The first thing from my grandmother Nonna’s home that I restored was this heavy porcelain mirror from at least the 1960s, judging by its existence in old pictures. It was blue and ivory and very, very dirty. I didn’t love it, but I couldn’t leave it behind. Within a week I had this mirror cleaned, painted, and up on the wall.
[Read the origin story of these heirloom restorations here: Heirloom Restoration]
Nonna’s mirror at its dirtiest 
My grandfather Papa with the yuccas painting (below) and the mirror in 1974
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After soaking and scrubbing 
After spray painting
When we salvaged it, the mirror had already popped out of the frame, and was surprisingly not broken. So that was one less thing I had to do. I soaked it in the bathtub with a little dish soap and warm water, cleaned the crevices with a toothbrush, and laid it out to dry. Did paint peel off the sides? You bet it did! So much paint that we had to vacuume the artificial grass afterwards. I spray painted several coats of gold on the back, sides, and front, and left it to cure for several days. Then I used E6000 230010 Craft Adhesive to glue the mirror back to the frame, felt bumpers to protect my wall from wandering gold, and we were all set!
Paint: Rust-Oleum Pure Gold 245221 Universal All Surface Spray Paint, 11 oz, Metallic
The mirror in all its finery is currently hanging in guest bedroom above an antique dresser I acquired from a dear friend when she moved abroad. I think they make a great pair! Now I’m thinking the dresser needs restoring as well, but it’s usable as is, so it’ll have to wait until I’m finished with everything else.
Also pictured in the photo with my grandfather is an oil painting I brought home before storm. It’s like we knew something bad could happen and I preemptively wanted to save it. My grandmother was always great at writing on the backs of things, years later she continues to tell stories through her meticulous cataloging of things. On the back she wrote “Yuccas – Templeton, 1972” and “To Elaine From Paul April ’74” and now it is a gift to me from my Papa. It’s currently hanging above our tv in the living room so I can see it every day. I love it and think of them both often, with love.
For more in the series, click here: Heirloom Restoration or follow the corresponding board on Pinterest.
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