DIY Knockoff Wood Sunburst Mirror
July 17, 2012
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I tend to buck trends (decor and otherwise) -- either I just don’t add them to our home or I do it reeeeeally late, well after they are cool. That is just how I roll.
Same goes for this project. I actually came up with an idea to create this gorgeous Ballard Designs sunburst mirror months and months ago:
I even bought the pieces to make it, figured out how I was going to make it, and almost started…but then it seemed like I was seeing them everywhere in blogland. Sunburst mirrors are fantastic, so I am not surprised they were all over the place.
But I’m annoying, so I waited. :)
When we had our big tall walls and stair case repainted a few weeks ago, I knew I wanted to change up the decor on the huge wall at the back of our stairs.
Soooo…I figured these would be perfect. I gathered all my materials (again) and started figuring out how I wanted to put it together (again). I began with cedar shims:
I was psyched cause they carry the longest shims I’ve ever seen (about 14 inches I think?) so my plan was going to work out even better than I thought!
I wanted to make the same shape the Ballard mirror had, so I laid two shims together, touching at the bottom, wider apart on top. Then I laid one more on top and glued it on to hide the open area:
I used hot glue for the entire thing and it held great – wood glue works too, but you’d have to wait for it to dry and I have zero patience. :) I used a TON of hot glue, just to make sure everything was secure. (And that’s the reason the lovely kitchen towel is under every pic.)
The bottom of each trio of shims is hidden eventually, so you can use up those that are beat up a bit:
Oh, and I made that one that goes on top stick up a little bit over the tops of the two, just like in the Ballard version.
Then I took a scrap board (you can find something similar in the wooden area at the craft store – for my second mirror I used a round wooden piece) and started gluing the sets of shims on. I started with four, then added four more on top, then an additional four on top of that.
It was all about filling in the open space:
Then it was time to flip it! If you use long shims like I did you need to finesse the flip a little. ;) When it’s turned over, just add single shims to fill in some of the empty space and glue them to the back of the entire thing:
I could have kept going, but I liked having a bit of space between some of the wood.
I flipped it back over again, then glued another piece of scrap wood on top of everything:
Then it was time to paint! This actually took more time than all the gluing, just because I tried to get in the little crevices. If you were smart you’d do this first, but I’m a stickler for the hard way obviously. :)
I mixed some of my sample of Annie Sloan chalk paint in Paris Grey with water and brushed it on. I didn’t want it to cover perfectly, since I wanted more of a rustic look. The mixing with water helped to give it a bit of a wash instead of opaque coverage. I picked the grey for a more neutral look, but any color would look amazing!
After the paint, I used a mirror glue (make sure to use the mirror version -- regular adhesives may eat away the back of your mirror) and gooped it up:
I found 12 inch mirrors in the candle area at Hob Lob (half off!), centered them right on top and then let it dry for hours. A little hanger added to the back and they were ready to go!
I LOVE love LOVE how they turned out!!:
They hang in the two large squares I installed in our staircase eons ago:
I was actually considering taking those down because they are NOT my best work. ;) They were one of my very first DIY projects in this house and up close they aren’t as good I as would like.
But for now they are staying! ;) I LOVE how well the mirrors work inside of them:
I personally love the rustic look, and that you can see the varying textures in the wood:
The make a HUGE statement for very little money. It is so hard to find huge art to fill a big space (that isn’t crazy expensive)!
You’ll notice my little quote on the gallery wall is gone – it had to go when we had everything painted:
I left it open for now because I’m debating if I’ll put up something different or just rearrange the photos.
I seriously ogle them every time I go up or down the stairs:
So here’s the comparison side by side – the Ballard version that is 48 wide and $350, and mine that’s 34 inches and cost $10 each:
Hellooooo, that is AWESOME! The cost was $4 for two packages of shims, the $5 mirror from Hobby Lobby and the scrap wood for the base. I had everything else.
