If you saw a tall ornate frame that was missing the mirror at a thrift store, would you buy it? The angels sang when we found not one but a matching pair of tall finial style mirrorless frames and I instantly knew what I wanted to do with them. But I had to wait for the holidays. The wait is over and I can finally show you how to make holiday DIY chalkboards from old mirrors.

DIY Holiday Chalkboards From Old Mirrors

Of course, they don't have to be used just for the holidays. I might use the red one in my office after Christmas. These are what the mirrorless frames looked like when we got them. They most likely came off a large dresser.

Just a few coats of paint and patience waiting for paint to dry are all you need to make these.

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience so you can see what products I used or recommend to make this project. I don't recommend products unless I've tried them first. See my full disclosure policy.

Making the DIY chalkboards

Here's where we'll turn the old hardboard backing from the frames into chalkboards but first they should be primed. I darkened my go-to white primer with leftover grey chalk paint that I had on hand. I rolled the primer on with a 4-inch foam roller.

Once the primer was dry I rolled a thin coat of Black Rustoleum Chalkboard Paint. Thin coats are key for using this paint but flat latex or chalk paint also works for making chalkboards. The recommended dry time for this particular paint is four hours between coats. This is where patience comes into play so while the paint was drying I got busy painting the frames.

Paint the old mirror frames

I painted one frame festive Dixie Belle Barn Red and the other wintery Buttercream. Two thin coats of each color.

Age and distress the frames

On the white frame, I lightly distressed the edges and around those lovely curves on the top with a 220-grit sanding pad. Because Dixie Belle mineral paint doesn't require a top coat and cures rock hard after 30 days, I left it clean.

On the red frame, I aged the color with a coat of brown wax applied with a stiff bristle round brush. You can see the difference between the left side with the dark wax and the right side without wax. It adds so much depth to the color and gives the paint an aged patina.

Season and decorate the chalkboards for the holidays

Before putting the chalkboards back into the frames I seasoned them. This is a must with DIY chalkboards unless you want your first creative drawing etched permanently. To season the new chalkboard simply rub the side of a stick of chalk both vertically and horizontally across the board and wipe with a paper towel or chalk brush.

Time to have fun decorating your new chalkboards for the holidays! I used this ornament stencil on the red chalkboard - the same stencil I used for my Holiday IKEA Pillow Covers. On the white chalkboard, I combined this homestead coffee stencil and this Christmas blend hot chocolate stencil to decorate mine.

I love how festive the chalkboards look for the holidays but would look wonderful hanging on any wall in the house year-round.

Do you decorate with chalkboards during the holidays? If so, how and where do you use them around your home?

Here are some other DIY chalkboard ideas you may like.
Large DIY Chalkboard No Power Tools Required
Round DIY Chalkboards From Silver Plates & Chargers
Chalkboard Menu From Repurposed Framed Art

I share my projects at these inspiring link parties.

Have you ever turned ordinary glass into a mirror? It's actually quite easy and fun to watch the glass transform like magic in mere minutes. In this post, not only am I going to show you how to turn inexpensive dollar store picture frame glass into a mirror but also how to antique or age the mirror for Fall. It makes for an interesting addition to a Fall mantel scape.

Turn Picture Frame Glass Into An Aged Mirror For Fall

This is such an inexpensive home decor idea for any time of the year but when painting the picture frame in pretty fall colors and adding a stencil to the front of the mirror, it adds a unique touch to decorating for Fall.

If you look closely you can see pretty Fall mustard yellow paper peeking from behind the mirrored glass.

Add some inexpensive dollar store painted pumpkins to the mix, and it makes for a lovely Fall vignette in pretty autumn colors.

Instructions for making an aged mirror for Fall

So first you're going to need a picture frame with glass. The one I'm using has been hanging outside on the fence for a few years. While the mirror held up perfectly, the wood picture frame took a beating from the elements.

This post contains affiliate links so you can see what products I used or recommend for this project. At no cost to you, we receive a small commission if you make a purchase.

Supply List

Wood Picture Frame With Glass (salvaged)
Looking Glass Spray Paint
Autumn Orange Paint
Mustard Yellow Chalk Paint
Dark Wax
Vintage Scrapbook Paper
Hello Fall Stencil

Painting the aged mirror picture frame

After washing the dirt and grime and sanding the loose chipped paint, the frame was painted with two coats of the most suitable Autumn chalk paint color.

Next, I dry brushed a layer of Arles (a mustard yellow) Annie Sloan Chalk Paint with an inexpensive chip brush. Remove most of the paint from the brush onto a paper towel and then swipe your brush with very light pressure over the grooves in the frame and around the edges.

To age the frame I rubbed dark wax with a lint-free rag, applying it heavier in the nooks and crannies.

Turn ordinary glass into a reflective mirror

Like I said earlier, turning regular glass into a reflective glass is super easy. I wrote detailed step-by-step instructions here in my How To Turn Ordinary Glass Into Looking Glass tutorial. Once you're finished this step I'll show you how to antique the mirror in the next step.

How to age or antique the reflective mirror 

To antique or age the mirror, crumble a wet rag in your hand and with little pressure, randomly dab it over sections of the dried reflective paint to remove it. Don't fret if you removed too much in some places because you can always go over it with more reflective paint.

Once the reflective paint is dry we're going to add to the antique or aged look of the mirror by adding vintage-looking damask scrapbook paper behind the painted side of the glass. Any pretty vintage looking paper in Fall colors will compliment the painted frame.

Cut the paper the same size as the mirror. Place the mirror back into the picture frame with the painted side facing inwards and slip the scrapbook paper behind it. Put the picture frame backing into the frame and now we're ready to make this aged mirror look even more Fall worthy.

A few years ago I did something similar by aging a regular mirror. You can see how that is done in my How To Make An Ordinary Mirror Look Antiqued post.

Stenciling the aged mirror

Last but not least I stenciled the unpainted side facing outwards of the aged mirror with the same stencil I used on these DIY Checkered Pillows For Fall and the same Autumn orange chalk paint as the frame.

Center the stencil over the mirror and hold in place with painters tape. I used an up and down pouncing motion to apply the chalk paint and it took several layers to cover the glass. Perhaps a glass or multi-surface craft paint would have provided more coverage.

That's it, what you'll end up with is this pretty Fall Aged Mirror.

For more Fall inspiration check out my Fall Projects page.

I told you it was easy! How fun would these be for every season? If you have any questions about this project, please leave them in the comment section below or press the Contact Me button at the top of the blog to drop me an email. I love hearing from you!

I share my projects at these inspiring link parties.