Turning Trash into Treasure — One Chic Project at a Time
If you’ve been here a minute then you know I live to save forgotten treasures from the landfill. I believe every scratched table, chipped frame, and outdated oddity deserves a second shot at fabulous. So when a project comes along that checks the boxes for sustainability and style? Oh, you better believe I’m all in.
That’s why when my friend Ellie texted me a video from an incredibly creative maker named Reloved Restore on Facebook(seriously, go follow her — she’s doing big things!). In the video, she transformed a damaged glass tabletop — chips, scratches and all — into a stunning side table using decoupage and mirrored spray paint.
Instantly, my brain lit up like a string of fairy lights (more on that later). I didn’t have a glass top table, but I did have an old clock frame that I found at the thrift store. When I saw it I thought, “Who on earth would buy this?” Well… me. Because I had seen the video. And I couldn’t wait to give this poor piece of glass a glow-up.
🧰 What I Used:
- A thrifted clock frame with glass
- Mirror effect spray paint
- Black spray paint (Rustoleum 2X)
- Vinegar & water (50/50 mix)
- Posh Chalk Deluxe decoupage paper (not sponsored — just obsessed)
- Decoupage glue
- Fairy lights (because sparkle makes everything better)
- Sandpaper & nail polish remover (for rescue missions)
- Silicone caulk
✨ How I Did It – Step by Step
1. Clean, Clean, Clean
First things first — give that glass a good scrub. You want a squeaky-clean surface for all the magic to come.
I also gave the frame a coat of white paint.
2. Spray the Mirror Effect
I sprayed mirror paint around the edges of the glass on what will be the front pf the piece, leaving the center mostly open. Three light coats, about a minute apart. If I do this again I might even go lighter than I did this time. I feel like I over sprayed the mirror effect and didn’t get as much of the aging as I would like but that is personal preference. There’s no right or wrong in art.
3. Add the “Aged” Mirror Look
Flip the glass over and spritz the back with vinegar and water. Then, lightly spray black paint and dab with a rag. The result? This should give the mirror an aged shabby look.
Confession: I got a little heavy-handed with the black, so I had to go in with sandpaper and some nail polish remover to lighten it up. It’s all part of the adventure!
4. Decoupage with Intention
This is where it got really fun. I used this gorgeous mulberry decoupage paper (hello, texture!) and glued it behind the glass. I lined it up just right so the flowers peek through the way I imagined.
5. Frame It Up
I was anxious about how I was going to get everything to stay in the frame. The clips on the back didn’t hold things very secure and the glass rattled. My initial thought was window glazing but I thought it might show. Finally I settle on secured everything in place with silicone caulk (my first time using it — spoiler: it worked!). No rattling, no shifting, just a snug and sturdy piece of upcycled art.
Now, here’s my twist — I added fairy lights behind the glass for a warm, glow behind the piece. This wasn’t in the original video, but it just felt right. Sometimes your creative brain whispers, “What if?” and you have to listen.
🌟 The Big Reveal
Y’ALL. I. AM. OBSESSED.
This turned out even better than I imagined. The scratches? Hidden. The fairy lights add this soft shimmer that makes the whole thing feel magical.
If Ellie hadn’t sent me that video, this piece of glass would probably still be sitting in a thrift store — or worse, a landfill. And that’s exactly why I do what I do. I’m all about rethinking what we toss, reimagining what we keep, and creating something beautiful from the forgotten.
Now I put it in my booth in June. If it didn’t sell I think I’ll take it to Vintage Junky in Forest Lake
The whole piece has a shabby chic vibe that I just love. Proving that sustainability and style can (and should!) go hand in hand. For me there is joy in saving something from the trash heap and giving it new life.
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