Home Improvement: Framing a Mirror

We decided to take on a "small" home improvement project this weekend. Taking a regular, builder's grade mirror and transforming it into a pretty framed mirror sounded easy. But as with all projects around the home, it wasn't as easy as we thought and it took more time than we planned. It spanned over two days instead of one. We love how it turned out so I am going to share the steps we took and if you ever want to upgrade a mirror, feel free to use our steps as a guide. Here are a few sites we used to guide us which you might also find helpful: Blue Cricket Design, Southern Hospitality, Sabby in Suburbia

Before and After:

Steps (grouped into multi-steps because we aren't kindergarteners):
1. Measure the mirror, make a visual plan, make a list of materials, and then buy them. 

We were lucky to not have to deal with mirror clips which protruded from the mirror. The pieces could be placed right over the clips. However, if you run into this issue, visit the Southern Hospitality Website as she explains how to deal with it.

Measure twice and draw it out!

At Home Depot, you can cut your own lengths of composite molding. I would suggest getting a few more inches than needed and cutting it to size with the miter saw at home. We ended up not using the caulk but if you have some spaces between pieces, you will need it. Be sure to get clear. We also got Primer just because we weren't sure how the spray paint would hold on the molding. We had to buy everything except the level, measuring tape, and caulking gun and our total was $44. 

2. Measure carefully and use a miter saw for a clean cut.

A work bench would have been helpful but this coffee table worked out. Again, be sure to measure twice before cutting. I wouldn't say the saw cut like butter, but it wasn't a challenge either.

3. Prime, paint, and paint again, and again.

Primer and paint.

No primer needed on these wood pieces. Make sure you paint the back of each piece because you will be able to see some of it in the reflection of the mirror.

4. Wait until the pieces are dry.

We used spray paint and we had to use multiple coats in order for the pieces to look fully covered. This was the most time consuming part but it is definitely important to wait until everything is fully dry. We waited 10-12 hours but we probably could have waited longer.

5. Use Liquid Nails to attach the pieces. Apply pressure to each piece for a few minutes. Then, use painter's tape to hold the pieces in place. 
*If using end pieces, measure and mark where to place the end pieces and where to place the frame pieces.

Don't get Liquid Nails close to the edges. But if it does happen, the glue doesn't stain and is easy to get off of the mirror and the composite molding. It is also easy to get off of your hands.

The great thing about Liquid Nails is that it doesn't bond immediately so you can move or even remove a piece if needed. But the downside to that is that it doesn't immediately bond when you want it to. I would highly suggest holding each piece in place for a few minutes while applying pressure. We saw some pieces sliding slightly when we didn't do this.

6. Wait 24 hours, carefully remove the tape, and enjoy your "new" mirror.

Chinese Recipe

Last night I tried out a new recipe: P.F. Chang's Lettuce Wraps and they were a delightful taste of China. The recipe is posted on the website Iowa Girl Eats. I did have to purchase quite a few ingredients but they weren't expensive. Not being able to find ginger, I skipped that one and also lightened up on the water chestnuts. But it was still tasty! The whole meal took about 15 minutes to make and there is still some left over (there were two of us eating it). I will definitely be making this again sometime soon! 

Brain Pickings

I have a true interest for learning about a variety of topics and just came across a place which seems to fit that interest: Brain Pickings. Creator Maria Popova explains, "Brain Pickings is a human-powered discovery engine for interestingness, a subjective lens on what matters in the world and why, bringing you things you didn’t know you were interested in — until you are."

Each Sunday you can be enlightened by a newsletter - check out an example here. You can also look through the Bookshelf to find something new to read. Or, you can follow (or just listen) to bits of interviews and unique pairs of readers and readings in Brainpicker's stream on SoundCloud. For example, Richard Burton reading John Donne, or Sylvia Plath reading her haunting poem, "A Birthday Present", or an interview with an artist or graphic designer on his or her design matters. You can also experience a daily pairing of song and literature in the Literary Jukebox. I am always looking for new music and the fact that it is paired with a quote from literature is a match made in heaven. Of course, you can follow on Twitter and like on Facebook, too.

If you are wanting more, take a look at the post that pulled me in: Big Questions from Little People. My favorite would be author Jeanette Winterson's answer to the question "How do we fall in love?" Go forth, lovers of learning, to Brain Pickings!