Sooo, I’m about a year late on the sunburst mirror trend, right? And I’m sure I’m not the first one to figure out how to make it this way – but I LOVE how they turned out! And I love figuring out how to save $340 on something I love. :) Best part, yes?
Affiliate links included for your convenience!
Same goes for this project. I actually came up with an idea to create this gorgeous Ballard Designs sunburst mirror months and months ago:
But I’m annoying, so I waited. :)
When we had our big tall walls and stair case repainted a few weeks ago, I knew I wanted to change up the decor on the huge wall at the back of our stairs.
Soooo…I figured these would be perfect. I gathered all my materials (again) and started figuring out how I wanted to put it together (again). I began with cedar shims:
I was psyched cause they carry the longest shims I’ve ever seen (about 14 inches I think?) so my plan was going to work out even better than I thought!
I wanted to make the same shape the Ballard mirror had, so I laid two shims together, touching at the bottom, wider apart on top. Then I laid one more on top and glued it on to hide the open area:
I used hot glue for the entire thing and it held great – wood glue works too, but you’d have to wait for it to dry and I have zero patience. :) I used a TON of hot glue, just to make sure everything was secure. (And that’s the reason the lovely kitchen towel is under every pic.)
The bottom of each trio of shims is hidden eventually, so you can use up those that are beat up a bit:
Oh, and I made that one that goes on top stick up a little bit over the tops of the two, just like in the Ballard version.
Then I took a scrap board (you can find something similar in the wooden area at the craft store – for my second mirror I used a round wooden piece) and started gluing the sets of shims on. I started with four, then added four more on top, then an additional four on top of that.
It was all about filling in the open space:
Then it was time to flip it! If you use long shims like I did you need to finesse the flip a little. ;) When it’s turned over, just add single shims to fill in some of the empty space and glue them to the back of the entire thing:
I could have kept going, but I liked having a bit of space between some of the wood.
I flipped it back over again, then glued another piece of scrap wood on top of everything:
Then it was time to paint! This actually took more time than all the gluing, just because I tried to get in the little crevices. If you were smart you’d do this first, but I’m a stickler for the hard way obviously. :)
I mixed some of my sample of Annie Sloan chalk paint in Paris Grey with water and brushed it on. I didn’t want it to cover perfectly, since I wanted more of a rustic look. The mixing with water helped to give it a bit of a wash instead of opaque coverage. I picked the grey for a more neutral look, but any color would look amazing!
After the paint, I used a mirror glue (make sure to use the mirror version -- regular adhesives may eat away the back of your mirror) and gooped it up:
I found 12 inch mirrors in the candle area at Hob Lob (half off!), centered them right on top and then let it dry for hours. A little hanger added to the back and they were ready to go!
I LOVE love LOVE how they turned out!!:
They hang in the two large squares I installed in our staircase eons ago:
I was actually considering taking those down because they are NOT my best work. ;) They were one of my very first DIY projects in this house and up close they aren’t as good I as would like.
But for now they are staying! ;) I LOVE how well the mirrors work inside of them:
I personally love the rustic look, and that you can see the varying textures in the wood:
The make a HUGE statement for very little money. It is so hard to find huge art to fill a big space (that isn’t crazy expensive)!
You’ll notice my little quote on the gallery wall is gone – it had to go when we had everything painted:
I left it open for now because I’m debating if I’ll put up something different or just rearrange the photos.
I seriously ogle them every time I go up or down the stairs:
So here’s the comparison side by side – the Ballard version that is 48 wide and $350, and mine that’s 34 inches and cost $10 each:
Sooo, I’m about a year late on the sunburst mirror trend, right? And I’m sure I’m not the first one to figure out how to make it this way – but I LOVE how they turned out! And I love figuring out how to save $340 on something I love. :) Best part, yes?
Affiliate links included for your convenience!
Love it! I have some shims just waiting for me to get to work. Had them for months!! Mine aren't as long though..may have to buzz over to True Value. You've put the bee in my bonnet!! I want my sunburst mirror now!
ReplyDeleteThey look great snd are perfect inside your squares. It took me a while with the sunburst mirror trend but I finally did one too for my dining room.
