Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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How To Paint A Mirror

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:

BathMirror Middle

To this:

White Mirror 1

And I guess we should show how it originally looked when we moved in for the full before:

BathMirror 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.

White Mirror 2

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…

White Mirror 3

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:

White Mirror 4

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:

White Mirror 5

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:

Outside Mirror Light

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:

Outside Mirror Dark

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!

Comments

  1. Becca says

    I think it was the best choice for sure! I think it would look lovely softened up somehow..just a little stark right now. I am sure you guys are already thinking something fabulous up for that area. I have been uber inspired by all the lovely things you guys have done. Keep it up!

    Reply

  2. Shannon says

    May I ask what the card number for your bedroom paint is? I’m only asking because in the pictures it looks kinda like my studio color(behr’s frozen pond) which I LOVE…but I’m thinking it may be my monitor or whatever. Since I’m going to get bedroom paint for myself(stone partition-finally doing gray and yellow in one of my rooms!!) I figured I would look for it to get a better idea of the color. Thanks!

    Reply

  4. Kristi says

    LOVE the mirror and everything else you have done so far!

    Completely off topic… my boyfriend and I are traveling to New York for the first time in Feb., we will be there for Valentine’s Day. Do you have any restaurants you would recommend? Anything else you would recommend that is awesome but not what everyone talks about in brochures, etc??

    Thanks for your help!!!
    Kristi

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We love the zoo in the middle of Central Park. And standing in the TKTS line in Times Square or Southstreet Seaport to catch a Broadway show for cheap. Union square and walking down Broadway towards SoHo has lots of great shops and restaurants. And I’m a huuuge Chinatown fan (love getting dim sum and checking out all the fun vendors).

      xo,
      s

  5. Michelle says

    Good choice as always, your new place is really coming together. Love seeing what you guys are up to next and I get so much of my inspiration from you both everytime I come up with a brilliant new idea I beg my boyfriend to tackle he’s like ‘is that what YHL did’ ‘ummmm yes how did you know’?!

    Reply

  9. Bridgit says

    Sherry,
    What kind of paintbrush did you use to paint the mirror–a regular old paintbrush or an arts and crafts one?

    Reply

  10. Christina says

    I have to admit… I HATED the mirror in black. For the first time ever I was wondering what the HECK you guys were thinking. I am 100% team white. Now the mirror is white, I LOVE it. I gasped with glee when I saw your post last night. It is simply lovely! I cannot wait to see what you do with the hardware now. The designer in me is saying delicate polished chrome but I bet you will surprise me again with something I love even more! =)

    Reply

  12. foo says

    I love the wall color. Love that you painted the mirror. BUT, I am just totally and completely on the side of painting that bathroom nook one or two shades darker. Come on. Please? I just think it would look more spa-like, warm and inviting. Yes. I said inviting for a bathroom nook. And more grown up.

    Just think about it…and then do it. ;)

    Reply

  14. Jennifer says

    First of all, love your blog! You guys are really inspiring me to make some more bold design choices. I’ve steered clear of blue in the bedroom because it makes me feel..blue. But it looks so beautiful in your room. My bedroom is not very large and it is North facing, so I’m fearful that blue will make it feel even darker and more closed in. How is it that you guys make blue look so happy??

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We had blue in our last bedroom too! We actually really love it! As long as it’s not too harsh (muddy gray and green undertones really help) it can be lovely!

      xo,
      s

  17. Shiron says

    HA!!! I love the 99 problems reference you threw in there! LOL. Good ol Jigga, Hov, Jay-Z… you guys are to freaking cute.

    Loving the mirror in the bathroom. Your bedroom paint color looks so close to mine. Its such a soothing, calming peaceful blue – perfect for a bedroom :)

    Reply

  22. kristy~ says

    The white mirror is amazing! I thought it looked good in black, and then i scrolled down and was stunned at how georgeous it was in white. Great job!
    And team Edward all the way for me too :){it not really about him being a vampire, it’s about him being hot} :))
    Love your blog!

    Reply

  25. Michelle says

    I love the mirror in white! Did you have problems painting on plastic? I have a similiar frame that I wanted to paint white but people have told me I have to buy special paint for plastic. It seems like all ya’ll used was regular primer/paint . . ? Also did you have to sand it first?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hey Michelle,

      Nope, no issues! We didn’t sand or anything, just applied thin and even coats of paint+primer and it all looked streamlined after a few coats!

      xo,
      s

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hey Celeste,

      It’s Carolina Inn Club Aqua by Valspar color matched to Olympic No-VOC Premium paint (since we have a little one). Oh and it’s a satin finish. Looks just like flat but it’s a lot more wipeable and durable. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  27. Ashley says

    I know I’m all late and stuff on this post (sorry I was on vacation in the middle of nowhere and couldn’t tune in) but I have to say this is one of my favorite posts of late….

