Bathroom Mirror Makeover and a MirrorMate Giveaway

by Julie on July 2, 2012 · 117 comments

When we remodeled our master bathroom last year, we left a big part undone: the bathroom mirror.

We had one of those unframed, builder’s grade mirrors so common in houses of a certain age.

The original plan was to take it down and replace it with a framed mirror, or possibly two framed mirrors. Our construction guys were willing, but told us that because the mirror was glued to the wall — instead of being held up with clips — taking it down would likely involve breakage of the unpredictable variety.

They weren’t wild about having to do it.

So we opted to leave the mirror up and in tact, but we still wanted a more complete look. That’s where MirrorMate came in.

MirrorMate makes custom frame kits that you assemble and install over existing mirrors. No mirror to take down and dispose of. No new mirror to buy. Just a frame to jazz up the mirror you already have. I liked that.

MirrorMate was willing to ship me a frame in exchange for my blogging about my experience here. MirrorMate did not require that I blog positively about their company/product, however. I already had the frame in hand and was free to share my own opinions.

I visited the MirrorMate website and ordered samples of three frames:

Bellemeade Vintage Silver

Naples Antique Silver

and Grandezza Aged Silver

Grandezza Aged Silver was my favorite before receiving the samples, and it was still my favorite once I saw them in person.

It is silver (more silver than it looks here), but the aging made it look richer and less metallic than the other two samples. It was also the widest of the three, which I thought would make it feel more substantial. So despite the fact that our mirror was a little on the small side, and we would lose more of it with this frame, I went with it.

How MirrorMate Works

To order a frame from MirrorMate, you start by using their detailed instructions to measure your mirror. You measure both the height and width, and also tell them how much clearance there is on each side (to allow for things like light fixtures and outlets), and if you have any clips that need to be worked around.

The frame is shipped to you with the fours sides unassembled. Also in the box is almost everything you need to assemble/install it. We only had to add a hammer and a level.

My husband and I took a long time getting around to putting up the mirror because the size of the box made us feel like it would be a big, big project. Nothing could have been further from the truth.

The entire process, not including drying time, took under an hour. Here are some (blurry) photos I took that will give you a feel for the process:

To begin, you lay out the frame facedown. Vacuuming first is optional, but if you’re going to be photographing your floor and then posting it on the world wide web for all to see, I completely recommend it.

Next, cover the ends of the frame with the glue that’s provided as part of the kit. There’s the proof of the vacuuming in the background.

With the glue still wet, insert the frame connectors at the corners and then let the assembled frame dry for an hour.

Once the glue is dry, you’re ready to hang the frame.

Hanging involves finding the right frame position, marking it with placement corners that are provided to you (not shown) and then peeling off the adhesive on the back of the frame and pressing into place.

That’s it! Easy as pie. Especially if you’re the one taking the pictures and not the one doing the actual work.

And here’s the fabulous result:

We love it!

We cannot stop talking about what a big change it’s made in the room.

Here are the befores and afters one more time:

MirrorMate Frame Giveaway

I’m not the only one that’s benefitting from the generosity of the MirrorMate people, however. Those nice folks have agreed to give a frame of up to $150 in value to a Family CEO reader. All you need to do to enter is to leave a comment on this post telling us which mirror in your house you will frame if you’re the winner.

You can also earn extra entries by doing any or all of the following. (Remember to leave a comment for each one you’ve done in order to receive extra entries in the giveaway.)

1. Visit the MirrorMate website and tell us which mirror style you like the best.
2. Like MirrorMate on Facebook.
3. Use the share button to share a photo or status update from the Family CEO Facebook page (it doesn’t have to be the one for this post or giveaway).

Entries for this giveaway will close at 10pm CST on Sunday, July 8. I’ll draw the winning comment using the Random Number Generator and I’ll announce the winner on the blog and Facebook on Monday, July 9.

So let’s get started: which of your bathroom mirrors would you like to frame using MirrorMate?

This post is part of Creative Things Thursday and Tutorials and Tidbits.

