At this point you probably know three things about me: I love a good transformation, I adore a bargain, and I’m obsessed with my dog Hamburger (the last detail isn’t essential to this story, but it’s too true to leave out). Recently I spotted a large round mirror at HomeGoods so hideous that its deeply discounted $19 price tag made perfect sense. Mirrors that size usually run $90–$150, so of course I bought it.
I forgot to take a “before” photo, so let me describe the grotesque find. The frame was made of the same faux-fiberglass material used for inexpensive outdoor urns, with a faux finish of swirly brown and bronze splotches. Terrible. It was so bad I considered telling the cashier I planned to do major surgery on it before hanging, just to avoid any judgment about my taste. Picture that tacky, splotchy plastic abomination of a mirror.
Here’s what the mirror looks like after a fresh coat of glossy white paint:
Not bad, huh? It resembles a pricier mirror I once saw in a Pottery Barn catalog, which was listed for around $250. Who spends that kind of money on a simple round mirror? The finish is so convincing you’d swear it’s painted wood, even to the touch. Is there anything a fresh coat of white paint can’t improve?
It looks great in the den above the TV, replacing a large Target clock that has since been relocated to the sunroom, where it belongs. The mirror brings a clean, bright focal point to the room without breaking the bank.
Here’s a wider shot to show the full effect:
I love a good fairy-tale-style home makeover—frog turned prince and all that. Share your best before-and-after projects; apparently we can never get enough of these transformations.