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Sunday, January 9, 2011

Treasure Hunt

Thank goodness one man's trash is another man's woman's treasure! This fall I found an old window at the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore. When I first laid eyes on it, my heart went pitter-pat!! ( in the words of Norman Thayer, Jr.)


Then my common sense kicked in and I hemmed and hawed about buying the thing. After all, it is 7 1/2 feet tall and there was no way it was going to fit in the junkermobile. (We had already taken the kayak racks off for the season.)

Graphics courtesy of Picasa photo editing.


The clerk working that day was not to be deterred. He said, "I'll get that sucker in your car and sell it to you for 20 bucks." Now who am I to turn down a deal like that!

Well he pushed and he shoved and he twisted and he finally got the sucker in my car....sort of. It was hanging out the back hatch window by a good 3 feet. So, I paid the man, bought some rope at the hardware store across the street, and tied everything down. Still, I had to stop 3 times on my way home to tighten up the rope.

About that time, buyer remorse was starting to set in. What in the heck am I going to DO with this gigantic window?! Then I remembered a post I read in The Frugal Farmhouse blog where she turned a window into a mirror with spray paint. YES!!!


I had to order this paint from an art supply company, and with S&H three cans came to around $39.00 or so. I worked on this project in the basement ( winter) , but would strongly advise using this paint outdoors due to the toxic paint fumes. ( I did have windows open and exhaust fan going.)


I spattered some watered down black paint on the back side of the glass, let it dry, spritzed the glass with water, and gave the whole works about 6 or 7 coats of mirror spray paint.

This was my inspiration piece form the Pottery Barn Bible for around $500.

And this is my finished project.

window $20 + paint $40 = $60

Not bad, if I do say so myself!  It is a magical mirror for anybody over 50 as wrinkles, sunspots, and wily gray hairs can't be detected. As a bonus, the window sale included the screen I pictured above. It will be rehabbed into a wall mounted utensil/pot rack for Julie's kitchen. Watch for upcoming post.

Keep your eyes and ears open 'cause you never know where, when, or how that next treasure will find you. :@

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10 comments:

  1. cool! ive never even heard of that mirror paint! i might have to get crafty..

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  2. I consider blog reading continuing education! I should have my doctorate soon.

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  3. Yes, definitely LOVE the mirror, Mom! And can't wait to get the screen! Jeremy and I are actually painting our kitchen walls this weekend. :) It is just waiting for something to be hung there.

    Nice job, again!

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  4. I LOVE THE MIRROR! I thought it really was an antique mirror - amazing paint job!

    I need to go to more sales like you go to! So many wonderful finds (both you and Julie).

    Wait, I think I need a house first ... then the sales! ;0)

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  5. You have to train Finley early on to LIKE going to antique/junk stores. After all, it is genetic, passed down to us from Baba.

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  6. Okay, this post we so intriguing and I am so envious of your great find. I so would have bought that on the spot. I am so glad that you got it and did something so wonderful with it. Can't wait to see the screen. I probably would have done a decorative paint treatment of something on the screen. I have seen this before and want to do it. But I will enjoy seeing what you do.

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  7. Love this project and your clever solution. Have to try that spray paint and soon! Good eye on spotting that classic and beautiful window.

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  8. It looks wonderful! What a great way to repurpose a terrific find. (Like the wreath on it, too.)

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  9. Wow! I wondered about that product when I saw it in the store... now I know! What a great trick!

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  10. What an awesome thrifty find! It's gorgeous as a mirror! Love it!

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Your comments make it all worthwhile. Thanks for visiting today!

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