The Challenge: We recently acquired a pair of pretty awful faux wood finish 1970’s plastic mirrors. Could they be dramatically changed into something beautiful and useful for today using Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan?
Since I had just completed the little Swedish-style makeover and had open paint and wet brushes, I decided to use the same colors. Old Ochre, Coco, and Duck Egg Blue.
First, a quick going over with fine sandpaper to break up the plastic surface and give the paint something to grab. Next step, an all over texturized full-coverage coat of Old Ochre to brighten this baby up.
After drying overnight, I applied an uneven (more opaque color in some areas, more watered down in others) coat of Coco. More dry time (about 2 hours), and then a quick, uneven application of thin Duck Egg Blue wash. I wanted a little brightness around the edge where the frame meets the mirror and dry-brushed just a bit of Old white. Dry time again. (Enough time to do a quick stencil on a pair of twin headboards.)
The final steps: a light waxing with Annie Sloan’s clear Soft Wax and some highlights with Annie Sloan Dark Wax. Viola!
The best part of this project? We had an introductory class the following day and one of the students decided to buy the second unfinished mirror to try her hand at this finish. I can’t wait to see the end result!
Until next time, happy painting and Happy Valentine’s Day!
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