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Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

by Erika Torres
30 comments

So in another moment of Pinspiration, I decided I needed to redo our hallway. While it’s not completely finished yet (I still want to add a gallery wall), this is the process of decorating, which is always ongoing.

First, I decided to paint a red bookshelf that we were using as our entrance table.

This is me totally ready to do some major sanding. And those are totally my shorts from high school….um, ten years ago. I like to keep it classy.

The book case was red, and none of the colors in our new home are red–I’m going with more brights like chartreuse and turquoise. So I had to sand the book case to paint it turquoise. It’s still a work in progress.

I had to split the sanding over two Sunday afternoons. Then I had to paint it–twice, and let it dry in between.

To go above the bookcase near the entrance to our home, I decided I needed a big statement mirror. However, since our finds are extremely limited right now, I chose to go the do-it-yourself route.

And this was my inspiration:

Yes, I decided I was going to make a mirror using plastic spoons.

I was a bit hesitant at first. I’m not Martha Stewart and wouldn’t the spoons look really cheap? I wanted to make a statement, and I didn’t want that statement to be “Oh was this your pre-schooler’s project?”

Some of you may recall that I actually made the mirror that went above my bed (back when I was single):

So that gave me a little bit of confidence to tackle this feat. Also, if there’s anything I’ve learned from Young House Love, it’s that sometimes you just have to go for it.

So I went to the grocery store, crafts store and hardware store, and stocked up on:

Project Supplies

Plastic spoons:$13

12 inch round mirror: $5.99

Small Paintbrush: $3.99

24-inch round wood thing: $18

Hanging material: $3

Total cost for project: $44

$44 is still way more than I really wanted to spend, but a big statement piece like this would have easily cost a lot more money, even at a home discount store where a plain round mirror runs for at least $50.

I started out by painting my wood piece. This was a very thick, sturdy piece of round wood purchased at Lowe’s.

I then glued the mirror to the center of the wood.

And then began to superglue the tops of the spoon around the mirror.

It really, really hurt to cut the spoons. I began the project on a Friday evening when Eric was at work. When he came home that night, I practically begged him to help my cut the spoons. He gave me the brilliant idea to use garden shears, which saved my fingers from hours of misery.

I finished the project on Sunday night. Spreading it over a few days helped me stay motivated.

I guess I could have been more vigilant as to how many spoons I put and where and created a better pattern, but I just kind of went with it.

I think painting the spoons was my favorite part. I started out with the original turquoise color, and then just kept adding white to it to get the lighter tones on the outside spoons.

And this is how it turned out:

I obviously don’t know how to take photos involving mirrors without me in them…

I am actually really, REALLY happy with the way the mirror turned out!

You can’t tell they are plastic spoons, and it doesn’t look cheap at all, imho.

Can’t wait to show you guys the final re-do of the hallway.


30 comments

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A blog about newlyweds managing finances in relationships. | Newlyweds on a Budget January 23, 2013 - 9:39 am

[…] Use low-VOC paint for any crafting projects did that for my Pinterest mirror […]

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onthedesignlane July 10, 2012 - 11:04 pm

wow! this has so much character and does not look plasticky at all.

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Meagan {Green Motherhood} July 10, 2012 - 12:49 pm

It looks great! I always wondered how this would turn out in real life. πŸ™‚ I can imagine the spoon cutting would be fierce. Tips on how you painted it?

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newlywedsonabudget July 10, 2012 - 1:27 pm

there’s not much to it, i just used a small paintbush (from jo ann’s) and started from the middle and worked my way out, adding white to the paint after each row to make it lighter. There weren’t very many splotches, since the paint dry pretties quickly.
I think the painting was my favorite part.

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Erin July 10, 2012 - 11:54 am

It looks awesome! I love its chrysanthemum shape. So pretty. And I never would have guessed that they were spoons. You rocked this, girl.

