I'm a finalist...and I now I'm asking for your help!

When the uber-fabulous <a href="http://www.design-refuge.com/2010/10/finalists-from-september-challenge.html?showComment=1286484525500_AIe9_BFuKNMgK81hGTj_tCyr7YHrI8QMEqnFQSTisZ3_lWd9igtflLv1uAMifATgvAUC2SRjW34EGjdAvO-PytXv4Z6idNxQY4nUw78V_Jq91j-fT1DQ0IxKVJABPyrej97o21wbkAN6DNLG3gQIDk1DSM4VdrYcg2GlPoCAvWPB26WMjkT23cGAXAuHeOGAdFjawp2FkD-Gd8CCWn4pkHuVCytlxg76WL1hP5FPP3TRn-ZMkyHrg2Lp57OIhK-tGeE2cLLP1tJeH9j3GIhi6Q5KdhmLpJe5BkKjvq15MiAnniGoo5Oq14r_jRydNMQHjoPsGN1LipgNjR_jj47n9qbKn-0sENlWY0PzpeAcQL5Vyp1SdEccwFI-u66ir89WOd9Gl4Ilwka6KTgU0dUYCUT8Xi8LDXQgqBroFpvnhUMQA3uIDJuAwx1dcB8biUaabDjq8IKlW5KjRJ80bOcEmnNh3YL9n91mKK7n-Izpfg2QzRUEPnP2XAISgPguWT7BBKNN0L-qMMWdb5elAp9NmUnzsnH2w8m679eIQCkWChzraUTXcxCENWcMFmrNdXhC0ri8YEvOt8F-2l_U8UY-NH-KpQafurVFY8lMVb0Pn9Bt5rXU4tt8LM7OFGQcALM7Hu-n_nLAy5Yt6F_nUVlmEl49ashsYz1UUERSiHAkd7Ew-xm2wHKCQ3R9JWr318oc2zRQbCZJ5CwIvnacwqIZ_aKRdgW80BTvQsWTUvpVBqsGPJiIr79_wqxO7Wovl_fJhIgFAR9t3ixi#c7142020898488359370">Design Refuge</a> launched their first '<a href="http://www.design-refuge.com/search?updated-max=2010-10-04T04%3A00%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=7">Before and After Challenge</a>', I thought I'd enter my faux inlay mirror makeover. You can read the whole post <a href="http://driftwood-interiors.blogspot.com/2010/09/faux-inlaid-mirrorthe-reveal.html">here</a>, but this is a little reminder of the after:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf14FE37NzBTcdMDzfV6GupgoKSI68c1vKq2YZTSmfXE6MNeCubKIzdG5A80QqKTPq2Jitqh7AVR1z_NT-W5C9wuW0J1vwOBAMGN4fOsdJ-otOXiNlOEaZdA0tumJHf5ivAXoAMjy3-Q8/s1600/DSC03568copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf14FE37NzBTcdMDzfV6GupgoKSI68c1vKq2YZTSmfXE6MNeCubKIzdG5A80QqKTPq2Jitqh7AVR1z_NT-W5C9wuW0J1vwOBAMGN4fOsdJ-otOXiNlOEaZdA0tumJHf5ivAXoAMjy3-Q8/s640/DSC03568copy.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">..and the before </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlt8Qmti4k5K7M0ijGRjJiafiT0JBiKyJ_BhdR5NMhnxPN_GE2kV693-YglmmDedOSOhrIRobdPgyl7wiV4QgKAbpXQVI49f1u0hrqrUWniZ_GjDY2393XpcbPxQnTqnSgKylof93Jxo/s1600/DSC03047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlt8Qmti4k5K7M0ijGRjJiafiT0JBiKyJ_BhdR5NMhnxPN_GE2kV693-YglmmDedOSOhrIRobdPgyl7wiV4QgKAbpXQVI49f1u0hrqrUWniZ_GjDY2393XpcbPxQnTqnSgKylof93Jxo/s640/DSC03047.JPG" width="496" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.design-refuge.com/">Design Refuge</a> is offering some lovely prizes, plus the winners will be featured on their blog for the rest of the year. Now, when I saw the calibre of the other entries, I honestly gave myself little chance. So imagine my surprise (and excitement!) when I received an email this morning to say I was a finalist! And as the <a href="http://www.ruemag.com/">Rue</a> team were part of the judging panel, I'm even more flabbergasted with my inclusion.<br /><br />Now comes the part where I ask for your help. If you like my mirror makeover, I'd love it if you could pop on over <a href="http://www.design-refuge.com/2010/10/finalists-from-september-challenge.html?showComment=1286484525500_AIe9_BFuKNMgK81hGTj_tCyr7YHrI8QMEqnFQSTisZ3_lWd9igtflLv1uAMifATgvAUC2SRjW34EGjdAvO-PytXv4Z6idNxQY4nUw78V_Jq91j-fT1DQ0IxKVJABPyrej97o21wbkAN6DNLG3gQIDk1DSM4VdrYcg2GlPoCAvWPB26WMjkT23cGAXAuHeOGAdFjawp2FkD-Gd8CCWn4pkHuVCytlxg76WL1hP5FPP3TRn-ZMkyHrg2Lp57OIhK-tGeE2cLLP1tJeH9j3GIhi6Q5KdhmLpJe5BkKjvq15MiAnniGoo5Oq14r_jRydNMQHjoPsGN1LipgNjR_jj47n9qbKn-0sENlWY0PzpeAcQL5Vyp1SdEccwFI-u66ir89WOd9Gl4Ilwka6KTgU0dUYCUT8Xi8LDXQgqBroFpvnhUMQA3uIDJuAwx1dcB8biUaabDjq8IKlW5KjRJ80bOcEmnNh3YL9n91mKK7n-Izpfg2QzRUEPnP2XAISgPguWT7BBKNN0L-qMMWdb5elAp9NmUnzsnH2w8m679eIQCkWChzraUTXcxCENWcMFmrNdXhC0ri8YEvOt8F-2l_U8UY-NH-KpQafurVFY8lMVb0Pn9Bt5rXU4tt8LM7OFGQcALM7Hu-n_nLAy5Yt6F_nUVlmEl49ashsYz1UUERSiHAkd7Ew-xm2wHKCQ3R9JWr318oc2zRQbCZJ5CwIvnacwqIZ_aKRdgW80BTvQsWTUvpVBqsGPJiIr79_wqxO7Wovl_fJhIgFAR9t3ixi#c7142020898488359370">here</a> to vote for me? I have a feeling I'm going to need all the help I can get! Thanks everyone for your support - it really does mean the world to me.<br /><br />Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, <br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>

