It's been a crazy week here at the beach house! The week started out with out of town guests, then my contractor began his "race to the finish," to prepare for our final inspection. I've been helping out wherever I can -- staining railing uprights, doors, etc. In between all the contractor projects, I've also been painting. And painting. And painting. Remember the mirrors I shared with you a few days ago?
Well, I have one down, and one to go! We started with these thrifted, seventies-vintage, oak dresser mirrors. the shape was nice, but the old finish needed updating.
After cleaning and sanding and priming them, they were ready to be painted. Of course, because my little projects need to wait till the contractors go home and the dust settles, it's usually about ten at night when I get started -- long after the local hardware store closes -- so running out to grab a can of paint is not an option. After taking inventory of suitable paint colors I had on hand, the best choice was a charcoal gray exterior semi-gloss we had been using to paint some doors, but we really didn't want a glossy polished finish on our beach house bathroom mirrors.
We were able to take down the glossy finish and make the piece a bit more "beachy", first by lightly sanding and distressing the painted mirror.
Next, we burnished the finish with two different grades of steel wool, finishing with a very fine grade.
We followed this up with a beeswax finish, which gave the piece a lovely satin luster.
Here's the "before" again.
And just for fun, here is a reminder of how this bathroom looked, standing in roughly the same place, one year ago, when we bought our beach house.
Big change, wouldn't you say?
Be sure to hit "follow," in our side bar, so you don't miss the upcoming full bathroom reveal :)
Well, I have one down, and one to go! We started with these thrifted, seventies-vintage, oak dresser mirrors. the shape was nice, but the old finish needed updating.
After cleaning and sanding and priming them, they were ready to be painted. Of course, because my little projects need to wait till the contractors go home and the dust settles, it's usually about ten at night when I get started -- long after the local hardware store closes -- so running out to grab a can of paint is not an option. After taking inventory of suitable paint colors I had on hand, the best choice was a charcoal gray exterior semi-gloss we had been using to paint some doors, but we really didn't want a glossy polished finish on our beach house bathroom mirrors.
We were able to take down the glossy finish and make the piece a bit more "beachy", first by lightly sanding and distressing the painted mirror.
Next, we burnished the finish with two different grades of steel wool, finishing with a very fine grade.
We followed this up with a beeswax finish, which gave the piece a lovely satin luster.
Here's the "before" again.
And just for fun, here is a reminder of how this bathroom looked, standing in roughly the same place, one year ago, when we bought our beach house.
Big change, wouldn't you say?
Be sure to hit "follow," in our side bar, so you don't miss the upcoming full bathroom reveal :)
Have a wonderful holiday weekend!
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