Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Faux Inlay Mirror...the reveal

Ok, enough teasing...I've finally finished the makeover of my old timber mirror. Here it is now:











I love inlaid furniture, and when I looked closely at some of the originals, I realised that my mirror was the perfect candidate for a faux finish. The curvaceous shape was just right, and more importantly, I was really sick of it! If it didn't work out, no problem, I'd just silver leaf it. Those of you who've read my blog for some time may remember what it looked like:





I discarded the decorative pieces in the corners, and then undercoated the frame. The most time-consuming part of the whole exercise was the placement of the pattern - it needed to be fairly symmetrical to look convincing. Once that was done, all that was needed was a steady hand and lots of patience! It took much longer to do because I had to be in the mood to sit and paint - and it really can be quite theraputic to work on such a repetitive pattern! By the way, although it's not obvious in these pics, the pattern is painted in different mother-of-pearl tones, to give that lovely shimmer.





So, what do you think - could it pass as a reasonable copy of the real thing? I'm pretty happy with it, but there's just one problem....I think I've created a monster. I'm looking at some of my old furniture in a whole new light...




....and I have a very similar chest of drawers in my shed! Stay tuned....


Oh, and I'm sharing this project over at Design Refuge, so go check out all the fantastic DIY projects on show

Btw, linking this project over here if you'd like to check it out.

59 comments:

  1. You are a freaking genius!! That looks amazing. When I first saw the photo I thought you'd been glueing pieces of bone onto the mirror frame. I am seriously, seriously impressed my friend. Wow!

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  2. Kerri it is fabulous!! I can't wait to see what you do with the chest : )

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  3. You are amazing Kerri! It looks fantastic, I've been wondering how you would do it, and that is such an amazing job you've done, I can't wait to see what else you faux inlay!!!
    High fives to you girlfirend :)
    Jxx

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  4. HOLY MACKEREL!!! This would have to be my all time DIY job of yours!! WOWSER KERRI!! It is just perfect...what an amazing job...and a very steady hand you must have had to ensure every brush stroke was almost identical...GOLD STAR to you darling...it is simply perfect!! X

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  5. That looks so effective. You must have the patience of a saint to have painted all that detail. Great job!

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  6. I think the mirror looks fantastic and is very convincing indeed! You came up with such a beautiful design and it looks just right! I have just done a post on mirrors - so thanks for sharing .... not sure I'm confident enough to pull a faux inlay off tho'. Look forward to seeing what you do with the chest of drawers you have. Michelle

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  7. wow - kerri you seriously impress me!

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  8. I love it! I thought it was another one of your inspiration pics at first it looks so good!
    Kris
    xxx

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  9. Words fail me - that is superlative, the curves of the mirror and the slender lines of the frame lend themselves so well to that treatment. You haven't created a monster, but you might have created something with a whole lot of distance to run!

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  10. Wow Kerri, that looks fantastic. You have done a great job. Where is it going to live? I love inlaid furniture it looks really pretty and I would love a piece for our bedroom. ;-)

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  11. What can I say? I'm amazed! Such a great idea and you executed it brilliantly.

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  12. It looks fabulous - you are just so clever!! Can't wait to see the chest of drawers - it will be amazing!!

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  13. Oh wow, your mirror looks amazing Kerri!! Love it!! I wish I had your patience to try something like that. Can't wait to see how your drawers turn out. Congrats!! xx

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  14. Well Kerri can I put an order in - I'll have what your having. It looks amazing LOVE IT. Sandy x

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  15. Wow Kerri! that is amazing!! I also thought you must have been carving for a few years or so!!! It looks so real!!! I love it; especially the colours you have chosen too, the black and white/ivory is so timeless!!
    laura xxx

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  16. that is amazing, I would never have guessed you'd diy'd it! well done, it's gorgeous x

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  17. That's amazing. You are talented as I honestly thought it was genuinely inlaid when I first looked. It's a beautiful transformation!

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  18. OMG!!! That is amazing. What an awesome idea, your definately a talented lady.Well done Kerri!!!

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  19. ok ...you are now *officially* the leader of the pack...the martha of all marthas!!

    kerri that is incredible.....INCREDIBLE!!

    is it in your hall...i would have to just move it around the house with me for a bit...i'd want to be able to see it all day!!

    michelangelo eat your heart out!!

    melissa xxx

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  20. Thought it was a magazine pic!!! Gorgeous, love it, great job Kerri. You are a very talented lady.
    Rebecca x

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  21. Your patience is amazing! I would have got all itchy with frustration and been forced to abandon the project! Well done! Am now going to go through your blog for further inspiration!

