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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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August 13, 2014

DIY Iron Grate Mirror

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Elmer’s ProBond Advanced for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I think I’m growing up. Not too much, mind you! Just a bit.

You see, I’ve finally come to realize something very important about myself and I’m working to change it.

I’ve always been a person filled with ‘expectations’. Expectations for myself, for my home, for others, for life in general. Many of them totally unrealistic.

And most of the time, that little character quality left me feeling let down and disappointed.

DIY iron grate mirror from atthepicketfence.com

So, I realized that it was far better to approach most situations with little to no expectations and therefore leave room for being pleasantly surprised!

And when I found this iron grate for sale for $15 I really, really, really tried hard to have little to no expectations. Honestly, I did!

I thought, well, I could turn this into a super fabulous mirror. In fact, I’m going to try and turn this into a super fabulous mirror. But, if it doesn’t work? Well, then I’ll just have a really cool, old iron grate that I know I can use somehow, someway.

So, I went into this project with NO expectations. Just gusto…lots and lots of gusto!

iron grate

I picked up an unframed bathroom vanity mirror from the hardware store.

making an iron grate mirror

I’ll admit it. I was nervous. How on earth was this heavy iron grate going to adhere to a mirror? For one thing, they’re two different kinds of materials. But having been given the opportunity to try out the new  ProBond Advanced I knew it was now or never!

Elmer's ProBond glue

I made sure the grate was level…

level

…measured to make sure it was centered on the mirror and then marked it with tape…

iron mirror taping corners

…applied the ProBond Advanced to the grate and attached it to the mirror. One of the things I immediately noticed was that unlike other brands, if a little bit of the bonding mixture seeped out (because I applied too much!) it was totally clear and very easy to wipe off prior to it drying. And the fact that it is specifically designed to bond Mixed Materials together meant that there was hope!

I placed heavy paint cans on top to weight it down and allow the bond to do it’s job, turned off the lights in the garage and headed back into the house to let it dry over night all the while filled with a sense of impending doom.

Will it work?? Will I come out in the morning and find that the grate was totally not sticking to the mirror?

iron grate turned mirror elmers pro bond glue

But there was no need to fear!

As soon as I woke up I hustled my bleary-eyed, coffee needing self to the garage, flipped on the light and went to check if the grate and the mirror had bonded in the night.

And sure enough! They were stuck like glue! Sorry, couldn’t help myself with that one. 😉

iron grate turned mirror framing

The next step was to purchase molding to frame out the mirror. We cut the pieces to size using our miter saw and then used the ProBond Advanced to attach it to the mirror. I knew that if it could hold that grate and mirror together then it would definitely work for the wood and the mirror, especially since it’s designed to bond porous (wood) and non-porous (mirror) materials together.

iron grate wood framed mirror Elmers pro bond

After letting it dry, I painted the frame and it was ready for it’s debut!

iron grate in framed mirror

 

Growing up is hard to do. Especially since it seems like a never-ending process, you know?

But, I gotta tell  ya. Having little to no expectations for things means one of two things will happen.

Either things don’t work out as you planned and you are spared a major let down.

 

DIY Framed Iron Grate Mirror

Or they turn out totally fabulous and you are all the more thrilled because you never had high hopes to begin with!!!

So, tell me, what kind of projects have you had to go into with low (or no!) expectations?

Is there anything you are working on where you might consider using Elmer’s Probond Advanced?

Take it from this skeptic, it’s totally worth giving it a try!

I mean, if you have no expectations, what’s the worst that can happen, right? You might just end up as pleasantly surprised as I was! 🙂

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Comments

  1. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    August 13, 2014 at 3:49 AM

    What a fun idea for that grate, Vanessa! It looks wonderful. I would have been doubtful about the bonding of the grate to the mirror, too. I wind up disappointed when my expectations are too high about a project so I try to dial it down. : ) You’re right, then you can be pleasantly surprised when it does work out.

    Reply
  2. Ashley @ 3 Little Greenwoods says

    August 13, 2014 at 3:51 AM

    Whoa! I would have been scared too. But the project turned out fabulous! I love the chippy yellow paint on the grate. Very pretty!

    Take care,
    ~ Ashley

    Reply
  3. Nancy Sharp says

    August 13, 2014 at 4:33 AM

    What a beautiful piece and original idea. I love learning about products that I didn’t know we’re available. Fabulous job!

    Reply
  4. Richella Parham @ Imparting Grace says

    August 13, 2014 at 5:36 AM

    Vanessa, you’re brilliant! Your new mirror looks wonderful. I would’ve been nervous about this one, too–I’m very impressed that this glue could hold something so heavy! Is this available at mass marketers or just at hardware stores? I’m going to look for some!

    The high-expectations situation hits all of us, I think. I once had a friend who made a rule never to get her hopes up too high about anything, so she could avoid being disappointed about things. She was a very even-keeled person!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 13, 2014 at 8:12 PM

      Thanks so much sweet friend!

      Reply
  5. Lisa @ Lisas Creative Designs says

    August 13, 2014 at 5:49 AM

    Love it!

