The home was first published in O at Home and then in Cottage Style (the second image) and I remember reading that the owner had collected a lot of her furniture and art in Europe. It seems like she said she found the mirror at an antique store in Switzerland, but the glass broke so she made it in to a chalkboard. I LOOOOOVED the shape of that mirror. It's like all swoosh and no line on the frame, which makes it feel almost a little more modern maybe?
scans lifted from here.
Anyway I loved it but never thought it could be mine bc of the whole Europe/antique thing. Fast forward like 5 years to last week. I was at Meeker Ave Flea Market with some friends when... Wait. What's this. Is this the? Could it be??
The exact same mirror! It's enormous and crazy heavy (the frame is cast iron). I bought a bunch of stuff that day for clients and my pals at Meeker gave me good pricing for the whole haul, so I'm telling myself the mirror was basically free even though it was really about $100.
I have more mirrors than I could ever possibly hang, so I'm going to make this one into a chalkboard for my apartment (I know I'm a copy cat). Top color choices of the moment include black, navy or the old school chalkboard greeny emerald color.
Now, to figure out what to do for the writing surface... I should probably take the mirror out, and replace it with mdf... Not a good idea to just paint over the glass, right? Or could I?
gorgeous! i did the mirror turned chalkboard thing for our kitchen and painted right over the glass...just spray paint primed the surface to give the chalkboard paint something to grip to. can't wait to see the finished product!
ReplyDeleteCan you flip the glass and paint the back side? That rich dark blue would look great with a gold frame!
ReplyDeleteI remember both of those pictures. I loved them when i first saw them and still love them today! Love the mirror you found. Looking forward to seeing it turned into a chalkboard.
ReplyDeleteI think you can buy chalkboard in self adhesive sheets. This way you wouldn't ruin the integrity of the piece should you ever decide to use it as a mirror.
ReplyDeleteJenny, I painted directly over our mirror and have had pretty good luck with it. It took several coats but the kids use it all the time and it works fine:
ReplyDeletehttp://emilyaclark.blogspot.com/2010/03/my-first-encounter-with-chalkboard.html
WOW, such a great find! Congrats! That IS one amazing shape/mirror.
ReplyDeletehow serendipitous! removing the mirror would be safer (it's heavy, it could fall, etc...) can't wait to see it.
ReplyDeleteJenny,
ReplyDeleteYou can absolutely paint over the glass. Have you seen Hudson chalkboard paints? They come in some amazing colors. Please show us your board when finished because I love a good mirror makeover.
What an incredibly great find! Love that frame!
ReplyDeleteI just did a chalkboard wall, but first, I used magnetic paint under the chalkboard....so you could also have another option.
ReplyDeleteThat is amazing it's the same exact one!! You have such a good memory!!
ReplyDeleteSuch an amazing find! I too loved that image and swooned over the gorgeous chalkboard! I'm so happy you found the same one!
ReplyDeleteWow! It was meant to be!
ReplyDeleteI flipped a mirror over and painted the back with chalkboard paint and it worked fine. Didn't even prime it. Just used chalkboard spray paint. Love the lines of that mirror. Great find!
ReplyDeleteHoly brilliance! What a great find! I love stories like this :) thanks for the post
ReplyDeleteI saved that same exact image. I have been craving a wall of chalkboard....for making lists and doodling.
ReplyDeletepve
x-i-m makes an adhesive primer that is designed to stick to glossy surfaces. it comes in clear or a white that can be tinted to a dark gray. it's oil-based and stinks, but it sticks to anything, including glass, tile, and formica. that's what i used to prime an old window that i turned into a chalkboard.
ReplyDeleteWhat about if you painted the mirror, but left little sections out to shine through? For instance, you could mask out "THINGS TO DO" on top, and paint the rest, and the type would appear in the original mirror.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking how it would work to "chalkboard" the refrigerator in the kitchen........for lists and such? Maybe I'll try it just before it breaks and we have to replace it.
ReplyDeleteKathi
What an AMAZING FIND!
ReplyDeleteRashon aka Mr. Goodwill Hunting
ive turned a mirror into a chalkboard by painting the back side with chalkboard spray paint and flipping it around so i could someday (bc i know i'll change my mind!)use as a mirror! perfection! great mirror find!! i didn't even primer first!
ReplyDeleteI turned a mirror into a chalk board once. I took the mirror out-flipped it to the other side & chalk painted that, so then if I ever wanted my mirror back I could just flip it back around.
ReplyDeleteI painted over an old mirror and didn't even prime. The chalkboard paint that I rolled on stuck great. Much easier than trying to change out the surface.
ReplyDeleteYou can go right over the glass. What a great mirror!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great idea! And I love that you can paint right over the glass.
ReplyDeletedon't paint the glass, I did that. Sounds like nails on a chalkboard when you write. we hate it
ReplyDeleteWhat luck! Absolutely don't paint over the mirror, just keep it tucked away. You could even stack it behind the chalkboard. That way, you really could keep it forever and use it in lots of ways. As you know, mirror cut to a shape like that isn't only expensive, but if it's original, old and beautiful, as well.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a gorgeous mirror that I would hesitate painting it in case you want to switch it back some day. Why not just save the mirror and replace it with a piece of lightweight plexi or plywood/MDF, like you suggested.