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  22. WHAT THE....?*! I can't believe it. Actually , yes I can. You are such a clever lady. I too, thought you had used real bone or mother of pearl. Fan-blimin-tastic Kerri!
    Angex

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  23. Kerri That is absolutely beautiful. What a fabulous job
    Kind Regards
    Karen

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  24. Kerri, I am gobsmacked! This is fabulous. You are one clever cookie!

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  25. I pay homage at the altar of Queen Kerri of the Ultimate Makeovers. I reckon Eddie Everywhere will be contacting you soon to pay you a fortune for this black & white beauty. He wants it as the Pies new Best & Fairest Trophy, you star!!
    Millie ^_^

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  26. Kerri,

    I had to go back and look at it 4 times... wow. Talk about night and day. Simply Fab!!!
    cheers
    Susan

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  27. Kerri this looks amazing. You are so clever

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  28. WOW!!!!!!!!!! Kerri, you are queen of the painted finish my friend! This mirror looks amazing. You must be soooo thrilled with it!! Fabulous job:) ~ Tina xx

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  29. That is so gorgeous!!!!! You did an amazing job!! I wish I had the patience to do that and the talent!! Love, Love it!!

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  30. OMG, that is gorgeous! We're talking LOTS of patience. It's a work of art!
    Brenda

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  31. Kerri, this is amazing!!! You could seriously sell them on Etsy.

    Thanks for dropping by my blog! Love yours too.

    xo,
    cristin

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  32. WOW! This is amazing! Talk about some patience you have. This would have taken me months to finish :) OK I'll organize for you and you paint for me, deal?

    XOXO
    Kristin

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  33. wow pretty much sums it up! i don't think i could ever accomplish that. so impressed ~ looks beautiful

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  34. Holy Moley! "You are a freaking genius!" is what went through my head when I saw what you'd done. Only not "freaking", if you catch my drift!

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  35. You are amazing, how clever, I can't wait to see the chest.

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  36. I see 'amazing' has been the word of the day and I hate to be unoriginal but it really IS amazing. I would never have imagined one could do it. Clever clever clever. A chest would kill you wouldn't it?!

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  37. Oh WOW Kerri!! I think this would have to be my favourite project you've shared on your blog. The mirror looks fantastic and I like how you thought to use pearl paint to create a realistic affect. I would love to try out something like this :)

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  38. Oh my! I would have never guessed that you created that mirror! Wow! It is fabulous! I just wanted to stop by and thank you for your sweet comments and for following my blog! I am off to read more of yours!
    xojamilyn

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  39. superb transformation! looks great against the white background...verbena cottage

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  40. It's a beautiful work of art! I so admire your artistic abilities! I could barely paint numbers on a wood plaque for our driveway! You have a great gift.
    Trina

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  41. Amazing no other word for it! Kerri, thank you for all your lovely messages lately they mean so much to me, you really are a very special person xx

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  42. Wa-how! This is stunning. You are so talented! Found you at Miss Mustard Seed.

    Jami

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  43. Now that is what I call a great makeover!! Bravo and Kudos to YOU!!

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  44. Kerri I just found your blog and love it. That mirror is special...congrats on that achievement! Michelle

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  45. clever and so witty all at once....
    now I am looking for things to paint.....
    pve

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  46. oh darl, that came up brilliantly. you're a dead set legend, what a sensational outcome. looks amazing! jx

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  47. YOur mirror is fabulous and totally looks like an in-laid mirror. Well done and good for you for having a steady hand and some gumption.

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  48. wow what a great job you did on that mirror!!
    i LIKE it!!! (but I also LOVED the "before")

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  49. congratulations,it looks great! :)

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  50. ooooh.. how fantastic does your mirror look.. I came across your blog from Tina at Rubies Place.

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  51. So nice!
    I couldn't find the tutorial on Design Refuge. Could you send the link?

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  52. Thank everyone for the lovely comments, you're too kind!
    Oh, and House Proud, as I don't have an email address for you, the tutorial was very basic, as I made the pattern to suit the shape of this mirror. But in a nutshell, I painted the whole mirror in mother-of-pearl metallic paint, chalked on my design, and then painted the background around the design in black. It was then given a coat of spray varnish. Hope that helps, but feel free to drop me a line if you need any more info. Thanks again everyone, you guys really make my day! K xx

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  53. Found this via Sarah at http://myfirstlittleplace.blogspot.com/

    Just brilliant. It's stunning.

    SandyK

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  54. Pretty please with extra blogging love......a tutorial??
    Love the result with a capital L!!!
    AK xo

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