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

  5. Lacey (Laptops to Lullabies) says

    The mirror looks awesome — I was totally on Team Paint The Mirror White. And Team Edward, for that matter.

    I just wanted to say that this post, and all the posts lately, have been especially awesome. I’ve always loved YHL, but your recent changes — the more casual writing style, the “we’re just real people DIYing” vibe, and less professional/sponsor-y posts — have made it even greater.

    You guys rock!

    Reply

  6. karen says

    Oh yah..it’s really starting to look finished. Love it.
    How do you find the time to do all of this with your little one?
    BTW.. Clara is all you!!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We steal time while she’s napping but actually do the majority of things when she’s in bed at night. I painted that mirror at around 10pm actually. In front of the TV. It’s totally my idea of a “relaxing evening.” Hah. I know I’m crazy.

      xo,
      s

  7. Moira says

    Hahaha! I was recently thinking how you always have your hair pulled up and I was so surprised to see it down in this post! It looks great! You must get a lot of comments on your hair (I extrapolated this from your post).

    Plus, I love the mirror painted white.

    And, Team Edward always.

    Reply

  8. Allison Suter says

    It looks amazing. Teams paint it white, Edward, don’t frost the glass, 5’2″ (well, almost) and tall, angular and sometimes pale husbands, all the way!

    Reply

  12. T. says

    You are clearly not Rush fans, or else I’m sure you would have worked in a reference to their War Paint song (which was totally going through my head when I read this post).

    Reply

  13. Rebecca says

    I liked it black. I like it better white, especially at night.
    Are you planning to do anything with the hardware on the vanity?
    It’s nice-looking, but it’s drawing my eye more now that the mirror isn’t the main black thing in the room.

    Reply

  15. Jess says

    i know i’m far from the first to say this… but i am continually amazed by your vision! what a transformation.

    and please consider me officially on team “white paint” and team “hair down!” looks great! :)

    Reply

  16. Tijana says

    I love you guys. Seriously, you’re so awesome. This post was hilarious.

    That mirror looks so much better, like it’s really meant to be there.

    Also, Sherry your hair looks great down!

    Reply

  17. Carolann says

    You two are crazy inspiring when it comes to getting house projects checked off the list! The mirror looks great!

    I’m not sure if you’ve already been pointed to the following ‘desire to inspire’ blog post (or found it yourself), but I thought of you and your new house when I saw it. It’s a “kitchens with fireplaces” post. Here’s the link if you’re interested: http://www.desiretoinspire.net/blog/2011/1/14/reader-request-kitchens-with-fireplaces.html

    BTW, I’m a regular blog reader, but don’t comment much, so apologies in advance if I broke any blog commenter etiquette rules here :)

    Reply

  21. sarah says

    I just heard this on the radio the other day and thought you’d appreciate it. The term “to skin a cat” comes from skinning catfish, not cuddly little kittens, so much less gruesome than you would imagine.

    Your hair looks awesome down, but as a fellow baby mama I understand the need to wear it up when baby’s grasping hands get tangled in it.

    Reply

  23. Cathy says

    I love the white! And your hair down- though I am currently growing my hair out (after a few years of a bob) for a friend’s wedding and have re-acquainted myself with the ease of a ponytail! I also love how the room colour really pops against the white trim, more now that the mirror looks integrated. Definitely a good idea to continue the ‘Coco Caroline Cabana Club’ colour through to the nook!

    Reply

  25. katie @ k+b says

    i was wondering what in tarnation was going on that there were even more comments on this post than usual… until i read the edward comments. ha!!
    teamedwardforlife.

    Reply

  27. Virginia says

    Ahhh… I’m so glad you painted it white! I didn’t want to be pushy/rude, but I’m so glad you painted it! It looks amazing. I never should have doubted you…

    Reply

  29. Maya says

    Love it! My eye is now drawn to the negative space now, to the window as a whole… now it doesn’t read as “hey, there’s a mirror on the window” but as “wow, that’s an awesome window.” Brilliant!!

    Have you ever thought of moving the chandelier from the office into your bathroom nook there?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hey Maya,

      We’ve pretty much thought about moving, painting, or reinventing nearly every light fixture in the house. Just haven’t settled on anything yet. Will post when we make a real decision and have some pictures to share!

      xo,
      s

  30. filly from OZ says

    Newbie here, love the blog. Just wondering, why did you decide to keep the sink nook anyway? If it isn’t really an ensuite, doesn’t it make it alittle impractically?

    Reply

  31. filly from OZ says

    Opps, just took the house tour and I see there’s a toilet next to the sink. Love what you’ve done to the window/mirror combo!

