The first rule of the thrift club is simple: when you spot a pair of something, grab them both. There are exceptions—I’ve walked away from a pair of neon monkey lamps and still regret it—but when the finds are right, they’re worth rescuing.
These two vintage mirrors weren’t an exact match, but their sizes and shapes were similar enough that I knew they could work together in an intentionally eclectic way. They felt like keepers.
For this month’s Trash to Treasure Tuesday project, turning these thrifted mirrors into picture frames felt like a straightforward, satisfying challenge. And at $3 apiece, the price alone made them irresistible.
I’ve been eager to try Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Home Paint since I received a lovely care package of her products. I chose the color One Horn White for these frames—the shade is a soft antique white, neither stark nor yellow, but a warm, creamy tone that felt perfect for a child’s bedroom.
Supplies Used:
- Magnolia Home Paint in One Horn White
- Two vintage mirror frames
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- 1.5″ angled paint brush (Purdy recommended)
- Mod Podge or a similar decoupage medium
- Art prints or posters (ballet-themed sketches for this project)
- Gray ribbon
- Hot glue gun
I started by sanding both frames lightly to remove grime and create a surface the paint could adhere to. Because Magnolia Home Paint includes primer, I skipped a separate priming step, but I would still recommend sanding first—this paint isn’t chalk paint, and sanding helps with adhesion, especially over dark wood.
Covering such dark wood with a light cream required three coats of paint. The interior finish shows visible brush strokes; this paint isn’t self-leveling. For many, those strokes add to the farmhouse, handmade aesthetic Joanna’s line is known for. If you prefer a smoother finish, consider her cabinetry and furniture paint, which is formulated to level out more evenly.
A year after finishing Olivia’s bedroom, I still felt the wall behind her bed needed a little something to complete the space. These frames, transformed into picture frames with vintage ballerina prints, fit perfectly and balanced the room in a way I’d been hoping for.
To convert the mirrors into framed art, I applied a thin layer of Mod Podge to the mirror surface, laid the art print down, and smoothed it carefully to remove air bubbles and wrinkles. Using a credit card like a squeegee is an easy trick to help flatten the paper and push out any remaining ripples.
For a polished edge, I attached gray ribbon around the perimeter of each print with a bead of hot glue. The ribbon adds a small, charming detail and gives the frames a finished, tailored look.
The finished frames feel like they were meant to hang above that bed—a happy accident that ties the whole room together. I hope the prints will remain meaningful as Olivia grows; if she ever outgrows her ballerina phase, swapping in new art will be easy.
Sometimes I wonder whether to add another element to the wall—maybe shiplap—but for now the gallery of frames adds warmth and completes the vignette.
Olivia still loves her room and proudly shows it off to visitors—often pointing out her rug and then happily inviting guests to play for hours. It’s rewarding when a small DIY update results in a space a child cherishes.
If you’ve got thrifted mirrors or frames and are looking for a fresh, budget-friendly way to update a room, converting mirrors into framed art is an easy project with great payoff. It’s a thrifty, creative solution that lets you customize color, imagery, and trim to suit any space.
Below are a few other Trash to Treasure makeovers from friends who also transformed thrifted finds into fresh décor pieces: Prodigal Pieces (repurposed screen door chalkboard), Girl in the Garage (British telephone booth cabinet), Artsy Chicks Rule (thrifty cart makeover), and Confessions of a Serial DIYer (wreath backdrop).
For more thrifted project inspiration, check the archive of past Trash to Treasure makeovers. If you want to save this post for later, pin the images above to your favorite project board.
