{DIY} Gold Leaf Sunburst Mirror

Now that I’ve laid out my plans for the Living Room, you’d think today’s post would be one of those projects. You’d be incorrect. I’m easily distracted, and sometimes I need something easy and small to get myself fired up for the bigger projects.

Plus, I’m on a sunburst mirror streak. Correction, a DIY Sunburst Mirror Streak! The Land of Blogs has been on the same streak for awhile. I think Janell started the DIY craze with her fabulous version.

Michelle’s rocks too.

I made a thicker one using wood shims, and had planned to build a spindly version, until I found this one for $25 at Target. I decided I couldn’t replicate it for less money, but I could easily change the finish from black iron to gleaming gold!

mirror before

Janell has been raving about Rub ‘n Buff (I found mine at Hobby Lobby, with a coupon of course!) for ages, and I have to agree! I simply brushed the waxy gold on each spindle using a small brush.

mirror during

You choose how saturated the color by the amount you rub on. I planned to hang my mirror in my Entrance Hall, and wanted the gold to compliment the nailhead accented in the DIY Wall Mirror, so I let some of the iron color show through.

Picnik collage

After a few episodes of Real Housewives of Orange County (I do my best work while watching bad reality TV), I ended up with this:

mirror after

I love the look of layered mirrors. How did I hang a mirror on top of a mirror? The genius that is the Command line, that’s how!

hanging the mirror

Following the directions of the weight appropriate hook for my mirror, I simply stuck it on top of the existing mirror. It has hung for the past month without a single wobble. (I figured I’d better test it out before I told you to try it!)

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It doesn’t pack quite as much punch as I’d hoped, but a fun addition none the less.

Picnik collage

I gold leafed the back of the mirror too, since it would be reflected in the larger mirror. Even so, I barely put a dent in the Rub ‘n Buff (aka, Magic Tube).

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The gold leaf of the mirror is a nice tie to the light fixture, and gold accents in the adjacent Living Room. I finally got around to replacing my jacked-up planter with a pretty cobalt blue ceramic one, too. The jute candles are taking a break. What do you think…bring them back, paint them, glue them together into an abstract sculpture?
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I’d love to have a little console table and lamp, but the front door eats up the only available wall space. How do you like the layered mirror look? Have you tried Rub ‘n Buff? Better yet, have you ever tried to take a picture of a mirror without being in it?!? I was like Gumby MacGyver!

***Print your own 40% off Hobby Lobby coupon here.

Leave a Comment

30 Comments

  1. Heidiopia wrote:

    Never tried Rub'n Buff! Can't wait to give it a shot. Very cool look, Cass. 🙂
    Heidi @ Show Some Decor

    Posted 7.20.11 Reply
  2. Love the mirror on mirror effect and the Rub n Buff really perks it up. I've had my eye on that mirror at Target…

    Posted 7.20.11 Reply
  3. I love that stuff, it lasts a long time too. You're right it is hard to get a pic of a mirror without being in it !

    Posted 7.20.11 Reply
  4. I have not tried this, but I may need to go buy some today! Great job!

    Posted 7.20.11 Reply
  5. Haven't tried the rub & buff but it is on the list!! Love the layered mirror! Great job!!

    Posted 7.20.11 Reply
  6. Simply LKJ wrote:

    The rub and buff is awesome! Love the mirror.

    Posted 7.20.11 Reply
  7. I haven't tried rub & buff but might thanks to the 40% off coupon you shared. Thanks!

    Posted 7.20.11 Reply
  8. these mirrors are so stunning, i love how they look vintage. xoxo jillian:: cornflake dreams

    Posted 7.20.11 Reply
  9. Taking a picture of a mirror without being in it is SO hard. Gumby MacGyer….haha, how do you always make me laugh out loud? Love the mirror, good job!

    Also, I was thinking the other day, I think you should start vlogging…video blogging. It would be so funny. Maybe you could get the lunging husband of yours in on it too?

    Posted 7.20.11 Reply
  10. I love it Cassie. Been wanting to try that rub n' buff stuff as well. And I can just see you army crawling on the floor to be out of the photo. Been there!

