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!
Ok this post is totally adorable. Sherry I think we should be BFF’s (even though I’m team Jacob)! The white is gorgeous. Perfect touch.
I love it, it’s perfect!
And, I thought I was the only one that pictured hubby as Edward. Actually, it wasn’t as much looks as it was everything else…
And, more power to us shorties. :) I’m 5’1″ and hubby is 6’3″. :)
Looks absolutely FABULOUS! Question – sorry if this has already been mentioned in the gazillion comments or in a previous post. However, have you considered frosting the window? It appears frosted in pic 2, which I think looks amazing!
Hey Nikki,
Check out the bottom of the actual post for more info on why we don’t want to frost it just yet. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
I really, really like it! It’s amazing, (and fun!) how much the frame disappears during the day, and pops out at night.
Now that the frame doesn’t grab my attention, the black hardware really does. If you’re looking to replace it, my favorite shop ever (no affiliation, just loyal customer love) is CabinetHardwareDesigns.com. They have the website, and an eBay store (which is where I first found them). Flat rate shipping, and a value line that’s identical to the special order stuff at Home Depot, but for less than half the price. (I love me some hefty bin pulls for $3.99, and no upcharge for “specialty” finishes like oil-rubbed bronze.) I blogged about it here, if you’d like to take a peek. (Isn’t it awful that I’ve seen “peak” used so many times in blogland where peek should go that I’m beginning to second-guess myself? Ack.)
Have a great day, and I so love that your living comes from doing what you love . . . making your house a home!
Hey Annalea,
We definitely can’t wait to replace that hardware (and gussy up the vanity in a few more ways). We’ll have to check out that link!
xo,
s
Mirror looks fab! Making excellent progress!
I always wear my hair up too.
I’m a 5’2 incher as well Sherry!
(Shorty get low-low-low-low…)
I WAS a team paint the vanity, but you’ve converted me. Love how it ended up blending…I know you are trying to make that area be as cohesive as possible. Good choice!
I think it is so sweet that you pictured your husband while reading twilight :)
“Shucks, that’s quaint.” HAHAHA! This made me laugh so hard!
Love the mirror in white! I can’t believe how quickly you’ve already transformed the bedroom and sink nook.
And THAT’S what I get for reading too fast!
Hey Nikki,
Haha, no worries!
xo,
s
I won’t lie, I hated the whole mirror on the window idea when I first saw it, and the fact that it was black made it worse. BUT, I completely LOVE it now that it’s white. It looks great and sooooo not bathroom sinkish.
Love it in white. Really looks cohesive.
I’m not really into the overkill on the muscles look either. As the muscles get bigger, the neck shortens and it’s just a weird look altogether.
I think that’s HILARIOUS and awesome that you pictured your husband as Edward! hahahahahaha
question: Why do you think the window of my front door get all scratched when my crappy painter cleaned it off with a razor? It’s a mystery.
I was truly on the fence about he mirror color, especially when I saw some dark accents in your room, but it looks divine white.
Hey Val,
Hmm, no idea. Maybe he wasn’t holding the whole razor edge at a 45 degree angle and dug the corner of it into the glass or something? We’ve razored a ton of windows and mirrors and never had a scratching incident. It also could have been something with the glass if it was super old or something and therefore more delicate? We’ve done it on 50+ year old windows with no problems, but maybe if they’re 100+ they’d have an issue?
xo,
s
Please forgive me, Sherry! When you first put the mirror up, I was like, “Wow, I hate what they’re trying in their new house. Putting a mirror on a window is weird. They will never be able to make the sink in the bedroom blend in.” But you have proven me wrong on all counts! I should have trusted you! I won’t doubt again!!!
I love how it looks like a fancy schmancy window with a built-in mirror now. Great job!
Oooh, I love it white! Good decision!! It looks like some really cool architecturally shaped window. And you’re right, it rocks at night! So cool!
Thanks for the view from outside, ’cause I was wondering about the whole neighbor thing. (I thought it would kind of freak me out.) But wow! If you’re only part way to their view, you are so right – no worries!! So far away, for one, and so high up that you couldn’t see anything anyway. That’s nice. Isn’t it funny to think that they probably have no clue about all the drama going on inside that tiny window and that the whole www is weighing in on it??! lol
What a difference paint can make. Kudos on your projects. I just recently found your blog and I’m addicted. I can’t wait to open your website everyday and see what you’ve posted. How fun a project (job) you have.
I’m a total diy-er. But ever since my divorce (and having to give up the house), my boys and I are in a rental which means not much in terms of renovations to the place. I am in the middle of repurposing an old huge TV armoire and converting it into a craft armoire. Painting it from it’s natural wood to a glossy gray and adding shelves. I’ve found some of your project posts very helpful (and reaffirming) in this area. Keep up the good work.
Oh, and I love your pictures of Clara!
The new white frame looks great. It makes the mirror look like it belongs and has always been a part of the window. Great job!
Perfect! It’s like you guys are professionals or something! Keeping the mirror black was definately enhacning the “hi, I’m a bathroom” problem you seemed to have. But no more! So functional without drawing too much attention to it! And the paint color really emphasizes the moldings everywhere which makes it look like you did a lot more work (like adding crown molding) than you actually did. (Simply paint and add a mirror….well, and take off the blacksplash..) But, again, that’s what you guys do best!
Love the Jay Z reference. : ) So gangsta.
