A Frame With Flair: How I Transformed an Antique Mirror Into a Piece of Art

Turning a Antique Frame Into Something Special

Some projects start out simple and end up becoming instant favorites—and this one definitely surprised me.  I decided this discarded old mirror would make the perfect frame for this beautiful decoupage paper with horses. 

Cleaning Years of Grime

The first step was to give it a good cleaning with TSP Alternative.  The mirror was showing it's age and getting pretty foggy so it was the perfect canvas for the decoupage paper. I painted the surface in Fusion Mineral Paint Snowdrop so the images would pop.

Smoothing On the Decoupage Paper

Once the paint was fully dry, I brushed on a generous coat of Decoupage Gel. While it was still wet, I carefully centered the decoupage paper exactly where I wanted it. Starting from the middle, I brushed outward to smooth away bubbles and wrinkles. If you ever need to adjust, you can gently lift the edges to release trapped air.

After everything was perfectly smooth, I left it to dry overnight before trimming away the excess paper from the inside edge of the frame.

Enhancing the Tiger Oak Grain

While the paper dried, I turned my attention to the frame itself. A quick hand sanding gave it a smooth surface, and a coat of Cappuccino Stain & Finishing Oil brought the Tiger Oak grain to life. The warm tones and natural patterning were absolutely stunning.

Finishing the Edges With WoodUbend Trim

Once the paper was trimmed, the edges looked a bit jagged—so I decided to elevate the whole piece with WoodUbend trim.

I warmed the entire roll on my electric griddle lined with tinfoil. While it softened, I applied a thin line of glue around the frame. When the trim was warm enough, I rolled it out quickly and pressed it into place. WoodUbend cools and hardens at the same rate it heats, so you have to work fast. If a piece breaks, don’t panic—it reheats and glues back together beautifully.

Adding Rich, Metallic Accents

After the trim cooled and set, I painted it with Fusion Mineral Paint in Chocolate. To highlight the details, I dry‑brushed Fusion’s Bronze Metallic over the raised areas. The combination added depth, warmth, and just the right amount of shimmer.

A Project Worth Repeating

The finished frame turned out even better than I imagined—and it didn’t stay in the shop for long. With its smooth decoupage, rich wood tones, and elegant trim, it became a standout piece. I’ll definitely be doing this project again.