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Crystal @ 29 Rue House July 10, 2012 - 9:02 am

Hi! I’m seriously in love with your mirror!!! You did a fantastic job and I really want to do this now! Now I have to decide what color to use!

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Kelly @ Corner of Main July 10, 2012 - 8:54 am

Cute! I never would have guessed it is spoons. You did a great job with the colors; I love how it gets lighter towards the outside =)

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Miss T @ Prairie Eco-Thrifter July 4, 2012 - 7:40 am

You are so crafty. This mirror looks awesome. I think you have inspired the crafty person in me to work on some projects. Now I just have to find the time…

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Teacher Girl July 3, 2012 - 7:38 am

Mirror looks amazing!! You are quite crafty lady!

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B. (Below Her Means) July 2, 2012 - 8:33 pm

It looks great!

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Jessica @ Budget For Health July 2, 2012 - 5:40 pm

you did an awesome job! I’m glad to see someone actually makes something they pin πŸ˜‰ One day…

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Elizabeth @ Broke Professionals July 2, 2012 - 4:40 pm

OMG, this is AMAZING! And to think you made it with spoons. And you should be equally proud that you still fit in your shorts from high school. That is a feat in and of itself.

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Crystal @ Prairie Ecothrifter July 2, 2012 - 11:56 am

Wow! That must have taken forever!!! But it looks awesome – you did fantastic work!!! I am not very craftsy, but hubby and I have done a few of the art projects around the house…

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kim July 2, 2012 - 11:00 am

Oh man, I need to get back on my home projects horse. You are motivating me! That and your running!

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kim July 2, 2012 - 11:01 am

Oh and I forgot – this looks amazing! So you didn’t spray paint the spoons? That’s a lot of work!

The picture taking – I wonder if people photo shop themselves out?

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Alice @ EarningMyTwoCents July 2, 2012 - 10:48 am

Wow! I’m impressed! That mirror looks great

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Kathleen @ Frugal Portland July 2, 2012 - 10:45 am

OMG CUTE! This is so happy and fun! Good work.

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Taylor July 2, 2012 - 7:27 am

GREAT job!! I love seeing successful D-I-Y projects!

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Amandalynn K. Sawyer July 2, 2012 - 7:15 am

thats freaking amazing. good work!

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Shannon July 2, 2012 - 4:10 am

I saw this on pinterest and was wondering how it would actually look..you did great!

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Michelle July 1, 2012 - 10:17 am

Wow looks amazing! I just bookmarked this and hopefully I can do this soon.

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Micah July 1, 2012 - 10:02 am

I loooove the spoon mirror. But that looks like a big time commitment. πŸ™‚

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Jami July 1, 2012 - 9:31 am

Beautiful! It’s the best feeling when you put hard work into something and the results turn out great!

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Army Amy* July 1, 2012 - 7:38 am

It came out great! I want one!*

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jolie July 1, 2012 - 6:39 am

There are so many amazing things on pinterest. So nice to see that you found such a great project. Love the blues! You are very handy.

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One Frugal Girl July 1, 2012 - 6:36 am

Super cool mirror and you did a great job with it! Have you seen those wall hangings made of cut up toilet paper rolls. I’ve had that on my to-do list for quite awhile now.

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Leah @ The Miracle Journal July 1, 2012 - 6:04 am

That mirror looks AMAZING! I don’t think I’d have the patience to do all that work, but I’m totally inspired by what you did. And you still look great in your high school shorts. πŸ™‚

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Vanessa Rae July 1, 2012 - 5:51 am

Awesome! I pinned that mirror project a while ago and I appreciate the price breakdown – DIY stuff can end up costing more than buying a similar item so it’s nice to know what you’re getting into πŸ™‚

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Brandi July 1, 2012 - 5:28 am

I don’t think I have the patience for that many spoons, so mine would come out all kinds of crazy. It looks really great – and I never would have guessed that they were spoons if you hadn’t mentioned it!

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