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Tagged as: House & Home

{ 116 comments }

Marcie July 2, 2012 at 5:25 am: I like the Bellemeade Vintage silver. Your bathroom looks lovely!
Marcie July 2, 2012 at 5:31 am: Like on Facebook!
Linda Waldron July 2, 2012 at 5:50 am: I’d LOVE to re-do my powder room mirror! We have changed everything in that bathroom, with the exception of the mirror. It’d be the icing on the cake!
Dee July 2, 2012 at 8:02 am: our guest bathroom mirror needs an update like this desperately!
Dee July 2, 2012 at 8:04 am: Mediterra Glazed stone is my choice at the moment but there are so many choices!
opmom July 2, 2012 at 8:38 am: I would love to do this in my master bath. It is a brilliant idea and my bathroom needs to be updates so it stops looking like a dorm room bathroom.
Suzanne from Suburban Spunk July 2, 2012 at 8:41 am: I can’t wait to do this in our half bath. I love the Tribecca Black frame! *liked on Facebook:)
English July 2, 2012 at 9:00 am: Love these mirror mates! What a difference it makes!
My fave is Grandezza Aged Silver.
Jill July 2, 2012 at 9:03 am: I would love to do this in all 3 bathrooms! I don’t mind our 1990′s mirrors but a little spicing up would be wonderful!
Careful Cents July 2, 2012 at 9:14 am: Wow! What an amazing transformation with such a small change. I’ve been looking for something similar to this for my builder’s grade mirror. Thanks for sharing your tips and wonderful pictures.
Linda Waldron July 2, 2012 at 9:53 am: I liked Mirror Mate on Facebook, too
petra July 2, 2012 at 10:09 am: We have a master bathroom mirror that looks just like yours in the “before” photo. This is the one we would frame.
Stacie July 2, 2012 at 10:19 am: My master bath has a huuuge builder mirror and it looks so sad and plain. It needs a frame to snazz it up! It’s just amazing how that frame makes it look so different. I think while I’m at it, I would put one around the powder bath plain mirror, too. Thanks for this generous giveaway!!
Nancy H. July 2, 2012 at 10:20 am: This is such a great product! We just started pricing componemts for redoing our main bathroom last week and it was a lot more than I had initially expected…what a great solution!