    Posted 7.20.11 Reply
  11. I love a good starburst mirror…adds a lot of zah zah to a room!

    Posted 7.20.11 Reply
  12. Loves it! The layered look is a great idea!

    Posted 7.20.11 Reply
  13. Definitely two thumbs way, way up…especially for only 25 buckaroos? Perfection! That last shot with the mirror, red door, zebra rug, and blue pot is awesome…

    Posted 7.20.11 Reply
  14. Haley wrote:

    Love the mirror on mirror action!

    "The jute candles are taking a break. What do you think…bring them back, paint them, glue them together into an abstract sculpture?" I'd love to see what you would come up with for the sculpture. 🙂

    Posted 7.20.11 Reply
  15. Lily wrote:

    I just bought the same mirror from Target 2 days ago knowing I would paint it gold…too good of a price to pass up !! So happy I saw this…now I am going to go buy the Rub 'n Buff !!

    xxLily
    goldandgray.com

    Posted 7.20.11 Reply
  16. I do my best work while watching the Housewives or Flipping Out. Bravo inspires me.

    Posted 7.20.11 Reply
  17. Kat wrote:

    Just an FYI, but Hobby Lobby just recently got in a whole bunch of different sunburst mirrors and this week they are 50% off…most of them end up being only $25!!

    Posted 7.20.11 Reply
  18. Moddy Bee wrote:

    i need to try this rub on gold leaf stuff! it looks amazing!! i also like the layered mirror look! very cool!
    http://www.moddybe.blogspot.com

    Posted 7.20.11 Reply
  19. Shanna wrote:

    That looks awesome! And can I say … Jamie and I went to our first Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago. There are none in our area and we went to a wedding in Southern Tier New York and happened upon a Hobby Lobby. Danger! Like Michaels meets Home Goods.

    Posted 7.20.11 Reply
  20. emily wrote:

    What a clever idea to layer the mirrors! It looks great. And so much better in gold!

    Posted 7.21.11 Reply
  21. I love the layered mirror on mirror look. Your DIY looks awesome!

    Posted 7.21.11 Reply
  22. Amy wrote:

    I never thought to layer mirrors! It's an interesting idea. I've also been wanting to try Rub N Buff…. I've been on the search for things in my house to test it out!

    Posted 7.21.11 Reply
  23. I won a giveaway with 6 tubes of Rub n Buff, I just got it in the mail yesterday, can't wait to try it! Your mirror turned out great, I also love the way Command helps you hang things on surfaces without damage. Awesome!

    Posted 7.21.11 Reply
  24. Taking note of Rub and Buff. Cool!

    Posted 7.21.11 Reply
  25. Tammy wrote:

    I need to give that Rub N Buff a try to. And great job on layering the mirrors. I would have never thought of that! It tuned out great!!

    Posted 7.23.11 Reply
  26. Please be flattered if I run out and get this mirror and rub and buff it! You are cracking me up with your living room plans- that's a million projects! I like the idea of painting the back door black- I love how it looks on the inside of your front door.

    Posted 7.26.11 Reply
  27. I have the same sunburst mirror from Target. I too had thought about DIYing one but the price was too good. For now my mirror is hanging as-is, but I've been considering painting it turquoise. I do like yours in gold, though. Good to see another project using it, as I had heard about it from Janell as well. Nice job!

    Posted 7.27.11 Reply
  28. WhyCuzICan wrote:

    This is about the 5th Sunburst Mirror DIY I've seen today, and I'm soooooclose to doing one myself. Thanks for the further nod to this great trend 🙂

    Visiting from The Shabby Creek Cottage Linky Party today

    ~Suzanne in Illinois

    Posted 7.29.11 Reply
  29. imklvr wrote:

    A "witty retort"? I LOVE that! But the mirror…ON a mirror? Why it's brilliant! Brilliant I say! Who'd a thunk?? And I've never heard of Rub and Buff. But it's on a list now!

    Posted 7.30.11 Reply
  30. I'm heading to Target today to try and find this mirror (website says it's in stock:) I'm putting it in my new work office! Just need the rub-n-buff!

    Posted 12.11.11 Reply