This is my old bathroom in Georgia. We put in the furniture piece complete with sink and marble tiles and it really turned out pretty. I loved this vanity, the feet, hardware and everything about it. That was back when wallpaper and borders were really in (hello 90′s), but I don’t miss either, however, and it was time to move on to Alabama and a new house.
This was a classic dining room buffet in a former life, but worked out well for a new vanity in the bathroom. And yes, that is indeed a cat’s tail you see in the pic. My sweet kitty that I used to have loved drinking water out of the sink.
Now, here’s the part I really wanted to show you. This mirror was framed out using square blocks and fluted moldings and glued on with Liquid Nails. These were painted and glued on the mirror by me. And just to clarify, YES…they are glued directly on top of the mirror, not the wall. So, you don’t need extra space on either side of your mirror at all. No more crackle finish this time around, but I’ve got big plans for these……
And 2 naked bathroom mirrors just crying out for some bling. You’ve probably seen this done before, but it’s a great way to frame out a plain bath mirror without taking it down and starting over. You’ll see soon enough and I’ll show off both of them! I’m working on the first one now.
{ 80 comments… read them below or add one }
I had NEVER considered doing anything like this – until now! Thanks bunches….
What a great idea! I wish I would have thought of this idea before spending a small fortune on new ones. I will have to remember this one~ Countdown till Blissdom!!!!
You’re right, I have seen this done before, but on a MUCH smaller scale. I love how bold you are!
I am getting so many great ideas from you, girl…and I don’t even HAVE a house yet!!! lol
Very pretty. At first I thought the wallpaper was a faux finish…that was working! Love the mirror.
And to think..right now, you’re adding some beautiful bling – can’t wait to see it.
Oh boy, Rhoda! I can’t wait to see! I like projects like this!!
xo,
Sheila
Can’t wait to see the finished product. Thanks so much for praying for my sweet friend.
The only thing that would be better would be if I were there learning with hands on!! I have been thinking of doing this, so this is so timely! I can’t wait for the tutorial to walk me thru it!! Thanks!
Suzanne
I love it!
What would you do about a builder grade, mirrored medicine cabinet? I would love to frame my mirrors, but I don’t know what to do with the medicine cabinets.
Liquid nails!! (hits self in head) I’ve been racking my brain trying to figure out how to frame out a mirror with no mitering and no nails! Thank you!
Cool. I have a huge plate glass mirror that needs some help in my master bath. Maybe I’ll have a Met Monday post someday!
That’s a great project – looking forward to the finished mirror. That was one beautiful vanity in your previous bathroom. Sally
LOL It is amazing to me how many times we are thinking about almost the same things! I was JUST asking my sisters boyfriend the other day did he know how to miter joints? He said he did and I asked him to teach me. I have a VERY LONG piece of chair rail molding in my attic that’s already stained and everything that I wanted to use for around all my bathroom mirrors. Right now they are sooooo plain with nothing around them. I really LOVE this idea but wouldn’t want to glue it down to the wall with the liquid nails because at some point I might just want larger or smaller mirrors. lol I guess I could glue all the wood together and just use screws to mount it to the wall. Your bath is/was soooo very pretty!!!! And LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea! That would look VERY NICE and expensive.
Thanx for sharing with us Rhoda!
I love this idea…the miters would definitely have prevented me from ever attempting it
The whole room is stunning, and I love that even the cat is coordinated!
Staying warm?
-Nat
I wish our mirrors weren’t pushed up against our walls. Great idea!
rhoda – i love that idea! and i have 2 bathrooms in need of just this, too, so i can’t wait to see yours turn out.
your old bathroom was beautiful (i used to crackle everything back in the late 90′s).
Great idea! Does it look okay from the side? Can’t wait to see the 2 that you are working on!
I laughed out loud when I saw your cat’s tail and when you said your cat liked to drink out of the sink. The cat we adopted won’t drink water out of a bowl. It will only drink water from a running faucet…so it jumps in the bathtub and meows until we turn on the water. Never saw such a crazy cat!
OOOH!! I’m going to try that in my master bathroom. Can you just liquid nail the wood directly to the mirror, if there’s not enough dry wall to glue to?
We framed two bathroom mirrors in this house. Love it.
I have GOT to do this. So if I use the corner blocks there is no mitering needed! That is the ONLY was it will get done in this house:)
Rhoda………
are they glued on the mirror edges or to the wall surrounding mirror?
I so have a bath mirror that needs this !
