Decorating & Design
February 5, 2016
DIY: Vintage Velvet Mirror
Senior design editor Joel Bray shares step-by-step instructions on how to give a shapely mirror a luxe velvet look.
I bought this vintage mirror (originally from the Fairmont Royal York hotel) from a used-furniture distributor. It was inexpensive with an interesting shape, so I decided to cover its narrow wood frame with flocking fibers for a rich, sophisticated look.
You’ll need a wood-frame mirror, fine-grit sandpaper, paint, paintbrush, flocking fibers, flocking applicator, masking tape, and kraft paper.
Cut a piece of kraft paper large enough to cover the inside of your mirror. Secure the edges of the paper to the mirror using masking tape; this prevents the mirrored surface from getting damaged during the sanding and painting processes.
Go over the frame of your mirror with fine-grit sandpaper (being careful not to miss any nooks and crannies) to create a smooth surface. Dulling down any shine on the frame will help the paint to adhere properly. After sanding, dust off any excess debris to ensure a clean frame for painting.
Place a layer of kraft paper under the mirror so you can gather up and save the excess flocking afterward. Choose a paint color that matches your flocking, or for contrast, pick a color that’s a shade lighter or darker than the flocking. I used flocking in forest green and paint in Robson Street (P5172-73) by Para in a flat finish. Apply two coats of paint so the frame is completely covered, letting the paint dry between coats.
If you’re using the Mini Flocker — a product I found at Craft Flocking that’s also available through other online retailers — slide the two cardboard tubes apart and fill the unmarked tube (without the holes) with flocking fibres. The tube should be only half full. If you don’t have a Mini Flocker, a plastic squeeze bottle from a craft or grocery store works, too.
Go back in small sections and apply a third coat of paint (this is what the flocking will stick to in the following steps). I painted a third coat on one side of the frame at a time, but you could start with smaller sections until you get the hang of flocking.
Using the Mini Flocker (or other applicator), pump a liberal amount of flocking onto the mirror’s frame while the third coat of paint is still wet. Repeat this process on the other sides of the frame as you paint, then, once the entire frame has been flocked, leave it to dry overnight. Once dry, gently tap excess flocking onto kraft paper and save for future use. Hang the mirror and enjoy!
Valerie Wilcox
House & Home November 2015