100 Year Old Mirror Gets A New Life

Found this mirror at an estate sale and liked the texture on the frame, but wanted to change the color.  The paper on the back of the mirror disintegrated as soon as I picked it up, and revealed a label with the manufacturer's info on the back:  "The Ashby Furniture Company." I did a little research and discovered that the proprietor of this furniture company lived from 1860-1934, and a hand-written number on the back "1912" I'm guessing that's the year it was made!

The first thing this mirror needed was a good cleaning!  It seems there was 100 years of dirt collected in the frame.  Some mineral spirits, a soft scrub brush, some rags and a little patience, and it cleaned up nicely.  Next, there was a piece in the corner that had been badly damaged, but nothing a little wood, some wood glue and wood putty couldn't fix.

Once it was cleaned and dry, I applied a coat of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® in Florence.  Then I rubbed some Napoleonic Blue into the grooves to bring out the texture.  Next, I wiped some of the Napoleonic blue off the high ridges to bring out the Florence color some more.  Then I decided it needed some sparkle, and lightly "distressed it" by rubbing some metallic antique gold over a few ridges to add interest.

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After letting it dry, and waxing and buffing it, here's the final result.  A complete transformation!  Now all it needs is a new home...

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