This
year I attempted something I have never tried as an adult… home-made
presents. The bulk of what I was working
on was home-made granola – pretty easy to complete as I make this monthly for
myself. There was one present idea I
had, though, that was less simple and with which I needed my Dad’s help to do.
When
I bought my house, all of the mirrors were included in the deal. I sold off some of them – I still have a
couple I am trying to sell – but one was a lovely little one that I though,
with some TLC could have the potential to be a pretty mirror to be given as a
gift.
It
was painted (badly) blue with white accents on the raised pieces and I thought
that, stripped and finished to the original wood, it would be quite nice.
It spent a couple of weekends at Mum & Dad’s place prior to Christmas working on this with my Dad’s help. First we stripped off the blue and white paint. Huh. It turned out that it was not a solid wood frame after all. The frame (an antique) was actually plaster on wood – something fairly common starting in the 19th century – and although this one is likely an antique, well, it would be pretty tough to date and value it without the assistance of an expert.
The frame type threw a little bit of a
wrench into the works – how on earth to finish a plaster frame? Well, we sanded lightly, worked a little more
on the thistle detail work and then left it to sit and wait for another week
while I figures out what next. Internet
research and discussion with the paint experts at Slegg Lumber here in the Comox
Valley led to the decision to simply cover it with a couple of coats of a Verathane
finish (satin for some gloss but not too much) Dad also rubbed a few coats of
tongue oil onto the back of the frame (the actual wood part – which we think
may be mahogany) and it was done.
Not bad for a first ever attempt at
restoration – and honestly, I like the process – something I will, for sure, do
again!
With
love across the waters,
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