I wasn’t totally loving the mirror on the window look when you guys first showed it. Then, I was really on the fence about painting it. I mean, it was a pretty mirror in black.
But now seeing it painted white…DEFINITELY the right choice!! And it looks like it belongs on the window now!! :)
Looks gorj! you are so inspiring. We have a TINI TINY parsonage to work with – but any time I see ur blog it makes me want to make what we have work :)
I want to re-do my boys room. I painted it years ago when my 1st born was 3, but hes now 6 and it seems a bit kiddish. He does however share his room with his 4yr old brother, and once my youngest (whos 9 mo) is 2, he wil join the boy room gang as well.
Any ideas? http://www.flickr.com/photos/finadrea/5354174123/ – this is kind of sorta what their room looks like now
http://www.flickr.com/photos/finadrea/3157318984/in/set-72157604787196577/ – far away view – but this was years ago, they now have bunks.
I thought I would be committed to ‘team-black’, but I’ve switched! I really love the clean look of ‘team-white’ and it really looks like the mirror is custom to the window. I also love the way it looks from the outside of your house.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/finadrea/2905423566/in/set-72157604787196577/ – other view of room :) – the shelfs no longer in the room now…
Hey Drea,
Why not try posting a pic or two over on our Facebook page to get lots of idea and input? Good luck!
xo,
s
I was just going to ask about the textured walls, too. Good thing I read a little before with the comments. I’m only slightly jealous (read: very!) of your non-bumpy digs. Is that normal for the east coast? Because that might sway my decision to move out your way.
Hey Cori,
Yes, it seems to be the norm both in NYC and here in Richmond, VA.
xo,
s
Love love love how the silhouette of mirror looks at night. So elegant yet an easy fix :)
Love the white mirror frame. It looks so good with the wall color & trim. Team White Mirror Frame FTW!
You don’t waste any time! It looks even better than I thought it would. The contrast against the night sky is my fave.
p.s. could you tell me the name of the wall color in your bathroom? i love it!
Hey Nikki,
It’s called Carolina Inn Club Aqua by Valspar (we had it color matched to Olympic’s No-VOC paint.
xo,
s
Looks great, but I have one question: Are you going to frost the windo——– JUST KIDDING!
Real question: Are you going to devote a whole post to NOT frosting the windows? Just to stop all the questions?
Hey Amy,
Haha, nah. We know sometimes we get a bit wordy and people miss stuff. Totally understandable!
xo,
s
looks great in white!
i’m interested in that mirror for over my fireplace, and checked it out on lowes.com and some of the reviews said it was plastic? but in its description it doesn’t say what material it is, what is the frame made of???
Hey Erin,
It feels like thin metal flashing but it could be plastic. It definitely doesn’t look cheap and shiny or anything, whether it’s painted or not. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Ha ha. It’s SO beautiful…. I feel like knocking out the wall in my bathroom to put in a window so that I can try to cover it with a mirror! Serious!
Loved the black. Or so I thought, until I saw it white. GORGEOUS! Esp. with the new paint on the walls. Good job!
Shannon
http://www.akadesign.ca
White looks…Right!
The mirror looks so pretty white. Love it!!
I was Team Dark too until I saw that. You guys made the right choice. It looks AWESOME. I love that room color. I am done painting in my house for now until I tackle the master bathroom re-do which will hopefully come this summer, I want to use that paint color from your bedroom. It’s beautiful!
The mirror painted white makes the window look like a piece of art hanging in the nook. I really like it.
LOVE LOVE LOVE it! It looks like it was meant to be there. Would you please come to my house and help me?!
Love it white! I liked it black and I was a little worried about how it would look painted because sometimes you can see the old paint job against the mirror…but it’s awesome! It looks built-in. And layery. Love it.
Love the transformation. But LOVE even more your reference to Team Edward. Ahhh.
On another unrelated note, do you recall where you got those storage baskets from in the pre-mirror-makeover pic? I am looking for some like that to stack/make into a side table in our new nursery..
Thanks!
PS – You look so different with your hair down Sherry! :)
Hey Kristen,
Those baskets were from Michael’s (the craft store). They have 50% off sales in the basket department and I go crazy.
xo,
s
WOW! I love it, looks awesome! The paint looks really nice too, I love how it makes everything “pop” in there (i hate using that word btw, too hgtv-ish). I love your blog and what you guys do! Crash my house anytime (as long as your babies come along) :)
Looks lovely! Excited to see the next vanity update.
I am so glad you guys painted the mirror white! I was like “NOOOOOO” that is not right! when you guys put up the mirror, but now it looks perfect! What a change a little paint makes, eh?
You guys never cease to amaze me. You rock!!! I LOVE The mirror and the color of your bedroom and bathroom. Great job!!! The night look is awesome.
Just wanted to say I’m LOVING the blogging in real-time thing! Keep it up :). Also, the mirror looks great!
Love Team Petersik! I heart the hair, the mirror, and the lingo! Fab.
It looks fabulous! love it in white!
Love it! The white is perfect with the color. Amazing transformation in the little sink area.
Also, since I had not seen the video of your TX trip, I just had to watch. You two are so cute! And, if you had come into Texas on I-10, you would have seen a huge metal sculpture of the state of Texas!
Love it! I was really into the black with the white walls/pine floors, but with the aqua in the equation I much prefer the white. And it looks pretty cool from the outside! Very mysto.
It looks amazing day and night!! Can’t wait to see what is next ;-)