ReplyDeleteLove it! My stairs are set up the same way. The wall on our landing has been blank for far too long. I never knew what to put in that spot. Now I do!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!
ReplyDeleteThose turned out so so lovely! <3 It's so fun knocking off expensive items and having them turn out equally as fantastic!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Jen
Oh I love it. How fun. You did a great job. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeletewow!! these mirrors look amazing.... you should be on HGTV's High Low project :-)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh I LOVE IT! You did such a great job. They are beautiful
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's ever too late to jump on the sunburst bandwagon. These turned out beautifully! What a bang for your buck!
ReplyDeleteSarah, I love them! They turned out fabulous! I made a sunburst mirror last year with skewers from the dollar store, a mirror I already had and a can of spray paint. Total cost was $6! The mirror is in our bedroom. This past year I've wanted to make another one to go in the living room over a couch, although it would need to be a bit more "hefty" looking. Drift wood would be really cool, but I'd need to collect a ton of it. The wood shims might be just the ticket. Thanks for sharing!! =)
ReplyDelete~ Catie
If you're curious, here's the link to mine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?src_vid=pPjvSmp3_LU&annotation_id=annotation_874826&v=OwA9761VXJA&feature=iv
Oops!! I don't know why it pasted a link to youtube instead of my link! Sorry!! Here's the real link.
ReplyDeletehttp://catiescorner2.blogspot.ca/2011/05/diy-sunburst-mirror.html
Your mirrors look fantastic! I don't know if its my computer or not but the wood looks a little grey and I LOVE it. I made a very similar mirror but stained the shims. Hope you like it! http://newcombhome.blogspot.com/2011/05/shout-out-to-jandj-home-and-northwest.html
ReplyDeletelove the look,and I like the look of loving hands made it,instead of a factory...I think My treasures as that what are children really are ....are treasure for our future....
ReplyDeleteYours look better than the one for 350.00! <3 Great job!
ReplyDeleteI'm really glad that you waited to make your sunburst mirror. I was feeling a bit behind the times, as I'm hoping to do one for our master bedroom pretty soon; now I don't feel so self-conscious :) Yours look fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI love how they look inside the frames, great job!
ReplyDeleteWOW!! They both look incredible.
ReplyDeleteI might just give this one a try.
Thanks for the inspiration.
this is super cute! great job!
ReplyDeleteYour mirror turned out great, and can't beat the price! I've thought about making one also, but I'm probably even worse about not jumping on the bandwagon until it's over in the next town.
ReplyDeleteLove the mirrors, and I am falling more and more in love with the color on your walls!!! They are such a nice color!
ReplyDeleteIf you every decide you want more vinyl lettering on your walls, LET ME KNOW! I do vinyl out of my home...hobby-turned-into-small-business, and I would LOVE to send you something!
I made one of these for my daughter's room with the paint stirring sticks. Very fun. I've seen these all over the place but you sure took it to a whole new level with the framing! Awesome idea, love it!
ReplyDeleteI loooooove these - I love that you made two instead of one and framed them out in the molding!! ALSO - I LOVE YOU for just doing this now...I've been dying to make one lately but I'm so scared to because I'm a little embarrassed to just jump on that wagon NOW...this makes me feel a LOT better :)
ReplyDeleteI love your project, turned out beautiful!!! I have made a posted two of them online recently, here is the last one if you want to check it out:
ReplyDeletehttp://twelveoeight.blogspot.com/2012/06/rustic-modern-mirror.html
Hugs, Tanya :)
That looks fantastic!! Way to go and way to save $$$ awesome!!!
ReplyDeletewow - look at you and look at that awesome project - you keep on rocking out the best projects!!! xo
ReplyDeleteNORTHERN COTTAGE {http://www.northerncottage.net}
Bellissimo! Grazie per il tutorial!
ReplyDeleteCarmen
Those came out awesome! Thanks for the step-by-step...I am TOTALLY doing it {late adapter here, too}.
