Teach Me Tuesday: Pottery Barn on a Budget

Today’s edition of Teach Me Tuesday comes from the wonderfully talented Mikael from Starter Home to Dream Home. You know how I love Pottery Barn copy cat projects, and Mikael’s tutorial for a $700 Pottery Barn mirror (“You serious, Clark?” Can you name the movie?) certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Mikael brings us another Pottery Barn on a budget project:

Remember last weekend I was doing a little project? Well, as always, I have discovered that with twins around things take twice as long. It is FINALLY finished!

My $60 Version (yes, I am not lying…)

Pottery Barn’s $700 Version
Eagan Multipanel Mirror courtesy Pottery Barn

I have seen the “multipanel mirror” on every decorating show and in every celebrity home. I wanted it! I had to have it. But I wasn’t willing to dish out the $700 Pottery Barn was asking! I showed this picture to my trusty husband and he said “oh, I could do that!” (yes, ladies, this is why I married him…. haha)

HOW TO:

Materials all from Lowes

Beveled Mirror Tiles

Particle Board
(those other trim pieces were used for cutting straight..)

Oil Rubbed Bronze Spray paint (I went through 2 cans)
Clear protective coat

1×3-10′ Hemlock Board for framing

1. Lay your mirrors out how you want and measure very accurately.We chose to do 9 mirrors because it fit where we wanted it. Our mirror came out to 40 lbs, so anymore mirrors might have put us over the 50 lbs hanging limit! (Lindsay note: If you want to do smaller mirrors, but more of them, check the Dollar Store. I saw beveled mirrored tiles in the candle section just yesterday for $1 each.)

TIP: My husband kinda measure a tiny off and we figured this out AFTER we cut. Next time we would have just drawn around edges of the mirrors while they were laying down- way easier!!!

2. Cut the ply wood and add 2 layered support framing to the back. Screwing the pieces in.
TIP: Install edge supports to the full depth of the frame. This helps support the Frame.

(Lindsay note: If you’ve never used a nail gun, I beg of you to try it out. Borrow one from a neighbor if you need to. Using a nail gun is probably the most fun you can have in a garage.)

3. Cut the hemlock board to make a frame around the outside. We applied glue then nailed it in.
TIP: Use a Miter Saw instead of a hand saw (what my husband used)

Back of Frame (above)

Front of the Frame (above)
TIP: Make sure the frame is not mesh with the front, leave a little lip so that the mirrors have a nice seamless fit.

4. Then, of course, there is always the finish work! (don’t we all hate that part). Luckily my husband did it this time THANKS HUN!

5. SPRAY PAINT the H** out of it! I used 2 full cans of the Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint then followed with a coat of the sealant to give it a nice, professional finish.

6. My husband glued all the mirrors on with Liquid Nails and we let it sit for 24 hours. Then, to my surprise, he hung it. with a heavy duty picture hanging wire ($2.68 @ Lowes) attached to the back, while I was out teaching ballet, he is just a sweetie

I came home at 11pm from teaching to this on the top of my stairs! SO BEAUTIFUL!

Side view