[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQKHOi0pwWQ]
This week I got back into doing something I truly love, and that is restoring unloved furniture into desirable and more modern pieces.
I have a backlog of projects I have hoarded and lots of paint to get through. Unfortunately, I also have a selection of colours which I would love to use but as many restorers will agree it's dangerous to paint with anything other than classic, saleable white. I would love to experiment with other colours, but I have to be commercial due to limited space and the need of a quick turnover.
This mirror here is my 2nd project of the week which featured on my new YouTube channel, Vikkie's Vintage.
Originally in orange pine, it was a classic piece that could easily be transformed so I bought it a couple of months back. I can't get enough of mirrors - they're vital in a home for lighting and narcissism(!) and so they tend to sell quick in my shop.
I sanded the shine off the mirror to start with, rubbed down with a damp cloth and gave it two thin coat of Leyland's undercoat and primer.
I then gave it one coat of a now discontinued Harvest Moon Wickes' Chalky Flat Matt paint, gave it a distressed look using 220 grit sandpaper and sanded out some of the brushstrokes and sealed with a Ronseal Satin Non-Drip Supergel varnish I had bought off a local market for £5 (this is a similar one).
As for protecting the glass itself with any project, I would not do it any other way other than fully protecting it with paper and masking tape. I have tried paint scrapers in the past and found on every project, I have had scratching - it is not worth impeding on your hard work.
Once the project was completely dry, I slowly peeled the masking tape away and set it up on my dressing table for a photoshoot.
I try not to paint the backs as it reflects the true age of a piece, despite this being relatively modern.
Painting a Mirror with Annie Sloan
My first ever Annie Sloan mirror was this vintage mantle mirror in mahogany. Although I noticed, after buying it for £5, I had to learn how to treat furniture for woodworm.
Once this was done, I filled the holes and painted with Annie Sloan original. After selling it for profit, I was then hooked on upcycling Annie Sloan mirrors as I find they're easy to make money.
Everyone needs a mirror, don't they? The key is to find a cheap statement mirror on eBay. But the beauty about Annie Sloan, is you don't need to do any prep. But, if you upcycle furniture for profit regularly, then I recommend making this homemade chalk paint in any colour you want for much less. Although, note, white or anything neutral, like grey, is more likely to sell than for example, yellow.
Paint Furniture With an Antique Look
Another thing that looks great is making mirrors look antique with paint and stain. Below, I followed an Annie Sloan book to make an antiquing glaze. This is a mix of white spirits and Annie Sloan dark wax.
- First, rub everywhere with Annie Sloan clear wax. This protects the paintwork and gives you more control over antiquing furniture.
- Remove with a lint free cloth
- Mix an equal amount of white spirits with dark wax and brush over the painted furniture. It's particularly great over intricate detail
- Remove with a clean lint free cloth
- If it's darker than desired in places, remove by buffing with clear wax
- Leave to cure for about a month to harden before using
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