I'm a finalist...and I now I'm asking for your help!

When the uber-fabulous Design Refuge launched their first ' Before and After Challenge ', I thought I'd enter my faux inlay mir...

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Faux Inlay Mirror...the reveal

Ok, enough teasing...I've <i>finally </i>finished the makeover of my old timber mirror. Here it is now:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPll9kTbYXc6mJsziSc8rWCjvjdgs6VKXG4GhPfCEDHO6CLZxpiRDXixQJ-DXh9njBG9qmTpxSAQCqKC8N8Aqq5kKfKii5CJ0D8Sh9i4ysdl0pLRxnKdwb9TszgJmsw9PdDD_ybqnFdg/s1600/DSC03575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPll9kTbYXc6mJsziSc8rWCjvjdgs6VKXG4GhPfCEDHO6CLZxpiRDXixQJ-DXh9njBG9qmTpxSAQCqKC8N8Aqq5kKfKii5CJ0D8Sh9i4ysdl0pLRxnKdwb9TszgJmsw9PdDD_ybqnFdg/s640/DSC03575.JPG" width="546" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RoYhQ5IBsx6nPkmPAs8Njme9dveElRQqtU2BEwXhMjHYFrE7gL8TBCDaQVkLUARX4XqSCyPXca524PEahzn3H8nKwqVNS7hUnQ26AfZKkAiZFeP4mhFAlYTLkecbpkPrpOG099yTOWk/s1600/DSC03575copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RoYhQ5IBsx6nPkmPAs8Njme9dveElRQqtU2BEwXhMjHYFrE7gL8TBCDaQVkLUARX4XqSCyPXca524PEahzn3H8nKwqVNS7hUnQ26AfZKkAiZFeP4mhFAlYTLkecbpkPrpOG099yTOWk/s640/DSC03575copy.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCDMstIy-hXg02YGC9c4Fj22k7U0WfPBJMaQBhVP-ikhAudRrydFXLWIEDhgaBsNzO8On8R02-z6WoHU8Afz00zpkcG8ZZ81OsFNAAALFvTKpqOU6ZeH6fWzX5UKfChC3AGkFJP-OUVI/s1600/DSC03568copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCDMstIy-hXg02YGC9c4Fj22k7U0WfPBJMaQBhVP-ikhAudRrydFXLWIEDhgaBsNzO8On8R02-z6WoHU8Afz00zpkcG8ZZ81OsFNAAALFvTKpqOU6ZeH6fWzX5UKfChC3AGkFJP-OUVI/s640/DSC03568copy.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtfi93gyY_Ih96hbEObYmClsfEjtnR01D82WccEWpfRyZ9-Xy65mX2UXxLsb01qs4DHRg6AWDocbQjmZyFQmfQQP0sx9O_52Maypg9wWVsceF0xqY117S0oK84k7D7wnR7uKdWXxUedc/s1600/DSC03571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtfi93gyY_Ih96hbEObYmClsfEjtnR01D82WccEWpfRyZ9-Xy65mX2UXxLsb01qs4DHRg6AWDocbQjmZyFQmfQQP0sx9O_52Maypg9wWVsceF0xqY117S0oK84k7D7wnR7uKdWXxUedc/s400/DSC03571.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />I love inlaid furniture, and when I looked closely at some of the originals, I realised that my mirror was the perfect candidate for a faux finish. The curvaceous shape was just right, and more importantly, I was really sick of it! If it didn't work out, no problem, I'd just silver leaf it. Those of you who've read my blog for some time may remember what it looked like:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_SF1QBqUOcEpNM1pdUlUf6_rm5lGKh9UgLD8KFWbMg8r9OaCCMHSInOfUwaLV_1imCRq1qonrCBL1-AzwP8TQWvHvS5OfZj3_6cShXs95IGPT4jJdctob5BjiR-CD2kInF7dtbbPxiQ/s1600/DSC03047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_SF1QBqUOcEpNM1pdUlUf6_rm5lGKh9UgLD8KFWbMg8r9OaCCMHSInOfUwaLV_1imCRq1qonrCBL1-AzwP8TQWvHvS5OfZj3_6cShXs95IGPT4jJdctob5BjiR-CD2kInF7dtbbPxiQ/s640/DSC03047.JPG" width="496" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeAsu2e2cToVpojL-utABRrwp2lWS2pSfVlpTnrlo3bmUwrykSWKWG6seTsBn9ntrizO0dq20GdxTgRHvRJt70HcjfRT-sj2BppBWCSfrlZCTVwUGKjC0JoqvkDajsUiS7eVrPwxc7nE/s1600/DSC03050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeAsu2e2cToVpojL-utABRrwp2lWS2pSfVlpTnrlo3bmUwrykSWKWG6seTsBn9ntrizO0dq20GdxTgRHvRJt70HcjfRT-sj2BppBWCSfrlZCTVwUGKjC0JoqvkDajsUiS7eVrPwxc7nE/s640/DSC03050.