Build It Yourself : Asian Mirror Frame

I am excited to share with you another one of our Build It Yourself (BIY) projects! 

I have provided instructions to create an amazing Asian Mirror Frame.

Click here to download the instructions to Build It Yourself : Asian Mirror Frame

Materials Needed:

1/8” Plywood
3/4” Plywood

1/2" Poplar Wood
1/4" Round Over Trim
1 1/8" Decorative Trim

Table Saw

Jigsaw

Miter Saw

Router

Flush Bit
Pocket Drill

Screws & Drill
1" Brad Nails
Hammer
Pin Nails
3/8" Dial

Wood Glue
Wood Putty
Sandpaper
1/8" Mirror
Palmer Mirro-Mastic

Your beautiful finished Mirror!

Rescue, Restore, Redecorate™

www.AmyHowardatHome.com

Build It Yourself : Cocktail Table

I am excited to share with you another one of our Build It Yourself (BIY) projects! 

I have provided instructions to create an amazing Cocktail Table.

Click here to download the instructions to Build It Yourself : Cocktail Table.

Materials Needed:

1/2” Plywood

Poplar Wood

Table Saw

Band Saw

Jigsaw

Miter Saw

Router

Flush Bit

1” Brad Nails & Hammer

Pin Nails

Screws & Drill

Wood Glue

Your beautiful finished Cocktail Table!

Rescue, Restore, Redecorate™

www.AmyHowardatHome.com

Painting Glass with Amy Howard at Home: Design Two

I am excited to share with you today the second post of this Series that we featuring on the blog with Painting on Glass using the Amy Howard at Home products.

Today, we are sharing the Decorative Glass Technique: Design Two. 

Using the AhaH Furniture Lacquer and clear glass, 

we can create artistic decorative glass to add to any space!

The following are images and step by step instructions to complete this project!

Materials Needed:

• Piece of Glass

• Water

• Paper towels

• Stencil

• Amy Howard at Home Silver Fox Lacquer

• Amy Howard at Home Black Lacquer

Step by Step Instructions:

Step 1: Clean both sides of glass well using simple green or glass cleaner to remove any unwanted spots that might affect the composition of the finish.  Make sure to wipe dry.

Step 2: Using a squirt bottle, squirt water onto glass.  Allow the water to reticulate rather than build up into large puddles. If water continues to puddle, lightly shake glass allowing water to spread out in an organic fashion.

Step 3: After squirting the water onto the glass, spray 1 coat of AHAH Silver Fox Lacquer.  The lacquer will sit on top of the glass and the areas where water droplets were created.  

Step 4: Immediately after lacquer application, lightly lay down a paper towel on top of glass.  The water droplets will have lacquer on top of them, which will be absorbed into the paper towel and removed from the glass.  This will create an organic composition of glass/clear spots. Let the coat of lacquer dry completely before moving on to next step.

Step 5: To help create visual interest, an artistic element can be added to the piece by using an AHAH Kiss and Cut stencil.  Apply the AHAH Greek Key Kiss and Cut Stencil to the lacquered side of glass.  

Step 6: Once the stencil is adhered, apply 1 coat of the AHAH Silver Fox Lacquer. Let the piece dry. This second layer of color helps to create depth and visual interest.

Let it dry.

Step 7: Remove the AHAH Greek Key Stencil from Glass.  

Step 8: Apply 1 coat of the AHAH Basic Black Lacquer.  Let the piece dry.  

Step 9: Enjoy your finished decorative glass which you created using the AHAH Furniture Lacquer.

Beautiful Completed piece!

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www.AmyHowardatHome.com

Build it yourself : Sunburst Mirror

I am excited to share with you another one of our Build It Yourself  (BIY) projects! I have provided instructions to create the frame where you can then inlay your antiqued mirror.

Click here to download the instructions to Build Your Own Project: Sunburst Mirror.

Materials Needed:

1⁄4” Plywood
1 1/2” Poplar Planks
1 1/4 ” Poplar Planks 
Router
3 Flute Bit 
Flush bit 
Round Over Bit 
Butterfly Bit 
Rabit Bit 
Table Saw 
Jigsaw 
Miter saw 
Staples 
Stapler 
Wood Putty 
Wood Glue 
Sandpaper 
Tape Measure

Your beautiful finished mirror!

Related How To Instructions: Antiquing Mirror

Rescue, Restore, Redecorate™

www.AmyHowardAtHome.com

Build It Yourself: Antique Mirror Tray

I am excited to share with you one of our Build It Yourself projects. Today, you can build your own Antique Mirror Tray using the Amy Howard at Home Antique Mirror Kit. I have provided instructions to create the tray where you can then inlay your antiqued mirror.

