This mirror makeover is the product of a short message chain between a reader and myself.  This is pretty much how it went down…

Kristy commented on our Tile Time post about our Custom-Tiled Vanity Mirror DIY:

What a beautiful idea!  I just came across this post… I have been brainstorming for months about what to do with our builder grade mirrors.  Looking at the link to the hanging system you used, it looks like it attaches to the back of the mirror with screws?  Was the plywood thick enough without them having to go into the back of the mirror?  That has been what has stopped me from moving forward on my project – I’m not sure how I would hang it.  Thanks for your help (and inspiration)!

I replied:

Thanks for the sweet compliment about our mirror!  We couldn’t be happier and unfortunately, my camera skills really don’t do the mirror it’s full justice!  I promise that if you do this project, you WILL NOT be disappointed with the results!  As for the hanging system, it does attach to the plywood and to the wall.  We used 1/2 inch plywood and the screws were the perfect size- aka, they did NOT go into the mirror at all!   This hanging system is literally the easiest thing I’ve ever used to hang large pieces and is super sturdy!  Let me know if you end up doing your project!  I’d love to feature it as a reader-inspired project!!!

Then… just about a week later… I get this super sweet email (with the pictures attached):

Ashley,

I just wanted to let you know that I completed the mirror project this weekend, and I couldn’t be happier with the way they turned out. (I had to do two because our his and hers sinks are separated by a closet). Even my husband is excited about them – he said this is his favorite project of mine that I’ve done so far .

As I mentioned before, I had ideas going through my head for months about doing something to frame the boring mirrors, but I could never figure out how I would hang them once completed. But seeing your technique and hanging system really assured me that it was something I could pull off as well.

I pretty much followed your technique step by step. (I’m so glad you suggested the liquid nails specifically for mirrors – I would have never thought of that). We found some tiles we really liked on clearance (yay!) that were a nice slate blue color. However, after searching 4 different stores in the area, we still didn’t have quite enough to frame both mirrors. So we had to improvise by throwing in some bigger tiles in the same color, and we’re happy with the way they turned out.

I attached some before and after pictures. Thanks again for sharing your process & tips!

Thanks,
Kristy

PS – I’m now trying to figure out where else in the house I can put a tile-framed mirror… haha.

YUP, it totally made me smile- getting emails like this is probably the biggest reward a blogger can get!!!  Kristy came out with an absolutely beautiful product that she and her hubby can enjoy for years to come, and I am happy to have been just a small part of it!

Thanks for sharing Kristy!

~Ashley