At this point I like Bellemeade Aged Silver but I have a very talented designer friend who I would probably consult before buying
Stacie July 2, 2012 at 10:21 am: I like the Mediterra but it’s definitely a tough choice!
Nancy H. July 2, 2012 at 10:33 am: Liked MirrorMate on Facebook!
petra July 2, 2012 at 11:07 am: I like the Broadway brushed chrome.
petra July 2, 2012 at 11:14 am: I shared on fb https://www.facebook.com/moey.shay/posts/260491727385406
Sheila July 2, 2012 at 12:56 pm: What a great idea!! Your bathroom looks so good:)
My bathroom needs some serious help!!
Heather July 2, 2012 at 1:13 pm: We’ve been wanting to do this to our girl’s bathroom for a while! Yours turned out great.
Kyra July 2, 2012 at 1:13 pm: I’ll frame the master bathroom mirror.
Heather July 2, 2012 at 1:14 pm: At this point I like the Venetian White Wave, but the simpler Chelsea is nice too.
Megan July 2, 2012 at 1:17 pm: Planning a master bath remodel later this year. The Chelsea or Permaquid in bronze would work well in our plans, I think.
Kyra July 2, 2012 at 1:18 pm: I would like the Chelsea Black Satin.
Kyra July 2, 2012 at 1:18 pm: I like MirrorMate on fb!
Kyra July 2, 2012 at 1:19 pm: I shared the giveaway on fb!
Amy July 2, 2012 at 3:01 pm: I have the very same boring mirror in my master bath!
Amy July 2, 2012 at 3:02 pm: I like Mirror Mate on Facebook!
Amy July 2, 2012 at 3:04 pm: I like the Chelsea!
Michele Jones July 2, 2012 at 4:41 pm: I would choose to do the master bathroom. It’s looking pretty dated and it is on “the list” to be redone — this would be a good push in that direction!
Catherine July 2, 2012 at 4:59 pm: The bathroom on our mainfloor has a boring builder mirror, too. I would love to frame it and update that bathroom.
Teresa Robinson July 2, 2012 at 4:59 pm: I have two Mirror Mate frames in my bathrooms and absolutely LOVE them! What a transformation!!!
Catherine July 2, 2012 at 5:01 pm: I can’t decide between BelleMeade Silver and Chelsea Espresso.
Catherine July 2, 2012 at 5:02 pm: I like MirrorMate on Facebook.
Lisa July 2, 2012 at 5:02 pm: Waterside Pearl would look perfect in our bathroom.
Laura July 2, 2012 at 5:32 pm: I would pick the Chelsea Espresso mirror – and we would do our master bathroom mirror! It looks a lot like your’s did.
Laura July 2, 2012 at 5:33 pm: I like mirrormate on fb!
Brooke Blanchard July 2, 2012 at 5:43 pm: Bellemeade Aged Silver is my favorite! Been a fan of Mirrormate for awhile! Thanks!
Christy July 2, 2012 at 5:52 pm: I would frame my guest bathroom. It needs some sprucing up!
Carmen K. July 2, 2012 at 5:54 pm: I would love to use Mirror Mate as part of the complete makeover of my guest bathroom. As soon as my broken foot heals I will be getting to work!!!
Christy July 2, 2012 at 5:55 pm: I like the Pacifica Black Leather frame for my guest bathroom.
Christy July 2, 2012 at 5:55 pm: I liked MM on FB!
Christy July 2, 2012 at 5:57 pm: I shared CEO on FB.
Will July 2, 2012 at 6:04 pm: Chelsea Espresso is my fave design
David July 2, 2012 at 6:06 pm: I ‘like’ MM on FB.
cinda nordin July 2, 2012 at 6:25 pm: I want to do this SO badly!! The first would be our front bathroom that is used by any guests visiting the house, and then I would do the master bath. Finally, we have an upstairs bath that I would love to see done too. These frames are SO beautiful!
cinda nordin July 2, 2012 at 6:30 pm: I also like the Grandezza Aged Silver or Chelsea Pewter Bronze.
cinda nordin July 2, 2012 at 6:30 pm: Liked on Facebook.
cinda nordin July 2, 2012 at 6:33 pm: Shared the Mirror Mate article on Facebook.
Laura July 2, 2012 at 6:39 pm: We NEED this for our master bathroom–wow!