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me of the IKEA frame you chalkboarded up (new word!) for your Mom. And that I shamelessly stole...
http://thenestinggame.com/2010/02/12/house-love-lately/
And how pretty is that collection of still life florals? Love it!
What an AWESOME find!!! I remember when I saw that in Cottage Living years ago and I fell in love with it then and absolutely STILL love it now!
ReplyDeleteLove it. You could also leave the glass and jus tpick up some dry-erase markers and use it as more of a wipe board.
ReplyDeleteI think I would go mdf, my luck I would be writing on it and the weight of the mirror would make it crash to the floor! That would be sad.
ReplyDeleteI think even if you put primer down, if you have a sharp piece of chalk, it will scratch the paint off.
ReplyDeletetotally love that! i've been sooo over chalkboards, but that one is going to look awesome!
ReplyDeleteI have painted chalkboard paint over glass. Just makes sure it is hung securely, don't want it falling down and shattering! I would just use a high adhesive primer first then a few coats of chalkboard paint! I think it is an amazing find!
ReplyDeletei painted chalk board paint directly on a mirror with no primer. no problems here!
ReplyDeleteI spray painted directly on the mirror with no problems! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI love the shape of that mirror! For such a heavy that was a great price. It's going to look great as a chalkboard. I like the idea of navy chalkboard paint. It would be so gorg with the gold frame.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of a "greeny emerald color" that's the shade of my envy at your fabulous find. What a sensational piece, and great deal!
ReplyDeleteJust yesterday I saw chalkboard paint at Michael's in aqua, pink, and a couple of other colors, if I remember correctly, as well as the traditional colors (Martha Stewart brand, I believe). I think the richer colors would look amazing with a gold frame, though.
ReplyDeleteI had a chalkboard in my last house and used it all.the.time. It was the best place for a grocery list/things to do because I could always see it. I think you will enjoy it, plus yours will be gorgeous. Great find!
ReplyDeleteI also have these photos in one my inspiration folders, I immediately fell in love with this space! I've also sprayed over the mirror to make a chalkboard too, it'll totally work but maybe if you used the MDF the piece would be lighter. Your mirror is awesome!
ReplyDeleteFunny you should post this today. I just read this blog: http://thecreativityexchange.blogspot.com/2011/09/how-to-turn-glass-in-frame-into.html
ReplyDeleteand she totally turns glass in frames into chalkboards. I love the shape as well! Good buy!
I love antique shopping, and I adore the mirror that you found! I think $100 is a steal!
ReplyDeleteI saved that pic too, but I cannot believe you found the EXACT SAME MIRROR! I didn't them side by side but they how is that even possible? Too awesome.... was totally meant to be
ReplyDeleteI've painted over glass and it sounded funny when we wrote on it (I think someone else said that too). So I'd flip it over in case you want to reuse in the future.
Speaking of- have you seen the new White Board paint as well? So fun!
You can totally paint right over the glass! I did a few years ago on a mirror of mine. I can't say it's the safest thing in the world (with kiddos), but it's help up really well! I simply primed the mirror with Kilz and painted the chalkboard right on. So simple and stress-free!
ReplyDeleteYou actually gave me this idea with the stickered wallpaper post- I have a huge wall with mirrors (it's a rental). I put contact paper over it and then painted it with the chalkboard paint. It worked great and it's easy to peel off when done. Thanks for the constant inspiration!
ReplyDeleteOld-school green would be so awesome, and oddly unexpected.
ReplyDeleteCamille
I thought the Meeker Ave Flea was closed.
ReplyDeleteLove the idea! You paint over glass with chalk based paint. There is a brand call Girl's paint. It's from the uk and you can paint it over anything without a primer. It's chalk based.
ReplyDeletexoxo Dusty
http://dustycouch.blogspot.com/
Wow what an amazing find!! I already know its going to look amazing! We have one chalkboard and its a picture frame, I painted directly over the glass, no issues at all
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you found that mirror. I've never painted over mirror but that seems that easiest. You actually blogged about the big chalkboard I made a couple years back..we replaced the mirror with sheet metal and I painted over it..just so that it would be magnetic.
ReplyDeleteHope all is well with you.
xx - CB
@ Sarah, I also heard the Meeker Ave flea had closed. It must be open again. Jenny, can you confirm it's at the same location? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great find!
ReplyDeleteLove this!
ReplyDeleteI did a piece on a chalkboard fridge awhile back, thanks for this!
Wonder.Lust
Yes, I have painted right on the glass many many times. You will love your chalkboard! I have one in my home in black with the gold, modern and traditional all at once. LOVE LOVE your blog, pls keep us posted! xoxo!
ReplyDeleteMDF is too heavy, and too grainy to write on/ lighten it up a bit with a piece of birth plywood, very lightweight and smooth.
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny! I just did a chalkboard in a huge, vintage frame. I just attached the frame to the wall first and then painted the wall itself. It worked beautifully! Let us know how it turns out!
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit late to this party - but if weight really is an issue, you can paint a piece of black foamcore. We just did this here at work for a chalkboard and it worked great. Otherwise, yeah - paint the mirror! Awesome find :)
ReplyDeleteI agree - chalkboard paint is overdone sometimes However, we used chalkboard paint to cover up some ugly decorative tiles (wine bottle + grapes + picnic basket) in our kitchen and we get so many compliments on it. I'll post a picture sometime.
ReplyDeleteThe Paper Road
Love this idea...gonna keep my eyes open for a large framed mirror.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!