so quickly, it s beautiful. And you've done a great job photographing it, i always have trouble doing this.
    Julia xx

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  2. It looks very very nice in your house Fiona, I think it convinced me even more to keep mine ;)

    I do the lazy razor blade trick too. Smart prime etc sticks to glass so well that I razor it off basically as soon as I have painted it on though...learnt that the hard way! I also found my compressor air tool very handy for blasting the paint chip mess out of the grooves :)

    I bet the new owner is going to be thrilled with their mirror!
    xx Karen

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  3. The mirror looks great. Yes instagram is a powerful tool, but I hope it retains some of it's personal charm and doesn't turn into an ad machine like facebook is becoming.

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  4. Fiona I am so impressed with what you have been doing this week. You really inspire me. I can see why the mirror sold quickly it is fab. Would have suited over my fire place I will email you over the week end

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  5. Fiona I am so impressed with what you have been doing this week. You really inspire me. I can see why the mirror sold quickly it is fab. Would have suited over my fire place I will email you over the week end

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  6. Once again you have done a wonderful job.I love this and I am looking for a large mirror.Next when you have one send be a before photo and I may be very interested in buying this from you.I love knowing bits about the people who I buy furniture and craft from so I will love owning a piece of yours.When the right piece comes along I will know it-love dee x

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  7. Its lovely. I'm for spending the time preparing well. I hate going back and having to clean up splashed paint. I'd rather get straight into decorating with what i've painted. Much more fun. Giulia.x

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  8. the job you have done on the mirror is amazing. I'm not surprised it sold in a flash! I look forward to seeing more of your projects.
    Bec x

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Thanks for taking the time to comment! Sorry if you have trouble commenting, you can always email me at lilyfieldlife@bigpond.com