How to Create a High End Venetian Style Mirror on a Low End Budget

I LOVE these black venetian style mirrors. They’re bold, architectural, and make quite a statement. Their price tags also make quite the statement as well. I’ve seen them for no less than $350 retail. On my recent visit to the L.A. Mart, I saw them in showrooms ranging from $300-$600+ wholesale.

They are beautiful and I really wanted one.

If you’ve been following me, you know that I recently moved. Well, on my shopping list was a mirror for my front entry and I really wanted one of these mirrors for that spot, but what’s a girl to do if she doesn’t have the budget or chooses not to spend over $300 on such an accessory?

Well, I’m excited to share my latest DIY project with you. Don’t worry, I promise this is the easiest DIY project ever!

I had noticed a very cool mirror (or that’s what I thought it was) on the cover of the 2010 IKEA catalog. I have combed through the catalog hundreds of times and could not find it. I’ve searched for it online to no avail.  So, on a recent visit to the store, I was determined to find it. To my surprise, it wasn’t a mirror at all.  It was a picture frame.  No wonder I couldn’t find it right? Wrong.  I’ve checked the catalog again and it’s still not in there!

In any case, I grabbed the frame.  It was only $24.99!!  I was hoping to get a mirror that fit into the frame in their mirror section, but no such luck.  I don’t know why they don’t have one pre-made to fit into it…it would sell like hotcakes is my guess.

So, I brought the frame to my local glass shop and had them cut a custom piece of mirror for me and VOILA, I have my high end venetian style mirror on a low end budget. It gets better… It’s super light weight and since it’s made out of a plastic resin, you can easily spray paint it any color you’d like to match your decor (perfect for home staging!)

Let’s take a look:

Cost of Ung Drill Frame at IKEA – $24.00

Cost of custom cut mirror at local glass shop – $30.00

So for about $60 (can’t forget the tax), I got myself a fancy mirror without the fancy price tag – WOO HOO!

Savings on purchasing high end venetian style mirror – $300+

Admiring my resourcefulness every day and having friends think I spent big bucks on a cool mirror – PRICELESS!

I hope this inspires you to go out and grab your own $60 gem.  Enjoy…I am! 

Related Home Staging Resources:

1. Cost Effective Upgrades for your Bath to Prepare it to SELL
2. 3 Simple Must-Do Home Improvement Projects if You Want Your House To SELL
3. Home Improvement Case Study: Laminate Floor Tiles