DIY Large Statement Mirror

I was planning something different for today's blog post, but I just finished this mirror and couldn't wait to show you! I love when a DIY project turns out the way you envisioned it, and this one did. It's super easy to make and cost only $43! The inspiration: Ballard Design large wooden mirror (I don't think they make this anymore, with a price tag of around $300). I love the look of a large statement piece above a fireplace and wanted something similar for our home. 

Here's how I made this large statement piece:

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Here's the original Ballard Design mirror. Mine is not an exact copy because I wanted a different style, but it would be easy to achieve this same look with the process I'll show you. 

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Isn't it pretty? 

I bought cedar shingles at Home Depot. They are wider than wood shims and can give you the look of that Ballard Design mirror.

Once I got my boards home I rubbed on some stain with a rag, sanded it a bit, and put on lime wax with a rag. Just apply as much or as little as you want to get the perfect blend. The lime wax made all the difference to achieve the driftwood look I was going for. 

Here's all the products I used for the wood. The stains I had on hand and I liked using two different stains to give the boards variety. 

I first tried applying the lime wax to the bare shingles but it didn't make a huge difference. Applying stain first brought out the wood grain and the lime wax gave it a bleached look. I've never used lime wax before but now that I've seen what it can do, you'll definitely see it around on different projects. 

We made a backing using a scrap piece of 1/2 inch plywood which holds the shingles and mirror. An easy way to draw a big circle is to put a nail in the center of the board, tie a string around the nail, and tie a pencil at the radius you're looking for. I drew out the size of the mirror (14") and the length of the boards to get the round size I needed. 

Cut using a jigsaw.

Next, we made an inlay for the mirror using a router so the mirror would sit flush with the top of the plywood. This step isn't necessary, but I like the way the way the recessed mirror looks. You could just glue the mirror right on top of the plywood. 

Glue the mirror down using a tube of mirror adhesive and arrange the shingles in any way you like.

I tried different layouts. I like the layered look of this one too with shims and shingles, but decided to go for a simpler look. I did this project with my good friend Chelsea, who has such a knack for DIY and home design. We had so much fun working on this project together.. 

Arrange the shingles any way you like and then glue them down with wood glue or liquid nails. I put some heavy books on top for twenty-four hours while the glue dried. To hang the completed mirror, I used heavy-duty picture wire and wood screws. 

Here is mantle decorated for Fall:

There you have it. This simple, quick, and inexpensive project can add a beautiful statement piece to any home. Have you ever made a large mirror? Let me know if I can answer any of your questions. Thanks for stopping by.

Linking this post to:
Best of the Nest
Savvy Southern Style