Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Ballard Designs Round Mirror Copycat

I have been a little obsessed with mirrors lately, especially round mirrors.  I love them!
This is my attempt to copy Ballard Design's Cavaillon Mirrors with Chain.  

    Image from Ballard Designs

Ballard Design's are pretty cool.  I had the intention of putting little clasps around the edge of the mirrors. Mine are not inlayed like theirs and I kind of prefer the simplicity of no clasps.
 A couple of weeks ago, I picked up a marked down 18" beveled circular mirror at Target, and
 two smaller sized mirrors from the craft store.
 At Lowes, I found three different sized pressed wood rounds.  To give the rounds a nice finish, I talked Nicole into routering the edges for me.
I owe her big time for all the help!
She said to make sure you use clamps when routering so it won't slip.
I first primed and then spray painted with the delicious Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint.
I used epoxy to glue the mirror to the wood.  I have to warn you, I am impatient and thought it was set only after a few hours.  I came downstairs and heard this HUGE crash.  Um, I guess it takes longer to set than I thought.  I'll let you know how the glue does hold up....after 24 hours! :)
**Update**  Gail, from My Repurposed life informed me that there is a mastic especially for adhering mirrors to stuff.  It's in the caulking section of hardware stores.  Thanks Gail!
I found some chain and rings at Lowe's. I used some hooks I had to anchor the chain into the wall.  I also hung the mirrors from the back, so all the pressure is not on the chain.
I spray painted the chain, and later touched up where it rubbed off inside. This lilac bush worked wonderfully to hold the chain while I painted.  I'm sure my neighbors think I'm NUTS because I'm always hanging junk up on my trees and spray painting! :)
I glazed the mirrors with antique gold again. It just looks so nice with the Oiled Rubbed Bronze paint.
I carefully screwed in the hook holding the chain.
I hung them up!  I don't know if I will keep them here permanently.
What do you think, should I add the little frame hooks around the mirror edge like Ballard's?

34 comments:

  1. I love the way they look! hmmm frame hooks? I dunno. I like them like they are, but the frame hooks might look good. :) Not much help, am I?
    I do want to tell you, in case you don't know. There is (in the caulk dept) something called mirror mastik (sp) I've heard that some adhesives may mess up the silvering on mirrors. I'm not sure about the epoxy you used though.
    Keep us posted on how/where you use these!
    gail

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  2. You did a terrific job! I like them even better than BD! Leave them the way they are! :)

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  3. Those look great and what a statement they make, great job!

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  4. They look awesome! I like yours better than the Ballard ones.
    teri

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  5. Oh my goodness!!! I think you did such a GREAT job on these! I was admiring the ones online~ Hmm... Since now I can 'afford' them, where could they go?..... :)
    Thanks for sharing!

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  6. Yours are sooo much better than the BD ones!! Love them!

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  7. Very cool! Mirrors are great, I also can't ever pass a good one up.

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  8. I love these- they are so cute!!!

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  9. OMGoodness...these are so awesome and affordable! Thanks for sharing! Lisa

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  10. I love em just like that!! I have been playing with round mirrors too!! I added mine to plates:
    http://thecountrychiccottage.blogspot.com/2010/01/pottery-barn-inspired-mirrors.html
    Gotta love mirrors!!

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  11. these are great! Good job! I need to try these!

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  12. stopping by from somewhat simple... those mirrors are gorgeous. They are great abstract shapes, and I like geometrical designs like this. Nice idea!

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  13. Wow! Very nice copy job. I love Ballard's, bu thate the price. It's always nice to find ways to copy them! :) Thanks for sharing!

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  14. love, love, love love LOVE!
    seriously, great job. i love ballard's mirror, but always thought the
    price tag was a little too hefty. i can't believe how easy you made this look. i wish you and nicole lived closer to me so we could do projects together!

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  15. Those are beautiful. I like them better than the Ballard Design's version.

    Personally, I prefer a clean look, so I wouldn't add the frame hooks.

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  16. wanna know why this is SO cool? because i've never seen anything like it before. seriously, this is SUCH an awesome idea!

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  17. I noticed those mirror online and thought how cool they looked... you did a great knock-off!

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  18. Wow! What a great job! I like yours better than the Ballard Designs! Very nice!
    Sandra

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  19. These look so good! Thanks for the tutorial!

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  20. I actually like yours better! I like the chunkiness and simplicity of your. Good choice to keep the clamps off! Looks great!

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  21. I am completely impressed! You did an amazing job and they look fabulous.

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  22. You are very resourceful. Those turned out nice!

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  23. Oh, don't change a thing! I love them just the way they are. Seriously!
    Midge

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  24. These are so great!

    I want those chains. I loved the way they turned out. They absolutely make the mirrors.

    Good job!

    I included you on my Fake-Over highlights...

    http://casual-cottage.blogspot.com/2010/02/fake-overs-i-likee.html

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  25. Wow - those are fantastic. Great job!

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  26. I like yours even better than the originals! I think they are just perfect the way they are. Nicely done!

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  27. Totally rad copycat. I like yours better because I love the clean lines. You did a freaking awesome job. Big ole fat pat on the back to ya!

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  28. Leave them!! When I first started reading I thought your mirrors were the expensive Ballard ones. I like yours so much better!!

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  29. L
    O
    V
    E
    !
    !
    I think I have a few wooden chargers that would be perfect paired with some round beveled mirrors.
    You are inspiring, girl!!
    Thank you!
    (Found you at Knock Off Decor) one of my new favorite sites, as well as your blog!
    HUGS and blessings,
    ~me

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  30. I'm new to your blog and I love it! So creative and I agree with most of your responders... they look better than the BD ones!

    They look awesome against the tan wall and white trim... one question...what color is your wall? Love it and keep up the good work!

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  31. Thanks Bonda for the kind words. The paint color is Desert Tumbled 8723M by Kwal paint. That is the only room in our house with the original wall color. Thanks for stopping by!

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  32. These look fabulous! I've always admired these mirrors at Ballard, and you have done such a fabulous job of creating the same look at such a great price. I am new to the blogosphere and am so happy to have found your site, as I just LOVE DIY projects.

    I will be posting on my blog about a recent project I'm working on with the Ikea Rast dresser... http://ashleywhitedesign.blogspot.com/

    Looking forward to watching your new DIY projects!

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