The 1960s and 1970s produced some {ahem} interesting home decor. I’ve found some pieces that will be fantastic with a bit of a makeover, and I’ll be sharing them with you as they are completed. This era was the first time that plastics were widely used in decor instead of wood – although, it was given a wood grain for effect. Take a peek at this vintage mirror, and what a new coat of paint does for its style quotient…
I found this mirror at a local thrift shop and I loved the shape – it’s a classic federal style, really. I was not, however, fond of the fact that it was made of wood-grained molded plastic.
But, a simple coat of paint – I chose aubergine because it is trendy, fun and goes with almost everything – instantly brings it from 1975 to 2013. I was careful to use a spray paint specifically formulated to bond with plastic so I wouldn’t have any trouble with flaking or chipping paint. I simple masked off the mirror with newspaper and painters tape and sprayed it with two light coats of paint, allowing it to dry for about an hour between each coat. No priming needed. I think it will be a fun addition to someone’s entryway, and it would be at home in both traditional and more modern spaces.
How, you may ask, do I know that this mirror was made specifically as an entry mirror? Take a look at the pineapple motif at the top of the frame.
The pineapple is a symbol of hospitality, and it was often used in furnishings and home decor as a sign of welcome to guests in a home. This practice began in colonial America and pineapples still show up in today’s home decor. Obviously, this now-stylish mirror would be equally at home in a small powder bath or hallway, but its original use was in an entry foyer. Now you know. 🙂
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