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I discarded the decorative pieces in the corners, and then undercoated the frame. The most time-consuming part of the whole exercise was the placement of the pattern - it needed to be fairly symmetrical to look convincing. Once that was done, all that was needed was a steady hand and lots of patience! It took much longer to do because I had to be in the mood to sit and paint - and it really can be quite theraputic to work on such a repetitive pattern! By the way, although it's not obvious in these pics, the pattern is painted in different mother-of-pearl tones, to give that lovely shimmer. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVAaR7lqKiRj6jYOJRZkLoB4U9S47DXatuQUSgXn1p8ziF__kDZbSCutJWqRkS6giNtDQb63Bd99WKSaukPJOidSBy7voYFWNkyC5T9U2y2U6t35T25gvm0Ccu4O0vV6mMoKbXhtIrBU/s1600/DSC03571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVAaR7lqKiRj6jYOJRZkLoB4U9S47DXatuQUSgXn1p8ziF__kDZbSCutJWqRkS6giNtDQb63Bd99WKSaukPJOidSBy7voYFWNkyC5T9U2y2U6t35T25gvm0Ccu4O0vV6mMoKbXhtIrBU/s400/DSC03571.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, what do you think - could it pass as a reasonable copy of the real thing? I'm pretty happy with it, but there's just one problem....I think I've created a monster. I'm looking at some of my old furniture in a whole new light...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1XIzRyPLTeGfl6YS2HKFakHz69Z8JBLOI8lbxDjyexZoiFWlGLAle8WInlX0RQPc7EJzInd5XZ00F_Tu1pp755HHct9gVQ19vNt-ESlPmgXw2aGzh_y5Tb_Al1g8yRF3r-eSC4GssYI/s1600/grahamandgreenuk2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1XIzRyPLTeGfl6YS2HKFakHz69Z8JBLOI8lbxDjyexZoiFWlGLAle8WInlX0RQPc7EJzInd5XZ00F_Tu1pp755HHct9gVQ19vNt-ESlPmgXw2aGzh_y5Tb_Al1g8yRF3r-eSC4GssYI/s640/grahamandgreenuk2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">courtesy <a href="http://www.grahamandgreen.co.uk/">graham and green</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwRPUHrf295-mE3yBvtdnAQh5LrAMTbvHAM9BZ8TwzofAoUqBOABNEZMhHtTBv1Y-DAdmrtyxDTm43jPgVTu5lO3VOq_TanT_vgZ06zJJqspTcUiTFqhMJAjvoVdM_9E5BPnWysV6zIg/s1600/iris+furniture+co+uk+charlie+076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwRPUHrf295-mE3yBvtdnAQh5LrAMTbvHAM9BZ8TwzofAoUqBOABNEZMhHtTBv1Y-DAdmrtyxDTm43jPgVTu5lO3VOq_TanT_vgZ06zJJqspTcUiTFqhMJAjvoVdM_9E5BPnWysV6zIg/s640/iris+furniture+co+uk+charlie+076.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://irisfurnishings.co.uk/">irisfurnishings.co.uk</a>  </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">....and I have a very similar chest of drawers in my shed! Stay tuned....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Oh, and I'm sharing this project over at <a href="http://www.design-refuge.com/2010/09/design-refuge-september-challenge-show.html">Design Refuge</a>, so go check out all the fantastic DIY projects on show</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Btw, linking this project over <a href="http://missmustardseed.blogspot.com/2010/09/furniture-feature-friday-link-party.html">here</a> if you'd like to check it out.</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Faux Inlay Mirror...the reveal

Ok, enough teasing...I've finally finished the makeover of my old timber mirror. Here it is now: I love inlaid furniture, and when I loo...

Read more »