Ever have that moment while thrift store shopping when the world seems to stop spinning and you get tunnel vision and you may or may not have knocked 12 people out of the way on your way to grab a treasure? Anyone? No? Anywho, that’s what happened a few weeks ago when I spotted a vintage Hollywood Regency style faux bamboo octagonal gold mirror sitting at my local thrift. Which is a mouthful, so perhaps I’d better show you what I’m talking about before I get on with the how-to of how to gild a mirror for those gold decor fans out there:
You may have seen that pic on Instagram, where I often beg you for thrift store advice. The best part, aside from the faux bamboo and gold tone? It cost $7.50! Actually, it cost $10 but I used a thrift store coupon for 25% off. I couldn’t resist that coupon.
Here’s the kicker: I scoped them out on Etsy, and mirrors in this style range between $200-$300. WOOT! Take THAT, doubting husband! Mama’s making BANK! Since it was a vintage mirror, there was some dirt and dust in all those nooks. Windex and some paper towels took care of that.
What Windex couldn’t fix were the black splatters all over the gold. It kills me that this was a ‘style’. Every time I see vintage gold toned items they are speckled with black, like my preschooler or Jackson Pollack got their hand on some black paint and went nuts.
I needed to decide how to get rid of those splatters. There are basically three options for getting a gold toned, gilded look: spray paint, gold leaf, or gilding paint. I couldn’t fathom all the taping this mirror would require if I spray painted it. As for the gold leaf, I didn’t love the ‘leafed’ look and it’s a two step process {too fussy for this lady!} Which left gilding paint. I found this one at Michaels.
After stirring up the paint, I dipped in a soft paintbrush, held my breath, and applied it. Here’s the crazy part: I’m am the world’s messiest painter. I’m terrible at it. I don’t have patience or a steady hand. But even I was able to apply this paint without using tape. It went on very smoothly. First I painted the inner octagon and spokes, and then the outer octagon.
Since the antique mirror was already gold toned, I only needed one coat of the gilding paint. Hint: the paint does smell strong, so if possible paint outside. Optional: then let it dry in the sunshine, to soak up the happy rays.
And now? Now this baby SHINES. She’s solid gold, baby! {and the mirror IS a ‘she’, right? anything this glitzy and blinged out must be a ‘she’!} She’s hanging in my entryway, part of a master plan to bring more light into our hallway with a mirror wall.
I hope to get her other mirror friends hung up on the wall this weekend. Let there be light! And mirrors.
Sigh. Who knew I’d fall back in love with gold?
Case in point: look what I found at the Habitat ReStore yesterday. A gorgeous Greek Key-ish gold toned side table. WITH UGLY BLACK SPLATTERS on the metal. Time to gild it. GILD IT GOOD.
And pssssst: if you’re looking for another easy DIY gold project, check out this 15-minute faux bois painted tray.
So that’s how to gild a mirror– or furniture, or a frame, or most non-porous decor pieces actually. Even if a gold mirror isn’t high on your ‘want’ list, but you love gold decor, then grab a paintbrush and take a deep breath– and gild it, baby! Mirror wall coming soon, I hope. Now, where’s my solid gold dancers when I need them?
{Linking up with: Not Just a Housewife | My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia | Home Stories A to Z |Domestically Speaking }
gorgeous!!! i had one like it once and i sold it and now i am sad. 🙁
You’ll find another, I’m sure! PS– I just scouted out the dates for Clover Market and if I’m not going to Boston I WILL be at your next sale. I’m drooling over the photos.
Please let me know if you go for sure then I will definitely try to make it up. I have been wanting to go to Sweet Clover anyways.
Ginger, I’ll definitely let you know! I REALLLLLLY want to go!
UGH, Cassie, I meant Sweet Clover! So sorry! Though Clover Market is also awesome, so if you ever want to go let me know. It’s pretty close to my house, we could do a treasure hunting sleepover!
Oh my gosh, I got the same mirror! I did it up in white, and it’s above the fireplace. Haven’t shown it yet. And I love that table! It’s been a while since I’ve been out thrifting….. Maybe I need a trip.
Jessica, I was so inspired by the closing session at Haven I stopped by Restore to make a connection and found that table! It was fate. AND the manager recognized me and wants to partner up together. Woohoo!
Hello! I have the same mirror, looking to do it in a white (high gloss) also? Do you have any photos of it that I can see before I take the plunge? It’s gorgeous in the gold, but I think for my home it’ll look better in the white… Thank you!!!
Love this! You have inspired me to start tackling my thrift store pile. You know all the things you buy that you SWEAR you will rehab when you purchase them.
I really love gold again too, basically anything metallic. I don’t care if it is cool or not.
You did an awesome job with this!!!! Just pinned it.
That mirror was unattractive when you purchased it and absolutely GORGEOUS when you finished. I really liked learning how to do what you did.
Love love love the mirror and what u did. This is the fist time I’m hearing of hold paint. Pinning tis for sure. Would rubb n buff have worked? So jealous of your well stocked thrift stores. 🙂
Good question about the Rub and Buff. I have some of it sitting on my shelf, I’m thinking I might need to give it a whirl!
Ga-orgeous Carrie!! You know I love bling and shine too – so this is total eye candy for me!! Love that technique – I’ll rember it the next time I need to give something a metallic makeover! That table is awesome too!!
You have an amazing talent with taking mediocre things and making them amazingly gorgeous! It’s beautiful!
This makes me want to go to the thrift store BUT I currently have all sides to a crib, a table and 4 chairs, an old vintage chest, and a million other things to refinish in the garage. Maybe try those first? But this mirror looks awesome and I totally want one!
Love the way that mirror came out. It looks terrific!
I’ve always been a silver fan… but the more I see the gold, the more I like it! I might be swinging over to the gold side, as this is Gorgeous!!! Great score. Great makeover.
Thanks Shannon! I’ve always been a silver girl too, but as you said, gold is growing on me. I’m sure in 5 years I’ll be back to loving silver again. 😉
I love what you did with your mirror. I need to look for this Martha product the next time I’m out and about.
Wow that looks so beautiful and I pretty much fell off my chair when I read that you didn’t tape it off… it looks perfect!
Great tips. I have a bamboo chair that is still it’s natural color. I was wanting to gild it but there was no way I was going to use gold leaf it is so messy. I am so glad there’s a product out there that will make this easier!!
Thanks so much Lesley
Luv your mirror! I will keep this technique in mind for other projects. Two years ago I got my $300 gold bambo rectangular mirror on clearance and it rests above my server in my dining room. It still gets many compliments-:-))thanks to Cindy Crawford’s design.
Genius! I love this–and all of your ideas. Plus the way you write is so fun (and funny)!
You are my new favorite!! (I can stop reading all your posts and your pinterest ideas.
Merci! (Just retired French teacher!)
Merci right back to you! Though I took spanish, so…. gracias! I’m so glad you like this idea and the blog, I appreciate it so much!