Laura
Laura July 2, 2012 at 6:39 pm: I love the Grandezza Aged Silver, too.
Laura July 2, 2012 at 6:39 pm: Liked MirrorMate on FB–Laura Shops
Meg July 2, 2012 at 6:50 pm: I reall love the one you used but i’m also loving the acadia in oil rubbed bronze. Thanks for entering me!
Kelly D July 2, 2012 at 6:54 pm: I would frame the mirror in my guest bathroom.
Sue Hackenmiller July 2, 2012 at 7:31 pm: My favorite style is Pemaquid Slim/Dark Bronze. Beautiful, simple & classic!
Sue Hackenmiller July 2, 2012 at 7:37 pm: I love the Pemaquid Slim/Dark Bronze frame. I would love use this style in my master bathroom!
susana July 2, 2012 at 8:18 pm: I like MirrorMate
Kimberly July 2, 2012 at 8:29 pm: I would use the Pemaquid old world silver in my master bath!
Elizabeth Jones July 2, 2012 at 9:46 pm: Liked MirrorMate on facebook!
Elizabeth Jones July 2, 2012 at 9:49 pm: I’m loving the Bellemeade Vintage Silver….what a beautiful, easy, transformation! Thanks for the chance to win!
Skint in the City July 3, 2012 at 8:39 am: Wow – I’d never heard of Mirror Mate till now, but will definitely be checking it out now! I’ve got a mirror in the bathroom which is very plain and boring and I’ve been on the lookout for a new one, but now I’ll just be on the lookout for Mirror Mate!
Greta July 3, 2012 at 9:31 am: I would replace our downstairs bathroom mirror!
Greta July 3, 2012 at 9:33 am: I love the Grandezza Aged Silver! It would match our bathroom perfectly.
Greta July 3, 2012 at 9:34 am: I like mirror mate on fb
Jay July 3, 2012 at 10:12 am: I think I would frame the kids’ bathroom.
Lucy July 3, 2012 at 11:49 am: My pick is the Grandezza aged silver! This is my perfect for my guest bath!
@nola727 July 4, 2012 at 12:01 am: Thanks for the chance to win. I’d frame my parents’ bathroom mirror as a surprise.
@nola727 July 4, 2012 at 12:24 am: I like the Naples Antique Silver.
Kris @ BalancingMoneyandLife July 5, 2012 at 12:19 am: That turned out gorgeous! We have had a couple of those glued on mirror experiences, and they are not fun. What a great way to dress up a mirror you don’t like but will have a tough time removing.
Julie July 5, 2012 at 9:25 am: I love the Chelsea bronze. It would definitely make my bathroom feel more updated!
Lora July 5, 2012 at 3:20 pm: I would love to do this in my master bath.
Debra Lee July 5, 2012 at 5:35 pm: My Bathroom Mirror needs done!
Debra Lee July 5, 2012 at 5:36 pm: I love the Venetian style!
Debra Lee July 5, 2012 at 5:37 pm: I like MirrorMate on Facebook!
Debra Lee July 5, 2012 at 5:44 pm: Shared Found Money Here: https://www.facebook.com/?sk=nf#!/DebraLeaLee/posts/334003503348168 Great Article.
BARBARA FRIEDBERG July 5, 2012 at 8:00 pm: I’d try waterside pearl for my NEXT mirror!! (already did 2 with them). Hope I win, I need a bathroom update.
Lisa July 5, 2012 at 8:52 pm: I like the Grandezza Aged Silver, I would to add this to the mirror in my bedroom.
Amie July 6, 2012 at 6:59 am: Love this post! Thanks for the helpful, easy to follow steps!
MelissaJane July 6, 2012 at 7:54 am: Oh, no question – I’d do our master bathroom! And I’d love to win, because we rent this house and I don’t want to spend the money on this project, but I soooooo want to frame the mirror.
Annie July 6, 2012 at 7:59 am: I would love to win the Grandezza Bronze. That would add loads of glamor to my master bath.
Sophie Ta July 6, 2012 at 9:09 am: Your mirror looks wonderful! It made such an impact. Grandezza Bronze would add the right pizzazz to my master bath!
Jennifer B. July 6, 2012 at 9:25 am: I like Mirror Mate on Facebook!
Jenny July 6, 2012 at 9:36 am: This is a fantastic idea and I’d never heard of it before. I have a mirror like that in my downstairs bathroom and did not know what to do with it. In just an hour, it really transformed the look of the room.
Jennifer B. July 6, 2012 at 9:38 am: Bellemeade vintage silver is my favorite frame.
Livivua Chandler July 6, 2012 at 10:13 am: I would definitely change my bathroom mirror. It is plain just like the one in the picture
Lynne July 6, 2012 at 10:58 am: I love the Grendezza Aged Silver frame also! My bathroom hasn’t changed (except for paint) since it was built – 1985. My mirror is just like your before, builder’s mirror. Would LOVE this easy update – would make a world of difference!
Lynne July 6, 2012 at 11:14 am: Went to Mirror Mate website. Looks like my favorite frame is the Medittera Glazed Earth. Lovely!
Lynne July 6, 2012 at 11:15 am: I “liked” MirrorMate on facebook.
Lynne July 6, 2012 at 11:18 am: Finally, I used the share button and shared a photo (This bathroom makeover photo!) from The Family CEO on face book!
Connie Kleck July 6, 2012 at 4:49 pm: My daughter just bought her first home. Their bathroom has the ugly old big mirror that just screams for help! The Pacifica Brown Leather frame would love beautiful!

