The deed is done. Everyone on Team Paint The Mirror White (not to be confused with Team Edward, which I’m totally a member of) can rejoice. Our mirror above the sink went from this:
To this:
And I guess we should show how it originally looked when we moved in for the full before:
But back to the white paint choice. After much thought (and a decent amount of flip-flopping) we decided to go with our first instinct and paint the mirror white to match the trim. It definitely looks integrated and a bit less heavy, so the nook is now a little less look-at-me-right-now distinct (which is a good thing since we’re trying to make it blend in as opposed to stand out). Now it looks as if it’s always been there, and it’s not too high contrast to draw all attention to the sink nook.
So my apologies to all other teams (like: Leave It Black, Paint It Gray, Paint It Teal, Paint It Yellow, Paint It Gold, Paint The Molding Black, and Paint The Vanity Black). We definitely considered all possibilities and there’s certainly more than one way to skin this cat (gross expression, sorry). All of those options probably would have worked, but in the end it just had to come down to good old fashioned personal preference. And you know we love us some white…
Speaking of white, here’s how we got the look: Behr’s Premium Plus Paint (the can of paint with primer & paint in one) in off-the-shelf white in a semi-gloss finish. I just brushed on four thin and even coats with a paint brush. I did this instead of spray priming and spray painting it (which we’d usually recommend, and would also work swimmingly) because the Behr primer/paint stuff is low-VOC and spray paint isn’t. Thankfully it worked like a charm. Oh and I used a straight razor to scrape the paint off the surface of the mirror for a nice clean result.
And for those who like contrast, don’t blow a gasket. Here’s what it looks like at night:
We actually LOVE that going with white was the bold choice at night since we spend a lot of not-day time in the bedroom, and the white frame totally pops out from that black background out the window for awesome at-night drama that we can enjoy before heading off to sleep. Back when it was black it practically disappeared at night.
And look, here I am:
Stop the presses. My hair is down. Can you believe it? I know. Shocking stuff. After many many requests, there you have it. It’s like a ponytail but different. For actual video footage of me with my hair down (and a whole bunch of it’s-Friday giddiness) check out this Texas road trip video of yore. That trip was thebomb.com. For reals.
Oh and although there are a ton of Team Frost The Windows peeps out there, we’re leaving them bare for now. Just because we like looking out ’em when we’re tooth brushing in the morning. Sometimes we spot a robin or two at the bird feeder. Shucks, that’s quaint. So even though they look frosted in a few of the photos, they’re not.
And for those wondering what things look like from the neighbor’s perspective (it’s a side window), since we live on almost an acre of land, we’re pretty far apart apart. But here’s what it looks like during the day from about a fifth of the distance between our houses:
Yup, it’s invisible (most exterior windows are reflective during the day, and ours is no exception). We even took the shot above with the bathroom light on to hopefully highlight the silhouette but all you see are the sky and some tree branches reflecting on the window panes during the day.
And here’s what it looks like at night:
So not bad right? I mean, we have 99 curb appeals problems, but the mirror ain’t one. Yes, that’s a reference to 99 Problems by Jay Z. Because I’m gangsta like that.
Psst- Why Team Edward and not Jacob? Even though I’m from Jersey, tan juice-head body-builders have never been my type. As demonstrated by my tall, angular, and sometimes pale hubby. Does it make me insane to admit that the whole time I read Twilight, I actually pictured John as Edward? Remember this was before the world had been introduced to Robert Pattinson.
Psssssst- To everyone worried about if I could reach the buttons on the dryer, we updated that post with a pic of me in action. Go Team Five Foot Two Inches!
Katie says
I was not a fan of the black frame, so when I see how BEAUTIFUL the white looks, I honestly want to jump up and squeal! Really, really perfect.
Jonel says
I love it! They space screams vanity rather than sink in the middle of bedroom. Love love love it…can you tell how I really feel about it. Now I want to repaint my bedroom from this hideous color it is now.
Cassie says
One word: LOVE!
Suzanne says
Love the white. Great choice!! I like the way the mirror looks from outside also.
liz @ btb says
I LOVE IT WHITE! It’s perfectly ‘you’ and speaking of you… I totally didn’t recognize you in that picture. Crazy what a non-ponytail.
