Making a French Mirror
Hello everyone, today I’m sharing about making a French mirror.
Fall is here! Â I’m not part of the norm, I love the colder weather, but many don’t look forward to cooler shorter days. Â Anyway,
If you are new to Cloches and Lavender, welcome and I hope you will enjoy this tutorial on making a French mirror. Â Incidentally, you may remember me saying when we downsized and built this house I was going to add more French touches.
After a few years of my struggles with MS, which I don’t like to discuss here much anymore.  Also having  new biologic things I am improving  to a point where I’m back to blogging more often and I feel more creative.
So, our foyer was the spot I knew a French mirror would be beautiful. Â What I didn’t realize at the time is finding one is going to be a challenge. Â French mirrors in the style I am dreaming of are expensive.
By the way, having my own handyman on retainer, aka my husband, I knew he would help create a mirror. Â I took time planning what I am looking for in the overall look.
I also did tackle our Bombay chest makeover first, you can find it in this post  I am hoping you take the time to read this post because this was a makeover adding layers of paint and adding details.
After the chest is finished, I realized I made the decision not to add too much gilding which French Trumeau mirrors have. Â This is the time I did look on Pinterest, antique shop websites and blogs I follow.
After doing my research I did notice these mirrors didn’t necessarily have to have all gilding. Â In fact, many I did see didn’t, so I began searching for my plan for what I will want.
During the planning phase I have had to remind myself, this is my vision for our home. Â Therefore, I didn’t have to follow what I think fits the criteria for a French mirror. Â Also, I began looking waiting patiently for the pieces to fall into place.
FYI, everyone related to me and my hubby are laughing at me saying I was patient waiting, ha, ha.
I have had a large picture in our foyer and did use it for the base of the mirror.
Next, I did find appliques on Esty a year before the project began.
I also have found a thrift/antique store I like so, I went for a ride and to find a mirror to use at a great price.
Next, most searches for the style I want show appliques or hand painted murals are on top. Â Not wanting more appliques Etsy is where I have found this beautiful Florentine plaque. Â The image and having blue trim it blends perfectly with the Bombay chest.
Notice in the photo a stencil, I was thinking of using plaster instead of molding at first which quickly changed.
I didn’t want to damage the Florentine plaque I found. Â John reminded me there was a little wire for him to use a small nail to attach it to the wood. Â
I chose to have the mirror mounted on the board using a screw so not to damage the mirror. Â It’s old, heavy and glued to the back board.
Deciding on this addition for the plaque is why I nixed the plaster stencil for trim around the plaque..
Picking the correct trim was important to me when putting this together. Â I didn’t want the molding to be overstated. Â I wanted it to be delicate in nature and I believe I achieved the look.
Piece by piece it came together and the building was finished.
It was time for me to take over and I began painting. Â I used Swedish Grey in a new chalky paint named Jolie. Â The colors in the Jolie line are pretty soft French colors.
I waxed the paint with clear and dark wax. Â On the thinner molding around the Florentine plaque I went a tad heavier in dark wax then added gilding wax here and there.
I’m very happy with the end result. Â
Thank you for stopping by. Â More fall touches will be updated in our home now that fall is officially here. Â Bringing on the pumpkins, mums, and flowering kale. Â Happy Fall!
Stunning Cindy. You did a great job. I like your version so much better than your inspiration. Just gorgeous. I am so happy the biologic is working for you and giving you back your life. That is amazing.
Happy Wednesday. Hugs from Buddy to Peanut and Reeses
Hugs,
Kris
Thanks Kris. Taking my time was the key. I love it. Going for another tomorrow, it’s a miracle. Hugs to Buddy and you.
Cindy, this is gorgeous. I am so impressed with what you have done, and I am so happy that you are feeling so much better. xo Laura
Oh Laura thank you so much. I’m thrilled with it and enjoyed the process.
This biologic is a miracle. Get another tomorrow. Thanks for always supporting.
Have a great day
putting all those items together was genius. I wouldn’t of thought to do that. It looks really good with the chest. Great job!
Thanks Terrie. Lesson learned being patient pays off.
Wow, Cindy! That’s really outstanding. You have great vision and a handyman on call is always a plus! Gotta love that. It’s awesome to hear that you have had some relief and can get back to doing what you love. It’s no fun when your body won’t keep up with what your brain has planned. Can’t wait to see the rest of your fall decor!
Thanks Kim I am loving it and enjoy creating. Going today for another. This truly has been a miracle and gift.
Happy fall
Cindy I was just starting to look for DIY tutorials for these mirrors. This is fabulous! I have so many little Florentine pictures I could use for mine. Thanks for this inspriation!
Oh w it was fun collecting pieces for this mirror. I wanted one for a longtime . Can’t wait to see what you come up with, it will be fabulous I know
*inspiration
Thank you Amber. You always inspire me too
Wow, that is stunning! Your patience paid off!
Thanks so much Melanie
I like this very much, Makes me want to try it since I have a mirror also similar to yours.
really like your paint choice also
Thanks very much. It was really fun to make.
it came out great
I think this creation is absolutely gorgeous! I’m a francophile too so I’ve longed for one of them as well. You and your husband did a fabulous job. Congrats! I’ll be featuring you at tomorrow’s Vintage Charm Party #202! Hope to see you there. xo Kathleen
Thank you so much. From one francophile to another I love it.
Enjoy your evening
Cindy
OOOOH! Cindy, I am sooo glad you shared your mirror with us at SYS!!! Happy to feature your post at Share Your Style #226 this week. When you get tired of your lovely mirror… I’ll be happy to give it a home! 😉 Love how it turned out!!!
Happy fall and now I’m off to read your bombay chest story,
Barb 🙂
Thanks so much Barb. I hope you enjoy the Bombay chest too. I’ve been having fun creating.
What an amazing piece, Cindy! Just lovely!
Thanks Julie I love how it turned out
Wow, Cindy! It’s remarkable how you put all these pieces together. The end result is stunning. Bravo!
Love your creation of the mirror, I want one also and just haven’t come up with my pieces yet for the back board
Cindy, first things first — I’m so happy to read that you are feeling so good! And the mirror – wow! Your talent knows no bounds – it’s gorgeous!
I absolutely love this! It looks beautiful hanging in your home! Also glad you are feeling better! I too take a biologic and another injection so I have not dared to get a flu shot yet. Waiting one more week…I hope you continue to feel well!!!
Thanks Linda, so happy how this piece turned out.
Got my flu shot day before my infusion. Bad call a tough 3 weeks. No better for next year. I’m fine now