Full Length Mirror Flip | Paint + Distress

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Two furniture flips in one week, I know, I know! I wasn't planning on making this a post, but I thought some of you out there might want to know how to achieve this look on your own pieces at home. So, I unfortunately don't have process photos, but I will do my best to explain all the steps below!

This mirror was originally grey with some browns and greenish blues popping through. Although nice (and we had it like this for years) it just doesn't go with our new master bedroom look. I decided for consistency, I would paint it to match the bedside tables I just did. I do like a bit of a boho/rustic look so since we have a lot of finished pieces already in our bedroom, I decided to make this mirror a bit distressed (but not overly so).

Here's what the mirror looked like before:

Supplies:
-chalk finish paint (in one or two colors)
-paintbrush
-painter's tape
-sandpaper or sanding block (100-150 grit)

Steps:

1. I cleaned up the mirror with a damp rag and put painter's tape around the mirror.

2. I covered the mirror with one coat of chalk finish paint. (I used Renaissance Chalk Finish Paint in Ivory Tower)

3. I let that dry overnight. I put a second coat on the next day and let that dry overnight as well. You don't have to be too fussy with covering up since you will be distressing anyway.

4. I then went around with sanding blocks to the areas that would naturally get distressed. This means the parts that protrude the most. Do this step LESS than you think you want distressed. You can always go back and distress more, but it will be very time consuming to sand down and repaint if you take away more than you want!

5. I then stepped away from the project a few times and came back with fresh eyes to see how I was liking it. I went around and distressed very lightly some of the inner area.

6. I did not put a finish over this piece as I did with the bedside tables. Since it's a mirror and won't have things really ever touching it or placed on it, it doesn't really need one. I also want there to be a more natural distressing over time which will not happen if I seal it.

Option:
Since our mirror already had a nice base, I did not put a base color down. You can choose to do a base color that you want to show through the top coat. Or if your piece is just wood you may want that to show through. This is all preference!

I'd love to know your thoughts!