    -As always I love your rap references. You know I’m still convinced you moonlight as an emcee in your free time.

    The mirror looks GREAT! I love the contrast in the night shot, and it took me about 5 times of looking at the exterior day shot to realize that they vinyl sided portion of the house was where the bathroom window is! Totally can’t see in!

    You serve as a great reminder that not all Jersey “guidettes” are perilously nutzo like the Snooks, JWoww and Sammi

    You look super cute with your hair down. When I saw an old post in the archives with a picture of you and John I was thinking “It sure is good to see their faces every once in a while”

    And lastly i think it’s uber cute that you imagined Edward to look like John when reading Twilight!

    I **heart** YHL

    THE END!

    Reply

  31. Anita says

    Whew! I know I’m late to this, but here goes: Just an FYI…It’s a Chinese feng shui belief that you shouldn’t place mirrors facing your bed especially with married couples. Something to do with concentrating the tension between you two. They say if couples are fighting or disagreeing, you should move the mirror. If you have no choice (as in our case) because your bedroom is just to small, then you can counter the mirror with a fan (upright rotating). I see you guys have a metal one on your dresser. That will work! I totally apologize for sounding like my mom. I so ignored her when she told me that, but eventually we moved it into another room ;) Also, ceiling fans above your bed supposedly cause digestion problems.

    Just a “You learn something new everyday” sorta comment. :)

    Reply

  32. jeanene waldermo says

    your choices thus far on the mirror/window dilemna seem to be headed in the right direction, however can you envision this……? since painting the mirror white it actually highlights the fact that there is a mirror hanging in front a window, and I think this is the case because we are so used to seeing wood trim and windows themselves to be white. With so much trim in that small area (the near by door trim, baseboards, etc) it is hard not to just see a mirror in front of a widow. What if you panted the window, window trim, and mirror a medium shade (reference a brown paper bag tone) that way the shapes that the very cool mirror is creating from intersecting the square window… I think it would take that space to the next level. ..one other small touch would be to paint the drywall area underneath the dressing room cabinet the same color as the cabinet itself, this would simplify that area even more and make it look more like a dressing area.

    very much enjoying your site and getting to know about your experiences ad your family :)

    thank you for existing!!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks so much for the suggestion! We definitely love the look of our mirror for now, but who knows where we’ll end up down the line! And as for the sink vanity, we have tons of work still to do on that to make it fit in better. Can’t wait to tackle that soon…

      xo,
      s

  33. Anna says

    Could you please tell me what paint color you used for your bedroom? I have been trying to find that “perfect light aqua, not overwhelming and fruit loopy” type blue – and I think you have found it!

    Love your blog, by the way, it’s inspiring!

    Reply

  34. Erin says

    Late to the game, but just saw a smaller version of this mirror in Target for anyone interested in using in their home who might need a smaller size.

    Reply

  35. Andie says

    I love this mirror as well as the one in Clara’s room. We don’t have a TJ max where i live but i wish i could find neat mirrors for a deal..

    Reply

  36. Robyn says

    I love the way the mirror looks white and the view from the bedroom of the mirror/ window is stunning! I had to look closer because at first glance it looked like you had replaced the window with a stain-glass design!

    On another note, but along the same lines- what color did you paint your bedroom? I love it and have been looking for a nice blue for my master (you wouldnt believe the 50 different colors painted on the wall right now and I still cant decide!).

    Reply

  37. Summer F says

    I’ve looked twice and couldn’t find the name of the paint color that you used on the walls looks like a beautiful gray/blue. Could you share the paint color with us?

    P.S. Sorry if I missed it…

    Reply

  39. Rochelle Lambertsen says

    Please tell me how you got that mirror to be sturdy on the window…. I have wracked my brain for days trying to figure it out! …and contact strips do not seem sturdy enough. Is it a wooden window? …It looks vinyl. ugh. Please help! ;)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      That middle plank is actually wood so we nailed into it at the top and used heavy duty velcro (by Command) on the bottom to hold it in place. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

    • YoungHouseLove says

      It’s hung on a screw that went into the molding between the windows (which was thankfully thick enough to secure it to – since they’re actually two separate windows, not only large one) and then put some velcro on the bottom to help keep it in place.

      -John

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