    Reply
  6. Stacey says

    August 13, 2014 at 6:12 AM

    That turned out gorgeous!

    Reply
  7. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    August 13, 2014 at 6:17 AM

    The gate on the mirror is such a great idea. This looks fabulous and your project turned out perfectly.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 13, 2014 at 8:11 PM

      Thanks so much Marty! Hope you are doing well! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Amy Kaminski says

    August 13, 2014 at 6:27 AM

    That is awesome!!! Great idea and a great product.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 13, 2014 at 8:10 PM

      Thank you Amy!

      Reply
  9. Denise and Lesley says

    August 13, 2014 at 7:34 AM

    Absolutely Adorable! Great Job!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 13, 2014 at 8:10 PM

      Thanks so much ladies! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    August 13, 2014 at 8:31 AM

    Wow…and wow…what a “grate” idea!….totally FB’ng this…turned out simply magnificent!!!

    Reply
  11. Julie says

    August 13, 2014 at 10:10 AM

    I love it, Vanessa! What a great find…then to think of the mirror. Brilliant. That glue sounds great, too. I need to try it.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 13, 2014 at 8:09 PM

      I know you could do some serious projects with that glue Julie! 😉

      Reply
  12. Sandy says

    August 13, 2014 at 11:34 AM

    What a fabulous, beautiful statement piece for your mantel. I would think Pottery Barn might steal your design. Thanks for suggesting the new glue product.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 13, 2014 at 8:09 PM

      Awww…thanks Sandy! 🙂

      Reply
  13. Michele @ Our Rosey Life says

    August 13, 2014 at 11:57 AM

    Vanessa ~ This is ingenious and looks like a million bucks! What a lovely addition to your home. And I love when I don’t know where a project is going and am pleasantly surprised in the end, too.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 13, 2014 at 8:09 PM

      Thanks so much!

      Reply
  14. Grandmom says

    August 13, 2014 at 12:03 PM

    What a unique & gorgeous piece you now have in your home…oh, brave one!
    One question: In the “After” pictures at top & bottom, the grate looks golden; but in all of the DIY “In Progress” pictures, it looks sort of like distress gray/white?

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 13, 2014 at 1:46 PM

      Hi! It is definitely more yellow/gold tone to it but some of the in progress pics are of the backside which is more gray/white. Thanks so much for your sweet words about it! 🙂

      Reply
  15. Shenita says

    August 13, 2014 at 5:00 PM

    Vanessa, this turned out great! This is such a lovely addition to your home! You always have such great ideas!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 13, 2014 at 8:08 PM

      Thank you Shenita! Hope you are having a great summer!

      Reply
  16. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    August 13, 2014 at 6:18 PM

    Vanessa, Very creative and I love how the mirror turned out! It looks beautiful on your mantle.
    xx,
    Sherry

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 13, 2014 at 8:08 PM

      Thanks so much Sherry!! Hope you are doing well friend. 🙂

      Reply
  17. Carol Reddin says

    August 13, 2014 at 9:19 PM

    Love how the mirror/frame/grate worked out! It’s really beautiful! I intend to buy some of the glue to have for a variety of indoor/outdoor projects!

    Reply
  18. Ann says

    August 14, 2014 at 6:23 AM

    Oh my gosh Vanessa this is amazing! In my opinion, this is destined to be a family heirloom. You may have to make another one so your kids don’t fight over it!

    Reply
  19. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    August 14, 2014 at 6:55 AM

    Now this is a fabulous project! I love your mirror!!!! THanks for sharing ProBond! I have never heard of it and now can’t wait to use it! BTW… don’t grow up too fast. I love you just the way you are!!!

    Reply
  20. Jessica Griffin says

    August 14, 2014 at 8:22 AM

    I admire your tenacity in manhandling the vanity mirror. I have a phobia of those things! It turned out beautiful!

    Reply
  21. Shannon @ Fox Hollow Cottage says

    August 14, 2014 at 11:22 AM

    Now you are going to have to raise those expectations girl 😉
    It’s fabulous.
    So super neat and I love that you made it!
    You totally created it from almost nothing.
    Bravo :)))

    Reply
  22. Claudia says

    August 15, 2014 at 4:01 AM

    So mouth watering! That seems irresistible.

    Reply
  23. Pam @diy Design Fanatic says

    August 15, 2014 at 5:19 AM

    Your iron grate mirror is really beautiful and I love the way it turned out. You scored on the price too!

    Reply
  24. Margaret Oscilia says

    August 27, 2014 at 7:36 AM

    LOVE LOVE LOVE!! Now to find a darling grate like that one! Great idea 🙂

    Reply
  25. Nicole says

    August 28, 2014 at 5:26 PM

    Stopping by from I’m lovin it. Your diy mirror caught my eye. Great idea!

    Reply
  26. Pamela says

    August 28, 2014 at 9:18 PM

    It turned out gorgeous Vanessa! I am amazed it worked because I too would have been worried about the heaviness. Thanx for sharing at THT!

    Reply
  27. Suzan says

    September 3, 2014 at 5:58 PM

    What a fantastic idea – turned out just gorgeous !

    Reply

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