And it will be FABULOUS for sure!!!
xo,
Kim
Hi, ladies, I'll be sure & do a whole post on this in steps as I'm getting these up. And YES, you can glue the pieces directly to the mirror. One thing to remember is to paint the backside of your molding as it shows a bit in the reflection of the mirror. Liquid nails is wonderful for a projects like this. You'll need to tape the pieces in place with blue painters tape to hold it while it dries. And it will need a little caulking in the seams after everything dries. Then go back with touchup paint. Some of my molding is real wood & some is that lightweight stuff, but either will work. My molding is drying now & then I'll cut the pieces to fit. I'll show you all the steps later!
Oh I can’t wait to see the finished project.. hugs ~lynne~
I have been thinking about buying a new framed mirror to replace the one in my bathroom. I can’t wait to see the results and give it a try.
Kerri
In my family room I used the mouldings to creat wainscotting , I will show pictures of that too , it is really good looking when done well.
Chris
We want to do this with the mirror at the lake, but I couldn’t remember how you did yours. I had no idea you just glue to the mirror! I see another project at the condo!! Maybe two, both baths have these mirrors!
Oh! I can’t wait to see the new finished project!
What a great idea! I really don’t want to give up my giant wall mirrors, so this is the perfect answer!
Rhoda,
These are going to look great. I am WAY looking forward to the finished product!
I liked the first one you did in your last home. Enjoy the creating and hurry PLEASE:-)
♥♥♥
I can’t wait to see it….we have a large mirror in our guest bathroom and I have been wanting to frame it.
Rhoda, When we moved into our home six years ago it was brand new, but the mirrors in all three bathrooms were naked.
I framed all of them just exactly like you did except I painted mine mahogany.
Love your site. Give us more projects like this!
I have been thinking about doing this for at least 3 years now!
As soon as you reveal the secrets (like how to get around the mirror clip with the molding) then I will get started!
Rhoda, I just read your comment regarding Liquid Nails. I used builders glue, which is almost the same thing, but here’s a little tip I learned in case the tape won’t hold the heavy pieces:
Put the Liquid Nails on BUT ALSO put a daub of hot glue on each end. That takes hold immediately and will hold it until the LN cures.
Oh, You’ll work your magic…I am sure of it!
What a great idea! The mirror in my daughter’s bathroom needs some help…this would be perfect in there.
I can’t wait to see you finished product.
Lou Ann
I am inspired every time I read your blog – and this mirror frame treatment is a perfect example why! My mom is wanting to re-do her bathroom but doesn’t want to remove what I call “the big honkin’ mirror” and this will be the answer to making it fit her new cottage decor! The corner pieces come in several motifs and I figure if we just “shabby white” them and the fluted side pieces – well, voila! Thank you for such a stellar idea.
Rhoda,
I have been wanting to frame my bathroom mirrors for some time now. I just didn’t know quite how to go about it. Thanks for the post. Also like the commenters suggestion of hot glue to hold until liquid nails dries. Now I just need to decide what “finish” to use on the wood!!
Blessings,
Lorilee
I can’t wait to see~!
I have been thinking to hang a framed mirror on my mirror, but I like this idea instead. I will let you know if/when I do it. Thanks Rhoda!
I’ve got one naked mirror that has been crying out for help! Do you just glue it over the little mirror holder things?
This is on my list to do for master bathroom… unless I can talk hubby into pulling the huge mirror down and putting up 2 smaller mirrors!
Rhoda…I wish I had your bathroom mirror ideas before we decided to gut our bathroom. I hated the huge mirror in there. I am always pleasantly surprised by the creative, decorative ideas you come up with that I never would have thought of.
Love that cat!!
xoxo Jane
What a pretty mirror. Great idea.
Hi Rhoda! This is wonderful!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia
I love this idea. I actually have an ‘old’ very large picture frame I am planning to place ON my mirror in my bathroom. Can’t wait for more info on your project and I just LOVE your blog!
Rhoda, I love the way that looks!
Great idea Rhoda! Can’t wait to see how you do it this time. Maybe I should do something like this in the guest room where you and Peter stayed??
Okay now I need some help with Super Bowl decorations in my formal dining room where we’ll be putting the food this year. I’ve posted some pics of the room although you’ve seen it in person. Help! You always have great ideas.
Hugs!
Kat
I LOVE this!!!! I’m going to have to do this in my guest bath!!!
GENIUS! I have two bathroom mirrors that need just this! Thank you!
Looks great! Cannot wait to see the rest!
What a great idea! Thanks for telling us how you did it too!