ReplyDeleteLove the chunkiness of it! And...then hanging them inside the frames...like a cherry on top! :-) Great job Sarah! <3 Heidi Rew from PartiesforPennies.com
ReplyDeleteI love it! I need to get on making one of these soon! Thanks for the tutorial! :)
ReplyDeletewowzers, pretty cool for a *one year behind* project :) I have an infamous love for white and so it'd have to be....well white of course ^-^
ReplyDeletewill keep an eye out for more of your little gems
Babs
Shims! genies!!! love it. xo P.S. I would love for you to share this at the hop tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable. I'm speechless actually. I came back over to see some more bathrooms after I posted mine last night and found this loveliness. How do you come up w/ your ideas? I find I think of my stuff in my sleep. You must have been on cloud 9 with this one!!! You ROCK!!!
ReplyDelete~ Julie
Sharing it over on my redheadcandecorate.com Facebook page :) Hope you can visit Sarah!
WOW, your version is amazing and so much less $! Love it :)
ReplyDeleteTurned out great, Sarah! Two really has such a great impact on your staircase wall. Thanks for sharing the how-to! :)
ReplyDeleteI jumped on the bandwagon too, and raided the shims! I love your versions...and in a pair, they make a great impact! I used a different kind of mirror bc mine hangs outside.
ReplyDeletehttp://hisugarplum.blogspot.com/2011/06/diy-convex-sunburst-mirror.html
three cheers for cheaper knock-offs!! xo
So so pretty... love the way that you added the detail to the wall around them as well!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Bj
When I saw the words sunburst mirror and the pack of shims I thought, "THAT IS SO CLEVER!!! WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT!!!?" Great job!
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous! It looks awesome coming down/up the stairway...a great way to reflect light in that space...I just love everything about this project!
ReplyDeletewow wat a cool DIY, following u on GFC now, follow me bak if u like :)
ReplyDelete~ashy
http://thezingofmylife.blogspot.com
Wow, what a huge difference in price and just as awesome looking!! Great project and I've pinned for future!
ReplyDeleteDebbie :)
Sarah, what an amazing idea for the sunburst knockoff! I'm a new-comer to your decorating blog, having just started one of my own a few weeks ago. I can't wait to make one myself! I'm a former stay-at-home-mom turned Nursing School student, and my husband is a police officer. While we don't have a lot of "play money", I like ALL of my play money to go towards the home & DIY projects & decorating. So, this of course gets the creative juices flowing. Thank you for inspiring me on yet another new project. :)
ReplyDeleteAs I mentioned before, I'm new to your blog, so forgive me if all the DIY-lesson on your staircase is in your blog, but I'd LOVE to know just how you made that over! I HATE our staircase (carpeted). YUCK! I'd LOVE to yank that carpet up (can you say 2 black cats in our house?!??! Ew hair) & re-do it on the 'cheap'. I LOVE molding too, and am just getting into adding it around the house.
I look forward to navigating your blog further. (Love the latest island re-do as well - would love to do it to ours). Thanks so much!
WOW! Love it! Thank you for the mirror adhesive tip, I had no clue!
ReplyDeleteWhat color is the paint on the walls of your stair way?
ReplyDeleteLoved the mirror, super easy to do, took me 1/2 hour. The waiting for the mirror adhesive to dry, is killing me. Just a little note, the shims can be very fragile, I had 2 snap and had to glue them together. Left the shims au naturel, they go perfectly with our massive sandstone fireplace wall.
ReplyDeleteOk.. 4 years later I'm finally gonna jump on the sunburst mirror wagon! I love this version and am excited to make one ...or maybe two!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I know this is a super old post of yours, and while I didn't see it when you originally posted it, I have known about it for some time. But I finally found a space in my home to do this, and I can't wait. And I wanted to say that I looked for other DIY sunburst mirrors and NOT ONE is nearly as cute as this. Also, instead of a mirror in the center, I might have a plaque with words on it. But the shim part will be the same. Thanks for yet another great idea!
ReplyDelete