    Reply

  33. Cate says

    I REALLY like it white. I really liked it black before… but after seeing it painted white, it’s amazing how much of a difference it makes… it blends in beautifully – making it look like a part of the window frame. Very nice!!!

    Reply

  35. melanie says

    I love the mirror. seriously. I would have never thought to do that, and it looks like it not only belongs, but enhances the bedroom!

    Anyway, as I was looking at the pictures, I noticed the woven boxes you’ve placed under the sink and in the bedroom itself. I’m a huge fan of the texture of rattan furniture (I use it everywhere). But, seeing how well that coordinates, I started wondering this question: knowing that the two of you try to stay budget-friendly, how do you decide what “decorating” items you go out and splurge on right away (like the mirror?), and what you need to wait for to find on sale?

    My husband and I are also two young people in love with our first house, but at the moment it is so full (well, mostly empty) of a mismatch of furniture and decorations that it’s hard to discern “our” style. I’d love to go out and buy coordinating items, but I usually try to discover things on sale (which can take a while). Your new house just already looks so put together! I’m wondering what items can and can’t wait for you guys when you’re making a new house feel like “home?”

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hey Melanie,

      We basically just figure out what functional things should be the priorities (ex: a mirror so we can see ourselves while brushing our teeth, a basket to contain something so we can find it easily, etc). Those things win out of pretty little things like vases and picture frames every time. And when we decide that we need them, we usually hit up a lot of stores and sites (like we did on our mirror hunt) and after checking out all the options it usually makes it a fairly easy decision to either buy something that we like best that works (like the mirror, which was more expensive than some options we found but less expensive than others) or to hold off until we find something better/cheaper. The mirror felt like a no-brainer buy to us because we really wanted the function we’d gain from it and the shape and size was right for our window. And it was easily the best option we found so we weren’t on the fence or anything. Oh but here’s a tip. Sometimes we’ve found that buying the cheapest thing that you’re not so in love with is actually more wasteful and expensive in the long run because you end up replacing it with something better later (because it was never what you really wanted in the first place). Hope that helps! Oh and when it came to those baskets, we knew for a while that we needed some storage in our bathroom, so when we saw the 50% off signs we pulled the trigger. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  37. Amanda says

    This is out of no where, and I know you have questions up to your necks. But I was wondering … did you tell your buyers of your [old] house that there was a magnetic wall under the window in the office? I think I would of left a sticky “Under the window is magnetic — try it yourself!” right on the wall.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hey Amanda,

      We left them a little note full of tips and info (ex: the granite had permashield, so you don’t have to reseal it, etc) and that was on there. The sticky note idea is really fun though. Wish we had thought of it!

      xo,
      s

  38. Sarah says

    I LOVE reading your posts…you remind me so much of myself. I did the same thing while reading Twilight, lol. And there are generally some really ridiculous commenting/puns/songs that enter my daily life.

    Reply

  39. Melissa says

    I have to admit – I really did not like the mirror when you first posted it – but I’m not one to spread bad news. NOW – I LOVE it! It looks great – wow! I think I’ll go out and buy mirrors to cover my windows too. Well done! You really have the magic touch.

    Reply

  46. Kate says

    Is it terrible that when I saw the Team Edward comment I checked to see who was posting instead of automatically assuming it was Sherry?? You never know, John might have had a preference for Edward, it made me giggle though. I like the mirror a lot in white. Love catching up with you guys. We just “finished” our 2 year renovation and I absolutely love our house BUT I miss DIYing! Don’t want to move but………… never say never right!!!

    Reply

  47. Dayna says

    Love the white. I do like the look of a frosted window only because that is what it looks like in the photo because the background is blown out. However, if I had robins to look out at while brushing my teeth, I would too. It looks absolutely lovely. You all are awesome!

    Reply

  50. Cathy says

    Off topic question:
    When you hang two ultra cheap bamboo woven blinds side by side, how do you deal with the cords if the stock blinds only come with right handed cords (i.e. one is on the right and one cord ends up in the center)? I’m shorter than Sherry, have ten foot ceilings and can’t fathom getting out a ladder regularly to hide the cord under the top of the roman shade . . . and I have decided I cannot live with that cord hanging down. Before I spend more money than I want to, I want to know if you know something I don’t! Thanks in advance. (Oh, and on topic, the white makes the mirror look like it has been there forever!)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Well we didn’t actually use our bamboo shades for privacy (never actually raised and lowered them since our house was pretty far from the street/neighbors) so we hid that cord (by tucking it up) around 3 years ago and never looked back. Not sure that helps if you’ll regularly be raising and lowering yours though.

      xo,
      s

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