Builder's Grade Mirror Turned Trumeau Mirror

Victoria Kirton
by Victoria Kirton
3 Materials

Like most homes, I have this plain builder's grade vanity mirror. I really really dislike it but taking it out and replacing it with two different mirrors seem like too much work...mostly the taking it out part. I could have frame it with moldings like most people do but that's no fun for me. So here is the before.

Plain. Misplaced. The fact that the mirror isn't perfectly lined up with the sinks drove me crazy but OK, I can work around it. I sketched out the shape of the frames on the mirror. I knew those little washable crayons would come in handy. Then I painted the outer edges with white paint. By this point, I know there is no turning back.

The next part is putting the appliques on the mirror. This is always the hardest part for me. I can spend days and weeks just trying to figure out how I want things to look like. It is kind of pointless since I always end up changing it last minute anyway. I use contact cement to glue the appliques onto the mirror. Right about now was when I realized why I kept skipping this project. Even my crazy brain knew this was one of those projects that sound really good in my head but it wasn't going to translate well in real life.

I stared at it. I stared at it some more. I hated it. I wanted to cry. I lost some sleep trying to figure out how to fix it. As usual my solutions came around 3 in the morning. Trumeau Mirror! It was the perfect fix to hide the mirror edges. I added moldings on the top and the sides then painted it with chalk paint. After adding some wax, it was done!

I think it is a good balance to my shabby distressed cabinets.

And my antique French cabinet is the perfect finish.

Victoria Kirton
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  • Nancy Block Nancy Block on Dec 14, 2022

    What is that product you used to add the French look? Where can I buy it? Thanks

  • Suz76688452 Suz76688452 on Jan 11, 2023

    Omg I am so inspired. I have those ugly mirrors in my bathrooms and you are a genius. I also have a huge ugly mirror in my dining area that’s around 5’X5’ and I’m afraid it may be glued to the wall and will damage the wall if removed. Hmmmmm. How did you figure out what appliqués you needed?

    I love this idea! I have been working on French country decor for my condo and this certainly fits the bill, LOVE IT,

  • Cosette Burke Cosette Burke on Oct 17, 2023

    Does anyone know where to find the appliqué's???

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  • User User on Apr 20, 2021

    U are just like me haha. I know exactly the feeling of figure out how things should be  i even have nightmare sometimes during that process because of stress

  • Eloise Eloise on May 10, 2023

    I love your DIY! My theme in my home is Paris so I’m going to do my bathroom mirror in this French style. Thank you!

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