Megan S says
Love it guys, it really flows well with your room! Sherry, you look very nice with your hair down. Totally Team Jacob here but I preferred him prior to his transformation. :)
Shannon says
I love it! I didn’t really have an issue with it before but I definately agree white was the way to go! It just “fits” better. And as for the outside view, I didn’t really think it was problem but it’s nice to see the way it looks. I love the night view, both inside and out!
And Sherry, you are too cute!
Snickrsnack Katie says
Ahhhhh, SO MUCH BETTER! It fits in so much better now that it isn’t this big black mirror just screaming “HI I AM A BIG MIRROR!!! LOOK AT ME!!!!!!” It just looks like it was meant to be there. It feels so beachy and serene. Awesome!
Jill says
Sherry I love you infinitely more that you are Team Edward! Oh yay and love the mirror too!
annabelvita says
Looks awesome! I would never have thought about considering what it looks like at night.
Sara says
LOVE the white – it makes the mirror look built in to the window – fabulous.
LOVE the hair down, love the sassy expression & love the all around gansta-ness.
Have to agree to disagree on Team Edward (Team Jacob all the way, baby!)
LauraC says
Yeah!!!! You know it looks awesome, I admit I was one of those who hoped you’d paint it white. It looks great from all the angles, night and day!
Kasey says
After reading the whole post, my favorite part is your comment about your hair being down and ‘stop the presses’. I have to LOL because I ALWAYS wear my hair back and when I DO wear it down everyone asks me ‘what’s the occasion?!’. Funny… even though it does get annoying after awhile.
Love the mirror BTW. Really makes it seem like it’s [part] of the window.
Lisa says
Man, I thought I was on Team Leave it Alone, but now I see that Team Paint it White was right all along!
Random paint question: have you guys found a no/low VOC primer that you like? We have some brand spankin new drywall that needs to be primed/painted and I’m hoping for no stinkiness.
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Lisa,
The Behr primer & paint stuff is low-VOC and it’s all one step so that might be an option. We also believe Olympic and Freshaire both have no-VOC primers available.
xo,
s
rebecca says
I love it! I of course was on team paint it white from the beginning. I think it looks like part of the window now…a really cool custom window/mirror combo! I think leaving the window the way it is (ie-not frosting it) is the way to go. I would love looking outside while brushing my teeth.
Meredith says
LOVE. IT. That is amazing, amazing, amazing. I didn’t love it before, but now I’m a complete fan—which I knew I would be eventually. :)
Andd says
I heart the WHITE mirror in the ‘baster’ bathroom! I’m planning to purchase this same mirror for my space on payday.
Laura@JourneyChic says
YES!! It looks fantastic in white, and is making me psyched to paint ours (yep, the same one only from HomeGoods) in cream to match our living room trim.
BTW, you look great with your hair down! I know it’s not practical for painting or hair-pulling babies, but I hope you treat John to a night out with your long locks once in a while!
Stephanie Phillips says
I hadn’t registered an opinion on the white or black (or purple or magenta) but I LOVE the after! White looks great!
kelly says
That makes such a big difference! I love it! :)
Wintry Mix says
I was neutral (Team Switzerland?) about painting the mirror, but it looks awesome like this.
And bonus points for the 99 Problems reference!
kate says
i LOVE it! absolutely fantastic!
ALittleBite says
Much better! I wasn’t a fan of the mirror in black, I’m definitely in Team White!
Emily S says
Perfect. I really liked it black, and it would have been awesome in a bright color, but the white does exactly what you’d want: makes it look like it’s just always been there, built in. Good choice!
e.p. says
It looks like it was meant to be there now with the white paint! And love the reasoning for Team Edward. I’m Team Jacob for the sole reason that his description sounds like my fiance (pre Taylor Lautner reveal- even though my fiance sorta resembles him in some ways too.)
Elizabeth says
Is it wrong that the most energetic reaction I had when reading this came at the point when I saw you with your hair down? I mean, I love the mirror and the sink nook is looking mighty nice, but your hair is down! I think I actually did a double take when I saw it.
