new painted mirrors

I'm working on another large mirror and have a few more in the studio to complete yet. Always interesting for me to see what develops as I paint these old mirrors.  

14.5"w x 15.5"h  

detail of latest mirror. 

just added to the collection of Laura Harmon designs

this accent piece is 13" w x24" h

almost done. 4 coats of thinned oil based paint. Acrylic accents in bronze and peacock blue over a soft gray green

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New sign just in time for 3rd anniversary on the 27th of Feb. 

After I sanded with a sanding sponge (lightly)  first coat of oil based paint has been applied. I always sand lightly in between all coats of paint or primer. This is what will give it that  nice smooth finish. I usually use a satin finish and thin the paint considerably with mineral spirits. More coats are needed when you apply thin layers but the results are worth it. Always use a natural bristle brush for oil paint! 

No shabby chic here.... that would be too easy

Sorry Shabby Chic lovers, I'm going to do my best to give this one a style like no other. Previously painted dresser set from the 40's . I've sanded with my trusty little Bosch palm grip sander. Used oil primer "Zinsser Cover Stain" to cover small areas where the sanding exposed the raw wood. 

The reason I push the Cover Stain product is simply because it dries in 45 min. unlike other oil primers that might take up to 24 hours before a coat of paint can be applied. Also oil is always best for raw wood .... doesn't raise the grain like water based primers might.

Sanding just took a few hours and the priming only 45 min. Now I'm ready to get a few coats of oil based paint on. I always prefer oil for cabinets and furniture. What color do you think I might be doing on this one? 

" After " pics of dresser set

this is what happened after a year of looking at this set. I wanted to accent the bakelite knobs . The whole set just reminded me of a storybook.

not too visible in the photo but I added some glitter to the paint on some of the trim colors for fun.

I used oil based paint on the foundation of the pieces with a satin finish. The decorative colors are all done in artist acrylics with a polyurethane finish for protection. 

the mirror is very old and original with some of the black flaws but still in very good condition . I'm thinking the whole set is from the 30's if not the 20's and was made in Britain . Still has a label . Some of the drawers have birds eye maple in the bottoms. 

damaged surface on this old english dresser. 

before of the vanity and dresser. small pieces of bakelite in the middle of the handles are hardly visible with the wood tone