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How to antique a mirror

Get the look of mouldings with texture paste.

Call off the search for that perfect antique mirror and make your own instead. Your pocket will thank you! Buy an inexpensive framed mirror in a size to suit your space and give it decorative details with texture paste, adding the patina of age with paint. You can apply the same easy techniques to age-up picture frames, too, using stencils for super-simple vintage style.

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Gather your supplies

  • Mirror with frame
  • Artists’ acrylic paints in black and gold
  • Texture paste

You’ll also need

Painter’s tape; paper; white chalk; lint-free cloths; palette knife; piping set; paint tray; paintbrushes; MDF frame; plastic stencils

Here’s how

STEP 1 Cover mirror with paper, using painter’s tape to mask off the frame. Draw the moulding design in the corners with chalk and wipe off excess with a cloth.

Draw design with chalk on mirror frame
(Credit: Chris L Jones) (Credit: Chris L Jones)

STEP 2 Fill a piping bag with texture paste using a palette knife, then pipe paste onto chalked designs.

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Pipe texture paste onto mirror frame
(Credit: Chris L Jones) (Credit: Chris L Jones)

STEP 3 Pipe a border of lines and dots around the inner and outer edges of frame. Let paste set.

Pipe border on mirror frame
(Credit: Chris L Jones) (Credit: Chris L Jones)

STEP 4 Apply 1-2 coats of gold paint over entire frame and texture paste designs with a paintbrush, let dry.

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Apply gold paint to mirror frame
(Credit: Chris L Jones) (Credit: Chris L Jones)

STEP 5 Apply a light coat of black paint over gold paint.  

Apply black paint to gold mirror frame
(Credit: Chris L Jones) (Credit: Chris L Jones)

STEP 6 When black paint is tacky, use wet and dry cloths to rub off paint to get the aged look. Let dry. Remove paper and tape.

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Rub black paint off mirror frame
(Credit: Chris L Jones) (Credit: Chris L Jones)

For more craft projects, pick up a copy of the latest issue of Better Homes and Gardens magazine in selected newsagents and supermarkets or buy online today!

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