Rhoda I’m so glad I saw this post! I have the same dilemma, a large, quality mirror in a bathroom I’m re-doing with no frame. Now what to do with it?
I have to ask though, how did you hang it? Are there hooks on the wood? I’m just afraid that won’t hold it.
Thank you for the wonderful inspiration!
Sharon
Rhoda what a wonderful idea for a mirror. Can’t wait to see your finished products! xoxo
Oops! I didn’t mean to post as Anonymous. Not sure what happened there! xoxo
I can’t wait to see how it turns out! I’ve been dying to do the same thing to my bathroom mirror but I think I’ve been making it harder than it needs to be.
Kimba
Looks great! I did this to my hall bathroom too and used liquid nails. It’s so easy to do. I was in Lowe’s yesterday and they now have kits they sell to do this.
Manuela
Hi Ms. Rhoda…I took your poll and clicked on everything…so I hope you'll continue to share some of all…Your former bathroom was beautiful & I'll bet it helped your house sell extra quickly!
Bo
let the creativity flow!!!!
cant wait to see it all finished
You bathroom looked so great – I think I would have put in a cabinet from Home Depot before I moved and taken that beautiful cabinet with me!!!! I couldn’t have left it. The legs looked so great on it. Love the mirror idea and how you repeated it a few times – very cute!!!!
Hey!
I’m visiting your blog for the first time, and just love it! I’ve only been reading for 45 minutes!!! Wow! Wonderful ideas! Wish that you were closer to SC! I have a study that we’re getting ready to re-do! Found great chairs for 20 each at a thrift store. Only trouble is that they are ’80′s UGLY!! I am trying to figure out how to slip cover these babies! Also,trying to figure out what colrs to use! It’ll come!! Enjoy your day!
Hugs,
Susan
I AM going to try this one day….remember this project on GI! It really adds to the mirror.
So wallpaper and borders are out??? This is why I have to read you — so I know these things!!!
Hi Rhoda,
I have 3 huge bathroom mirrors that have needed something for some time and you’ve just given me the answer!! Thank you.
Have a wonderful week and I’ll share the photos with you when I get them done!
Blessings,
Sandy
I am wanting to do this in my bathrooms.
Rhoda, that’s a great idea to frame those plate glass mirrors. I still remember when you did your old one — beautiful bathroom!
I can’t wait to see what you do.
I’ve been thinking of doing this to my mirrors, but didn’t really know how… I’m hoping you have a step-by-step tutorial coming!
Rhoda,
Okay, now I’m really excited, knowing you did it on the mirror! I can’t wait to see how, so I can do it in all 3 bathrooms. I hate mirrors that aren’t framed.
Sheryl
What a great job! Looks so pretty!
Hellllo, old pal! (OOPS! I meant "LONG-TIME" pal!)~~~ Not only did I enjoy this, but am E-mailing my niece (who just bought a new home in So Cal) your blog address~~~ I had heard about this & seen it done, but THIS will reeeally "show/explain to her" just HOW to do it, so MANY THANKS!!! (And I went to your last blog here~~~ that's TERRIFFIC, too!)~ Hope 2009 is going well for you! Warmest, Linda
Can’t wait to ssee the finished product. My mirrors could use the same treatments.
Love what you did in the former house with the bathroom.
Yes, what do you do about the little plastic mirror holders?
Love it! I’d been thinking about how I would do it, and wonder how it looks from the side. One side of my mirror butts up against the wall, so the edge won’t show, but I’m concerned about how it will look from the other side. Can’t wait to see your step-by-step instructions.
Please hurry and show me more! I’m having to search your wonderful blog for more ideas to ready my home and back yard for a spring wedding for my bonus(step) son and his fiance and a lot of family! Help!
Can’t wait to do this quick but beautiful fix to a bathroom!
Love that idea, Rhoda! However, I have been banned from anything resembling super glue after my little glue incident. I think I might have to be pardoned to try a project like this though, I have those same big mirrors to jazz up!!!
Looks good. Can’t wait to see your next project.
This is great!!! I am so going to do this! Thanks for your great photos!
Hi Rhoda! Love your blog!! I really would like to give this project a try but have a question first! The mirror that I have in my bathroom has these little clip things that hold it onto the wall. Can I still do the moldings or will the clips prevent the molding from glueing well to the mirror, in other words, are the clips going to be in the way? Thanks for your help!!
I’ve been asking (begging) my husband to figure out a way to glue a frame around our huge plate-glass mirror in the bathroom. I’m so excited to see this post–I’m going to have him read it and try to do the same thing. Thanks, Rhoda!