Make a French Mirror
Using an Old Picture Frame

SKILL - Very easy

Make your own classy French Mirror using a simple decorative paint technique and framing a mirror in an old picture frame found at a flea market or car boot sale. (The bigger the frame the better)

MATERIALS

• Old frame with some relief or carving
• 2 paint brushes
• Latex or water based matt paint in white and gray
• Damp cloth (may have to be rinsed a few times during the process)
• Mirror cut to fit frame

Use a creamy color paint for the first layer followed by a much darker color for the second layer. White or creamy off white seems to work well with a dark gray, or even brown, for the second layer.

For this project I have used white and gray.

STEP 1

Clean the frame of any dust or grit.

STEP 2

Paint the frame white, or your choice of color for the finished project and allow the paint to dry completely. You may have to do two coats.

STEP 3

As water based paint can dry fairly quickly, you may have to work in sections if the frame is large.

Brush on second paint color and while the paint is still wet, quickly wipe the damp cloth over the frame including the sides, removing the second color.

You will notice how paint is left behind in the crevices, ceating the lovely aged effect on the right.

Continue with the above process until the whole frame has been coated and wiped down.

STEP 4

When completely dry, fix mirror into frame and Voila! … One gorgeous looking wall mirror, or if large enough - a great free standing floor mirror for the bedroom.

Return from Make a french mirror to French Country Decor Guide Home