Click here to download the instructions to Build Your Own Project: Antique Mirror Tray.

Materials Needed:
1⁄2” Plywood: 1 sheet 3’ x 3’ 
1⁄2” Poplar: 1 sheet 3’ x 3’ 
1⁄4” Round Over Bit: 10 ft. 
5⁄8” Pin Tacks 
1 1⁄4” Brand Nails 
Wood Putty 
Wood Glue 
Sandpaper 
Hammer 
Miter Saw 
Router & Flush Cut Bit 
Table Saw 
Jig Saw 
Tape Measure

Your beautiful finished tray!

Additional How To Instructions: Lacquer and Eglomise

Rescue, Restore, Redecorate™

www.AmyHowardAtHome.com

How To: Antique Mirror

How To: Antique Mirror

Inspiration:

Materials Needed:

• Amy Howard At Home Mirror Stripper
• Amy Howard At Home Antique Mirror Solution
• Appropriate gloves for stripping mirror backing paint
• Paint roller
• Safety goggles 
• T-shirt rags
• Kraft paper
• Water source (for rinsing)
• Degreaser
• Small plastic container
• Amy Howard At Home One Step Paint

How To Instructions:
1. Find a well ventilated area for working. You will need a water source for rinsing mirror during the antiquing process. The work area should be protected by plastic tarp or an area that will not be damaged by mirror stripper. Temperature must be above 70 degrees F for the process to work.
2. Place mirror face down on a non abrasive surface. 
3. Put on safety goggles and appropriate gloves to protect from stripper.
4. Shake well Amy Howard At Home Mirror Stripper. Apply stripper to mirror backing paint and promptly roll out stripper with paint roller. You should have a uniform layer of stripper approximately 1/16” thick with total coverage of mirror back. Better to have a little more than less. 
5. The backing paint will begin to bubble up and is ready to remove when entire back has bubbled up. This usually takes minutes to complete.
6. Take a piece of kraft paper slightly larger than mirror and lay it on the bubbled mirror backing paint and lightly pat it down. Slowly lift the kraft paper. The backing paint will lift up on the kraft paper. If any backing paint is left on the mirror, apply small amount of stripper on backing paint, wait five minutes and place piece of kraft paper on that area and remove remaining backing paint.
7. The silver of the mirror is now exposed. Be careful not to scratch the silver during the following processes.
8. Once backing paint is removed, rinse the stripper from mirror with water source. A water hose is best in an area where water can run off and stripper will not damage.
9. Spray degreaser on back of mirror where the backing paint was removed and use rag to wipe off any excess stripper. Be very gentle cleaning to prevent scratching through the exposed silver.
10. Rinse well to remove degreaser and allow mirror to dry.
11. Shake well Amy Howard At Home Antique Mirror Solution and pour amount to be used in a small plastic container large enough to put soft cotton cloth in for application of solution.
12. Soak rag in container of Antique Solution. Apply, gently, solution with saturated cloth on the exposed silver. Use very small circular motion and apply over the entire area. Continue to apply until silver is stays wet. Allow to set 5-10 minutes. The silver will turn dark during this process, but you will need to lift and look at front of mirror to see how intense the antiquing process is occurring. 
13. Continue to apply more Antiquing Solution to promote the antiquing process, checking the front of the mirror to see desired effect. This will take approximately 30 minutes but is dependent on temperature (the warmer the work area, the faster the process). For darker antique mirror, continue application of solution.
14.When mirror has reached desired effect, rinse antique solution with water source and allow to dry.
15. Apply Amy Howard At Home One Step Paint with a roller brush. Two thin coats for best results. Allow first coat to dry to the touch before applying second coat. Black is the best color for this, but can use other colors to get different affects.
16. Enjoy the bragging rights!

Rescue, Restore, Redecorate™

www.AmyHowardAtHome.com

Classical Motif: Acanthus

Acanthus is one of the common plant forms to make foliage and decoration. It is an architectural ornament resembling the leaves of the plant. The carved ornament is based on the leaves of the acanthus plant. In architecture, a great example is on the capital of a Corinthian column.

The word origin of acanthus dated back to the early 1600s from Greek aka meaning "point, thorn" + anthos which translates to "flower" It was named for its large spiny leaves. The acanthus in architecture was used by the Greek and Romans and Byzantines.

Beautiful Examples:

Print, "Floral and Acanthus Leaf Design", 1740, National Design Museum

Acanthus Demilune with traditional style

Palazzo Scale Italian Tole Sconces With Acanthus Leaves

Hand-carved surround with acanthus leaves; add these throughout the house to add character

Lovely detail on this Gilded Mirror

The Amy Howard Venetian Secretary has acanthus painted detailing

Rescue, Restore, Redecorate.

www.AmyHowardAtHome.com