P.S. I have done my bathroom with a mirror mate frame and it looks marvelous!
Sharon July 6, 2012 at 5:28 pm: I love how your mirror turned out. I too love the Grandezza Aged Silver frame!!!
Kristie July 6, 2012 at 7:44 pm: I could use a frame like this in all of our bathrooms but would pick our master bathroom first. Love yours!
Kristie July 6, 2012 at 7:49 pm: Hard to decide which one would look best in our bathroom but right now I’d probably pick the Venetian Bronze Wave frame. Then again, I really like how yours turned out.
Erin July 6, 2012 at 7:50 pm: I actually found you through the MirrorMate website. I need to win!!! Pick me, pick me!!!

I would order one for my hall bathroom that I am re-doing currently, but I need them for all the bathrooms in my house!!!
Erin July 6, 2012 at 7:51 pm: Followed on Facebook TOO!!
Crystal July 7, 2012 at 11:08 am: I would be framing the downstairs guest bathroom mirror of our new house.
Crystal July 7, 2012 at 11:10 am: I like the Chelsea Espresso.
Crystal July 7, 2012 at 11:10 am: I liked MirrorMate’s FB page.
Crystal July 7, 2012 at 11:11 am: I shared your post about the chalkboard.
manda July 7, 2012 at 2:42 pm: I would frame the bathroom mirror! Great giveaway!
Candace July 7, 2012 at 8:30 pm: I would frame the downstairs guest bath.
Pam July 8, 2012 at 6:17 pm: This looks awesome! We have two huge mirrors in our master bath and I have been wanting to do something like this. I liked them on FB too!
Sarah July 8, 2012 at 6:25 pm: Wow! Looks beautiful! I need one for my bathroom!
Brenda July 8, 2012 at 8:08 pm: I like the Tribecca Burnished Brown. What a fun idea!
Katrina July 8, 2012 at 10:27 pm: Wow! Great makeover…I’ve been wanting to do something with my master bath mirror since we moved in 7 years ago. I like the Chelsea brushed bronze. Liked MirrorMate on FB!
Lisa July 9, 2012 at 12:35 pm: I really like the Mediterra Glazed Earth. Crossing my fingers.
Kimberly Sneed July 9, 2012 at 2:46 pm: I want the Portage Pebbled White for my boys’ bathroom!
Karen July 12, 2012 at 12:27 pm: Thanks so much for this info! I’ve been wanting to dress up our bathroom mirrow for years! I ordered samples as soon as I finished reading your success story.
I relate to the part about “easy, esp. if you’re not the one doing the labor”! :o) blessings on your day, k
Beverly July 12, 2012 at 12:54 pm: I’d love to have the Grandezza Aged Silver frame for my master bath mirror!
Laura Ingalls Gunn July 12, 2012 at 9:03 pm: We just moved into a new to us home that has, ahem, certain mirrors. I think I would do my guest bathroom first but oh, how I would love something pretty to look at in my own bathroom.

Fingers crossed.
Laura Ingalls Gunn July 12, 2012 at 9:06 pm: I adore the Waterside Pearl. So simple yet elegant.
Laura Ingalls Gunn July 12, 2012 at 9:09 pm: I liked Mirror Mate on FB! Fingers crossed.
Austin Baroudi July 23, 2012 at 6:50 pm: The Pemaquid Woods Mahogany Burl is wonderful!
Austin Baroudi July 23, 2012 at 6:51 pm: Liked MirrorMate on Facebook as Austin Baroudi.
Austin Baroudi July 23, 2012 at 6:54 pm: Shared a photo from the Family CEO Facebook page as Austin Baroudi.
https://www.facebook.com/austin.baroudi/posts/273221536113116
Maria McGuire July 1, 2013 at 8:16 pm: I like so many but I think the best for our bathroom is Grandezza Aged Silver.