KimB says
Love the white trim and the contrast at night! BTW, I love all your gangsta references, even when you don’t point ’em out. I’ll be reading and then suddenly hear a song in the back of my head. ;)
Sydney says
Looks really great guys! I think it looks a lot better white, softens it all up a little. Sherry, you look so pretty with your hair down! (oops that sounded awful-you look pretty in a ponytail too-you know what I mean!) : )
Ally says
“Twilight” would have been a whole lot better movie if it had starred: Gina & Lars :)
xox
YoungHouseLove says
“Team Lars!” does have a certain ring to it.
-John
Nichole@40daysof says
I also thought you should just leave it, but clearly I was wrong. :)
http://40daysof.wordpress.com/2011/01/14/have-you-ever/
Alison says
There are so many things I love about this post! The mirror is amazing, behr paint and primer in one is my favorite paint, Team Edward (I agree, not all Jersey girls like the big, buff and tan look), all the pics, your hair down, etc! It made my Friday morning! Thanks S & J!!!
Sheila says
LOVE it!! I was team White to blend in and it looks great painted!
kellan says
The white looks terrific!
Brooke Buckingham says
Laughing out loud at your Jay Z reference!
samantha owens says
ooooooooooo- i love it. it looks custom made for the window! im always partial to white as well.
Monica F says
I love it! It makes it look more expensive too. I was secretly hoping you’d paint it white. =)
Barbara says
I love the mirror white!! Have you thought about putting some stuff on the window so no one can see in at all? It makes it smokey looking stuff? I can’t think of the name of it but Im sure you know what im talking about!!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Barbara,
We actually mentioned in the post why we didn’t want to put any frosting spray or film on the window just yet. It’s down towards the bottom. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Cait @ Hernando House says
Looks great :)
keri says
i was absolutely on team white. love it.
and, the hair? fantastic.
and i’m JUST getting around to reading the twilight books. 3 in 3 days (i’m on vacation…and they are addicting)
le sigh, i am wholeheartedly team edward…
Kim says
OMG! Love the mirror white of course, but what I got from this post was how BEAUTIFUL you look with your hair down. I know how much you love that ponytail, but its nice to let the hair down once in a while. And you wear it well.
Elizabeth says
I love that outside shot at night! Gosh that richmond sky is beautiful! and I am totally on team white, that black was really bugging me! (ha)
KarenC says
I love it! It actually looks like an architectural feature now… blending in with the window frame as if it’s all one piece.
Great job.
Steve Schwartz says
I’m a bit confused on how you actually painted. Did you not tape the mirror at all, get a little paint on the edge of the mirror while painting, and then scrape that off? Didn’t the razor scratch the mirror? Thanks for your help! It looks great.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Steve,
Yup, no tape at all. Got a nice line of paint all around the mirror’s edge and then razored it right off. You can use straight razors (carefully of course) on mirrors or glass window panes to get paint and other crud off the surface of them. I think it would scrape the mirror if you razored the back of it, but the front is smooth like glass so it just pops the paint right off. Of course I angle the straight edge at a 45 degree angle and keep the whole razor on it moving back and forth (I don’t stab it with the corner or anything). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
liz says
LOVE LOVE LOVE it white! It looks like it was meant to be there, now!!!!
Shannon says
The fact that you used thebomb.com and 99 problems in one post…with your hair down…is blowing my mind. And even though I remained neutch on your mirrow color dilemma, I love how it looks in white. When in doubt, paint it white!
Richard says
Wow, what an amazing difference! LOVE it! Looks like it was built into the window now.
linda says
Perfect, it has all come together. You all have amazing vision. Carry on !!
Letty says
Love the white mirror! And the picture of Sherry “reaching” the buttons on the dryer– hilarious! Hee hee….
Shannon says
It’s perfect. I’m in love with the white trim/white mirror. They look stunning together.
Emily B. says
Love it! With the paint color you guys chose for the room th ewhite mirror makes it so light and fresh. The mirror is really pretty stellar. Keep up the good work!
By the way, just reread Twilight for kicks last weekend. Team Edward!